Arctic Engineering

Arctic coastal structures ¾ protection against sea-ice loads
This project is studying the processes taking place in the transition zone between shore and level sea-ice. The main areas of study are the geographical distribution of the mechanical properties of the sea ice, the relation between level-ice stresses and stresses in the ice foot, and the influence of the tide on the stresses.

This international project has obtained the European Eureka label for market-oriented, industrial R&D and is sponsored by Store Norske Spitsbergen Grubekompani, the coal company based in Longyearbyen.

For more information, contact Fabrice Caline, PhD student in Coastal Engineering

Influence of permafrost and climate change in snow pack stability in the Arctic
Climate research has concluded that there is a high probability for a warmer Arctic with higher rate of precipitation in this century. This may cause some evolution of the avalanche risk in Svalbard.

The PhD project will provide numerical values of strength parameters for arctic snow regarding to its story and the effect of permafrost on it. This should lead to a better evaluation of the avalanche risk evolution during the next years.

For more information, contact Louis Delmas, PhD student in Snow Mechanics

Physical and mechanical properties of sea ice cover and design loads on offshore constructions in the Arctic
This research project is focused on the study of sea ice cover properties in relation to design loads on offshore constructions and navigational conditions in the Arctic taking into account climatic changes. The project consists of field work on sea ice, laboratory work, data analysis and numerical simulations.

Main topics of this activity are focused on the study of:

• Sea ice drift and morphology
• Strength of sea ice features (land fast ice, ice ridges, stamukhas and icebergs)
• Hydro-physical properties and energy fluxes in ice adjacent ocean and atmosphere layers
• Ice loads on offshore constructions and ships
• Seabed gouging in shallow water regions subjected to the influence of ice keels.

Co-operation partners: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Moscow State University (Russia, Moscow), Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (Russia, St.-Petersburg).

For more information, contact Aleksey Marchenko, Associate Professor in Ice Mechanics

Thermal response of first-year landfast sea ice
Ice reacts under temperature variation as other materials. Furthermore, when ice is restricted by natural or artificial boundaries, displacement due to expansion is then not possible. In consequence, horizontal pressure occurs and deforms the ice cover. Studies in this field are necessary for designing and for preventing severe ecological catastrophes.

This project intends to conduct in-situ measurements during the cold season in Sveabukta in Van Mijenfjorden and in Austfjorden, perform several mechanical tests such as thermal expansion, compression, relaxation and creep under different temperatures in cold laboratory and finally to provide a numerical model. The project is sponsored by TOTAL E&P NORGE AS and is part of the PetroArctic Project.

For more information, contact Sébastien Barrault, PhD student in Ice Mechanics

Temporal development and spatial properties in a first-year sea ice ridge
This PhD project aims at defining how the mechanical properties of a first-year sea ice ridge vary seasonally. Field measurements of initial and oceanic conditions as well as geometry and strength of the rubble are to be performed in Van Mijenfjorden in Svalbard for the seasons 2008 to 2010. This project is part of the PetroArctic Project.

For more information, contact Lucie Strub-Klein, PhD student in Ice Mechanics

Collection of ice pilot experiences from sealers
This project is a mixture of history, geography, technology and sometimes psychology. Information from different sources are gathered, included written documentation and evidences of involved persons (ice masters, mates and pilots) which have operated in Arctic waters for decades in order to know how real people solve difficult problem.

Items of special interest are connected to dangerous waters and shipwrecks (vessel type, weather/ice conditions, crew actions), because the safety is most important and we want to prevent the future losses. Other part of the project is investigation of trends in the development of vessels construction (hull form, engines, experience for different sizes and types of vessel in different conditions). This project is part of the PetroArctic Project.

For more information, contact Dr. Nataly Marchenko, project secretary

Environmental Technology and Chemistry

Climate Change Processes Influencing Fate and Distribution of Persistent Anthropogenic Pollutants in the Arctic Environment
An integrated project within the Arctic monitoring and Assement Programme (AMAP)

This research project is initiated addressing principal scientific questions relating the fate and distribution of anthropogenic pollutants and expected climate change scenarios in the Arctic environments.

The project intends to:

• Identify key parameters linking the presence of contaminants and climate regimes in the Arctic
• Establish suitable monitoring methods for continuous evaluation of the effects of climate change on contaminant distribution and fate in the Arctic.
• Integrate a comprehensive modeling approach adapted to temperature change scenarios and potential consequences for the presence of contaminants in the Arctic.
• Develop an integrated assessment tool including field research, monitoring and modeling allowing political and scientific decision makes to thoroughly evaluate the environmental situation in the Arctic with respect to Climate change and contaminants.

Co-operation partners: Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Environment Canada (Meteorological Services), University of Pennsylvania (USA)

For more information, contact Roland Kallenborn, Professor in Environmental Technology

Photochemical transformation of organic chemical residues on Arctic ice and snow surfaces
The project is focusing on photochemical transformation processes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and currently used pesticides (CUPs) in ice and snow. In order to understand the mechanisms and transformation pathways, UV-light experiments are conducted under laboratory conditions. Additionally, field experiments are carried out and environmental samples are collected to gain a better understanding on how the experiments can be related to processes that are taking place under natural arctic conditions.

For more information, contact Monika Trümper, PhD student in Environmental Technology

Environmental controls on subsurface processes in coal waste rock dumps in Svalbard
The PhD project proposes to develop methods to make or keep waste rock dumps in Artic areas chemically inactive. The scientific relevance of the project is linked to the lack of knowledge regarding oxidation- and self-incineration processes influencing subsurface temperatures in waste rock dumps. 

Research on year-round oxidation processes, self incineration processes and the organic chemical mechanics of waste rock material is important to quantify the overall environmental threat from waste rock dumps and is needed to solve existing environmental problems through improved system management. More details here.

For more information, contact Jørgen Hollesen, Ph.D. student in Environmental Technology

Emerging persistent organic pollutants in the high North and North-Western Russia (NorthPOP)
A scientific Norwegian-Russian exchange program on higher university education

The aim of the project is to develop a mutual scientific exchange within environmental chemistry based upon transfer of scientific knowledge, MSc, PhD students and personnel.

Main activity:
Medium-term research visits (3-12 months; 6 months in average) of M.Sc., Ph.D. students and Post-doctoral researchers. Research visits are an integrated part of each M.Sc., Ph.D. or post-doc project. Duration of the project: 2008-2010.

More information here

Safe Loading and Transport of Hydrocarbons from the Barents Sea (Safe LTHC )
A scientific Norwegian-Russian exchange program on higher university education

The objective of the project is to increase the knowledge of Arctic climate technology for safe and sound petroleum production and transport. Joint educational activity organized for Norwegian and Russian students improve and develop relations between Norway and Russia in the Barents Sea region including Svalbard.

Main activity:
Teaching and exchange of master and Ph.D students; summer school in St. Petersburg; field investigations of ice in the Barents Sea.

More information here