Discover the Polar Oceans

Written by Anita Thorolvsen Munch, Journalist

Published: 17.03.2009

koraller (Ingressbilde)

March 18th, 2009, marks the last of the eighth quarterly International Polar Days. This time the focus is on Polar Oceans. Get the updates on marine biodiversity, physical oceanography and much more!

An estimated 50,000 participants from more 60 countries are involved in research as diverse as anthropology and astronomy, health and history, and genomics and glaciology during the International Polar Year. 

During this time, a regular sequence of International Polar Days has raised awareness and provided information about particular and timely aspects of the polar regions.

Read more about the International Polar Days 

Every three months the International Polar Year has focused on a specific aspect of polar research. The time has come to celebrate the last of the eight Polar days. The topic is Polar Oceans.

The activities will occur around the world throughout the last two weeks of March.

Important role
Cooing and sinking processes in polar oceans, and circulation of polar waters throughout the global deep ocean exert a powerful control on the Earth’s climate.

The polar oceans also play important roles in the global carbon cycle, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through chemical and biological processes. Polar oceans support globally-important fisheries and ice-dependent polar birds and mammals, including polar bears in the Arctic and penguins in the Antarctic.

All of these important polar ocean functions have a critical relationship with sea ice; changes in the integrated polar ocean - ice system thus  have far-reaching impacts.

Virtual balloons
There will be numerous activities during the International Polar Day. These will include virtual balloon launches, activities for teachers, multi-lingual educational flyers, press releases, focus on relevant IPY science projects, contact to IPY scientists, live web and video connections to the polar regions and experts, and local events and activities around the world.

Find out more: live events around the world here.

Launch a virtual balloon, and see balloons go up

What´s for lunch: Polar Oceans food web activity

Selen er sentral i økosystemene i Polhavene.Foto: Per Eide/Samfoto
Selen er sentral i økosystemene i Polhavene.
 

Last updated: 17.03.2009

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