Frozen samples used to predict global warming

Researcher Chen Xiaodong, at Dalian University of Technology, is busy studying ice core samples obtained from China's latest Arctic North Pole expedition, which returned on Sept 27.

Chen is studying the properties of Arctic sea ice in order to create modeling that will be able to predict changes caused by global warming.

The expedition team returned from its mission aboard icebreaker Xuelong 2, having covered more than 15,500 nautical miles (28,700 kilometers) since July 12.

Chen and his colleagues reached 90 degrees North latitude, marking the first time that a Chinese research vessel had performed scientific tasks in the North Pole region. Chen became the first Chinese ice mechanics researcher to reach the North Pole and conduct on-site sampling.

He collected a 0.52-cubic-meter ice block sample and 181 ice core samples. Among the ice core samples, 15 were collected from the ice floe at the North Pole.

These samples are expected to fill the data gap in China's research on the physical and mechanical properties of sea ice in this region.

"In the field of ice mechanics research, Dalian University of Technology has the strongest and most experienced research group in China," said Chen.

"We've been working on this for generations. I'm just lucky to have been sent on this expedition," he said.

During the expedition, Chen was involved in the onboard observation of sea ice and the measurement of sea ice mechanical properties, including carrying out field tests and collecting data on the ice, as well as conducting automated observations of sea ice parameters and using drones for observation.

It was the first time that the mechanical properties of Arctic sea ice had been studied under impact load based on in-situ experiments by a Chinese researcher.

Chen, 36, began researching sea ice mechanics during his master's degree at DUT in 2010. Prior to this expedition, he had participated in five Arctic research projects organized by different institutions.

Reflecting on the expedition, he noted a significant change in the sea ice conditions, with especially severe melting this year.

During the 78-day journey, Chen and other researchers carried out comprehensive surveys on the atmosphere, hydrology, biology and sea ice along the route.

The researchers conducted a series of observations, surveying and sampling operations in the central section of the Pacific Arctic region and the Gakkel Ridge, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.