Scientists Dr Binita Phartiyal and Dr Anupam Sharma have just returned from their month long stay at the Arctic, where they conducted research on palaeoclimatology and geochemistry. Palaeoclimatology is the study of climate of the earth by studying soil, ice, rocks and fossils. Geochemistry is the determination of chemical constituents and minerals present in sand and solid matter.

Phartiyal has spent the last decade dedicated to understanding palaeoclimatology and geomorphology of cold deserts, and worked primarily in Ladakh. Sharma has a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, contributing to geochemical and palaeoclimatology research at BSIP.

The two scientists have returned armed with data and samples of sediments collected at the pole. For the next year, they will analyse them to create new milestones in the field of palaeobotany at the institute. "With the sediments, we will try to recreate the climate was over the past 100,000 years. Once we complete our research we will know if the various events that changed the climate at Antarctica occurred here too," she said. From their previous experience of Antarctica, they will be able to perform comparative studies.

"The poles are very significant for science research as their pristine environment gives us a clear picture of the past," said Phartiyal, the first Indian woman scientist to set foot on both the poles. The absence of pollution, exploitation, and other anthropogenic effects at the poles has left their environs much the same as how they were thousands of years ago. They have hence become hotbeds of science research. Oceanologists, atmospheric scientists, physicists and even wildlife experts flock to their harsh environs to further their research. At the Arctic, over 100 scientists from 20 countries have set up their base there. Antarctica, according to the two scientists, is more populated due to its relatively better weather.

Though late, India has finally set up a permanent research facility in the Arctic Circle. Inaugurated with fanfare on July 1 by Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal, it is amongst the 10 stations located at the Ny-Alesund, near Kongsfjorden, a small island north of Norway.

The stay involved intense field work lasting eight hours a day; crossing frozen lakes; carrying 10 kilos of soil samples back to the centre and even undergoing a crash course in shooting. "The first day we landed, we were warned about polar bears. We carried a rifle and a pistol in case of close encounters," said Sharma.