I would say that because of a lack of facilities, we cannot collect information over a long period of time. In the past, there were no facilities to take readings. In conjunction with the International Polar Year, we managed to install some buoys which hopefully will provide readings for certain areas of the Arctic Ocean for many years.
Once we have collected some basic data over a period of five or ten years, we will be able to observe and understand long-term changes taking place. Right now, unfortunately, too many readings are taken only once. We make the effort to take readings over the course of one season, but we don't do any follow-ups.
From a regulatory standpoint, this data could be important. Factors affecting water quality in the Arctic can be quite different from the standards set for waterways in the south, given the wealth of scientific data on these bodies of water. However, not much is known about Arctic waters because this region is not accessible and collecting data has not been a priority. The International Polar Year was an opportunity for us to give priority to collecting data and we hope to continue on this path.