National Committee

Developing an integrated Monitoring Concept for Human Impact Research in Antarctica

Human activities are increasingly impacting Antarctica, despite its remote and pristine nature. The theme V “Anthropogenic signatures in Antarctica” explores how pollution, climate change, underwater noise, tourism, and invasive species affect this fragile ecosystem. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), microplastics, carbon emissions, and underwater noise disrupt Antarctic environments, while the growing human presence through tourism and research operations raises concerns over habitat disruption and the introduction of non-native species. Understanding and modifying anthropogenic influences is significant to protect Antarctica’s unique ecosystems and ensure its role as a natural regulator of the planet´s health.

The following Working Groups are suggested:

• Biosecurity and invasive species prevention
• Systematic monitoring of chemical pollution and management
• Underwater noise monitoring and mitigation
• Tourism impact assessment and management

Theme V – Anthropogenic signatures in Antarctica

Workshop Program

21 October 2025 – Day 1

Opening and welcome

Session 1: Underwater noise monitoring and mitigation – Brian Miller (AAD, Australia), Co-Chair: Virginia Sciacca (CNR, Italy)

Session 2: Tourism impact assessment and management – Chair: Rita Fabris (UBA, Germany), Co-Chair: Andrea Spolaor (CNR, Italy)

Session 3: Systematic monitoring of chemical pollution and management – Chair: Roland Kallenborn (NMBU, Norway), Co-Chair: Annika Jahnke (UFZ, Germany)

Session 4: Biosecurity and invasive species prevention – Chair: Stephanie Groß (TiHo Hannover, Germany), Co-Chair: Arlie McCarthy (HIFMB, Germany)

22 October 2025 – Day 2

Ideas Market / 1-Slide Pitches – Chair: Marcus Lange (Hereon, Germany)

Breakout groups

Closing remarks and end of workshop (A. Küster, Z. Xie, R. Ebinghaus)

DESCRIPTION 

Saroma Sea Ice School 2026 is designed for early-career scientists (preferably Ph.D students, but master students and early post-docs are also eligible to apply) interested in exploring the complex interactions between sea ice, snow, clouds, and aerosols in polar regions. 

Participants will engage in hands-on data collection such as sea ice coring, snow, seawater, atmospheric samplings, field experiments, and workshops led by experts, focusing on processes critical to the Arctic and Antarctic climate systems. Key topics include aerosol-cloud interactions, ice-atmosphere linkages, and cutting-edge observational techniques. 

The program combines classroom lectures, practical fieldwork, and data analysis, comprehensively understanding these vital Earth system processes and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Saroma Sea Ice School 2026 is preparation for next generation scientists for the International Polar Year. The BEPSII, CIce2Clouds, and CATCH working groups are organizing this winter field school. 

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM (planning)

Frontal lectures, daily field and lab work on topics such as:

·        Sea ice and snow physics and biogeochemical processes

·        Sea ice biogeochemical modelling: 

·        Gas fluxes at the ocean–ice–atmosphere interfaces

·        Primary and secondary aerosols in the sea ice environment 

·        Atmospheric observation and modelling 

·        Clouds formation in polar marine boundary layer 

·        Interactions with underlying water

·        Sea ice one day cruise with ice breaker Aurora in Abashiri

TARGET

About 30 international Early Career Scientists (preferably Ph.D students, but master students and early post-docs are also eligible to apply).

LECTURERS (planning)

·        Daiki Nomura (Hokkaido University, Japan) 

·        Naoya Kanna (University of Tokyo, Japan) 

·        Takenobu Toyota (Hokkaido University, Japan) 

·        Jessie Creamean (Colorado State University, USA) 

·        Jennie Thomas (Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement, France) 

·        Lisa Miller (Institute of Ocean Sciences, Canada)

·        Emelia Chamberlain (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA) 

·        Nadja Steiner (Institute of Ocean Sciences, Canada)

·        Letizia Tedesco (Finnish Environment Institute, Finland) 

·        Yannick Ilunga (Digital Communication and Marketing Expert, Finland) 

·        Bruno Delille (University of Liège, Belgium) 

·        Emiliano Cimoli (Hokkaido University, Japan)

·        Odile Crabeck (University of Liège, Belgium)

·        Pat Wongpan (University of Tasmania, Australia)

·        Karley Campbel (UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway)

·        Brent Else (University of Calgary, Canada) 

·        Anoop Mahajan (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, India)

·        Megan Willis (Colorado State University, USA)

·        Eeva Eronen-Rasumus (Finnish Environment Institute, Finland)

·        Jacqueline Stefels (University of Groningen, Netherlands) 

·        Paul Zieger (Stockholm University, Sweeden)

·        Sakiko Ishino (Kanazawa University, Japan) 

·        Hakase Hayashida (JAMSTEC, Japan) 

·        Keiichiro Hara (Fukuoka University, Japan) 

DESCRIPTION 

Saroma Sea Ice School 2026 is designed for early-career scientists (preferably Ph.D students, but master students and early post-docs are also eligible to apply) interested in exploring the complex interactions between sea ice, snow, clouds, and aerosols in polar regions. 

Participants will engage in hands-on data collection such as sea ice coring, snow, seawater, atmospheric samplings, field experiments, and workshops led by experts, focusing on processes critical to the Arctic and Antarctic climate systems. Key topics include aerosol-cloud interactions, ice-atmosphere linkages, and cutting-edge observational techniques. 

The program combines classroom lectures, practical fieldwork, and data analysis, comprehensively understanding these vital Earth system processes and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Saroma Sea Ice School 2026 is preparation for next generation scientists for the International Polar Year. The BEPSII, CIce2Clouds, and CATCH working groups are organizing this winter field school. 

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM (planning)

Frontal lectures, daily field and lab work on topics such as:

·        Sea ice and snow physics and biogeochemical processes

·        Sea ice biogeochemical modelling: 

·        Gas fluxes at the ocean–ice–atmosphere interfaces

·        Primary and secondary aerosols in the sea ice environment 

·        Atmospheric observation and modelling 

·        Clouds formation in polar marine boundary layer 

·        Interactions with underlying water

·        Sea ice one day cruise with ice breaker Aurora in Abashiri

TARGET

About 30 international Early Career Scientists (preferably Ph.D students, but master students and early post-docs are also eligible to apply).

LECTURERS (planning)

·        Daiki Nomura (Hokkaido University, Japan) 

·        Naoya Kanna (University of Tokyo, Japan) 

·        Takenobu Toyota (Hokkaido University, Japan) 

·        Jessie Creamean (Colorado State University, USA) 

·        Jennie Thomas (Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement, France) 

·        Lisa Miller (Institute of Ocean Sciences, Canada)

·        Emelia Chamberlain (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA) 

·        Nadja Steiner (Institute of Ocean Sciences, Canada)

·        Letizia Tedesco (Finnish Environment Institute, Finland) 

·        Yannick Ilunga (Digital Communication and Marketing Expert, Finland) 

·        Bruno Delille (University of Liège, Belgium) 

·        Emiliano Cimoli (Hokkaido University, Japan)

·        Odile Crabeck (University of Liège, Belgium)

·        Pat Wongpan (University of Tasmania, Australia)

·        Karley Campbel (UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway)

·        Brent Else (University of Calgary, Canada) 

·        Anoop Mahajan (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, India)

·        Megan Willis (Colorado State University, USA)

·        Eeva Eronen-Rasumus (Finnish Environment Institute, Finland)

·        Jacqueline Stefels (University of Groningen, Netherlands) 

·        Paul Zieger (Stockholm University, Sweeden)

·        Sakiko Ishino (Kanazawa University, Japan) 

·        Hakase Hayashida (JAMSTEC, Japan) 

·        Keiichiro Hara (Fukuoka University, Japan)