Katie MacIntosh fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling to Antarctica, but her first experience on the continent didn’t go smoothly. Attempting to snorkel from her zodiac to the land, she discovered her wetsuit was leaking, causing a mix of physical discomfort and overwhelming emotions from setting foot on a continent so rarely visited, especially by women in science. This moment was just one of many encountered by a group of geoscientists from Nova Scotia during their month-long expedition to Antarctica.
Led by Sea Women Expeditions, the team consisted of two dozen women experts from various fields studying the impacts of climate change. Interestingly, three of the four leaders in underwater robotics were from Nova Scotia, showcasing the province’s strong presence in ocean science.
For Katie MacIntosh, a marine geomatics engineer originally from Antigonish but working in London, the journey was a dream come true. She managed the planning and technology aspects of the trip, highlighting the significance of being part of an all-female team conducting scientific research in such a remote and challenging environment.
During the expedition, the team engaged in scuba diving and snorkeling to collect underwater data, studying leopard seal behavior, testing whale bones, and mapping glaciers. Despite the seriousness of their work, they also embraced their maritime roots by playing Maritime tunes on a speaker while deploying robotic equipment from a zodiac.
Heather Pearce, a geoscientist consultant from Chester working with WSP Canada, described the experience of scuba diving near glaciers and observing benthic marine life as unforgettable and close to her heart.
Denise Brushett, originally from the Lake Ainslie area and now residing in Halifax, specialized in mapping and expressed how witnessing the ice in Antarctica was a transformative moment. The team encountered new lagoons and evidence of melting ice, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change.
Looking ahead, the scientists plan to analyze the collected data over the next year and engage with schools to raise awareness about climate change based on their Antarctica expedition findings.