Antarctica
AntarcticaArgentine icebreaker “Almirante Irizar” replacement delayed
The charter of a Russian icebreaker to replace Argentina's navy “Almirante Irizar” severely damaged by fire, for the coming Antarctic season remains undecided according to Foreign Affairs ministry sources quoted in the Buenos Aires press.
Antarctic ozone hole opens early this year but may not be as large
The hole in the Antarctic ozone layer has emerged earlier than usual this year, but it is not yet clear whether the eventual annual depletion of the naturally occurring gas that filters out cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation will be as bad as recent years, the United Nations meteorological agency announced Tuesday.
Satellite tracking of penguins' migration in South Atlantic
This week Professor Dee Boersma and student Elizabeth Skewgar, selected six adult male penguins from rehabilitation centres at two coastal towns in Southern Argentina--San Clemente del Tuyú and Mar del Plata--to carry satellite transmitters during their migration back to their breeding colonies reports www.penguinstudies.org
Keep clear of the penguins!
Dutchman Johannes Huber is the executive secretary of Antarctic Treaty System, which has its headquarters in Downtown Buenos Aires.
Chilean named to head Antarctic Treaty research programs
Chile's Director of the Chilean Antarctic Institute, INACH, Jose Retamales Espinoza became the first Latinamerican nominated president of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, (Comnap). He took the post last July 13 and will be holding it until 2010.
Argentina charters Russian icebreaker for Antarctic season
Argentina decided to charter a Russian icebreaker to supply its Antarctic bases this coming summer replacing its own “Almirante Irizar” which caught fire in the high seas last April and is currently on a long process of repairs and recovery, reported Wednesday the Buenos Aires press.
Chile rescues stranded Argentine plane in Antarctica
The Chilean Air Force rescued over the weekend an Argentine aircraft stranded on a glacier in the Antarctic Peninsula, according to an official release.
Antarctic icebergs are “ecological hotspots” for ocean life
Drifting icebergs are "ecological hotspots" that enable the surrounding waters to absorb an increased volume of carbon dioxide, a study suggests. United States scientists found that minerals released from the melting ice triggered blooms of CO2-absorbing phytoplankton, reports BBC.
HMS Endurance in Portsmouth following longest deployment
Portsmouth-based ice patrol ship HMS Endurance returned Friday June 1 from Antarctica where she helped gather vital information on climate change and global warming.
Chile to double financing of Antarctic scientific research
Chile is planning to double Antarctic scientific research funds this coming season 2007/08 revealed this week in Punta Arenas Jose Retamales, director of the Chilean Antarctic Institute.
