In the summer 2025 we travelled to SW Greenland to collect samples of subglacial sediment from the Isunnguata Sermia (IS) outlet glacier. We had known from previous seasons that suspended sediment exported from the catchment of IS with meltwater runoff is a good representation of its subglacial environment, and took advantage of this finding.

Since MARCH4G had finished, we did this on a shoestring: we walked to the Isunnguata Sermia subglacial upwelling with all the camping gear and scientific equipment. Very old school.

The field team consisted of Arthur, Petra, and Marek, and was also joined by Charlotte Prud’homme (CNRS, Nancy, France) and Mathia Sabino (ULB, Brussels, Belgium) from the project Green2Ice.

Over 4 days of sampling, we filtered some 4 litres of the porridgy meltwater through Sterivex filters for DNA extractions and microbiological analysis and more than 50 litres through Express PLUS membrane filters to collect suspended sediment for OC analysis and experimental work. We also collected additional samples of basal ice, glaciofluvial sediment, and sediment from the outwash plain and meltwater river banks. And then we had to carry all those samples back to Kangerlussuaq on our backs… We survived, though. The samples are all safely back in the fridges and freezers of our respective departments, waiting to be analysed.