POLARSTERN PS140

The EASI-2 expedition, focusing on the instability of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, is the second of three POLARSTERN research voyages. Its primary focus is on current processes in the water column of the Southern Ocean, particularly the availability of nutrients from the seabed and the East Antarctic region. Researchers will conduct measurements and collect samples along specific transects to understand the structure, chemical composition, and circulation in the region.

Special attention is given to oceanographic trends in the vicinity of Antarctica, against the backdrop of rising sea temperatures, diminishing sea ice, and changing salt levels. Sediment samples taken up to 25 meters below the seabed provide insights into the evolution of the water column over hundreds of thousands of years. The expedition integrates modern observations with historical conditions, utilizing advanced methods and sampling strategies. Additionally, a land geology team will work in the Prydz Bay to support the research objectives.

The EASI-2 expedition aligns with the goals of the Program-Oriented Funding (PoF) of the Helmholtz Association, within the research program "Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future." It contributes to the themes of Ocean and Cryosphere in Climate and Marine and Polar Life, areas researched at both AWI Bremerhaven and GEOMAR Kiel.