The expedition is designed to open the new era of polar research under the auspices of Russian Geographical Society.
Goals:
- investigation of the up-to-date condition of the New Siberian Islands archipelago in terms of the global climate change;
- estimation of the level and tempo of permafrost, glaciers, coastal line degradation; changes in the state of the nearshore sea; biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Objectives:
- Conduct of scientific research on board of the scientific vessel;
- Cataloguing of the sources of pollution on the territory of neglected sites belonging to the Ministry of Defense and other administrative agencies.
- Organization of a field camp;
Contractor:
Interregional social organization ‘The Association of Polar Explorers’
Project participant:
Orlov A. V. – Vice-President of the Russian Association of Polar Explorers
Results:
The expedition investigated the Kotelny and Great Lyakhovsky Islands (the Kigilyakh Peninsula) and carried out the revision of the air defense machinery remains, barrels – both, empty and with the leavings of lubricants; waste oil, scrap metal. Following the outcome of the expedition, a project of clearing the polluted territorof the archipelago will be proposed.
The expedition also carried out an examination of the state of the runway, airfield equipment, electric networks at the abandoned airport Temp on the Kotelny Island. They estimated the scope of works which will enhance the arrangement of a base field camp.
In the next three years will be undertaken glaciological, paleontological, hydrometeorological research and studies of permafrost geography of the Anjou, Great and Little Lyakhovsky, De Longa islands. The leading Russian and foreign scientists, students of the profile High schools will take part in the study of the archipelago’s flora and fauna.