AKMA SCIENTISTS BLOG: Claudio Argentino, “On the importance of multidisciplinary expeditions like AKMA”

I’ve been conducting research at the Department of Geosciences of UiT since 2019 when I arrived as a postdoc to investigate the history of Arctic methane seeps in the Barents Sea. My role during research expeditions includes sediment coring and samplings of water and gas trapped in the sediments. Back on land, I will handle sample preparation and analyses for different purposes, such as the quantification of how much methane is being consumed in the sediments before escaping the seafloor and the reconstruction of past methane emissions using the information recorded in the sediment (chemical anomalies). One fact that always impresses me about the AKMA expeditions is that the crew consists of scientists from a broad range of disciplines as well as colleagues from humanities, arts and social sciences, who all contribute to make those cruises memorable and unique in their kind. As a geologist, I always learn something new by working close to (micro)biologists, micropaleontologists, geophysicists, engineers and I find it helpful to see things from different perspectives. During my breaks, I like to sneak into the biologist’s lab and see them work around marine worms, sea spiders and other strange animals! The students participating in the project are very enthusiastic, collaborative and helpful, taking advantage of this special opportunity which will leave a positive mark on their lives and hopefully careers"