MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Chilean Antarctic bases expect to host 250 scientists and over 50 projects
Retamales head of INACH, based in Punta Arenas An estimated 250 scientists from several countries will be working at Chile’s Antarctic bases during the austral summer (December 21/March 21) in different projects such as global warming and climate change, reported the Chilean Antarctic Institute, INACH, based in Punta Arenas.
The number of projects totals forty from Chile and eleven from other countries as part of the XLIX Antarctic Scientific Campaign. Countries involved are Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Germany, US, South Korea and Venezuela.
The scientific research teams operating in the Margarita Bay will have the support from the Chilean navy vessel Aquiles that will also be surveying the area during 17 days, according to INACH.
Among the Chilean projects is one from biologist Angelica Casanova from the Concepcion University Biotechnology Centre who will study the impact of global warming on the native flora of Antarctica.
“We are satisfied and encouraged because the number of projects for this season has increased by 76%, which means we must be prepared for a better logistics and backup of the different teams in the field. A great challenge”, said Jose Retamales, head of INACH.
Top Comments
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Read all commentsWith so much new change in the Antarctic environment it is right and sensible that more science/monitoring should take place in the region.
Dec 19th, 2012 - 01:24 pm 0A good move.
@1 Yeah, great. They need to get in quickly. Before they only get limited access. General legal opinion is that the matter of the Antarctic will have to go before the ICJ before too long. Being the only body with the jurisdiction. And the Chilean and argie “claims” don't have a lot of hope. So they'll be packing their bags. And no-one will give a damn what LatAm “thinks”. Or is LatAm planning to find out how effective the Royal Navy is?
Dec 19th, 2012 - 02:58 pm 0Conks dont be so acid. At least the Chilenos are complying with the Treaty which is scientific research. How many other bases do that?
Dec 19th, 2012 - 03:48 pm 0Chile had these ideas long before the Treaty was signed. As an example who rescued the shipwrecked sailors from Shackletons expedition nearly a century ago? The Chilean icebreaker Yelcho
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