Generales

Three UdeA researchers depart to Antarctica this month for an expedition to the "white continent". The researchers are part of the 2nd Colombian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica to be held in the austral summer 2015-2016.

UdeA professors Mónica Zambrano, Mario Londoño and Lizette Quan-Young will represent Universidad de Antioquia in the expedition to Antarctica, often referred to as “the continent of peace”. 

During their stay, the researchers will evaluate the potential impact of climate change on marine invertebrates such as echinoderms, polychaetes and bivalves. What researchers will do is to compare the shallow continental shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula (between 20 to 100 meters deep) with the depths of the tropical Pacific Ocean (between 400 and 800 meters). Although both differ in terms of latitude and depth they have similar temperatures. "Our purpose is to find out to what extent global warming and climate change are affecting Antarctica, where temperature has been changing significantly faster than in the tropics, to better understand what happens when the ocean's temperature rises,” professor Quan-Young said. And she added “one of the potential effects arising from Antarctic ice melt is the flooding of Colombia's coasts”.

Antarctica is the largest reservoir of fresh water on the planet. Although it does not belong to any nation, several countries are joining forces to strengthen the scientific and geopolitical importance of this territory. Strategies include agreements such as the Antarctic Treaty signed by 12 nations on December 1, 1959, in Washington, which entered into force on June 23, 1961. Today, a total of 59 nations have joined the Treaty, which prohibits any mining and military activity in Antarctica.

Colombia joined the Treaty in 1989 and made its first expedition to Antarctica in 2014, with the entry into force of the Colombia's National Antarctic Program which includes a series of research trips and geopolitical activities. The third Colombian expedition is scheduled to be held in the austral summer of 2016-2017, and calls for research proposals will be open until February.

The researchers will journey to Punta Arenas, Chile, on February 15, and on February 18 they will head for Profesor Julio Escudero, a permanent Chilean research base, where they will conduct fieldwork. For three weeks, the researchers will collect samples and conduct preliminary treatments. Upon arrival in Colombia, the three researchers will conduct a detailed taxonomic classification along with graduate and undergraduate students, after which they will write reports and scientific papers that support their findings. The whole process can take up to two years to complete.  

“Diving is not included on the agenda due to logistical obstacles and requirements. Instead, we will use a suction dredger to collect materials. Professor Zambrano will be responsible for collecting materials from piers in order to calculate the concentration of contaminants in marine organisms and evaluate their potential as biomonitors,” says Professor Quan-Young.      

The comparative analysis will be held in Colombia with samples provided by the José Benito Vives de Andreis Marine and Coastal Research Institute (INVEMAR).  

This project is not only an achievement for Colombian researchers but for those interested in climate change and finding strategies to improve quality of life worldwide.

The project is funded by Chile, Universidad de Antioquia and Comisión Colombiana del Océano (CCO).