(KNOM file photo)

The University of Alaska Fairbankshas begun a new, comprehensive ocean ecosystem study on the Bering and Chukchi Seas.

From June 9th to 28th, the crew of the research vesselSikuliaqcollected preliminary data through observations of marine mammals, birds, weather conditions and much more. It was the first research cruise of its kind funded by UAF; while theSikuliaqhas sailed in sub-Arctic waters before, the June sailing was its maiden voyage as a research vessel for UAF.

Listen now

As Dr. Seth Danielson explained, this study focused on how changing climate would affect everything in the ocean, all the way down to the smallest organisms:

Small scales and large scales we are trying to get a handle on what our ocean looks like out here, what the ecosystem looks like: how its working, how its functioning, Danielson said. And, hopefully, put ourselves in a better position to be able to anticipate what this ecosystem really could be looking like ten and twenty years down the road from now.

Danielson works with the University of AlaskaFairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and he was one of the crew members aboard theSikuliaq. The entire science party involved was made up of grad students from UAF, scientists from various organizations, and Opik Ahkinga, a resident of Little Diomede.

Danielson said every participant on the research team put in large amounts of work while running on minimal amounts of sleep.

We traveled about 2,700 nautical miles, and we spent 180 hours of on-station, over-the-side wire operations going on, collecting up to 6,500 liters of water for (the) team, who got to lug all of those around from one end of the deck to the other, Danielson said. They dredged up 45,000 baby clams, measured and counted (them) very precisely.

According to Danielson, its been 30 years since a study of this magnitude has taken place in the Northern Bering and Chukchi Seas.

Going forward, more data will be collected on sea temperatures in these areas, then released in comprehensive reports and publications for the public. Danielson expects their full findings wont be available for five years or so.

Continue reading here:

UAF research vessel begins ecosystem study in Bering and Chukchi ... - Alaska Public Radio Network