Arctic oceanography publication. The September issue of the journal Oceanography, "The Changing Arctic Ocean: Special Issue on the International Polar Year (2007-2009)," is now available from The Oceanography Society, here. This issue, co-sponsored by the USARC, NOAA, and NSF, contains 30 contributions on a wide range of Arctic-related subjects such as marine geology, research vessels, outreach, science policy, ocean observing, physical, biological and chemical oceanography, modeling, sea ice, and other topics. The issue was edited by Ellen Kappel, with assistance from guest editors Joseph Ortiz, Kelly Falkner, Patricia Matrai, and Rebecca Woodgate.

Arctic Sea Ice Nears Minimum Extent. In the last few days, the decline in Arctic sea ice extent has slowed. NSIDC data show Arctic sea ice extent currently at the second-lowest levels in the satellite record. On September 10, Arctic sea ice extent was 4.34 million square kilometers (1.68 million square miles). This was 110,000 square kilometers (42,500 square miles) above the 2007 value on the same date. The record minimum Arctic sea ice extent, recorded in 2007, was 4.17* million square kilometers (1.61 million square miles). National Snow and Ice Data Center  

Gap Widens Over Missile System. Surviving a tough ratification battle in the Senate, the New START treaty with Russia has sparked a three-way tug of war over missile defense that pits the Obama administration against the Russian government and congressional Republicans. The administration is negotiating with Russia to resolve disagreements over whether the treaty allows the U.S. and NATO to continue with plans to build a defensive missile shield against possible nuclear threats from Iran, North Korea or other rogue states. Politico 

To the Arctic, In Search of the Unknown. After four years, two proposals and months of hunting down equipment, planning meetings, getting federal permits, arranging travel and traveling, I am heading for the Arctic Ocean on the research vessel Marcus G. Langseth. The 12 other members of my science party bring their own years of preparation, hard work, advanced study, funding searches and passion for marine geophysics to our merry band. We waited on the weather for two days, at anchor, in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Now we are making about 6.5 knots against sustained 30-knot winds from the north and 12- to 15-foot waves. We are going north to see things no one has ever seen before. New York Times Science Blog 

Exploring Greenland- An Arctic Oddity. It may lay claim to being the world's biggest island, but Greenland is still one of the least-known corners of the planet. I have flown across that big, icy place - ice covers much of the country and can be 3km thick - countless times en route to North America from London, but it is not somewhere that many travellers venture. Yet this weird and wonderful oddball oasis of sled dogs, musk ox, glaciers and shimmering icebergs is one of the globe's most compelling corners, as I discover when I head above the Arctic Circle. TNT Magazine 

Russia to Establish Arctic Oil Spill Centers. Just weeks after the first super tanker set speed records on the Northern Sea Route, Russia's Emergency Minster urged better environmental protection in the Arctic. Barents Observer 

Alaska Walruses Changing Behavior Due to Warmer Seas: POINT LAY: As many as 20,000 haul out on a Chukchi sea beach. Scientists have unveiled new video documentation of what they say is another stunning effect of the world's steadily warming oceans: the unusual haulout of as many as 20,000 walruses off the coast of Alaska. The video compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Science Center, together with data from radio collars affixed to some of the animals, could help scientists learn more about the problems posed by shrinking sea ice for the creatures that call the Arctic home. The ice has been documented this year as among the lowest in recorded history. Anchorage Daily News

Advanced Workshop on Oil Spills In Sea Ice: Past, Present and Future 

September 20-23, 2011. A technical workshop, organized by Dr. Peter Wadhams, on the physical problems associated with oil spills and blowouts in sea ice will be held at the Istituto Geografico Polare "Silvio Zavatti," Fermo, Italy. Scientists, engineers and policy makers are invited to address the questions of how oil is emitted from a blowout or spill, how the oil and gas are incorporated in the under-ice surface, how the oil layer evolves, how the oil is transported by the ice, and how and where eventual release occurs. The aim is to incorporate the experience of those scientists who worked in this field in the 1970s-1990s, when large-scale field experiments involving oil release were possible, and to relate this to the needs of present researchers who are seeking solutions to the problem of a sustainable Arctic oil spill management system. Registration forms are available here. 

Arkhangelsk Arctic Forum, September 21-24, 2011. Hosted by the Russian Geographic Society, the forum will host discussion on Arctic navigation, development of the Northern Sea Route, railway extensions, and construction of a deep-water port in Arkhangelsk.  The official website is in Russian.