London (Global Adventures): Studying the rising acid levels in the Arctic Ocean that potentially threatens marine life is the main focus of the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010. British polar explorer Pen Hadow, Director of the mission, said it will begin in early March and take scientists to an Ice Base 750 miles from the North Geographic Pole to gain a better understanding of the potential impact of rising levels of acidity in some of the coldest water on the planet.

Some scientists believe that by 2050 the pH of the world’s oceans could reach levels not seen on Earth for 20 million years with potentially serious consequences for all marine life. "We understand from models projecting future ocean chemistry that the Arctic Ocean is particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification because cold water absorbs CO2 more effectively than warm oceans, so much so that it may become corrosive to some shelled organisms within a few decades,” said Dr. Carol Turley of the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. “This will be one of the first chances for scientists to investigate ocean acidification under natural field conditions under the Arctic sea ice, and will help us to test out models and refine our projections."

The Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 will also see leading Arctic explorers Ann Daniels, Martin Hartley and Charlie Paton extending the reach of the research far across the floating sea ice on a 500-kilometer trek northwards to capture additional scientific data. The survey program will include taking ice thickness measurements for sea ice modelers and water samples from beneath the ice for the CO2 and acidification program.

"We know that disappearing ice cover and potential impacts of acidity are parts of some big ocean changes.  Since it is widely viewed as a bellwether for wider global change, it is important we understand better what is happening," said Pen Hadow.

Results from the two-month expedition will be made available to scientists in Europe, Canada and the US.

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