2022 Participants
Eleanor Leadbeater and Rebecca White
Our expedition overall aimed to study the impacts of the 2022 ablation period on the glacial meltwater streams, on Longyearbreen, Svalbard (78° N, 15° E). Eleanor is studying the hydrochemical variations of the meltwater streams across the glaical system. There is ongoing laboratory investigations and samples are still in the process of being analysed. The results will give an indication of the pathways within the hydrological system of the glaicer. Rebecca is studying the suspended sediment load, velocity, and the width and depth of the streams to determine how the suspended sediment load changes over the course of the ablation season. To determine the relationship between these changes and climate, weather readings have been obtained from a nearby weather station. The data collected will hopefully contribute to our understanding of Arctic amplification, and how quick the response to a warming climate is from glaciated landscapes.
Funding source: Newcastle Expedition Fund and Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Project supervisor: Dr Rachel Carr