The Antarctic is the planet’s only continent that does not belong to anyone. According to the Antarctic Treaty System, nationals of all countries are entitled to set foot on the shores of this land with the sole purpose of research. The South Pole, however, has oil fields lying at a depth of only four or five meters, which no one has prospected. Scientists throughout the world, including Ukraine’s, are against the idea of developing these deposits because this will upset the planet’s natural balance (although there have been US, British, Australian, and other attempts to “privatize” them).
As a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, Ukraine sends annual expeditions to Galindez Island, the location of Ukraine’s Vernadsky Research Base (since 1996). Here the Ukrainian polar researchers conduct meteorological, geological, and magnetic field studies. This year’s 13th expedition set off on Feb. 11. Like before, its main objective is research. This year, its scope has expanded, as Ukrainian scientists will be taking part in 16 international projects dealing with biology, geophysics, and other sciences as part of International Polar Year. Ukraine still has no claims on any part of the Antarctic. But it is anyone’s guess whether this situation will continue.
WEEKLY CONTACT WITH THE MAINLAND
The Day learned that the expedition’s scientific program has two components: monitoring (with more or less stable parameters, including meteorological studies, measurements of ozone content, magnetic field, etc.) and innovative prospecting elements. One of the new tasks of this year’s expedition is to update the Vernadsky Station’s system of communications with the mainland. In addition to satellites, the polar researchers will be able to send signals via the Internet and will also have access to television. According to Volodymyr Bochkariov, another direction of their work is no less important. The Ukrainian researchers will conduct experiments in the field of nuclear physics, spotting neutrinos — particles that reach the earth through the upper atmosphere from outer space.
Bochkariov said: “Such phenomena may occur once a year or once a century, but locating these particles is very difficult in large cities where the atmosphere is quite polluted. In the Antarctic the air is mostly pure, and it is considerably easier to spot and study these particles. The polar researchers will also study organisms (microorganisms, lower-order plants, animals, birds) in their natural habitat. These studies relate to various branches of science, so each of the expedition’s 14 members will have his own work schedule. For example, a meteorologist will be recording the readings of his instruments and watching the weather, then transmitting his data to the world’s weather centers, and to Kyiv. These broadcasts between the Antarctic and the mainland take place every week. Apart from weather reports, the expedition transmits data on the ozone content over the mainland, along with business and other routine information.
Scientists are alarmed by global warming in the Antarctic. The expedition members claim that snowfalls are decreasing every year. The number of clear sunny days is increasing when there should be heavy clouds and snow. What causes the greatest concern is that the temperature at the Ukrainian research station has risen by two degrees. The scientists are trying to determine whether these changes are permanent or whether the global warming process will confront them with some more unpleasant surprises.
SWIMMING IN ANTARCTIC WATERS: A REAL PLEASURE!
Experts often refer to the Antarctic as a “weather kitchen” — not only because this is where cyclones are formed, which affect the weather on other continents, but also because the weather varies considerably in different areas of the continent. The air temperature in the middle of the Antarctic can reach 70 degrees below zero, while the Vernadsky Station may record a temperature of 20 degrees. Experts at the Ukrainian Antarctic Center say that the climate on Galindez Island is affected by the warm ocean currents along its coast. The local climate is considerably milder than on the mainland.
Mykola Leonov, who is taking part in his third Antarctic expedition, said that the temperature at the station varies between plus 10 in the summer and minus 20 in the winter. Most often the temperature drops to 25 or 30 degrees when cold winds start blowing from the Antarctic in the direction of the island: “That’s when the expedition members have to be especially careful to avoid frostbite on their face. Their favorite time of the year is June 22: that is the shortest day and the longest night. This is when they can relax a bit. Some of the scientists even take a swim; the water is plus two degrees. This is not surprising, considering that the expedition members are in peak shape and have the best record of endurance under all conditions.”
Traditionally, expedition members start being selected in the summer, when scientists forward their membership applications to the National Antarctic Center. The team is almost complete by September. Then its members are sent to the Makarivsky Training Ground. Here they live in isolation for one week, studying the station’s work and shift schedules, living conditions, etc. They undergo training under the same conditions, which reveals their psychological qualities and ability to adjust to a closed environment. Before being flown to the Antarctic, every member of the expedition is tested for survival skills, because being prepared for any unexpected occurrences, natural as well as manmade, is a guarantee of effective work.
