Permalink: https://photo.greenpeace.org/archive/Dismantling-Mesocosms-in-Svalbard-27MZIFIATFZ0.htmlConceptually similarDismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CFCompleted★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CGCompleted★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CCCompleted★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CDCompleted★★★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CECompleted★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024C8Completed★★★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024C9Completed★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CACompleted★★★★Dismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardGP024CICompleted★★★★★★View AllGP024CBDismantling Mesocosms in SvalbardA "bag" which has been removed from one of the nine 'mesocosms' (experiment water enclosures) is lifted out of the water and hauled on the deck of the MY Esperanza in Kongsfjord. Each bag is pulled from the sea and neatly packed away on deck ready to be taken back to Germany together with the rest of the equipment used in the five week long experiment.Greenpeace has worked with a team of scientists from the German marine research institute IFM-GEOMAR to investigate ocean acidification, by deploying nine large mesocosms. Ocean acidification is 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 calcifying creatures integral to the marine food web to form shells and skeletons.more difficult for calcifying creatures integral to the marine food web to form shells and skeletons.Locations:Arctic Ocean-Europe-Norway-SvalbardDate:8 Jul, 2010Credit:© Nick Cobbing / GreenpeaceMaximum size:3744px X 5616pxKeywords:Climate (campaign title)-Day-Educational and research equipment-Experiments-Greenpeace crew-KWCI (GPI)-Low angle view-Mesocosms-MY Esperanza-Ocean acidification-Oceans (campaign title)-Outdoors-Sampling (activity)-ScienceShoot: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:Arctic Under Pressure Expedition - The Acid TestArctic Under Pressure Expedition - Full Set (Photo & Videos)