St Petersburg University students, as part of the TTR-21 expedition, explore a major depression in the Arctic
Students from St Petersburg University have taken part in the TTR-21expedition of the Floating University, organised by Lomonosov Moscow State University. The TTR-21expedition research team have obtained a detailed digital model of a major depression of the seafloor in the southwestern part of the North Kara Basin. The mapped site is a trough-like seabed depression that might have been carved by a massive object — possibly by a glacier.
In geomorphology, the general term "depression" can be used for all large and small negative landforms and large ocean basins of non-specified origin and shape. During the TTR-21 expedition on board the Akademik Boris Petrov research vessel, St Petersburg University students, together with scientists from other Russian universities, have conducted hydroacoustic and seismic research surveys of over 200 square kilometres of the sea and analysed samples of seabed sediments. The data obtained during the expedition enabled the researchers to: create an accurate digital model of the depression; continue the genetic interpretation of palaeoincisions — ancient landforms — of the Kara Sea; study microbial communities; and determine the age of sediments and the level of water pollution.
The Floating University expedition brings together specialists from different fields of scientific knowledge, which allows for a comprehensive and integrated research programme. Thus, as part of the programme, geologists, lithologists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists, geomorphologists, glaciologists, microbiologists, and molismologists compare their findings with the results obtained by other specialists on board the research vessel. This format of fieldwork enables students to learn through research, combining academic and research activities in natural conditions under the guidance of experienced professionals.
I could not have imagined that someday I would do my fieldwork in a most understudied area in the Kara Sea. After a long voyage, where we crossed six seas — the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Barents Sea, the Pechora Sea, and the Kara Sea, we finally reached our first training site. We have been here for two weeks and now I can confidently call myself a lithologist. Our research programme, however, is not limited to this site only.
Milena Gershman, a third-year bachelor’s student in the Geology programme at St Petersburg University
‘After sediment sampling, we often go to the experts in geoacoustics or seismology to exchange our data and find out more. Once I learned the ropes of operating a profilograph and interpreting the seismic data obtained by my colleagues, it became much more interesting for me to describe the sediment that we get during sampling. My suitcase is already full of samples, my knowledge base has been updated, whereas my research cruise across the Arctic has not ended yet,’ shared Milena Gershman, a third-year bachelor’s student in the Geology programme at St Petersburg University.
George Karam is a third-year bachelor’s student from St Petersburg University majoring in geology. He described his experience as follows: ‘During this expedition, I have been able to get a better grasp on marine geophysical survey methods of studying the seafloor and the sub-bottom section below the surface. Using a gravity corer, I have conducted underwater sediment sampling. In addition, in collaboration with other members of the research team, we have studied the sediments to determine the factors that influence their composition in this area.’
Mariia Biriuk is a third-year bachelor’s student in the Geology programme at St Petersburg University. According to her, this format of fieldwork enables collecting natural materials for the graduation project, and also provides an opportunity to share experience with students from other universities.
The TTR-21 expedition is carried out as part of the Floating University programme by Lomonosov Moscow State University. It is supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The project engages 37 students and scientists from different fields of knowledge. Among the participants are five St Petersburg University students majoring in geology: a doctoral student Ilia Paltsev; a master’s student Artem Kudinov; and third-year bachelor’s students George Karam, Milena Gershman, and Mariia Biriuk.
‘My main task on this research cruise is to process and interpret the data obtained using complex geological and geophysical methods. At the moment, I am working in the computer centre processing data from a profilograph — a device for measuring surface roughness. I can see the waves in the Kara Sea through the porthole. Meanwhile on the deck, my colleagues are conducting underwater sediment sampling,’ said Mariia Biriuk.
Artem Kudinov is a master’s student in the Geology programme at St Petersburg University. In the TTR-21 expedition, he carries out seismic surveys. Also, he has been able to take part in several land-based geophysical projects and exchange his ideas with other young researchers and scientists who supervise work on the research vessel. ‘It has been an invaluable experience being involved in a multi-disciplinary study, sharing knowledge, methods and practices with colleagues specialising in different fields,’ stressed Artem Kudinov.