Glaciology and environmental monitoring

The station monitors changes and dynamics of Hansbreen and Werenskioldbreen glaciers by:

• Laser range finder measurements of glacier movement dynamics in ablation zone
• Measurements of snow cover thickness on the glaciers (all year round) and its analysis (in the end of accumulation seazon)
• Photographic documentation of Hansbreen glacier front and surface.

Responsible for the research: Piotr Glowacki glowacki@igf.edu.pl.

Measurement of glacier movement dynamics
by means of a laser range finder (July, 2000)

Hansbreen glacier investigeted by us is of mountain type, length 16 km, width near the front about 2.5 km, surface about 57 km². The glacier's bottom reaches 100 m below sea level. Maximum thickness: 400 m. Average speed of the front retreat calculated since 1936 is 17 m per year.

Hansbreen glacier retreats systematically
like most other glaciers on Spitsbergen.

• Monitoring of pollutants in atmospheric precipitation with measurement of conductivity, pH and chlorines; more detailed analysis for strongly mineralized falls
• Determination of pH variations, conductivity and chlorines for fresh snow fall of the glaciers
• Study of changes in physical and chemical parameters of stream and lake waters with using the same measurements as in atmospheric precipitation
• Registration of thermal profile for the permafrost layer on a raised marine terrace
• Photographic documentation of Fugleberget slope in winter and summer.

  Responsible for the research: Piotr Glowacki glowacki@igf.edu.pl.

  
  
  Measurement of water level changes in a stream by means of a limnigraph
  
  
  
  
  Chemical laboratory