The marine debris composition at the Russkaya Gavan Bay monitoring site on the Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago changed significantly compared to previous years. "This year, we have recorded 660 pieces of debris at two sites in Russkaya Gavan Bay, they weigh approximately 38 kilograms," she said. The Arctic Floating University has been monitoring marine debris at Russkaya Gavan for eight years. The expedition's researchers also conducted a marine debris inventory on four islands of Franz Josef Land, the northernmost archipelago of Russia and Eurasia, also pointing to plastics pollution. About the expeditionThe 20th voyage of the Arctic Floating University scientific and educational expedition continued from July 1 to July 22, 2026 on board the Professor Molchanov scientific research vessel.