In the LX Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ECA 60) organized by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) and still ongoing, three new stations of the Latitudinal Network of Multiparametric Stations were installed, intended to measure and monitor the effects of climate change on the Antarctic Peninsula , reported the INACH.
This achievement was possible thanks to the institutional collaboration of INACH with the Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC), which made it possible to establish these points in geographically challenging locations on the Antarctic continent, such as the D’Hainaut, Alcock and Livingston islands, in addition to carrying out maintenance to teams located at Cape Melville (King George Island) and at the station near the “Profesor Julio Escudero” base.
Last week, the national director(s) of INACH, Andrés López, met with the meteorological instrumentalists of the DMC, Walter Paredes and Francisco Echaurren, along with the INACH technical team made up of professionals Bastián Oyarce and Cristofer Huenchumán. At this meeting, they shared experiences, addressed the challenges that will arise as they continue next year with a new installation campaign, and were thanked for the valuable support provided in this FFS.
Walter Paredes relates that they arrived in Antarctica on December 15 and finished the last week of January. For him this was his second ECA in the field and he commented on this trip.
“It was more than forty days, it was very intense. We came in an agreement as part of the latitudinal sensors project, we made three camps to install three different stations. The experience was incredible, we were able to carry out our work in Antarctica with the excellent support of INACH. Despite the cold and wind, there was never a lack of camaraderie and good work performance.”
For his part, his colleague Francisco Echaurren is grateful for having been considered to participate in this initiative.
“It was an honor to know that they had us in mind to collaborate on this project, so we were delighted to accept. We contribute mainly with our experience in the installation of meteorological stations throughout the Chilean territory. It is important to mention that the support is given thanks to our relationship with the World Meteorological Organization and our experience in this type of facilities,” he mentions.
“The contribution of the DMC was indispensable. Originally, we planned to have two teams of three people each working near the starting point. However, in the end we decided that the six members of the team would work together on each point. This strategy allowed us to optimize times and achieve our objectives. We needed to make the most of all our resources to carry out the installation before the weather conditions worsened and we were forced to abandon the work sites,” said Bastián Oyarce, head of the INACH latitudinal sensors project.
For this campaign we also had the support of the Chilean Army through Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Inostroza, who advised the team’s work in the camps. He, together with the INACH logistician, Ignacio Reyes, managed key aspects such as food, assembly and disassembly of the camp, drying of equipment and clothing, among other functions. In addition, they were in charge of identifying the safest place for the camp, to shelter from the wind and thus be able to take advantage of every moment of rest.
“The conditions were very challenging and changing. We tried to take advantage of all the moments suitable for the facilities, but on some occasions we had to work with strong winds and precipitation, which is a punishing, hard combination, but in those specific moments we had no other option than to continue with the tasks,” says Oyarce. .
New weather stations
The Latitudinal Network of Multiparametric Stations seeks to receive and transmit data in real time on climate change, covering aspects such as wind speed and direction, solar radiation, air, water and soil temperature; relative humidity, precipitation, height of precipitated snow and barometric pressure.
“The objective was to install three new stations in Antarctica to reach thirteen during this year, three are pending for the next ECA and thus complete 16 meteorological station points, we also took advantage of carrying out maintenance on two stations: Cape Melville, which is the most to the north that we have until now and that had not received maintenance in the last year, and we did maintenance at the Escudero station as well,” explains Oyarce.
Phase 1 of the project deployment, which involves the installation of new stations, has not yet concluded: “We still have to choose the points where we will install new stations this year, but the idea is that they are strategic and representative. We are looking for locations at the extreme latitudinal extremes,” adds the INACH professional.
As future challenges, it is planned to implement new points in the network, but not as conventional meteorological stations, but as oceanographic sensors. “These sensors include a set of submerged devices, which is new for us. We will have to familiarize ourselves with new technologies and conduct a comprehensive study. We also aim to improve the existing network. This involves replacing sensors that have reached the end of their useful life in Antarctica, which is generally two or three years from their installation, with new and more efficient sensors,” Oyarce concludes.
INACH is a technical body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with full autonomy in everything related to Antarctic matters of a scientific, technological and dissemination nature. INACH complies with the National Antarctic Policy by encouraging the development of excellent research, participating effectively in the Antarctic Treaty System and related forums, strengthening Magallanes as a gateway to the White Continent and carrying out actions to disseminate Antarctic knowledge to citizens. . INACH organizes the National Antarctic Science Program (PROCIEN).