Students from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań have completed workshops as part of the university’s 30th polar expedition to Spitsbergen in the Arctic. Based at the Petuniabukta Polar Station, the students investigated the retreat of glaciers and the effects of climate warming.
Their research included assessing human impact on the High Arctic environment, particularly plastic and microplastic pollution, and documenting changes in glacier range to help predict future sea level rise. They also carried out dendrochronological studies on dwarf shrubs, which can live for over a century in polar climates. By analysing growth rings, researchers can determine past climate conditions with annual precision, offering valuable insights into climate variability and trends.
Collected plant samples and prepared materials will serve future environmental studies. The expedition provided students with practical field experience while contributing to broader climate research.
Source: Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
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