Türkiye leads 5th Arctic research expedition with 19 scientific projects

Reuters

Türkiye is conducting its fifth national scientific expedition to the Arctic, leading 19 research projects focused on climate, marine ecosystems, and atmospheric data around the Svalbard Archipelago.

The research team includes scientists from TÜBİTAK, SHOD, several Turkish universities, Anadolu news agency, and guest researchers from Bulgaria, Argentina, and Ecuador.

The expedition, coordinated by scientist Burcu Özsoy and led by Captain Doğaç Baybars Işiler, covers a 3,000-mile radius around Svalbard. Marine and sediment samples are being collected from 70 stations, alongside Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and meteorological readings.

Oceanographic data, climate change indicators, water vapour dynamics, and microplastic pollution are among the focus areas. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is being used to monitor marine mammals and assess biodiversity shifts due to climate change.

Three high school students, finalists in TÜBİTAK’s research programme, are also testing climate and sustainability-related projects on site.

International researchers are studying microbial evolution, resistance genomes, and the role of microorganisms in Arctic marine ecosystems. Findings are expected to contribute to Türkiye’s position in global Arctic science publications.

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