Permalink: https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/MY-Esperanza-in-Svalbard-27MZIFIXLQER.htmlConceptually similarMY Esperanza in SvalbardGP022SVCompleted★★★★★★Deploying a Mesocosm in SvalbalrdGP022SMCompleted★★★★Operating Mesocosms in SvalbardGP022T6Completed★★★★Deploying Mesocosms in SvalbardGP022SWCompleted★★★★MY Esperanza in SvalbardGP022SUCompleted★★★★★★Scientists in SvalbardGP0232ZCompleted★★★★Operating Mesocosms in SvalbardGP022TACompleted★★★★Operating the Mesocosms in SvalbalrdGP022SOCompleted★★★★Operating the Mesocosms in SvalbalrdGP022SPCompleted★★★★View AllGP022SYMY Esperanza in SvalbardOne of the nine mesocosms (experiment water enclosures) being carefully lowered from the deck of the Greenpeace ship MY Esperanza into the fjord waters. Another mesocosm is already floating in the water stabilized by buoys and attached to a small boat, ready for towing to the site. The ship and its crew are working with scientists from the German marine research institute IFM-GEOMAR to investigate ocean acidification, by deploying nine large mesocosms in Kongsfjord, near the Arctic scientific research station of Ny-Ålesund. The mesocosms are being used to investigate future implications of ocean acidification, a phenomenon caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that has just as much potential to damage marine ecosystems as climate change. Absorption of excess CO2 pollution by seawater causes its PH level to drop, making it more difficult for creatures integral to the food web to form shells and skeletons.Locations:Arctic-Kongsfjorden-Norway-Ny-Ålesund-Spitsbergen-SvalbardDate:31 May, 2010Credit:© Nick Cobbing / GreenpeaceMaximum size:5543px X 3696pxKeywords:Climate (campaign title)-Day-Educational and research equipment-Experiments-KWCI (GPI)-Mesocosms-MY Esperanza-Ocean acidification-Oceans (campaign title)-Outdoors-Research-Sampling (activity)-Save the Arctic (campaign title)-Science-TestingShoot:Arctic Under Pressure ExpeditionThe Greenpeace ship MY Esperanza and its crew are working with scientists from the German marine research institute IFM-GEOMAR to investigate ocean acidification, with the use of nine large mesocosms, or experiment water enclosures, in Kongsfjord, near the Arctic scientific research station of Ny-Alesund in Svalbard. The mesocosms are being used to investigate future implications of ocean acidification, a phenomenon caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that has just as much potential to damage marine ecosystems as climate change. Absorption of excess CO2 pollution by seawater causes its PH level to drop, making it more difficult for creatures integral to the food web to form shells and skeletons. Commenting on the success of the experiment Professor Ulf Riebesell, leader of the project said: "The experiment was successful and we have now the largest data set in our hand for impacts of ocean acidification. What we have learned from this experiment is that ocean acidification has an impact on the base of the food web, and this has implications for the entire ecosystem." The crew also tracks and documents fishing vessels from an industry exploiting this fragile ecosystem. Greenpeace is calling for the area of the Arctic Ocean historically protected year round by sea ice to be closed to all industrial activity, including destructive fishing.Related Collections:Year in Pictures 2010 (Photos & Video)Arctic Under Pressure Expedition - The Acid TestArctic Under Pressure Expedition - Full Set (Photo & Videos)