Continuing the vigor of the epic ATWAICE expedition of 2022, we're exploring delicate and stunning polar environments with unparalleled enthusiasm. Our mission? To understand how global warming affects the microscopic foundations of the ocean's food chain. This year, the HHU Team is thrilled to embark on an Arctic expedition to collect and analyze the marine virome in the Fram Strait and Marginal Ice Zone. We're more excited than ever to understand how virus diversity and its interactions with hosts are influenced by changing environmental conditions.

During the eight weeks öong ATWAICE expedition aboard the research vessel Polarstern, we embarked on our first journey as part of the Pebcao team to explore the Arctic Ocean's intricate ecosystems. Our focus was on understanding how phytoplankton communities respond to environmental changes across different Arctic regions.Throughout the expedition, we conducted detailed sampling and used advanced techniques to study phytoplankton distribution, abundance, and species composition. This allowed us to uncover seasonal variations and resilience in Arctic marine ecosystems, from the central Arctic Ocean to the Fram Strait. This expedition was a valuable learning experience for us, as it provided firsthand knowledge of the procedures on the ship and on the ice. Our findings from ATWAICE significantly advanced our understanding of Arctic marine biology and biogeochemistry. They highlight the adaptability of Arctic phytoplankton communities and emphasize the importance of continued research in this rapidly changing region. As we prepare for future expeditions, the knowledge gained by the Pebcao team during ATWAICE forms a crucial foundation for addressing environmental challenges and predicting the impacts of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.