Turkish Science Team in Antarctica

Turkish Scientific Delegation in Antarctica The team participating in the 7th National Antarctica Science Expedition, which is being conducted under the auspices of the Presidency, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and coordinated by TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute, completed an exhausting and exciting journey, crossing 103 degrees of latitude southward from Istanbul to reach the continent. The 24-member scientific delegation, which began their journey with their first flight from Istanbul to São Paulo, Brazil on 30 January, completed a journey of approximately 13,800 kilometers following 4 separate flights lasting about 22 hours in total, and arrived at Antarctica's King George Island with approximately 2 tons of technical equipment after 3 days. The expedition team took important measures in accordance with the Antarctica Environmental Protection Protocol to prevent the transportation of non-native organisms to the continent. Before flying to the continent, the team carefully inspected all suitcases and clothing for possible contaminants, and upon landing from the aircraft at Antarctica King George, they cleaned their boots in a disinfectant solution before reaching the white continent.  

Team will conduct detailed research within framework of 18 projects

  Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, Director of TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute and Coordinator of the 7th National Antarctica Science Expedition, stated that they arrived at Antarctica King George Island at 62 degrees south latitude 68 hours after departing Istanbul, saying, "We were very tired but we succeeded. Our team is ready and in good condition, we arrived in Antarctica with all our belongings and will soon transfer to our ship. First by land, then by boats we will reach our ship." Providing information that the expedition will include 19 Turkish and 3 foreign scientists, Prof. Dr. Özsoy said, "We will conduct 18 different projects. In addition, our 3 high school winners announced in TEKNOFEST within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 2204-C High School Students Polar Research Projects Competition came to Antarctica with us. They will be able to test their biodegradable plastic projects. We will visit science stations together and go to the laboratories there. This will also provide our students with the opportunity to meet foreign scientists." he said. Özsoy emphasized that they will carry out projects across a very wide range from earth sciences to physical sciences, from social sciences to life sciences, saying, "The Navigation Hydrography and Oceanography Department Directorate, the Meteorology General Directorate, and the Map General Directorate will be with us. They will be able to collect the data gathered by the measurement stations that they have conducted every year and prepare all preparations for collecting new data. Additionally, we will carry out data collection work in order to protect the lakes particularly found on Horseshoe Island, where we have conducted our observation work. We will collect the data gathered year-round from our Global Satellite Positioning stations and ensure the control of our meteorology station. We are now in Antarctica to conduct glacier-related work and execute 18 projects including ecosystem and earth sciences." he said.

Research findings will be published in international scientific journals

  It is of great importance that science expeditions are conducted regularly every year with a view to enabling Turkey to gain consultant country status in the Antarctica Treaty System, and that the research conducted is published in international scientific journals to contribute to world literature. The researchers, through their work in this direction, will also contribute to Turkey's international visibility. The winners of the 2204-C High School Students Polar Research Projects Competition organized by the TÜBİTAK Scientist Support Program Directorate (BİDEB) will conduct work at Escudero Base, belonging to Chile, located on King George Island, on their project titled "Production of Domestic and National Bioplastic Material to Prevent Microplastic Pollution in Polar Oceans." Meanwhile, the 7th National Antarctica Science Expedition team was joined by Gülcan Akoğuz, Ambassador of the Turkish Republic to Santiago, at Santiago Airport Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez in Chile, one of their stops before reaching the White Continent. Additionally, 3 foreign scientists joined the team to conduct their projects within the scope of cooperation conducted with Ecuador and Colombia. TÜBİTAK, the Navy Command, the Map General Directorate, the Meteorology General Directorate, Anadolu Agency, and a team of researchers from research institutes and universities transferred by boats to the 80-meter Chilean-flagged research vessel Betanzos, located off King George Island, where they will conduct work expected to last more than 30 days. The scientific delegation is expected to reach Horseshoe Island, where the Turkish Research Camp in Antarctica is located, following a one-week vessel voyage. Source (AA)