Supported by satellite data from the European Space Agency, their valuable on-site observations echo the urgent call for understanding and protecting the global oceans.
In the old town of Nice, this 98 meter long three masted sailboat arrived at the port of Linpia last week, where the third United Nations Ocean Conference is currently being held.
The ship was built in 1914 and has been owned by Norway since 1921, named after former Norwegian Minister Christopher Lemkur. Last year, it underwent modernization of marine science instruments and became a 'maritime university'.
Nowadays, more than a century after its completion, this ship has become a cutting-edge research platform, gathering scientists, students, and explorers to explore the mysteries of the ocean.
This transformation is the core part of the ship's second 'One Ocean Expedition' operation. The expedition set sail from Bergen, Norway on April 11th, aiming to connect marine science, education, and sustainability.
This expedition, in collaboration with the European Space Agency's "Advanced Training Course on Ocean Collaborative Remote Sensing," aims to raise public awareness and disseminate knowledge about the critical role of the ocean in a sustainable global future. It is expected to return to Bergen in one year. This expedition is also part of the United Nations' global initiative "Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" aimed at reversing the trend of deteriorating ocean health.
European Space Agency Satellite Remote Sensing Technology Demonstration.
European Space Agency/Marine Media Laboratory
European Space Agency Satellite Remote Sensing Technology Demonstration.
Young talents from 28 countries gather here to cross compare observation data from space and the ocean, bridging the gap between satellite data and on-site research.
Integrating science, oceanography, and maritime traditions is the best way to gain a deeper understanding of the ocean from the surface of the sea, "said Craig Tanglen, a marine scientist at the European Space Agency who led the expedition
He also told UN News that real-time satellite data is being used to guide research on board ships and help students identify areas that require more and higher quality measurements.
The European Space Agency transmits satellite collected data to the ship every day.
Tang Lun smiled and said, "Then we went to find the captain, disrupted his plan, and said, 'We just discovered a new phenomenon, can we move there?'
Tang Lun (center) stayed on the ship with the students throughout the entire journey.
European Space Agency/Marine Media Laboratory
Tang Lun (center) stayed on the ship with the students throughout the entire journey.
The students' hard work has shown initial results
Tang Lun told UN News that the ship is equipped with advanced oceanographic instruments, including an acoustic Doppler current profiler for measuring water flow, a hydrophone array for capturing underwater soundscapes, and a temperature salinity depth analyzer for analyzing seawater properties. These devices together reveal the hidden dynamic processes of the ocean.
With the help of these tools, students can inspire each other in research achievements in fields such as physics, biology, and sea air interactions, and conduct projects individually or in groups, including internal solitary waves, drift instrument trajectories, and marine biodiversity research. Students work on the deck for eight hours every day, with the remaining time for meals and rest, but they also try to collaborate to complete tasks. Tang Lun said, "The students completed a large number of measurement tasks. It was an amazing journey. We have collected nearly 15TB of on-site observation data on this research vessel. ”
He also highly praised the value of these works, believing that they are evidence-based and can provide strong support for policy-making, promoting approval and implementation.
He said, "This is our common ocean, and we must learn to coexist with it because it is beautiful and fragile, and not a global garbage dump. These students on board are the ambassadors of the future ocean, and they will lead this cause
European Space Agency trains astronaut Pablo Alvarez for UN news interview.
United Nations News/Zou Heyi
European Space Agency trains astronaut Pablo Alvarez for UN news interview.
Astronaut's Blue Ambition
Among these young explorers is European Space Agency trained astronaut Pablo Alvarez, who will join the International Space Station before 2030.
Before flying into space, he was honing his skills and deepening his knowledge on this sailboat, temporarily transitioning from the vast expanse of space to the mysterious ocean.
He specializes in remote sensing of the ocean surface, analyzing patterns such as "solar flashes" formed by sunlight reflecting waves in satellite images to gain insights into sea surface roughness, wind field characteristics, and ocean dynamics.
These key data not only help ocean scientists, but also provide important clues for astronauts studying Earth from space, which may help predict ocean movements.
Alvarez said, "Whether it's ocean science or Earth system science, everything we do is driving human cognition forward. I believe that exploring and understanding the environment and universe we live in is an instinct rooted in our DNA. ”
Lena Shafield is one of the students on board showcasing her research findings.
United Nations News/Zou Heyi
Lena Shafield (second from right) is one of the students on board showcasing her research findings.
Women's Power in the Field of Marine Science
Among the students on board, Lena Schaefeld from Germany was particularly excited about this expedition.
She expressed that learning that the number of girls exceeds that of boys is a rare and meaningful transformation in this male dominated field, which greatly inspires her.
Shafield proudly said, "I believe that the field of science, especially marine science, needs more female participation. I am glad to be a part of it
Shafield focuses on studying the increasing microplastic pollution and its distribution in the ocean. She said that this voyage was also very beneficial to her studies. She said, "We have crossed different seas, from the Norwegian Sea and the Arctic Sea to the vast Atlantic Ocean, and now we have entered the Mediterranean Sea
The marine debris monitoring project is jointly conducted by Lena Shafield and two other students.
United Nations News/Zou Heyi
The marine debris monitoring project is jointly conducted by Lena Shafield and two other students.
She said that microplastics refer to plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, most of which are invisible to the naked eye. At the same time, she emphasized that her research is just starting and there is currently no definitive conclusion. Only after completing the filtration process and observing through a microscope at the end of the voyage, can we know exactly how much plastic is present.
She looks forward to further studying these samples and stated that she will explore the use of satellite data to detect microplastics in water and map the full picture of plastic movement with ocean currents.
She said with anticipation, "The water is always flowing, and the plastic on the surface is also drifting. So we will also apply some numerical models to predict and even trace the source of these plastics. This will be very interesting
Sustainable oceans are a necessary condition
Many students on the sailboat expressed their willingness to participate in this training course and share their stories and experiences as part of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference. She felt very honored.
Tang Lun said, "Bringing the ocean to the public is an important mission we have entrusted to our students. The students also communicated with the United Nations Special Envoy for Ocean Affairs, Peter Thomson, who authorized us to hold this course. We have always upheld our mission. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference is where we gather to discuss the most relevant topics and introduce ministerial level elements to make evidence-based decisions
He told UN News that he firmly believes that the scientific decisions and discussions made at the conference will enhance people's quality of life and social resilience, while also helping to protect the environment for future generations.
He reiterated, "A sustainable ocean is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity. Without a healthy and prosperous blue ocean, there can be no green future