Question
The goal of the 2019-2020 MOSAiC expedition was to freeze a research icebreaker, the Polarstern, into the Arctic sea ice and have it drift across the Arctic with the ocean currents for a full year, allowing scientists to study the Arctic climate system for a full seasonal cycle. However, during the expedition, the Polarstern drifted faster and farther than expected, which made expedition leaders wonder if it would melt out of its ice enclosure long before the expedition was supposed to end. This is an interesting and alarming phenomenon that stems from the fact that there is more new ice in the Arctic, and newer, thinner ice moves faster than older, thicker ice.
There are other ways in which the Arctic is and could change as a result of the changing sea ice demographic. Can you think of any? Read the two short articles below, and write down a short summary of each that explains what the potential impacts of younger sea ice in the Arctic could be.
Article 1: Science News for Students: Arctic ice travels fast, carrying pollution :
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Climate change could turn the Arctic Ocean into a high-speed ice superhighway. Chunks of sea ice in the Arctic are becoming thinner as old ice melts. The new ice that’s replacing it travels farther and faster than the older ice had. And as the younger ice travels, it carries dirt, organisms and pollution along for the ride, new research shows.
Researchers have been tracking the movements of Arctic ice for several years. They noticed that the area covered by ice making the trek from one side of the ocean to the other has grown larger and larger. That movement means that far-flung reaches of the Arctic are becoming more connected, notes Robert Newton. He’s an oceanographer at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, N.Y. And he described his team’s new findings here, December 16, at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting.
The speedy ice is a problem, he explains. The reason: It boosts the risk of speading pollution from some environmental disaster, such as oil spills.
“You might imagine that the ice is this pristine environment,” he said. “But that’s not true.” He notes that “ice in the Arctic is surprisingly polluted. And when the ice travels from one part of the Arctic to the other, it carries all that material with it.”
Explainer: Global warming and the greenhouse effect
Winds sweep airborne pollution north from lower latitudes. Much of that pollution can settle into the ocean and onto sea ice. Industries along Arctic coastlines, such as gold mining, oil drilling and copper refining, also can pollute the region’s waters. As new ice forms in the fall and winter, that pollution — along with nearby sand and other sediment — gets trapped inside the ice. When that ice then melts in the spring and summer, it will shed the pollution it carried back into the ocean.
Between when it forms and melts, the ice can get pushed across the Arctic by winds and ocean currents. These forces more easily shove young, thin ice along than old ice. Newton and colleagues wondered what the impact would be on these ice rafts and the pollution they held. Less ice could mean less space to carry a large load of pollutants and debris. But a less crowded Arctic might let the ice travel farther and faster.
To find out, the researchers put together snapshots of the Arctic. The pictures came from satellites far above the surface. They used computer software that can recognize the edges of sea ice. This allowed them to follow the movements of ice from formation to disintegration. To help them do that, they also included tracking buoys on the ice that had been outfitted with GPS devices.
Most Arctic ice does not go far, they found. About 60 percent of ice travels less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from its birthplace. The rest covers an area equal to tens of thousands of square kilometers. It can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. And the share of long-traveling ice is growing. Newton thinks the area of ice that travels a long distance over its lifetime is about 8 to 10 percent larger than it was even 15 years ago. That ice is moving faster, too: Ice now travels from Russia to Canada in four to five years or less. It took six to seven years to cover that distance only 15 years ago.
The new estimates may be low on the amount of wandering ice and the threat it poses, said Andy Mahoney. He works at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. As a sea-ice geophysicist, he studies how humans, oceans and sea ice affect one another. Fresh, fast-moving ice forms during October and November. But satellites struggle to capture that young ice. An oil spill during the summer could become trapped in this autumn ice. The oil could then quickly move from one country’s waters to another’s, he notes, rapidly spreading the spill’s impact on the environment.
Article 2: Tanker becomes first to cross Arctic without icebreaker :
Climate change is helping create new opportunities for shipping companies by melting the ice around the North Pole.
A Russian tanker carrying natural gas has become the first merchant ship to sail across the Arctic without the help of an icebreaker, finishing the journey in record time.
The ship, the Christophe de Margerie, traveled from Norway to South Korea in 19 days, about 30% quicker than the regular route through the Suez Canal, its Russian owner, Sovcomflot, said this week.
Related: Businesses that benefit from global warming
The tanker managed to complete the northernmost part of the voyage between two remote Russian ports -- known as the Northern Sea Route -- in a record-breaking six-and-half days.
Every year, arctic ice naturally shrinks in the spring and summer before growing again during winter. But as global temperatures have risen, the old sea ice that lasts year after year has shrunk to its smallest level in three decades.
sovcomflot christophe de margerie
Thinner, younger sea ice -- less than a year old -- has become the majority across the Arctic. Young ice struggles to reach a thickness of 2 meters (6½ feet) during winter months and then is more likely to melt during the summer.
Related: Watch as old sea ice vanishes
It's a huge concern. According to NASA, many global climate models predict that the Arctic will be ice-free for at least part of the year before the end of the 21st century. Some models predict an ice-free Arctic by midcentury. That would have a direct impact on weather patterns around the world.
The thinning ice also opens new paths for global trade, saving companies hundreds of thousands of dollars they would spend on longer journeys via more southerly routes.
"This is the paradox of climate change," said Ben Ayliffe, a campaigner for Greenpeace. "The fossil fuels we're burning are allowing access into areas that were previously protected by ice."
He expressed concern that increasing sea traffic in the inhospitable environment will bring new risks, such as a fuel spill that would be virtually impossible to clean up.
climate change arctic shipping routes
These three Arctic shipping routes are now more clear than ever.
Shipping tankers making their way across the top of the world typically need to be accompanied by massive, nuclear-powered Russian icebreakers to plow through patches of six-foot-thick ice.
But the Christophe de Margerie, named for a former CEO of French oil giant Total, is specially designed to sail independently through ice as thick as 2.1 meters (nearly 7 feet), its owner said.
That means it should be able to operate in the harsh Arctic waters year round rather than just the summer months.
Its recent journey ferrying liquified natural gas more than 2,000 nautical miles through ice as thick as 1.2 meters (4 feet) "demonstrates the economic potential of using the Northern Sea Route for large-capacity vessel transits," Sovcomflot said.
Each summary (Article 1 and Article 2) should be at least 3 paragraphs (3-8 sentences/paragraph).
Do a spell/grammar check before you submit your assignment.
There are other ways in which the Arctic is and could change as a result of the changing sea ice demographic. Can you think of any? Read the two short articles below, and write down a short summary of each that explains what the potential impacts of younger sea ice in the Arctic could be.
Article 1: Science News for Students: Arctic ice travels fast, carrying pollution :
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Climate change could turn the Arctic Ocean into a high-speed ice superhighway. Chunks of sea ice in the Arctic are becoming thinner as old ice melts. The new ice that’s replacing it travels farther and faster than the older ice had. And as the younger ice travels, it carries dirt, organisms and pollution along for the ride, new research shows.
Researchers have been tracking the movements of Arctic ice for several years. They noticed that the area covered by ice making the trek from one side of the ocean to the other has grown larger and larger. That movement means that far-flung reaches of the Arctic are becoming more connected, notes Robert Newton. He’s an oceanographer at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, N.Y. And he described his team’s new findings here, December 16, at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting.
The speedy ice is a problem, he explains. The reason: It boosts the risk of speading pollution from some environmental disaster, such as oil spills.
“You might imagine that the ice is this pristine environment,” he said. “But that’s not true.” He notes that “ice in the Arctic is surprisingly polluted. And when the ice travels from one part of the Arctic to the other, it carries all that material with it.”
Explainer: Global warming and the greenhouse effect
Winds sweep airborne pollution north from lower latitudes. Much of that pollution can settle into the ocean and onto sea ice. Industries along Arctic coastlines, such as gold mining, oil drilling and copper refining, also can pollute the region’s waters. As new ice forms in the fall and winter, that pollution — along with nearby sand and other sediment — gets trapped inside the ice. When that ice then melts in the spring and summer, it will shed the pollution it carried back into the ocean.
Between when it forms and melts, the ice can get pushed across the Arctic by winds and ocean currents. These forces more easily shove young, thin ice along than old ice. Newton and colleagues wondered what the impact would be on these ice rafts and the pollution they held. Less ice could mean less space to carry a large load of pollutants and debris. But a less crowded Arctic might let the ice travel farther and faster.
To find out, the researchers put together snapshots of the Arctic. The pictures came from satellites far above the surface. They used computer software that can recognize the edges of sea ice. This allowed them to follow the movements of ice from formation to disintegration. To help them do that, they also included tracking buoys on the ice that had been outfitted with GPS devices.
Most Arctic ice does not go far, they found. About 60 percent of ice travels less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from its birthplace. The rest covers an area equal to tens of thousands of square kilometers. It can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. And the share of long-traveling ice is growing. Newton thinks the area of ice that travels a long distance over its lifetime is about 8 to 10 percent larger than it was even 15 years ago. That ice is moving faster, too: Ice now travels from Russia to Canada in four to five years or less. It took six to seven years to cover that distance only 15 years ago.
The new estimates may be low on the amount of wandering ice and the threat it poses, said Andy Mahoney. He works at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. As a sea-ice geophysicist, he studies how humans, oceans and sea ice affect one another. Fresh, fast-moving ice forms during October and November. But satellites struggle to capture that young ice. An oil spill during the summer could become trapped in this autumn ice. The oil could then quickly move from one country’s waters to another’s, he notes, rapidly spreading the spill’s impact on the environment.
Article 2: Tanker becomes first to cross Arctic without icebreaker :
Climate change is helping create new opportunities for shipping companies by melting the ice around the North Pole.
A Russian tanker carrying natural gas has become the first merchant ship to sail across the Arctic without the help of an icebreaker, finishing the journey in record time.
The ship, the Christophe de Margerie, traveled from Norway to South Korea in 19 days, about 30% quicker than the regular route through the Suez Canal, its Russian owner, Sovcomflot, said this week.
Related: Businesses that benefit from global warming
The tanker managed to complete the northernmost part of the voyage between two remote Russian ports -- known as the Northern Sea Route -- in a record-breaking six-and-half days.
Every year, arctic ice naturally shrinks in the spring and summer before growing again during winter. But as global temperatures have risen, the old sea ice that lasts year after year has shrunk to its smallest level in three decades.
sovcomflot christophe de margerie
Thinner, younger sea ice -- less than a year old -- has become the majority across the Arctic. Young ice struggles to reach a thickness of 2 meters (6½ feet) during winter months and then is more likely to melt during the summer.
Related: Watch as old sea ice vanishes
It's a huge concern. According to NASA, many global climate models predict that the Arctic will be ice-free for at least part of the year before the end of the 21st century. Some models predict an ice-free Arctic by midcentury. That would have a direct impact on weather patterns around the world.
The thinning ice also opens new paths for global trade, saving companies hundreds of thousands of dollars they would spend on longer journeys via more southerly routes.
"This is the paradox of climate change," said Ben Ayliffe, a campaigner for Greenpeace. "The fossil fuels we're burning are allowing access into areas that were previously protected by ice."
He expressed concern that increasing sea traffic in the inhospitable environment will bring new risks, such as a fuel spill that would be virtually impossible to clean up.
climate change arctic shipping routes
These three Arctic shipping routes are now more clear than ever.
Shipping tankers making their way across the top of the world typically need to be accompanied by massive, nuclear-powered Russian icebreakers to plow through patches of six-foot-thick ice.
But the Christophe de Margerie, named for a former CEO of French oil giant Total, is specially designed to sail independently through ice as thick as 2.1 meters (nearly 7 feet), its owner said.
That means it should be able to operate in the harsh Arctic waters year round rather than just the summer months.
Its recent journey ferrying liquified natural gas more than 2,000 nautical miles through ice as thick as 1.2 meters (4 feet) "demonstrates the economic potential of using the Northern Sea Route for large-capacity vessel transits," Sovcomflot said.
Each summary (Article 1 and Article 2) should be at least 3 paragraphs (3-8 sentences/paragraph).
Do a spell/grammar check before you submit your assignment.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Summary of Article 1: Science News for Students: Arctic ice travels fast, carrying pollution**
The article discusses the implications of climate change on the movement and demographic of Arctic sea ice. As older, thicker sea ice melts away, it is being replaced by younger, thinner ice, which is more mobile and travels farther at a faster pace. This newfound mobility increases the risk of spreading pollution throughout the Arctic, as the ice carries dirt, organisms, and contaminants along. Researchers have observed that the area covered by ice traveling significant distances has increased by about 8 to 10 percent over the past 15 years, with faster travel times between landmasses.
One of the main concerns highlighted is the connection created by this rapid ice movement. The publication informs that the previously isolated regions of the Arctic are becoming more interconnected, increasing the likelihood that pollutants can traverse vast distances. For instance, pollution from industries operating nearby, such as oil drilling and gold mining, can become trapped in the newly formed ice during the fall and winter months. When it melts in the warmer months, this ice releases the pollutants back into the ocean, potentially causing severe ecological impacts.
The situation raises alarms about environmental safety and disaster response, particularly in the case of an oil spill. The article emphasizes that the quick movement of young ice could allow pollutants to shift across international waters rapidly. If a spill were to occur, it could have extensive and unpredictable effects, complicating cleanup efforts and environmental management. Overall, the combination of faster-moving ice and increased pollution highlights a troubling trend for the Arctic ecosystem.
---
**Summary of Article 2: Tanker becomes first to cross Arctic without icebreaker**
The second article highlights new shipping opportunities emerging in the Arctic due to climate change. A Russian tanker, the Christophe de Margerie, made history by completing a journey across the Arctic without the assistance of an icebreaker, significantly reducing travel time compared to traditional routes. This signifies how melting sea ice is opening up new shipping lanes, like the Northern Sea Route, which allow for faster and more cost-effective trade between countries. The practicality of this route could lead to increased commercial shipping operations in the region.
The article underscores the concerning shift in the Arctic ice demographic, noting that younger, thinner ice now dominates the landscape. This new ice is less than a year old and is less likely to thicken sufficiently during winter months, making it more susceptible to melting in the summer. Predictions by climate scientists suggest that the Arctic could be ice-free for parts of the year by mid-century, which would have far-reaching effects on global weather patterns. This transformation, while fostering economic opportunities, raises alarms about the potential consequences for the fragile Arctic environment.
Ben Ayliffe from Greenpeace emphasizes the "paradox of climate change," where the very fossil fuels responsible for global warming are allowing access to previously protected areas. He warns that increased shipping traffic poses risks, including oil spills that could have devastating repercussions and be nearly impossible to clean up in the harsh Arctic conditions. Overall, the article illustrates the complex interplay between economic interests and environmental risks in the face of a rapidly changing Arctic landscape.
The article discusses the implications of climate change on the movement and demographic of Arctic sea ice. As older, thicker sea ice melts away, it is being replaced by younger, thinner ice, which is more mobile and travels farther at a faster pace. This newfound mobility increases the risk of spreading pollution throughout the Arctic, as the ice carries dirt, organisms, and contaminants along. Researchers have observed that the area covered by ice traveling significant distances has increased by about 8 to 10 percent over the past 15 years, with faster travel times between landmasses.
One of the main concerns highlighted is the connection created by this rapid ice movement. The publication informs that the previously isolated regions of the Arctic are becoming more interconnected, increasing the likelihood that pollutants can traverse vast distances. For instance, pollution from industries operating nearby, such as oil drilling and gold mining, can become trapped in the newly formed ice during the fall and winter months. When it melts in the warmer months, this ice releases the pollutants back into the ocean, potentially causing severe ecological impacts.
The situation raises alarms about environmental safety and disaster response, particularly in the case of an oil spill. The article emphasizes that the quick movement of young ice could allow pollutants to shift across international waters rapidly. If a spill were to occur, it could have extensive and unpredictable effects, complicating cleanup efforts and environmental management. Overall, the combination of faster-moving ice and increased pollution highlights a troubling trend for the Arctic ecosystem.
---
**Summary of Article 2: Tanker becomes first to cross Arctic without icebreaker**
The second article highlights new shipping opportunities emerging in the Arctic due to climate change. A Russian tanker, the Christophe de Margerie, made history by completing a journey across the Arctic without the assistance of an icebreaker, significantly reducing travel time compared to traditional routes. This signifies how melting sea ice is opening up new shipping lanes, like the Northern Sea Route, which allow for faster and more cost-effective trade between countries. The practicality of this route could lead to increased commercial shipping operations in the region.
The article underscores the concerning shift in the Arctic ice demographic, noting that younger, thinner ice now dominates the landscape. This new ice is less than a year old and is less likely to thicken sufficiently during winter months, making it more susceptible to melting in the summer. Predictions by climate scientists suggest that the Arctic could be ice-free for parts of the year by mid-century, which would have far-reaching effects on global weather patterns. This transformation, while fostering economic opportunities, raises alarms about the potential consequences for the fragile Arctic environment.
Ben Ayliffe from Greenpeace emphasizes the "paradox of climate change," where the very fossil fuels responsible for global warming are allowing access to previously protected areas. He warns that increased shipping traffic poses risks, including oil spills that could have devastating repercussions and be nearly impossible to clean up in the harsh Arctic conditions. Overall, the article illustrates the complex interplay between economic interests and environmental risks in the face of a rapidly changing Arctic landscape.