Polar expedition 2026

Continuing a long-standing research effort, researchers from our group: Prof. Niedzielski, Dr. Proch, Dr. Souza-Kasprzyk, MSc. Tkachenko, and MSc. Zawrzykraj with technical support from MEng. Emil Kasprzyk, are conducting fieldwork at the AMUPS Polar Station in Petuniabukta from 28 July to 8 August.

The team is investigating the biogeochemistry of Arctic soils as part of two projects registered in the Research in Svalbard (RiS) database: Geochemistry of Soils and Deposits in the Polar Area (GoSaD, RiS ID 11916) and Assessment of the Glacial and Anthropogenic Influence on Contamination Level in Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard (GLACIS, RiS ID 11953).

During the expedition, soil samples are being collected for the determination of chemical elements, iron speciation studies, and microplastics, with laboratory analyses to be carried out in Poznań. The team is also performing in situ measurements using a portable BRAVO Raman spectrometer, allowing the identification of minerals directly in the field. In addition, Dryas octopetala samples are being collected in Ebba Valley to investigate soil–plant transfer of chemical elements. A drone is also being used to map soil and vegetation characteristics at the study sites.

The projects aim to better understand the biogeochemical processes of Arctic soils and how climate change and human activities affect contamination and the terrestrial environment of the Billefjord region. The results contribute to the long-term environmental monitoring of one of the regions most vulnerable to global change.

This year’s expedition is supported financially by PIK Instruments Sp. z o.o. and CEMIS-TECH Sp. z o.o.

Learn more about the projects:
GoSaD (RiS ID 11916): 
https://www.researchinsvalbard.no/project/91680000-cc89-e6a8-2ab9-08d9e5e6bd0b/project-info
GLACIS (RiS ID 11953): 
https://www.researchinsvalbard.no/project/f6e50000-7757-d25d-09fd-08d9e5c39244/project-info