Marine environment observational research for the Arctic Ocean|Department of Ocean Technology,Policy, and Environment Graduate School,The University of Tokyo

Changes in the Arctic Ocean environment, typically shown as unpredictably rapid reductions of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, are well known as one of the most remarkable evidences of global warming. The overall purpose of our research is to elucidate the status and trends of ongoing Arctic Ocean environmental changes.
Observational cruises of R/V Mirai and icebreaker under international collaboration project enable us to collect unique and high-quality data of physical and chemical oceanographic properties. We can also collect year-long time-series data by mooring and ice-drifting buoy observation at key areas of ongoing Arctic ocean environmental changes. Based on the analyses of such observational data in the Arctic Ocean, we investigate the “status and trends” of changes in sea ice and physical oceanographic conditions and the important processes among atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean, which play important roles of the Arctic changes. Developments of observation methods in sea ice region of the Arctic Ocean are also investigated.

Research Activities in Each Lab. [Video]