The team, which set off as part of Turkey's 4th Science Expedition to Antarctica, reached Horseshoe Island, where the temporary Turkish Science Base is located. Expedition Leader Prof. Dr. Ersan Başar said that they set foot on the continent after a journey under difficult conditions and scientific activities started.
The Turkish Science Delegation, which continued its expedition after the establishment of the GNSS station on Dismal Island in Antarctica, reached the temporary Turkish Science Base, which became operational last year. After the science delegation arrived at the base, the Turkish flag was raised after singing the Turkish National Anthem. The science delegation was welcomed on the island by penguins and seals who shared the base and its surroundings with the Turkish team.
The delegation informed Mustafa Varank, Minister of Industry and Technology, who followed all stages of the journey, that they had reached the base.
The scientific delegation then conducted a familiarization tour of the region under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ersan Başar. The scientific delegation conducted a feasibility study on the regions where they will conduct research. Expedition Leader Prof. Dr. Ersan Başar, who said that the expedition continued successfully despite the challenging natural conditions and instantly changing meteorological conditions, said: "We will establish two GNSS stations on Horseshoe Island. At the same time, we will maintain the meteorological station we established a year ago. In scientific studies, lake and sea water sampling will be carried out. Soil, stone and plant samples will also be taken from land. In addition to our scientists, we have two guests this year. Two scientists from Belarus and Bulgaria are also working with us. We attach great importance to collaborations with other countries."
Antarctica, the 5th largest continent in the world with an area of 14 million square kilometers, is located in the southernmost part of the Southern Hemisphere. Antarctica holds 75 percent of the world's fresh water reserves. The sea ice area, which reaches about 18 million square kilometers in winter, decreases to 2-3 million square kilometers in summer. While sea ice balances the climate system, it provides the accumulation of algae, which is the beginning of the food chain, and becomes a home and breeding ground for various creatures.
In addition to its rich natural resources, Antarctica is a 'natural laboratory' for climate research, geophysics, biology, space sciences and many other branches of science. It is estimated that there are rich mineral reserves on the continent where scientists conduct research in various fields. The continent is home to penguins, seals, whales, birds and various animals.
While almost half of the bases are located on the Antarctic Peninsula, which is easy to reach and conducive to life, there are also bases in regions with harsh conditions, such as the South Pole. While most science bases operate only in the summer months, some bases can operate year-round. Turkey has also been carrying out important scientific studies in Antarctica in recent years.
Organizing the 4th National Science Expedition under the auspices of the Presidency and the coordination of the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Turkey aims to take its research in Antarctica to the next level with the temporary base it has established and to become a consultant country.
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