Turkish scientists conducted research in the Arctic

A group of experts conducted research for a month at 28 sites in the Barents Sea in the Arctic. The project was made possible with the assistance of the Turkish Presidential Administration and the coordination of the Polar Research Center Marmara Research Center (MAM). The center, in turn, is part of the Scientific and Technical Research Institute of Turkey (TÜBITAK) in Ankara. The scientists, who left Istanbul on July 5, spent a month conducting research on the Norwegian-flagged 62-meter Polar Xplorer vessel

The route, which started 81 degrees north latitude, was about 5,500 kilometers long. Scientists observed humpback whales and minke whales, dolphins, seals, walruses, polar bears, as well as glaciers that have broken off and mixed with seawater due to global warming.

During the voyage, the scientists encountered polar bears that came close to the research vessel. This polar bear behavior is dictated by melting sea ice, which affects polar bears' habitat and food sources. The encounter with the bears caused mixed feelings among the team. As they themselves admit, many felt an urgent need to mitigate the effects of climate change on these endangered species.