A blog by Daan Van den Broek, PhD Researcher in Atmospheric Sciences at Finnish Meteorological Institute and POLARIN Ambassador, “WhiteIce” project.

Daan’s blog is a story of atmospheric scientist participating in the POLARIN-funded WhiteIce expedition to Antarctica. It describes his journey from being selected for the project, through months of intensive preparation, to conducting fieldwork on the Nansen Ice Sheet near the Mario Zucchelli Station. The expedition focused on studying the “surface scattering layer” (or “white ice”), a bright layer that forms on melting ice and affects how much sunlight is reflected back into space. By collecting weather, radiation, and drone data, the research aims to improve climate models and enhance predictions of future climate change.

Beyond the scientific objectives, the blog acts as a personal reflection on the challenges and rewards of polar research. Van describes the demanding logistics, unpredictable weather, and the need for flexibility during fieldwork, while also highlighting the breathtaking Antarctic landscape and the unforgettable experience of working in one of the world’s most remote environments. Despite setbacks, such as an earlier-than-expected melt season, the team successfully gathered valuable data and emphasized the importance of international collaboration and logistical support in making the expedition a success.

WhiteIce was one of the projects successfully selected through POLARIN’s first call for Transnational Access to Polar Research Infrastructures.