11-02-1025
A campanha
de trabalho de campo do projecto COSMOANTAR na Antárctida acabou hoje. Depois
de dez dias na base chinesa de Great Wall conseguimos acabar as actividades
previstas. Finalmente, colectamos 23 amostras para datações cosmogénicas e 14 amostras
para a caracterização dos criossolos na península de Fildes, na ilha de King
George.
A campanha na área de Fildes tem sido um sucesso do ponto de vista científico. Além disso, os investigadores do COSMOANTAR aprenderam da cultura e hospitalidade da expedição chinesa. Num voo da Força Aérea Uruguaia partirão de Frei para Punta Arenas para iniciar a longa viagem de volta a Europa.
A campanha na área de Fildes tem sido um sucesso do ponto de vista científico. Além disso, os investigadores do COSMOANTAR aprenderam da cultura e hospitalidade da expedição chinesa. Num voo da Força Aérea Uruguaia partirão de Frei para Punta Arenas para iniciar a longa viagem de volta a Europa.
06-02-2015
Já estamos
na segunda parte da campanha. O António Correia já voltou a Portugal e o Jesús
e o Marc continuam o trabalho de campo na península de Fildes, ilha King
George. Estamos alojados na base chinesa Great Wall, grande, confortável e com
boa comida.
Da base Great Wall partimos todos os dias para diferentes lugares da península a procura de amostras de rochas para datações cosmogénicas para conhecer melhor o calendário do retrocesso glaciário na península de Fildes. Alem disso, também colectamos amostras de solos para caracterizar os processos físicos e químicos relativos a formação de solos na Antártida Marítima.
Da base Great Wall partimos todos os dias para diferentes lugares da península a procura de amostras de rochas para datações cosmogénicas para conhecer melhor o calendário do retrocesso glaciário na península de Fildes. Alem disso, também colectamos amostras de solos para caracterizar os processos físicos e químicos relativos a formação de solos na Antártida Marítima.
By Jesús
Ruiz-Fernández
El día 26 de enero,
después de varios días de retraso sobre el calendario previsto y un intento
fallido de descargarnos en Byers, por fin estábamos pisando suelo de la
península. Esa tarde la dedicamos a preparar el campamento, integrado por 12
personas (el grupo de biólogos liderado por Angélica Casanova, Pablo, el técnico
de campo del INACH, Antonio, Marc y yo mismo). Por delante teníamos apenas 4
días para acometer todas las actividades científicas previstas inicialmente
para el doble de jornadas, a lo que hubo que añadir el mal tiempo que nos tocó
en esos días. Pese a estos inconvenientes logramos todos los objetivos planteados
a base de hacer jornadas de trabajo de hasta 13 horas.
El resultado fue el sugiente: se descargaron los datos de temperaturas tomadas por los dataloggers instalados el año pasado en las cuencas de los lagos Domo, Cerro Negro y Escondido, y se volvieron a instalar; se tomaron 16 muestras de suelos para aplicar varios tipos de análisis a lo largo de un transecto entre el glaciar Rotch y la terminación W de Byers; se colectaron también 17 muestras de diferentes puntos de la península para datar por nucleidos cosmogénicos; finalmente, se pudo hacer un perfil geoeléctrico en el sector de terrazas marinas contiguo al Sealers Hill.
El análisis preliminar del perfil obtenido es prometedor, pues los datos. parecen sugerir la existencia de permafrost esporáfico sobre los niveles de terrazas marinas elevados. En la mañana del día 31 de enero recogimos el campamento y transportamos conjuntamente toda la carga hasta la playa para embarcar de nuevo en el buque Aquiles mediante zociacs y una barcaza, pero la operación no se pudo completar a causa del escaso calado del borde costero de Byers en marea baja. Finalmente nos transportaron al buque en helicóptero. Atrás quedaron duros días de cansancio y mal tiempo. Sin embargo, estábamos satisfechos por el trabajo realizado, y felices de disfrutar de la comodidad del Aquiles.
El resultado fue el sugiente: se descargaron los datos de temperaturas tomadas por los dataloggers instalados el año pasado en las cuencas de los lagos Domo, Cerro Negro y Escondido, y se volvieron a instalar; se tomaron 16 muestras de suelos para aplicar varios tipos de análisis a lo largo de un transecto entre el glaciar Rotch y la terminación W de Byers; se colectaron también 17 muestras de diferentes puntos de la península para datar por nucleidos cosmogénicos; finalmente, se pudo hacer un perfil geoeléctrico en el sector de terrazas marinas contiguo al Sealers Hill.
El análisis preliminar del perfil obtenido es prometedor, pues los datos. parecen sugerir la existencia de permafrost esporáfico sobre los niveles de terrazas marinas elevados. En la mañana del día 31 de enero recogimos el campamento y transportamos conjuntamente toda la carga hasta la playa para embarcar de nuevo en el buque Aquiles mediante zociacs y una barcaza, pero la operación no se pudo completar a causa del escaso calado del borde costero de Byers en marea baja. Finalmente nos transportaron al buque en helicóptero. Atrás quedaron duros días de cansancio y mal tiempo. Sin embargo, estábamos satisfechos por el trabajo realizado, y felices de disfrutar de la comodidad del Aquiles.
21-01-2015
Os membros
da equipa COSMOANTAR já estão na Antártida. A meteorologia permitiu que o voo
da DAP aterrasse ontem no aeródromo de Frei, na ilha King George. Estivemos até
as 4 h da manha na base chilena de Escudero e passamos para o barco chileno
Aquiles. Neste barco vamos passar os próximos 3-4 dias antes de chegar a
Península Byers, ilha Livingston, área da nossa investigação.
As mudanças de calendário condicionadas pela logística antárctica condicionam uma alteração significativa do número de dias de trabalho de campo. Está previsto chegar a Byers dia 25 de Janeiro e instalar um acampamento até o dia 30 do mesmo mês, apenas cinco dias de trabalho de campo. Vamos ter que repensar as actividades e reprogramar as prioridades para conseguir fazer as tarefas mais importantes inicialmente previstas no projecto COSMOANTAR.
As mudanças de calendário condicionadas pela logística antárctica condicionam uma alteração significativa do número de dias de trabalho de campo. Está previsto chegar a Byers dia 25 de Janeiro e instalar um acampamento até o dia 30 do mesmo mês, apenas cinco dias de trabalho de campo. Vamos ter que repensar as actividades e reprogramar as prioridades para conseguir fazer as tarefas mais importantes inicialmente previstas no projecto COSMOANTAR.
19-01-2014
A equipa do COSMOANTAR constituída pelo Marc Oliva, pelo Jesús
Ruiz-Fernández e pelo António Correia chegaram a Punta Arenas ontem, dia 18,
sem problemas de maior a não ser ter que justificar na alfândega do aeroporto
de Santiago do Chile o que eram os equipamentos que iam em duas malas; estas
tinham dentro os equipamentos de geofísica com os quais se vão realizar várias
tomografias de resistividade elétrica com o objetivo de estudar a distribuição
do permafrost na Península de Byers, na ilha Livingston. Depois de alguma conversa
com um funcionário que, aliás, se mostrou muito compreensivo, lá conseguimos
passar a alfândega.
Hoje tivemos uma reunião no INACH onde nos foi dada uma perspectiva do calendário das operações e do percurso do barco Aquiles, no qual embarcaremos amanhã. Se não houver alterações de última hora, a partida para a ilha King George, onde se encontra o Aquiles, está prevista para amanhã no voo da DAP das 12:30 horas.
De acordo com as informações que nos foram dadas na reunião no INACH, o plano de trabalhos da equipa do COSMOANTAR vai ter que ser adaptado já que, por motivos de avaria no Aquiles, a estadia no acampamento de Byers vai ser mais curta do que inicialmente prevista; mas a Antárctida é assim: o que é previsível é o imprevisto.
Hoje tivemos uma reunião no INACH onde nos foi dada uma perspectiva do calendário das operações e do percurso do barco Aquiles, no qual embarcaremos amanhã. Se não houver alterações de última hora, a partida para a ilha King George, onde se encontra o Aquiles, está prevista para amanhã no voo da DAP das 12:30 horas.
De acordo com as informações que nos foram dadas na reunião no INACH, o plano de trabalhos da equipa do COSMOANTAR vai ter que ser adaptado já que, por motivos de avaria no Aquiles, a estadia no acampamento de Byers vai ser mais curta do que inicialmente prevista; mas a Antárctida é assim: o que é previsível é o imprevisto.
Marc Oliva awarded by APECS
and Canada Goose!
The Association of
Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and the Canadian enterprise Canada Goose
have awarded Marc Oliva with an Expedition Parka within the program “Where does
your Goose take you?”. Marc was selected between tens of participants in a
contest based on the CV and the field work activities to be developed during
the field campaign 2014-2015.
“The Expedition Parka was originally developed for scientists working in research facilities at McMurdo station in Antarctica. The Expedition Parka is one of our most iconic, warmest and most durable parkas. It features a highly functional collection of external pockets, perfect for easy gear storage and hand warming” (Canada Goose®). With this sponsorship, both APECS and another world leading Canadian enterprise will support the activities of a HOLOANTAR researcher in the following Antarctic campaign. |
New sponsorship for HOLOANTAR: Acton
This world leading Canadian company on boots will sponsor the following Antarctic campaign in Byers Peninsula. Acton boots are used widespread across the Arctic and HOLOANTAR researchers have already used them in the last two campaigns in Antarctica with excellent results. One of the critical issues when conducting field work in Antarctica is the necessity of keeping the feet warm, since it is one of parts of the body through which more heat is lost. And Acton boots provide excellent heat preservation and impermeability.
The boots are already in Lisbon prepared to leave to the frozen continent. Thanks to Acton for sponsoring our research in Antarctica! |
Antarctic campaign 2014-2015
The next Antarctic campaign is approaching fast.
Three researchers of HOLOANTAR are expected to go in January-February 2015 to Antarctica for field work. We will go in collaboration with the Chilean Antarctic program, coinciding in Byers Peninsula with the group of Dra Angelica Casanova (University of Concepción).
In the following weeks we will start doing medical exams, environmental authorizations, sample collection forms, preparing and packing the equipment to be used in the field, etc. All these activities are essential for the success of our field campaign in Byers.
As done in previous years, we will inform about our activities in Antarctica with regular posts in this website as well as in the Portuguese Polar Program site (http://www.propolar.org/).
Three researchers of HOLOANTAR are expected to go in January-February 2015 to Antarctica for field work. We will go in collaboration with the Chilean Antarctic program, coinciding in Byers Peninsula with the group of Dra Angelica Casanova (University of Concepción).
In the following weeks we will start doing medical exams, environmental authorizations, sample collection forms, preparing and packing the equipment to be used in the field, etc. All these activities are essential for the success of our field campaign in Byers.
As done in previous years, we will inform about our activities in Antarctica with regular posts in this website as well as in the Portuguese Polar Program site (http://www.propolar.org/).
SEG meeting, Cáceres (Spain), 9-12th September 2014
Between 9 and12th September the Spanish Geomorphological Society held its biannual meeting in the historical city of Cáceres, Extremadura. Marc Oliva and Jesús Ruiz-Fernández presented their research conducted in January 2014 in the small peninsula of Elephant Point (Livingston island) as well as the chronology of the deglaciation process in Byers Peninsula.
Summer school Oviedo, Spain, 3rd September 2014
In parallel to the research activities, HOLOANTAR researchers usually collaborate with teaching and outreach activities. Marc Oliva and Jesús Ruiz-Fernández participated in a summer school at the University of Oviedo with two lectures about “El Ártico y la Antártida: dos realidades geográficas contrastadas” and “Paisajes de montaña en latitudes medias y altas”.
SCAR conference, Auckland (New Zealand), 25-28th August 2014
The biannual meeting of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research was held in Auckland (New Zealand) between 25 and 28th August. This is the largest conference for Antarctic researchers and takes place every two years.
Researchers involved in the HOLOANTAR project participated in the conference presenting the last findings of our research both in oral and poster format. Besides, we started new collaborations for future projects in the Antarctic Peninsula region with researchers from international institutions.
Researchers involved in the HOLOANTAR project participated in the conference presenting the last findings of our research both in oral and poster format. Besides, we started new collaborations for future projects in the Antarctic Peninsula region with researchers from international institutions.
European Conference on Permafrost, Évora (Portugal)
18-21st June
Several researchers of HOLOANTAR
participate in the local organizing committee of the Fourth European Conference on Permafrost (EUCOP4). The
organization of this meeting required a long previous preparation and a huge
effort of the researchers involved in the local committee.
This conference was held in Évora, Portugal, between 18 and 21st June 2014. More than 400 participants from 28 different countries attended the conferece and presented their research in permafrost studies and discussed about future projects and collaborations.
Marc Oliva and Alexandre Trindade were also involved in the workshop organized on the 17 and 18th June in a joint effort of PYRN (Permafrost Young Researchers Network), APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists ) and the young researcher representatives of the two projects PAGE21 (Changing Permafrost in the Arctic and its Global Effects in the 21st Century) and ADAPT (Arctic Development and Adaptation to Permafrost in Transition). Almost 100 participants shared knowledge with each other in thematic break-out sessions and elaborated the future avenues of permafrost research together with senior researchers.
This conference was held in Évora, Portugal, between 18 and 21st June 2014. More than 400 participants from 28 different countries attended the conferece and presented their research in permafrost studies and discussed about future projects and collaborations.
Marc Oliva and Alexandre Trindade were also involved in the workshop organized on the 17 and 18th June in a joint effort of PYRN (Permafrost Young Researchers Network), APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists ) and the young researcher representatives of the two projects PAGE21 (Changing Permafrost in the Arctic and its Global Effects in the 21st Century) and ADAPT (Arctic Development and Adaptation to Permafrost in Transition). Almost 100 participants shared knowledge with each other in thematic break-out sessions and elaborated the future avenues of permafrost research together with senior researchers.
HOLOANTAR meeting in Lisbon (12 to 15th June)
While Lisbon was celebrating Portugal's patron
saint, Santo António, members of the palaeo team of HOLOANTAR were discussing
the data generated during the last year. The meeting last from Thursday to
Sunday, with temperatures around 40ºC outside, much different than those in
Antarctica and a good excuse to keep working at the hotel.
Results are astonishing and several papers with outsanding results will be published in the following months. We also discussed about future projects and collaborations for the next years.
Results are astonishing and several papers with outsanding results will be published in the following months. We also discussed about future projects and collaborations for the next years.
3-6-2014
As part of the activities that
researchers of HOLOANTAR usually do, Marc Oliva led an international field trip
to Sierra Nevada (Spain) with 35 students of the University of Lisbon. This fieldtrip
counted also with the teaching assistance of another member of HOLOANTAR,
Alexandre Nieuwendam, as well as with the collaboration of Miguel Geraldes (University of Lisbon) and Dr Jordi Nofre (New University of Lisbon). The
purpose of the field trip was to show the students different methods and
techniques commonly used in the field for reconstructing Quaternary environments.
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10-5-2014
Researchers
of HOLOANTAR participated at the General Assembly 2015 of the European
Geoscience Union, that was held in Vienna between the 27th April and 2nd May.
Alexandre Nieuwendam and Marc Oliva organized a short course on permafrost studies
framed within the outreach activities of the Permafrost Young Researchers
Network (PYRN). They also collaborated in another workshop co-organized by the
Association of Early Career Researchers and PYRN.
Results of HOLOANTAR were also presented in a session chaired by both as well as in other sessions of the conference. |
30-1-2014
A campanha de trabalho de campo em Byers acabou mais cedo do esperado.Por causa da previsão de fortes ventos e tempestade de neve para o dia 31 e 1, o barco chileno Aquiles ligou para nós hoje, dia 30 para comunicar que o nosso acampamento tinha que ser levantado ainda hoje, até às 17 h. Esta mudança do programa condicionou as nossas actividades finais em Byers. Tivemos que ir dos igloos espanhóis em Byers até os lagos Domo e Cerro Negro para reprogramar os loggers que ainda não foram lançados. Mais de 15 km em 3.30 h! Apesar de ter só dois dias e meio de trabalho de campo em Byers, conseguimos fazer muitas das actividades que estavam previstas: Instalação de loggers para a medição da temperatura do ar, da superfície do solo e altura da neve nos lagos Escondido, Cerro Negro e Domo; Perfurações para a monitorização da camada activa até 80 cm de profundidade ao pé dos três lagos; Amostragem e caracterização dos solos nos sites de monitorização; Cartografia geomorfológica das bacias dos três lagos; Amostragem de musgos subaquáticos dos três lagos; Estamos já no Aquiles de volta para Frei, onde está programado a nossa saída para Punta Arenas para o próximo dia 2 de Fevereiro. |
2-1-2014
El día 27 de enero cruzamos el glaciar Rocht, que en su extremo SW separa Punta Elefante de Byers, donde se centrará la segunda parte de la campaña de investigación. Nos acompañó en el cruce Ricardo Leizer, alpinista responsable del campamento de Punta Elefante, y también Mike, uno de los arqueólogos de grupo brasileño, para acompañar a Ricardo en el regreso hacia el campamento. Pese a la impagable ayuda de Ricardo y Mike, el cruce del glaciar fue muy exigente desde el punto de vista físico, pues había que transportar todas nuestras pertenencias personales y el material de trabajo. Además, fue necesario que todos estuviéramos encordados para minimizar una posible caída en alguna grieta del glaciar. Afortunadamente éste presentaba muy buenas condiciones, sin grietas salvo en los frentes que descienden hacia la costa. El tramo final fue especialmente duro, pues la nieve superficial estaba muy blanda y nos hundíamos continuamente. Tras tres agotadoras horas de travesía sobre hielo y nieve y muchos kilos a cuestas, por fin estábamos pisando tierra firme de la Península Byers. Después de despedirnos de Ricardo y Mike y recuperar fuerzas, nuestra mente ya estaba centrada en los nuevos objetivos científicos que debíamos desarrollar en Byers. Un fuerte abrazo para nuestros amigos brasileños de Punta Elefante y… bom trabalho! |
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21-1-2014
Depois de três dias para a organização do acampamento, as actividades de campo avançam. O Jesús e o Marc aproveitam o seu local de trabalho na península Elefante, a apenas 3 km da península Byers, para descobrir a geomorfologia nesta parte da ilha Livingston que ainda não foi estudada. Ponta Elefante é uma pequena península de apenas de 2 km livre de gelo. O domo glaciar Rotch limita a área sem gelo do norte da península e o mar forma três baías no margem sul de Elefante. Na área livre de gelo os processos periglaciários são muito activos e o permafrost e quase continuo até o nível do mar. As evidências da actividade periglaciária incluem solos estriados, debris flows, lóbulos de solifluxão, mudflows, etc. Na península há uma sequência de cinco níveis de praias levantadas. Os terraços marinhas mais elevados são aproveitados pelos elefantes marinhos para fazer as suas colonias. Nos terraços mais recentes há colonias de pinguins. Para amanha está previsto a primeira travessa do glaciar em direcção a Byers. |
18-1-2014, by Jesús Ruiz Fernández
Nuestra salida hacia Antártida se retrasó varios días por motivos meteorológicos. El día 16 de enero salimos de Punta Arenas con un Hércules de la Fuerza Aérea de Brasil que aterrizó a las 3 de la tarde en el aeródromo de la base chilena de Frei, ubicada en la isla King George. ¡Por fin pisamos tierra antártica! De allí fuimos transportados en zodiac al Ary Rongel, un navío de la marina brasileña que presta apoyo logístico en la investigación antártica. A bordo del Ary Rongel, en el que permanecimos dos noches, pudimos contemplar la extrema belleza de las Shetland del Sur (domos glaciares cuyos frentes recortados se precipitan al mar, pequeñas penínsulas y puntas libres de hielo, bahías ocupadas por bases científicas, témpanos a la deriva, resoplidos de ballenas en la distancia, etc) en fin, un paisaje extraordinario que ya no nos abandonará hasta nuestra partida. El día 18 nos trasladaron en helicóptero hasta Punta Elefante, una península deglaciada perteneciente a la isla Livingston, donde nos integramos en un grupo de arqueólogos brasileños que están estudiando los restos de los campamentos de foqueros que recalaron en estas islas entre finales del S. XVIII y buena parte del XIX en busca de pieles. Durante todo el día y el siguiente trabajamos en el levantamiento del campamento. Se colocaron dos tiendas grandes para albergar los servicios comunes del campamento (cocina-zona de estar y almacén-baño), y 9 individuales para dormir. Por fin, el día 20 de enero comenzamos a trabajar en la geomorfología de esta pequeña pero interesantísima península.Clique aqui para editar . |
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10-1-2014
Chegada a Punta Arenas Depois de uma longa viagem, os investigadores do HOLOANTAR Jesús Ruiz e Marc Oliva já estão na cidade patagónica de Punta Arenas, no sul de Chile. Os investigadores já entraram em contacto com a equipa do Prof. Dr Andrés Zarankin, do Programa Antárctico Brasileiro, que serão os nossos colegas no trabalho de campo em Ponta Elefante. A equipa brasileira vai trabalhar nos restos arqueológicos existentes neste pequena península livre de gelo da ilha Livingston, perto de Byers, onde analisaram os restos dos primeiros exploradores da ilha e dos comerciantes que exportavam produtos de baleias e focas.
A partida para Antárctida está prevista para o dia 12 de Janeiro com um voo Hercules da força aérea brasileira. Para o Jesús vai ser a sua primeira campanha antárctica, para o Marc será a quarta. A equipa está motivada para fazer uma grande campanha. |
7-1-2014
Campanha Janeiro-Fevereiro 2014 O verão antárctico chegou e o projecto HOLOANTAR continua a avançar. Depois de meses de mudanças na planificação da campanha, dois integrantes do projecto HOLOANTAR irão a Península Byers (ilha Livingston, South Shetland Islands) fazer trabalho de campo entre os dias 16 de Janeiro e 1 de Fevereiro. Marc Oliva (Universidade de Lisboa) e Jesús Ruiz Fernández (Universidade de Oviedo) saem da Europa o dia 9 de Janeiro em direcção a Punta Arenas, onde chegarão no dia 10. Depois de dois dias para comprar as últimas coisas, o seu voo para o aeródromo antárctico de Frei está previsto para o dia 12. A logística será proporcionada pelo Programa Antárctico Brasileiro. Os investigadores do HOLOANTAR ficarão acampados até o dia 1 de Fevereiro na Ponta Elefante, uma área sem gelo perto da Península Byers. Todos os dias o Marc e Jesús vão ter que ir e voltar até ás bacias dos lagos de Byers em estudo, cruzando um domo glaciar . O objectivo desta campanha é conseguir realizar um estudo detalhado das bacias dos lagos Limnopolar, Escondido, Cerro Negro y Domo, nomeadamente cartografia geomorfológica e da vegetação, instalação de equipamentos para controle da camada activa e condições climáticas actuais (temperatura, neve), amostragem de solos, etc. Os dados vão proporcionar um melhor conhecimento da dinâmica actual nos ecossistemas da Península Byers, a área livre de gelo com maior biodiversidade da Antárctida. |
Está prevista a volta de Frei a Punta Arenas para o dia 4 de Fevereiro. Os investigadores irão actualizando as suas actividades no blog do PROPOLAR (www.holoantar.com) e do projecto HOLOANTAR (www.holoantar.com)
Aguardamos o vosso interesse! |
15-11-2013
Antarctic training wokshop On 15th November the researchers of HOLOANTAR who will join the next field work campaign in Byers participated in the workshop organized by the Portuguese Polar Program in Lisbon. The workshop started with a first part focused on a basic first aid course in order to learn how to act in an extreme environment under adverse circumstances. Dr Manolo Catalán, from the Spanish Polar Committe, taught the participants about the Antarctic Treaty and environmental policies in Antarctica. Finally, the PI of the different research projects introduced the research they will conduct in the next Antarctic campaign. Here, Marc Oliva presented the HOLOANTAR project. |
New
innovative approaches for HOLOANTAR
HOLOANTAR keeps advancing. From 21st to 28th October researchers of HOLOANTAR measured the geochemical composition of the sediments at the Institute for Earth Sciences Jaume Almera (Barcelona). All the cores collected in Byers were scanned at very high resolution (1 mm) using an X-ray fluorescence scanner. Data will be analysed and processed in the following weeks. Moreover, HOLOANTAR benefited from several new collaborations. From the 29th to 31st October, Dr Julio Martín (University of Vigo) scanned all the cores with a hypersespectral camera (200 bands), a very innovative approach that will provide novel data on the Holocene evolution in Byers. Indeed, Emma Nicholson (University of Bristol) sampled the tephra layers of the cores in order to study the geochemical composition of these ash layers as well as the morphology of their particles. The study of the tephras will be especially useful to correlate the cores and for the chronological framework of the environmental and climate evolution in Byers Peninsula. Several samples were also collected for pollen grain identification and counting. Dr Santiago Riera (University of Barcelona) will be in charge of these analyses. |
5ª Portuguese Conference on Polar Sciences
Several researchers of the HOLOANTAR project participated in the 5ª Conferência Portuguesa de Ciências Polares that took place in Faro (Portugal), the last 1st November 2013. The annual conference of the Portuguese polar researchers was a very productive meeting where the different research groups presented their last findings and exchanged ideas for future collaborations. The meeting counted with the participation of several international researchers that were positively surprised by the outstanding level and wide range of research activities that are being carried out in the polar regions by Portuguese researchers. |
Young Researchers meeting in Abisko, Sweden
The members of HOLOANTAR, Alexandre Nieuwendam and Marc Oliva, participated in a young researchers meeting in Abisko (Sweden). The purpose of this meeting was to organize the details of the Permafrost Young Researchers Workshop that will be held at EUCOP4 in Évora, Portugal. Alexander and Marc participated in representation of the PYRN executive committee. Members of other young researchers associations, such as APECS, ADPAT and PAGE21, also participated in the meeting and debated about the organization of the EUCOP4 wokshop. This workshop will involve approximately 75 to 90 participants, all of them are early career scientists. A peer-reviewed application process for receiving funds will be conducted by the workshop organizers. The workshop will have a social event the night before to welcome the participants.Durig the day of the workshop there will be inspirational key-notes and several break-out sessions. At the end of the day there will be a meeting with the participants to discuss topics for future research avenues. More information: http://www.eucop4.org/ |
Summer school in Asturias
Researchers of HOLOANTAR usually collaborate in many research activities in other environments than Antarctica. This is what happened last week in the western part of Asturias (Spain), a small region in norhern Spain.
Jesús Ruiz Fernández (University of Oviedo) organized a summer school on different topics on Physical Geography and Marc Oliva (University of Lisbon) was also invited to participate. Jesus taught about the main geological and geomorphological settings in the area and Marc Oliva showed how to carry out sedimentological studies in a fluvial terrace and about the methods used for dating purposes. |
IV Congreso Ibérico de la International Permafrost Association (IPA)
Avances, métodos y técnicas en el estudio del periglaciarismo.
The IV Iberian conference of the International Permafrost Association took place from 25 to 27 of June 2013 in Vall de Núria (Catalonia) in the Eastern Pyrenees and was organized by the University of Barcelona (http://paisatge.wix.com/servei_ub/ipa-2013#!__ipa-2013). During the conference around 30 oral presentations and 15 posters were presented related to permafrost topics on polar and mountain environments as well as planetary. Marc Oliva presented the first field campaign of HOLOANTAR and the preliminary results of the project. The last day was mostly dedicated to a great field trip to the Puigmal massif (2,913 m), the second highest peak in the Eastern Pyrenees. |
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16-6-2013
Between the 10-12 June, several researchers of HOLOANTAR met at the Instituto Geológico Minero de España, in Tres Cantos (Madrid, Spain). The purpose of the meeting was to open the cores collected in Byers six months ago, take pictures of the cores and samples for C14 dating.
Researchers of HOLOANTAR (Manuel Toro, Ignacio Granados, Santiago Giralt, Sergi Pla, Luis Galán and Marc Oliva) worked in collaboration with David Palacios (Universidad Complutense of Madrid) and Daniel Aguirre (Centro de Biología Molecular). These researchers will carry out complementary analyses: OSL datings and examine the presence of viruses in the sedimentary sequences. Some cores were stored in Madrid and the rest were transported to the Jaume Almera institute of Barcelona, where XRF analyses will be done in order to characterize the geochemical composition of each core. |
6-6-2013
HOLOANTAR participates in the SCAR initiative: A View beyond the Horizon: Future Directions in Antarctic Science Members of HOLOANTAR have participated in this international intiative that aims to identify the most important and compelling questions in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science over the next two decades (http://www.scar.org/horizonscanning/). Here are some of our questions:
Why temperatures have not increased in the northern Antartic Peninsula during the last decade?
We need to understand the mechanisms of climate variability in the Antarctic Peninsula. Despite it has been identified as one of the regions on Earth with the strongest warming during the second half of the 20th century, annual temperatures during the last decade are stable or show a slight cooling.
Will sea ice continue to increase or will start to decline?
Some models have projected a slight decrease of sea ice for the next decades, althought recent trends reveal a light increase in the extension of sea ice surrounding Antarctica.
How does more (or less) sea ice influence climate conditions (i.e. environmental changes) inland?
In the western Antarctic Peninsula the warming trend recorded over the last decades has led to a decrease in sea ice. Ice-free sea conditions may have favoured warmer temperatures inland, which may have affected the terrestrial ecosystem (i.e. permafrost).
What is the role of ENSO teleconnection pattern controlling natural climate variability in Antarctica?
The are increasing evidences for the instrumental period that climate variability in the Antartic Peninsula has been controlled by the ENSO cycles, but we don’t know about this pattern from a paleoclimatic perspective (e.g. Holocene).
How has the terrestrial ecosystem in ice-free areas of the Antarctic Peninsula reacted to warmer climate conditions in the past?
The warming projected for the next decades in the AP will affect soil temperatures, which in turn may affect the geomorphological processes. A better understanding of the past environmental evolution in ice-free areas may help to infer the probable response of the environment in these areas in a warming scenario.
What is the magnitude of temperature increase to generate non-linear environmental responses in terrestrial/marine ecosystems of the Antarctic Peninsula?
Several ecosystems show non-linear responses to increases in temperatures. Identifying these tipping points would help to better understand possible future scenarios.
Why temperatures have not increased in the northern Antartic Peninsula during the last decade?
We need to understand the mechanisms of climate variability in the Antarctic Peninsula. Despite it has been identified as one of the regions on Earth with the strongest warming during the second half of the 20th century, annual temperatures during the last decade are stable or show a slight cooling.
Will sea ice continue to increase or will start to decline?
Some models have projected a slight decrease of sea ice for the next decades, althought recent trends reveal a light increase in the extension of sea ice surrounding Antarctica.
How does more (or less) sea ice influence climate conditions (i.e. environmental changes) inland?
In the western Antarctic Peninsula the warming trend recorded over the last decades has led to a decrease in sea ice. Ice-free sea conditions may have favoured warmer temperatures inland, which may have affected the terrestrial ecosystem (i.e. permafrost).
What is the role of ENSO teleconnection pattern controlling natural climate variability in Antarctica?
The are increasing evidences for the instrumental period that climate variability in the Antartic Peninsula has been controlled by the ENSO cycles, but we don’t know about this pattern from a paleoclimatic perspective (e.g. Holocene).
How has the terrestrial ecosystem in ice-free areas of the Antarctic Peninsula reacted to warmer climate conditions in the past?
The warming projected for the next decades in the AP will affect soil temperatures, which in turn may affect the geomorphological processes. A better understanding of the past environmental evolution in ice-free areas may help to infer the probable response of the environment in these areas in a warming scenario.
What is the magnitude of temperature increase to generate non-linear environmental responses in terrestrial/marine ecosystems of the Antarctic Peninsula?
Several ecosystems show non-linear responses to increases in temperatures. Identifying these tipping points would help to better understand possible future scenarios.
3-6-2013
After several months stored in Punta Arenas (Chile) and crossing the Atlantic on board of the Spanish ship Hesperides, the cores and the equipment finally arrived home in good conditions. Manuel Toro and Marc Oliva went to Cartagena (Spain) to pick the cores. These are now stored at the repository of the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, in Madrid.
Between 10 and 12th June, the paleo-team of HOLOANTAR will carry out an intense week of laboratory work at this institute with the purpose of opening the cores, sampling for dating purposes, taking pictures, lithostratigraphic descriptions, etc. It is a crucial task for the success of the HOLOANTAR project. |
New paper: Toro et al. (2013)
Several researchers of HOLOANTAR have recently published a new paper in the prestigious journal Antarctic Science focused on the Limnopolar lake, in Byers Peninsula. Good job! Available in the Arquive section.
Abstract:
The chronostratigraphy of the sedimentary record of Limnopolar Lake, located on Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctica), is described based on radionuclides and radiocarbon age dating. The oldest moss macrofossil age was 6700 ± 50 yr BP (7510 ± 80 cal yr BP) from which the age/depth model estimates a basal age for the sedimentary record of c. 8300 cal yr BP, suggesting an earlier deglaciation of Byers Peninsula than reported in previous studies.
Lithological units and other stratigraphic zones are described throughout the sediment core, showing different mineralogical composition and a fine alternation of clays and silty clays and moss layers of Drepanocladus longifolius. Based on magnetic susceptibility analyses, a number of probable primary and reworked tephra layers were identified, seven of them confirmed by SEM observations, and most of them in
agreement with the regional tephrachronology stratigraphy for the north-west Antarctic Peninsula.
Sedimentation rates showed no significant changes during the last 5000 years with the exception of an abrupt event that took place around 5400 cal yr BP, which implied the sedimentation of c. 30 cm of clays in a very short time, probably related to a period of glacial re-advance that caused abrupt changes in geomorphological processes in the catchment.
Abstract:
The chronostratigraphy of the sedimentary record of Limnopolar Lake, located on Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctica), is described based on radionuclides and radiocarbon age dating. The oldest moss macrofossil age was 6700 ± 50 yr BP (7510 ± 80 cal yr BP) from which the age/depth model estimates a basal age for the sedimentary record of c. 8300 cal yr BP, suggesting an earlier deglaciation of Byers Peninsula than reported in previous studies.
Lithological units and other stratigraphic zones are described throughout the sediment core, showing different mineralogical composition and a fine alternation of clays and silty clays and moss layers of Drepanocladus longifolius. Based on magnetic susceptibility analyses, a number of probable primary and reworked tephra layers were identified, seven of them confirmed by SEM observations, and most of them in
agreement with the regional tephrachronology stratigraphy for the north-west Antarctic Peninsula.
Sedimentation rates showed no significant changes during the last 5000 years with the exception of an abrupt event that took place around 5400 cal yr BP, which implied the sedimentation of c. 30 cm of clays in a very short time, probably related to a period of glacial re-advance that caused abrupt changes in geomorphological processes in the catchment.
PYRN @ EUCOP4
The Fourth European Conference on Permafrost (EUCOP4) will be held in Évora, Portugal, in June 2014 (http://www.eucop4.org/). This is the Regional Conference of the International Permafrost Association (IPA) in 2014, a major event for permafrost scientists and engineers, among them of course PYRN members and mentors. PYRN is in the process of organizing a bunch of PYRN activities in order to get you - the upcoming generation - connected and established as a fundamental part of the permafrost research community.
We are planning a pre-conference workshop for young researchers, Bar & bistro science activities during the conference and also a drilling workshop, so we can to make it interesting, productive and a great experience for all participants. |
Education meets science - bringing Polar research into the classrooms
Decorreu na Universidade de Coimbra, entre 26 e 28 de Março, o Workshop Internacional "Education meets science - bringing Polar research into the classrooms". O evento integrou-se nas atividades do PROPOLAR e contou com a participação de 40 professores e divulgadores científicos de diversas nacionalidades. Alexandre Nieuwendam, estudante de doutoramento no IGOT e investigador no CEG, que conta já com 5 campanhas na Antártida, foi convidado para dar uma palestra acerca da Investigação sobre Permafrost na Península Antártica, realizada no quadro do grupo de investigação ANTECC (Antarctic Environments and Climate Change) do CEG.
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European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2013
Members of HOLOANTAR participated at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly, in Vienna (Austria) between 7-12th April 2013. Marc Oliva led a successful session entitled “Soils in cold-climate environments” that received more than twenty communications. Many of these contributions were focused on Antarctica.
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International fieldtrip: Quaternary environments in the Picos de Europa (Asturias, Spain)
Researchers from HOLOANTAR not only work in Antarctica but often in other cold-climate environments such as Picos de Europa, in the Cantabrian Range (northern Iberian Peninsula). In this sense, Jesús Ruiz Fernández and Marc Oliva (together with Prof. Miguel Geraldes, from the University of Lisbon) organized an international field trip to the Asturian mountains. Up to 50 students from the Universities of Oviedo (Spain) and Lisbon (Portugal) participated in this innovative initiative that took place between 26th to 28th April.
This field trip was thought as a way to teach the students different methods to be used in palaeoenvironmental studies: geomorphological mapping, sedimentological analysis, identification of vegetal species, use of Schmidt hammer, etc. However, weather conditions were strongly adverse with heavy snowfall during all the weekend which conditioned to readapt the initial program to these circumstances. |
New member of HOLOANTAR: Jesús Ruiz-Fernández
Dr Jesús Ruiz-Fernández, associate professor of the University of Oviedo (Spain) has become new member of the HOLOANTAR project. Jesús has a long expertise in geomorphological mapping, monitoring of periglacial processes as well as palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. It is expected that jesús will participate in the next Antarctic campaign contributing with new knowledge to the project. Good luck Jesús!
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14-3-2013
Marc Oliva was invited by Dr Jesús Ruiz Fernández, from the Department of Geography of the University of Oviedo, to give a talk about “La aventura de hacer ciencia en Antártida”. Marc spoke about the discovery process of Antarctica: from the first pioneers of the 19th to early 20th century to the present state of research in this continent. He also introduced the HOLOANTAR project with pictures of the first Antarctic campaign in Byers.
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13-2-2013
Marc Oliva was invited by the Departamento de Engenharia Aerospacial, o Departamento de Física and the Departamento de Arquitetura of the Instituto Superior Técnico of Lisbon within the Projeto Relâmpago 2013 to give a talk about life in hostile environments. Marc spoke about the difficulties of conducting field work in Antarctica and the complexity of research activitities in this continent.
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“Antarctica, between reality and science”
Invited by the famous Altair bookshop of Barcelona (Catalonia), Marc Oliva gave a lecture about “Antarctica, between reality and science”. Up to 70-80 people attended the lecture and asked about several issues concerning field work in Antarctica. The presentation ended finally with several questions regarding the present state of the Antarctica ice-sheet and the possible consequences of its melting. Marc Oliva shoed data about these topics explaining the fact that no clear climate trends have been observed for the whole continent: whle in the Antarctic Peninsula and probably on the Western Ice Sheet a warming trend has been recorded, there are opposite studies for the temperature trends in the Eastern Ice Sheet.
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Presentation by Marc OlivaMarc Oliva attended a workshop of the Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers in Vilnius (Lithuania) invited by Dr Paulo Pereira (Department of Environmental Policy, Mykolas Romeris University) where he gave a lecture entitled “Antarctica, environment and research”. The lecture was followed by tens of researchers from Lithuanian universitities that asked about the difficulties of doing research in Antarctica. Finally, the discussion turned towards the impacts that the warming trend recorded since 1950 in the Antarctic Peninsula may cause on the natural ecosystem.
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Diário de Campanha 8-12-2012 (M. Oliva)
A vida segue no Almirante Maximiano. Estamos a aproveitar o tempo para trabalhar com os cores. Estamos a cortar os core das amostras mais superficiais e deixar já preparadas para fazer as datações dos sedimentos mais recentes pelo método Pb210. Este método vai permitir fazer a ligação entre as series de dados instrumentais e o registo sedimentário. Também estamos a aproveitar para comer muito e recuperar os kg que perdemos no duro trabalho de campo em Byers.
Está previsto que amanha dia 9 desceremos na base uruguaia Artigas, onde vamos ficar dois dias para depois apanhar o voo uruguaio para Punta Arenas. A campanha antárctica do projecto HOLOANTAR está quase a acabar. |
Diário de Campanha 1-12-2012 (M. Oliva)A campanha de trabalho acabou. Hoje voltamos ao Maximiano depois de 23 dias em Byers. O resultado foi excelente: 17 metros de cores com mais de 250 kg de sedimento. O programa inicial foi amostrar três lagos e conseguimos fazer quatro. O sucesso da campanha de campo vai implicar muitos meses (e anos) para analisar as amostras.
Agora vamos estar 10 dias no Maximiano a aguardar para apanhar o voo uruguaio e voltar já a Europa. |
Diário de Campanha 27-11-2012 (M. Oliva)O lago Escondido já foi amostrado. Depois de muitos problemas com o equipamento, finalmente conseguimos recuperar sedimento da base do lago, tiramos mais de 1,60 m de sedimento.
O lago Escondido está rodeado de três picos no plateau de Byers. Tem uma profundidade máxima de 5,3 m e uma espessura de gelo a finais de Novembro de 1,3 m. A origem do lago está no retrocesso final do icefield da ilha Livingston durante o Holocénico Médio no centro da península. Os sedimentos irão revelar a evolução ambiental e climática posterior. Deixamos o equipamento arrumado ao pé do lago para facilitar o transporte de helicóptero até o navio Maximiano. Os próximos dias vamos trabalhar com um equipamento mais ligeiro nos lagos Domo e Cerro negro, na margem do glaciar da parte oriental da península. |
Diário de campanha 23-11-2012 (M. Oliva)A campanha continua a avançar. Estamos a menos duma semana do final do trabalho de campo e já acabamos de amostrar no lago Chester e deixamos tudo arrumado para começar a trabalhar no lago Escondido amanha de manha.
Tiramos quase 10 m de sedimento (mais de 150 kg) do Chester, Conseguimos chegar até o fundo dos sedimentos do lago, que tem aproximadamente 2,5 m de potência. A quantidade e qualidade dos sedimentos colectados é muito esperançosa para tentar reconstituir a evolução ambiental e climática holocénica em Byers. Posteriormente, desmontamos o tripé e o equipamento de amostragem e levamos tudo para o lago Escondido. O material foi transportado em trenós e demorou mais de dois dias, por causa do estado da neve, muito húmida. Foram mais de 400 kg que foram transportados do lago Chester ao Escondido. O pessoal começa a estar muito cansado, mas estamos a fazer um grande esforço para tentar aumentar o sucesso da campanha com amostras de outros lagos em Byers. |
Diário de Campanha 18-11-2012 (M. Oliva)
Levamos já mais de uma semana de acampamento e a situação está a melhorar. Depois de três dias de solucionar problemas no funcionamento do corer, hoje foi o primeiro dia de grande sucesso. Tiramos um core com o martelo de 2,20 m e dois curtos com o corer de gravidade de 0,4 m para ter uma melhor caracterização dos sedimentos mais superficiais. Ainda não conseguimos atingir a base dos sedimentos; já tentamos duas vezes mas o tubo de PVC estragou na parte basal e não conseguimos tirar do fundo. Vamos deixar para os últimos dias o tripé montado e mudar de estratégia indo amostrar outros lagos previstos.
Hoje também tivemos que fazer uma obra exigente: a construção de um fosso circundando o acampamento para nos proteger dos elefantes marinhos. Não conseguíamos dormir bem as noites por causa dos elefantes marinhos; já contamos mais de 20 elefantes localizados entre as seis tendas que passavam a noite a fazer barulho e mexer as tendas. Já sofremos o ataque de um macho de elefante de mais de três metros de comprimento que destruiu a barraca do Manolo quando nós estávamos a trabalhar no campo. O Ricardo e o Marc estiveram o dia tudo a cavar uma trincheira de mais de 2 m de profundidade para evitar a entrada dos elefantes, que continuam a gritar mas sem entrar já nas tendas. Ganhamos segurança e tranquilidade. |
Diário de Campamanha 12-11-2012 (M. Oliva)O acampamento do HOLOANTAR em Byers foi já lançado aproveitando o helicóptero do buque Maximiano. O acampamento está localizado numa sequência de terraços marinhos nas praias do sul da Península. Estamos instalados ao pé dos igloos montados por Espanha perto da praia, que são o nosso comedor e laboratório. Demoramos dois dias em organizar tudo e deixar os trenós preparados para iniciar o trabalho de campo.
Hoje, terceiro dia de acampamento, tivemos que ficar nos igloos por causa da chuva e do forte vento, 70-80 km/h. O vento virou a N-NW, a temperatura aumentou e a neve está a fundir, o que pode ser um inconveniente para o arrastre dos trenós. As previsões para a manha são boas, aguardamos que seja o primeiro dia de trabalho nos lagos. |
Diário de Campanha 8-11-2012
Depois de quase uma semana de viagem, os membros do HOLOANTAR já estão na Antárctida. Manuel Toro, Ignacio Granados, Dermot Antoniades, Santiago Giralt e Marc Oliva saíram ontem de Punta Arenas num voo de apoio da Força Aérea Brasileira até ao aeródromo de Frei, onde foram transportados de helicóptero até o navio Almirante Maximiano, um barco moderno e muito confortável, com ginásio, internet, helicópteros, etc, da marinha Brasileira.
O calendário segue como estava previsto e no dia 10 de Novembro os investigadores do HOLOANTAR serão desembarcados em Byers para organizar o acampamento e iniciar o trabalho de campo. Há muita neve este ano na Antárctida, o que pode facilitar o transporte do equipamento com trenós no local de trabalho. As perspectivas da equipa são muito optimistas para o sucesso da recolha de sedimentos nos lagos de Byers. PD Fotografia de Ricardo Leizer. |
October 21st, 2012Despite changes in our initial flight schedule, everything is ready for our field work campaign. We will be leaving the Iberian Peninsula on the 3rd of November and expect to return back home by mid December. The Brazilian Antarctic Program will provide the logistics in the field. A team of 5 researchers (Manuel Toro, Ignacio Granados, Santiago Giralt, Dermot Antoniades, Marc Oliva and one Brazilian technician) will be working in Byers from the 8th of November to the 1st of December.
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October 19th, 2012During the IV Portuguese Conference on Polar Science, held in the Instituto Superior Técnico, members of HOLOANTAR presented the project and the present Antarctic campaign in Byers to the Portuguese Society, as well as to Canadian, Spanish, Brazilian and British researchers and Antarctic friends. We had the great pleasure of hearing from tell advice's on the future of Portuguese Polar Research. Thank you!
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October, 2012During the last weeks we have been packing and preparing all the equipment that will be used in the first Antarctic campaign of HOLOANTAR in Byers. Up to 27 boxes with more than 700 kg of cargo were delivered to Rio Grande (Brazil) to be shipped through the Brazilian Antarctic ship (Almirante Maximiano) to Antarctica. Job done!
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July 2012
Gonçalo Vieira introduced the HOLOANTAR project to the scientific community at the XXXII SCAR Conference in Portland (Oregon, USA). Gonçalo presented the activities of HOLOANTAR and discussed with other researchers involved in similar topics. He also established new contacts for logistic facilities in Antarctica.
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June 2012
Holoantar Presented at TICOP 2012
Members of HOLOANTAR introduced the project to the permafrost research community at the Tenth International Conference of Permafrost (TICOP) that was held at Salekhard (Siberia) between 25-29th June 2012. The poster can be found in the Arquive.
February 2012
The first work in Antarctica has started. The team spent 4 weeks in Antartica, dividing the time between the Barton and Potter Peninsula, where tests were done with lake coring methods. The campaign went without any trouble, with exception of some sea sickness! Thank you to all the Antartic Programs who supported the Project, giving logistical support and shelter to the researches, namely the: Argentinian Antartic Institute (Jubany Station); Korean Antartic Research Program (King Sejong Station); Uruguayan Antartic Institute (Artigas Station). The base crews were all amazing, thank you very much for all the support! For more details consult the Portuguese Polar Program website. |