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J. Muñoz
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CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SCIENCE PROGRAM 2005
17 projects, grouped by six scientific disciplines: Earth, Atmospheric, Marine, Biological, and Social Sciences. A significant number of these projects are not selected by a panel of peers but instead correspond to institutional programs established from agreements between INACH and Chilean universities. Funding reaches USD 100,000 plus logistical support valued at USD 850,000 (a funding level which has increased to only USD 1,276,600 in 2010).
2006
20 projects. A new program for Lab projects is defined for initiatives that will analyse samples and data obtained during previous expeditions (4 projects). Funding available for the various programs for Antarctic research grows to USD 261,700 thanks to the “Antarctic Science Rings” program, an agreement between INACH and Conicyt (the Chilean National Science and Technology Commission) within the framework of the 2007-2008 International Polar Year. The agreement spans three years and has funding of USD 160,000 per year. Projects are reorganized in accordance with the new priorities of the five-year plan running from 2006 to 2010, which are defined during the evaluation seminar for the period 2001-2005. The Postgraduate Thesis Support Program gets underway, with four projects, to bring outstanding young researchers into the Antarctic community.
2007
24 projects. Total funding for Antarctic research grows to USD 600,000 due to an increase in regular funding from INACH, a second Antarctic Ring, and an agreement with Fondecyt (Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico), the Chilean national fund for scientific and technological development. The PROCIEN (Programa Nacional de Ciencia Antártica, the Chilean Antarctic Science Program) regroups its projects in accordance with the research programs suggested by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).
2008
28 projects. Funds available for Antarctic research grows to USD 1,149,000 thanks to new projects from Fondecyt and financing from Corfo (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción, the Chilean Economic Development Agency), through its Innova group (Innova is the innovation Committee within Corfo). Funding from Corfo InnovaChile is destined for Antarctic laboratory infrastructure. From this year on, all projects incorporated into the PROCIEN are selected through a peer-reviewed process.
INTRODUCTION What does Antarctica mean to Chile? referring to a relationship ween South America and can be measured on a this relationship has also climate of our nation and from the Atacama Desert serves of forests in the uality and quantity of our ources. dealing with a unique where the adaptation of ditions of cold, dark, UV y, and so on, has brought survivors holding many d, and perhaps adapted uch as health, agriculture, but a few. general and the Antarctica articular (where Chile has ns and shelters) continue any completely unknown explored areas. The task at lives in and beneath ntarctic waters, is not yet new step taken here is nternational science and
As a fourth aspect, the Antarctica Peninsula area is one of the three regions on the Earth with a rate of warming higher than the global average: in just 50 years the surface air temperature has increased nearly three degrees Celsius. This trend is nearly five times the global average and within half the time. The species that live there are being affected by global climate change and are sending signals about how mainland Chile could be affected in a not so far away future. Science often teaches sets of rules to memorize, resulting in a sort of distorted view that alienates many young people from the adventures of seeking knowledge. Nevertheless, the marvel of scientific activity lives in the ever-changing nature of discovery, as vibrant as life itself. This is the opportunity that nearby Antarctica offers to us, a place where we all work together for research in the Last Frontier of knowledge, the White Frontier. Our readers have in their hands the details of how Chileans are going about this challenging work.
JosÊ Retamales, PhD Director Chilean Antarctic Institute – INACH
2005 - 2011 2009
36 projects. As a result of an innovative agreement between INACH, CorreosChile (the Chilean Post Office) and the Chilean Air Force, the Undergraduate Thesis Support Program is established to allow young university students to travel to Antarctica to complete their professional development. The PROCIEN doubles the number of projects it had just four years earlier, having now a strong and transparent funding program evaluated by both national and international peers, whose proposals are presented in English. This effort will determine the regional leadership of Chile in the field of Antarctic science. The PROCIEN now coordinates seven funds subject to competition which reach USD 1,527,660, compared to only USD 100,000 in 2005.
2010
43 projects. Never in the history of the Chilean Antarctic Science Program have so many projects been performed at the same time. The Bicentennial Scientific Expedition also breaks the record for participation of women in research (29 scientists). Funding obtained from grants begins to diminish due to a gradual reduction of the Corfo InnovaChile infrastructure program.
2011
The PROCIEN supports 55 projects, tripling the number of projects conducted in 2005. 52 percent of the PROCIEN projects are affiliated with international universities and research centres. It is calculated that the maximum number of logistically supportable projects has been reached, given the present level of infrastructure. Nearly USD 1,063,800 has been provided in competitive funding, with nearly USD 1,276,600 in logistics investment from the National Antarctic Program. All told, the Chilean investment in Antarctic science is above USD 2,000,000, considerably lower than the funding level of other Antarctic Programs and only possible due to various competitive funds and financing by various governmental agencies, in particular the Chilean Defence Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOUTH AMERICA AND ANTARCTICA
SOUTH AMERICA AND ANTARCTICA: AGING SISTERS WHO STILL NEED ONE ANOTHER
E. Barticevic
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The rich fisheries of Chile, the desertification of the Atacama area, the present and future climates of Chile - these have been and will continue to be moulded by the dramatic interdependencies of South America and Antarctica. The set of projects in this area of research is searching for ways to characterise these links, using modern techniques in the fields of geology, palaeontology and biogeography. These will be applied to the species that today populate the forests of southern Chile and in the past made Antarctica a verdant region. Likewise there are dolphin-like reptiles belonging to the age of dinosaurs, whose fossil remains have surfaced in Torres del Paine National Park, opening up promising opportunities for specialinterest tourism there.
It is difficult to characterise the nature of Chile’s dependence on Antarctica. Scientific advances in recent years have shown a considerable degree of interdependence between our nation and the White Continent. The stormy past that shows in the rocky strata of both land masses tells us of an exuberant dance taking place with Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula joined together. The thin physical contact seen in some chapters of natural history once served as a land bridge for many terrestrial species which today inhabit the Subantarctic forests of Chile, but which slowly disappeared from Antarctica. At other times the two land masses remained disconnected and this separation allowed the ocean currents to modify the climate, with changes of up to 11 degrees Celsius average temperature on the planet. The last separation (which began 40 million years ago) led to the formation of the most powerful ocean current on h h h l
Such effects, which determine the present and future of Chile, are being studied in projects in this line of research, using modern geological, palaeontological, and biogeographical techniques. A group of biologists has proposed using certain organisms as a sort of living marker of the recent and remote pasts, by looking into that ultimate indicator for evolutionary processes: DNA. Thanks to such studies, there has been considerable success in establishing complex evolutionary relationships between the Antarctic fauna and that of distant places such as the Subantarctic islands of Australia, South Africa, and Chile. As an example of the link between science and tourism, one project studies the ichthyosaurs, marine reptiles similar to dolphins, from the age of dinosaurs. These were found in the rocks of a marine basin common to both the southern region of Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula, bringing new opportunities to special-interest i l f h l
2. PALAEOPHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOUTHERN PATAGONIA AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA FLORAS DURING THE CRETACEOUS (2008-2011) Principal Investigator. Marcelo LEPPE. Associated institutions. INACH and Geologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg (Germany). Funding source. Fondecyt (Initiation Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To contribute to the understanding of the complex geological and palaeontological history of the Cretaceous sedimentary units of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Patagonia. 3. GENETIC STRUCTURE AND ANCESTRAL NICHE MODELING APPROACH OF SANIONIA UNCINATAA (HEDW.) LOESKE AS SUPPORT FOR STUDIES ON CONSERVATION (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Ingrid HEBEL. Associated institutions. Universidad de Magallanes, Fundación Cequa, and AlbertLudwig-Universität Freiburg (Germany). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To analyze the genetic structure and phylogenetic relations of populations of Saniona uncinata in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula and Tierra del Fuego. 4. COMPARATIVE GENOMIC SEQUENCING IN MARINE PATELOGASTROPODS SPECIES (NACELLAA, SCHUMACHER, 1817) INHABITING ROCKY SHORES FROM CENTRAL CHILE TO ANTARCTIC PENINSULA (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Leyla CÁRDENAS. Associated institutions. Universidad Austral de Chile and Universidad de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To study the genetic mechanisms through which the aim organisms are responding to environmental changes, leading to adaptation and diversification.
5. THERMOCHRONOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE NORTHERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THEIR MESOZOIC TO CENOZOIC TECTONIC AND CLIMATIC EVOLUTION (2008-2011) Principal Investigator. Mauricio CALDERÓN. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile, Universidad of Arizona (US) and Universität Bochum (Germany). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Lab). Main objective. To resolve the distribution pattern of zircon and apatite fission track ages in the northern region of the Antarctic Peninsula.
A. Palma
1. GEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF THE MAGELLAN AND LARSEN BASINS DURING THE MESOZOIC AND CENOZOIC: SOURCE AREAS AND POSSIBLE SIMILARITIES (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Teresa TORRES. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Concepción, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Universidad de Magallanes and Empresa Nacional del Petróleo. Funding source. Programa de Investigación Asociativa (PIA-Antarctic Rings) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To compare the geological and palaeontological evolution of the backarc Magellan and Larsen Basins situated in Patagonia and Antarctica, respectively, and to determine the sources of their clastic components.
Biologist Angie Díaz (left), one of the first Chilean women in scuba diving for scientific purposes in Antarctic waters, investigating the evolutionary relationships between South America and the White Continent, using molecular markers.
6. VERY LOW GRADE METAMORPHISM IN THE VOLCANIC SUCCESSIONS OF THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS (2009-2011) Principal Investigator. Francisco HERVÉ. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Lab). Main objective. To determine the mineral characteristics - paragenesis, zonation - of the metamorphic process to compare it with the similar phenomena observed in the Andes, including Patagonia.
Associated institutions. INACH, Geologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg and Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe (Germany). Funding source. DFG (Germany) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To evaluate the conditions related to the excellent preservation and concentration of marine vertebrates in the enigmatic fossil deposit of Torres del Paine National Park.
7. EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS AND DIVERSIFICATION PROCESSES OF THE GENUS STERECHINUSS (ECHINODERMATA, ECHINOIDA) FROM SHALLOW AND DEEP-SEA AREAS OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN (2009-2011) Principal Investigator. Angie DÍAZ. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Thesis support GrantDoctorate). Main objective. To evaluate the evolutionary relations between the Antarctic and Subantarctic areas, shallow and deep zones on Sterechinus genus, utilizing nuclear and mitochondrial molecular markers.
10. HIGH LATITUDE MEIOFAUNAL MACROECOLOGY AND DIVERSITY ASSESSED USING BOTH MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES (2010-2014) Principal Investigator. Matthew LEE. Associated institutions. Universidad Austral de Chile, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Universidad de Concepción, University of Plymouth and British Antarctic Survey (UK). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. Characterise the nematode and tardigrade fauna, using both morphological and molecular techniques, associated with intertidal micro-habitats in Antarctica, and compare the results with those found in the Magellanic region of South America.
8. PETROGRAPHIC AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA BATHOLITH, NORTHERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: PETROGENETIC AND TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Hernán BOBADILLA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile, Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil) and Universität Stuttgart (Germany). Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMaster). Main objective. To make a contribution to the understanding of the tectonic history of the north end of the Antarctic Peninsula in its Pacific rim. 9. ICHTHYOSAURS OF LATE JURASSIC/EARLY CRETACEOUS AGE IN THE TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, SOUTHERNMOST CHILE (2008-2011) Principal Investigators. Wolfgang STINNESBECK and Marcelo LEPPE. Funding over USD 851,000.
Funding between USD 212,700 and 851,000.
11. ADDRESSING BIOGEOGRAPHIC AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC SCENARIOS REGARDING ORIGIN AND PERSISTENCE OF MACROALGAL FLORAL DIVERSITY IN SUB-ANTARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC REGIONS USING TAXONOMIC, ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR APPROACHES (2011-2014) Principal Investigator. Andrés MANSILLA. Associated Institutions. Universidad de Magallanes and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Funding source. Fondecyt (Regular Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To investigate the potential origin and persistence of the tremendous representative orders of macroalgae. The study will combine analysis of distribution, genetic diversity, phylogeny and physiological responses of species found in the Magellan Region, sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Funding between USD 106,400 and 212,700.
Funding under USD 106,400.
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ADAPTATIONS TO THE ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT AND ITS BIORESOURCES
THE EXCEPTIONAL WEALTH OF ADAPTATION AND SURVIVAL MECHANISMS IN ANTARCTICA
J. Muñoz
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Extremophiles, psychrophiles, hyperthermophiles, halophiles… strange names for organisms that live in Antarctica under extreme cold and heat (yes, heat in Antarctica), high salinity, and other extreme conditions, including ultraviolet radiation. What are the characteristics of the Antarctic organisms that allow them to tolerate these extreme environmental conditions? Could these characteristics be of use to humanity? These are some of the questions awaiting answers from the projects in this line of research. The results could be as promising as effective low-temperature detergents, new sunburn protection products, frostresistant plants or even antibiotics that could be effective against multiresistant nosocomial bacteria.
The powerful geologic and climatic changes suffered by Antarctica have created an environment that is unique on this planet. The life forms have evolved to the point of creating biotas found nowhere else. In terrestrial environments we find microorganisms that live on the ice at very low temperatures, but also others that live at nearly the boiling point of water, the latter within the active volcanic calderas on Deception Island. These organisms inhabiting extreme conditions are called “extremophiles” and are able to generate various mechanisms for adaptation to cold, heat, high salinity, UV radiation, etc. A group of projects in this area of research is attempting to understand these mechanisms, and to isolate certain extremozymes that may be of use to humankind. With the added stimulus of proximity to the Antarctic Peninsula and the support platforms, this PROCIEN reflects the universal scientific tendency that is seen in the sustained increase in proposals to study bacteria, yeasts, fungi, lichens, plants and marine invertebrates as new sources of biocompounds.
Several of the projects in this area will also study the physiological adaptations to low temperatures seen in marine invertebrates, algae, and plants. Knowledge in this area results from a growing interest related to possible effects from climate change and the capacity of organisms to respond to such changes. In the last five years, the PROCIEN has experienced a significant change regarding bio-prospecting or the search for new and improved bio-products of technological processes from new biological sources. In Antarctica we have access to a new range of biodiversity which presents unique adaptations to extreme environmental conditions. Will we discover Antarctic products which have impacts comparable to aspirin or penicillin in the plants and microorganisms there?
1. SURFACE SPECTRAL UV RADIATION AND UV-LINKED EFFECTS ON ENDEMIC SPECIES (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Raúl CORDERO. Associated institutions. Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Universität Hannover (Germany). Funding source. Programa de Investigación Asociativa (PIA-Antarctic Rings) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To determine some of the characteristics of the local surface UV climatology, and therefore to generate better estimations of the UV doses affecting endemic species. 2. ANTARCTICA: SOURCE OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES (2007-2011) Principal Investigator. Jenny BLAMEY. Associated institutions. Fundación Biociencia, Universidad de Santiago de Chile and INACH. Funding source. Corfo InnovaChile (Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To create a platform to facilitate the access to Antarctic resources, such as microorganisms and plants. 3. NEW PSYCHROPHILIC BIOFERTILIZERS (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Manuel GIDEKEL. Associated institutions. VentureL@b, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Uxmal S.A. and Universidad de La Frontera. Funding source. Corfo InnovaChile (Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. Isolate psychrophilic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) associated with Deschampsia antarctica, to farm them in-vitro. The Antarctic pearlwort (C. ( quitensiss) is a real survivor: it blooms in the polar summer despite the UV radiation, the darkness of winter, low temperat res lo n trients and lo soil
Funding over USD 851,000.
4. STUDIES ON THE STRUCTURAL EFFECTS INDUCED BY INORGANIC COMPOUNDS, THERAPEUTICAL DRUGS AND NATIVE PLANT EXTRACTS ON CELL MEMBRANES (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Mario SUWALSKY. Associated institutions. Universidad de Concepción and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Funding source. Fondecyt (Regular Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To study how biologically relevant chemical components (with potential pharmaceutical and medical interest) that grow on Antarctic lichens and mosses, interact and affect the cell membrane structures.
7. BIODIVERSITY AND METABOLIC CAPACITIES OF THE BATERIAL COMMUNITY IN DIFFERENT HABITATS IN FILDES PENINSULA (KING GEORGE ISLAND) AND IN CAPE SHIRREFF (LIVINGSTON ISLAND) (2008-2011) Principal Investigator. Gerardo GONZÁLEZ. Associated institutions. Universidad de Concepción. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To determine how the differences between microhabitats influence bacterial communities diversity in the Fildes Peninsula and Cape Shirreff, and to contribute to the knowledge of their metabolic capacities.
5. BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OBTAINED FROM NEW FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ANTARCTIC MARINE SPONGES (20092013) Principal Investigator. Inmaculada VACA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile and Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología del CSIC (Spain). Funding source. Fondecyt (Initiation Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To search for new bioactive compounds in fungi isolated from marine sponges living under the Antarctic sea.
8. RELATIOSHIPS BETWEEN SUCROSE ACCUMULATION AND SPS ACTIVITY INDUCED IN COLD ACCLIMATED COLOBANTHUS QUITENSISS WITH SUCROSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (SPS) ISOFORMS EXPRESSION; DAY LONG AND LIGHT MODULATION AND NATURALS POPULATIONS DIFFERENCES (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Marely CUBA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Concepción and Universidad de Magallanes. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To study potential SPS gene regulation by low temperature and photoperiod in C. quitensis under laboratory and natural conditions.
6. THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL IRON AND SULFUR CYCLES IN THE ANTARCTIC – FROM MICROBIAL SULFIDE OXIDATION TOWARDS SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE (2008-2011) Principal Investigator. Bernhard DOLD. Associated institutions. Instituto GEA-Universidad de Concepción and Centro de AstrobiologíaINTA-CSIC (Spain). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To investigate the biogeochemical interactions of element liberation from the source, over flow path to the sink by an interdisciplinary approach
9. SECONDARY METABOLITES FROM MARINE ORGANISMS (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Aurelio SAN MARTÍN. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología del CSIC (Spain), Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentarias (IRTA) (Spain) and Universidad de Magallanes. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To find new chemical compounds with bioactive properties in marine Antarctic macro organisms such as
Funding between USD 212,700 and 851,000.
Funding between USD 106,400 and 212,700.
Funding under USD 106,400.
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ADAPTATIONS TO THE ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT AND ITS BIORESOURCES
Principal Investigator. Associated institutions. Funding source. Main objective.
RADIATION (PAR AND UV-B) AND E IN THE EXPRESSION OF GENES INVOLVED ANS BIOSYNTHESIS IN DESCHAMPSIA DESV. (2010-2012) Principal Investigator. Ariel PARDO. Associated institutions. Universidad de Santiago d Fundación Biociencia. Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMain objective. To determine the effects (including PAR and UV-B) rature on the expression and n of fructosyltransferases and in f fructans in D. antarctica.
Principal Investigator. Associated institutions. Funding source. Main objective.
HILIC LIPASES OF ANTARCTIC ORIGIN: IC LIQUIDS (2010-2012) Principal Investigator. Patricio MUÑOZ. Associated institutions. Universidad de Santiago d Fundación Biociencia. Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMain objective. To determine the effect of ionic nzymatic activity, thermostability oselectivity of a purified lipase mophilic microorganism.
Principal Investigator. Associated institutions. Funding source. Main objective.
Principal Investigator. Associated institutions.
J. Muñoz
Funding source. Main objective.
ING: ECOLOGY OF DIAZOTROPHIC RIA IN HOT SPRINGS ALONG A GRADIENT FROM ATACAMA TO 2011-2014) Principal Investigator. Beatriz DÍEZ. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Chile, Universidad de Atacama, d de Antofagasta, Instituto de l Mar-Barcelona (Spain) and s Universitet (Sweden). Funding source. Fondecyt (Regular Grant) and stic support). Main objective. To characterize the diversity, , abundance and activity of rial diazotrophs present in hot ributed along the Chilean Andes ica (between 19º to 42°- 62º S). ve entails the study of both ommunities in mats and in ot water).
between ,400 and 212,700.
Funding under USD 106,400.
J. Plana
ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS
SHEDDING LIGHT ON ANTARCTIC LIFE Humpback whale
A few decades ago the exploration of Antarctica would have meant only the physical dimension. This of course still implies major challenges. Nevertheless, the richness of polar life that unfolds mainly in the waters and coasts has demonstrated a degree of variety that has surprised the world. Everything that is alive has its story to tell, and in Antarctica those stories involve astonishment, biodiversity, and survival. The most dramatic case is the Antarctic fur seal, nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century and now seeming to be recovering in population. Human beings may destroy habitats but also may in time revisit those habitats and preserve them.
These projects are exploring the biodiversity of new worlds for Science, primarily the undersea worlds, in search of understanding of the spatial
Polar technology. Dr. Dirk Schories’ project ďŹ nds a simple solution to the problems of georeferencing under water. Two divers swim the length of a transect: one is the photographer, while the other provides precise location and control above him using a GPS with an antenna on the surface.
Investigation into marine mammals has revealed the successful recovery of the Antarctic fur seal population in the South Shetland Islands, 170 years after
Proj. Geo-referencing
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ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS 1. GENETIC DIVERSITY AND SMALL SCALE POPULATION STRUCTURE OF ABATUS AGASSIZIII (MORTENSEN, 1910), A BROODING ANTARCTIC ECHINOID FROM FILDES BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, SOUTH SHETLAND (2009-2011) Principal Investigator. Karin GERARD. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile. Funding source. Fondecyt (Postdoctorate Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To characterize the limits of the population of Abatus agassiziii in the Antarctic Peninsula region, in order to analyse its intrapopulation genetic diversity and determinate the occurrence of a genetic structure at small scale (from meters to kilometers). 2. FACTORS INVOLVED IN A CYANO-LICHEN ASSOCIATION: AVAILABILITY, SPECIFICITY AND SELECTIVITY (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Julieta ORLANDO. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile and Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (Argentina). Funding source. Fondecyt (Initiation Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To evaluate the availability, specificity and selectivity in a cyano-lichen symbiotic association (Peltigera-Nostoc) in Karukinka (Tierra del Fuego) and Livingston Island (Antarctica).
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3. GEO-REFERENCING, BIODIVERSITY AND GROWTH RATE IN THE SOUTHERN OCEANS (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Dirk SCHORIES. Associated institutions. Universidad Austral de Chile, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro-Museu Nacional-Departamento de Inverterbrados (Brazil), BiozentrumUniversität Rostock (Germany), Independent Zoologist-Hydrozoan Research Lab (France), and Institute of Geography FEB of the Russian Academy of Science (Russia). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. Perform geo-referencing in submarine Antarctic areas using GPS technology and compare results with different zones in Chile, estimating flora and fauna coverage and diversity using image analyses and qualitative samples. 4. DIAZOPOLARSEA: MARINE DIAZOTROPHY IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN (2011-2014) Principal Investigator. Beatriz DÍEZ. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Stockholms Universitet (Sweden), Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (CMIMA, Spain) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, US). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To characterize the diversity, distribution, abundance and activity of diazotrophs across hydrographic fronts and hypersaline systems represented by ice-brine in the Southern Ocean.
Funding over USD 851,000.
5. DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PLANKTONIC EUKARYOTES IN ANTARCTIC COASTAL WATERS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN AUSTRAL SUMMER AND WINTER (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Rodrigo DE LA IGLESIA. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Station Biologique de Roscoff (France). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To define the abundance and the taxonomic and functional composition of different sized fractions of phytoplanktonic eukaryotes in Antarctic coastal seawater and its variations in winter and summer. 6. THE COMMON SEABIRD TICK IXODES URIAEE (WHITE, 1852) AS VECTOR OF PATHOGENIC VIRUS, BACTERIA AND PROTOZOA TO PENGUINS OF THE ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Daniel GONZÁLEZ. Associated institutions. Universidad de Concepción, Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello, Uppsala Universitet (Sweden), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Argentina) and Linnéuniversitetet (Sweden). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. Generate information on the role of Ixodes uriae in the health of penguins and detect how these ticks and their pathogens vary in relation to the geographic location of the penguin colonies. 7. PREDATION IMPACT AND ROLE IN THE VERTICAL CARBON FLUX OF CHAETOGNATHS AND AMPHIPODS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN (2009-2011) Principal Investigator. Humberto GONZÁLEZ. Associated institutions. Universidad Austral de Chile and Universidad de Concepción. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Lab). Main objective. To evaluate the role of both predators in the SO as consumers of the zooplankton standing stock and secondary production and their role in the vertical carbon flux as efficient producers of large and fast sinking faecal pellets.
9. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF ASCIDIANS AT FILDES BAY (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Thomas HERAN. Associated institutions. Universidad Austral de Chile and Academia de Ciencias de Rusia. Funding source. INACH (Thesis SupportUndergraduate), CorreosChile and FACH. Main objective. To analyze the ascidians distribution in three exposed and possibly disturbed areas in Fildes Bay. 10. BIODIVERSITY AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF GELATINOUS ZOOPLANKTON IN FILDES BAY, ANTARCTIC (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Héctor Gonzalo MORA. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Funding source. INACH (Thesis SupportUndergraduate), CorreosChile and FACH. Main objective. Analyze the taxonomic composition and spatial distribution of gelatinous zooplankton collected in Fildes Bay (King George Island), according to oceanographic conditions of temperature and salinity. 11. WINTER MIGRATORY CONNECTIONS OF MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAEE FEEDING IN ANTARCTIC AND CONTINENTAL CHILEAN WATERS AS REVEALED BY PHOTOIDENTIFICATION ANALYSES (2010-2012) Principal Investigator. Jorge ACEVEDO. Associated institutions. Fundación Cequa, Centro Ballena Azul, Universidad Austral de Chile, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande (Brazil), Fundación Ballenas del Ecuador (Ecuador), Asociación Ambiental Voluntarios en Investigación y Desarrollo Ambiental (V. I. D. A., Costa Rica), Panacetacea (US) y Fundación Ecológica Sentir (Colombia). Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Lab). Main objective. To identify winter migratory destinations and examine possible preferences for differential migratory destinations of humpback whales that feed in the Antarctic Peninsula and those in the waters of continental Chile.
8. REPRODUCTIVE SEASONALITY AND MATING SYSTEM IN THE ANTARCTIC BROODIND ECHINOID, ABATUS AGASSIZII (MORTENSEN, 1910) (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Claudia MATURANA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMaster). Main objective. To increase the understanding of breeding systems in the Antarctic echinoids through the study of the development of Abatus agassizii,i in the Antarctic Peninsula Region.
Funding between USD 212,700 and 851,000.
Funding between USD 106,400 and 212,700.
Funding under USD 106,400.
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GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION
WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING FOR NOW, AND LATER At just two hours of flying time from Punta Arenas, the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the regions that has warmed the most on this planet - some five times the global average - and in much less time. This proximity, together with the unique characteristics of the White Continent that make it an exceptional natural laboratory, allow us to witness the changes that the Earth will experience in the future, and which will affect the lives of people in ways not yet known. Glaciers, plants, penguins, and algae involved in the projects in this line of study are sending signals of the changes that will be part of the lives of our children and grandchildren.
Since the beginning of time, changing climate has moulded the landscape and influenced the evolution of all forms of life. Today we have better measurement tools and there is a worldwide concern with the ongoing debate centred on climatic warming, climate evolution, and the consequences of human activity upon the global environment. The scientific evidence seems to be convincing and explicit. The last report from the Intergovernmental Group of Climate Change Experts indicated that in the hundred years between 1905 and 2005, the planet had warmed 0.74 degrees Celsius, adding that the major part of the increase was probably due to concentrations of greenhouse gases from anthropogenic sources. Three regions on the Earth were warming more than the global average, and one of them is located just a step away from Chile: the Antarctic Peninsula. In just fifty years this region has shown an average surface-air temperature increase of almost three degrees Celsius. This trend is over five times the global average and has taken place in just half the time.
offers us broad opportunities for testing hypotheses and documenting the processes and mechanisms involved. This knowledge is vital for the understanding of the climate phenomenon in this part of the planet, as we continue to calculate current effects and predict the potential future impact on a global scale. Within PROCIEN 2011 we find projects designed to answer the key questions, including: - What are the current conditions and dynamics of the Antarctic Peninsula ice shelf and how will these evolve? - Will the sea water temperature increase have an impact on the immune system of bottom-dwelling organisms? - What climate factors impact the population dynamics of penguins? - How will the productivity of marine algae be affected under differing light conditions resulting from changes in marine ice thickness? The world is seeking reliable answers to these and other questions. Our scientists are bringing forth new knowledge with a desire to contribute
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GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE EVOLUTION 1. INDUCTION OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THE ANTARCTIC SEA URCHIN STERECHINUS NEUMAYERII BY LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES AND HEAT STRESS (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Marcelo GONZÁLEZ. Associated institutions. INACH, Université de Montpellier 2-CNRS-Ifremer (France), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil). Funding source. Fondecyt (Initiation Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. Characterize and compare the expression profile of immune genes in the echinoderm S. neumayeri as a result of stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and temperature increase, and whether the immune response capacity is affected by these factors. 2. CLIMATE CHANGE-RELATED EFFECTS ON SURFACE UV RADIATION IN ANTARCTICA: DEVELOPMENT OF A GROUND-BASED UV RECONSTRUCTION MODEL (20102013) Principal Investigator. Alessandro DAMIANI. Associated institutions. Universidad de Santiago de Chile and Universität Hannover (Germany). Funding source. Fondecyt (Postdoctorate Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To determine some characteristics of the local UV and generate better estimates of the UV dose that is affecting endemic Antarctic species.
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3. PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN COLOBANTHUS QUITENSISS CONFRONTING A COMPLEX SCENE OF GLOBAL CHANGE (2008-2011) Principal Investigator. Marco MOLINA. Associated institutions. Ceaza, Universidad de Concepción, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales-CSIC (Spain) and INACH. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To assess the phenotypic plasticity under variations of temperature, nitrogen in the soil and water availability (global change components) in populations of Colobanthus quitensis from the Maritime Antarctic and the Antarctic Peninsula. 4. MACROFAUNA COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO ICEBERG DISTURBANCES ON THE EASTERN WEDDELL SHELF (ANTARCTICA): EXPERIMENTAL TRAWLING NET SIMULATION OF ICE SCOURING EFFECTS ON BENTHIC TROPHIC STRUCTURE (2010-2013) Principal Investigator. Eduardo QUIROGA. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Universidad de Magallanes, Alfred Wegener Institut (Germany) and Fundación Cequa. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To characterize the macrofaunal diversity, the normalized biomass size-spectra (NBSS) and the trophic structure, using stable isotopes, in both disturbed and undisturbed sites on the Eastern Weddell Sea Shelf. Funding over USD 851,000.
Funding between USD 212,700 and 851,000.
5. DECIPHERING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ON PENGUIN POPULATIONS: APPLICATIONS OF THE POPULATION DYNAMIC THEORY (2010-2012) Principal Investigator. Mauricio LIMA. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Lab). Main objective. To analyze the irregular population fluctuations of penguins, using models based on ecological theory. 6. EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE OVER POPULATION SIZE OF PYGOSCELISS PENGUINS (SPHENISCIFORMES) IN KING GEORGE ISLAND, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS: A MOLECULAR APPROACH (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Fabiola PEÑA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMaster). Main objective. To determine the extent to which the past events of climate change have affected the genetic diversity of two Pygoscelis species (P. adeliae and P. papua) and to assess their possible response to the actual climate change using molecular techniques. 7. THE ROLE OF ANTARCTIC INTERMEDIATE WATER (AAIW) IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GAS IN THE EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE VENTILATION OF THE OXYGEN MINIMUM ZONE (20102011) Principal Investigator. Cristina CARRASCO. Associated institutions. Universidad de Concepción Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMaster). Main objective. To determine the role of the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) in gas transporting and other physical properties to the eastern South Pacific Ocean and discern between the biogeochemical and physical processes that transform these properties.
Dr. Marce investigat Antarctic reacting t using the urchin as This is don the resista invertebra and increa temperatu
Funding between USD 106,400 and 212,700.
Funding under USD 106,400.
D. Schories
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Antarctic sea urchin
8. GLACIOLOGICAL STUDIES IN THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA BY AIRBORNE SENSORS (2008-2013) Principal Investigators. Gino CASASSA and Andrés RIVERA. Associated institutions. Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECS), NASA (US) and Armada de Chile. Funding source. CECS, NASA and Armada de Chile. Main objective. To determine changes in elevation (mass balance) and acquire data relating to the thickness and internal structure of the glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula, and study the current state, the dynamics and evolution of glaciers and floating ice shelves on the Antarctic Peninsula. 9. BIO-OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ANTARCTIC SEA-ICE ALGAE (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Ernesto MOLINA. Associated institutions. University of Technology (Sydney, Australia), Australian Antarctic Division (Australia) and INACH. Funding source. SCAR Fellowship Scheme and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. Contribute to the understanding of photosynthetic responses of sea ice algae to light, in a mechanistic biooptical model, linking physical conditions of the environment to the production of sea ice algae, and integrating them into models of larger-scale climate change.
OTHER INITIATIVES In addition to the projects under the four lines above, there are projects that address other areas of polar research, which INACH supports. 1. CONSTRUCTION OF ATMOSPHERIC CORROSIVENESS MAPS TO METALS AND ALLOYS OF MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL INTEREST FOR CHILE (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Rosa VERA. Associated institutions. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Asociación Chilena de Corrosión, Puerto Ventanas S.A., B. Bosch Galvanizado, CDT, Dirección de Obras Portuarias del Ministerio de Obras Públicas and Comisión Nacional del Medio Ambiente. Funding source. Corfo InnovaChile (Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. Construct maps of atmospheric corrosion based on environmental aggressiveness, for metals and alloys, in order to optimally select the materials to be used in steel structures in different parts of the country. 2. NEUTRON MONITOR MN-64 FOR THE ANTARCTIC TERRITORY (1985-2011) Principal Investigator. Enrique CORDARO. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile and Università di Pisa (Italy). Funding source. INACH (logistic support). Main objective. Continuously record cosmic rays and atmospheric pressure information at high latitudes, to correlate them with those of the Multidirectional Muon Telescope of Santiago and the Muon monitor at the Tropic of Capricorn. 3. EVALUATION OF THE POLLUTING EFFECTS RELATED TO ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES IN CHILEAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS (2008-2011) Principal Investigator. María Soledad ASTORGA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Magallanes. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field) Main objective.
4. PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN THE ANTARTIC PENINSULA, TRENDS, TRANSPORT, BIOACCUMULATION AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS (2009-2012) Principal Investigator. Ricardo BARRA. Associated institutions. Centro de Ciencias Ambientales-EULA, Universidad de Concepción and Instituto de Investigación Pesquera. Funding source. INACH (Regular Grant-Field). Main objective. To analyze the behaviour of POPs in the Antarctic continent by evaluating their distribution in different abiotic and biotic compartments in accessible areas, using non-destructive methodologies of sampling for the biological component, and passive sampling methodologies for the abiotic components. 5. SAMBA-THEMIS CONJUGATE STUDIES OF INNER MAGNETOSPHERE DYNAMICS DURING MAGNETIC STORMS (2009-2011) Principal Investigator. Víctor PINTO. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Santiago de Chile and Air Force Research Laboratory (US). Funding source. INACH (Thesis Support GrantMaster). Main objective. To determine the dynamic evolution of the equatorial plasma density in the inner magnetosphere and the level of heavy ion contribution to it during strong geomagnetic storms, using the conjunctions of the Themis mission satellites with the Samba and Measure chains. The project led by Dr. María Soledad Astorga aims to produce systematic information regarding the quantification of the impacts of human activities in Chilean Antarctic Bases. This information may
6. ANTARCTIC STATION DESIGN PROJECT (2010-2011) Principal Investigator. Carla ANTOGNINI. Associated institutions. Universidad de Chile. Funding source. INACH (Thesis SupportUndergraduate), CorreosChile and FACH. Main objective. To perform a complete architectural design including a proposal for infrastructure, according to the Antarctic environment and its protection and value. 7. TURBULENCE IN SPACE PLASMAS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE MAGNETOSPHERIC DYNAMICS AND SPACE WEATHER (2011-2015) Principal Investigator. Marina STEPANOVA. Associated institutions. Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Universidad de Concepción, Universidad de Chile, University of California-Los Angeles (US), Moscow State University (Russia) and the Air Force Research Lab (US). Funding Source. Fondecyt (Regular Grant) and INACH (logistic support). Main objective. To contribute to the understanding of the influence of the plasma turbulence on the transport, total pressure, and energy balance, in different regions of the Earth’s magnetosphere. Particular attention will be given to the relevance of the turbulence under different solar wind and geomagnetic conditions, using joint satellite and ground-based measurements.
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8. METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS IN FILDES PENINSULA Principal Investigator. Dirección Meteorológica de Chile. Associated institutions. Dirección Meteorológica de Chile Main objective.
J. Muñoz
5
Funding over USD 851,000.
Funding between USD 212,700 and 851,000.
Funding between USD 106,400 and 212,700.
Funding under USD 106,400.
MANAGEMENT OF THE CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SCIENCE PROGRAM Financing for Chilean Antarctic Science
FINANCING FOR CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SCIENCE
Funds (USD)
INACH FONDECYT CONICYT (PIA) CORFO The evolution of the funding of the Chilean Antarctic INACH LOGISTICS Science between 2004 and 2010 shows a strong increase $1,500,000 thanks to new alliances developed between INACH and other institutions, motivated by the coming of $1,300,000 the International Polar Year (2007-2008). Among these $1,000,000 agreements the ones that stand out include those with $850,000 Conicyt, specifically the Associative Research Program $650,000 (PIA - Programa de Investigación Asociativa) and a precompetition Corfo InnovaChile research project. The $405,000 resources obtained in competitive funds fell slightly $215,000 in 2010 with the gradual end of financing for the Corfo $0 InnovaChile infrastructure project, leaving behind a fully 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 equipped modern laboratory at the Escudero Station, which will serve to attract new studies. At the end of this period, it is calculated that the number of logistically supportable projects has been reached with the existing infrastructure, given an annual budget of USD 1,063,000 in funds distributed through an open, peer-reviewed process, along with an investment in logistical support on the order of USD 1,276,600 (orange line). Altogether, the Chilean investment in Antarctic science is more than USD 2 million, considerably less than that of other nations’ Antarctic Programs and possible only thanks to various funding programs from several governmental agencies, including the Chilean Department of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Evolution of the Chilean Antarctic Science Program FIGURE A EVOLUTION OF THE CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SCIENCE PROGRAM 60 50
Nº projects
The escalation in funding sources and funds for Antarctic scientific research has meant a threefold increase compared to the number of research projects performed in 2004 (figure A). In addition to this, we have improved the quality of the proposals being selected, thanks to a transparent and objective system for proposal selection, supported by recognized international researchers. It is important to point out that in the 2010-2011 season, 23 percent of the projects are supported by funds other than INACH.
40
CORFO CONICYT (PIA)
30
FONDECYT UNDERGRADUATE & POSTGRADUATE THESES
20
LAB FIELD 10 Although the percentage of approved projects has OTHERS remained at around 40% (INACH funding) and 36% 0 (Conicyt funding) in relation to the number of proposal 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 applications (figure B), there has been an overall increase in the number of approved projects according to an increase in the number of proposals presented by researchers, ensuring a more competitive Program with better projects and a potential growth of the Antarctic scientific community. “Sustainability” of polar science quality is only possible with a critical mass of researchers motivated to conduct polar science.
FIGURE B
INACH Funding
Conicyt Funding
40
40
35
35
30
30
25
25
20
Applied
15
Approved
Nº projects
Nº projects
14
20
10
10
5
5
0
Applied
15
Approved
0 2007
2008
2009 Year
2010
2007
2008
2009 Year
2010
CHILEAN ISI PUBLICATIONS ON ANTARCTIC SCIENCE 1988-2010 35
Chilean ISI publications on Antarctic Science 1988-2010
30
25
Nº ISI publications
20
15
10
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
0
1990
5
1988
The productivity in Chilean Antarctic scientific literature, when measured by the number of ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) publications, shows a sharp increase in recent years. In order to maintain this trend, we need a policy that favours competitive science and a peer review process for the selection of projects. Likewise, improvements and renovation of laboratory equipment are necessary along with support on the ground for the pursuit of science at a first-class level. We also need continuing efforts to provide the means and logistical support in order to successfully conduct our activities.
Year
FUNDING SOURCES FOR CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SCIENCE INACH has its own funding sources to finance research projects in Antarctica. These funds are distributed in two programs, each with different lines of funding: Funding Program
Grant*
Value of Logistic Support**
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Regular Fund Field Project (proposal requiring conduct of field activities in Antarctica) Lab Project (proposal not requiring travel to Antarctica)
USD 83,000
USD 22,000
USD 55,000 - USD 180,000 (total for 3 field campaigns) No logistics involved
Thesis Support Program Master Thesis
USD 6,400
USD 21,300 – 42,500 (1 field campaign only)
Doctoral Thesis
USD 17,000
USD 42,500 – 85,100 (total for 2 field campaigns)
Undergraduate Thesis
No grants
USD 2,100 – 4,200
* Maximum funding provided for each category, year 2011. ** Value of the logistic support provided by INACH.
In addition, INACH has agreements with major funding agencies for Science and Technology in Chile. If granted, INACH will provide the logistic support needed for their field activities in Antarctica. Current agreements include the following: Funding Program Fondecyt: Postdoctorate Initiation Regular
Conicyt – PIA (‘Antarctic Rings’)
Grant*
Value of Logistic Support**
USD 127,600 USD 160,000 USD 425,500
USD 63,800 – 212,700 (total for 3 field campaigns)
USD 479,000
USD 479,000 (total for 3 field campaigns)
* Maximum funding provided for each category, 2011. These funds are provided by the indicated funding agency. ** Value of the logistic support provided by INACH.
In addition to these ongoing programs for applying to other funding agencies, there is the possibility of other agreements. For example, Corfo InnovaChile is now funding three important projects in Antarctica.
CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SC BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES DIVERSITY IN ANTARCTIC BACTERIA INACH FIELD PROJECTS
GENETIC STRUCTURE AND NICHES OF ANTARCTIC MOSSES
SUCROSE ACTIVITY IN ANTARCTIC PEARLWORT
GENOMICS IN ANTARCTIC LIMPETS
SECONDARY METABOLITES IN MARINE ORGANISMS
MACROECOLOGY AND DIVERSITY OF HIGH LATITUDE MEIOFAUNA
PHOTOBIOLOGY AND UV STRESS IN ALGAE BIOGEOGRAPHY OF ANTARCTIC YEASTS
INACH LAB PROJECTS
THERMOCRONOLOGY OF ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
THERMOPHILES OF DECEPTION ISLAND
VOLCANIC METAMORPHISM IN THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF FUNGI AND YEASTS FROM ANTARCTIC SPONGES
EVOLUTION AND BIOGEOGRAPHY IN ANTARCTIC SEA URCHINS
EFFECTS RELATED TO BIOSYNTHESIS OF FRUCTOSE IN ANTARCTIC GRASS
INACH SUPPORT TO UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE THESES
PETROGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMISTRY ON THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
PIA PROGRAM CONICYT
GEOLOGY OF THE LARSEN AND MAGELLANIC BASINS
THERMOPHILIC ENZYMES LIPASES WITH ANTARCTIC ORIGINS EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION ON ENDEMIC SPECIES ANTARCTICA SOURCE FOR BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
CORFO INNOVACHILE
PSYCHROPHILIC BIOFERTILIZERS
FONDECYTINACH PROGRAM
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION SPECIAL INACH PROJECTS
PALAEOPHYTOGEOGRAPHIC RELATIONSHIPS MACROALGAL DIVERSITY IN SUBANTARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ICHTHYOSAURS IN TORRES DEL PAINE
EFFECTS OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS ON CELLULAR MEMBRANES BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN FUNGUS CYANOBACTERIA IN ANTARCTIC HOT SPRINGS
CIENCE PROGRAM - 2011
SUBMARINE GEOREFERENCING AND BIODIVERSITY IN SOUTHERN OCEANS DIAZOTROPHY IN THE ANTARCTIC OCEAN PHOTOSYNTHETIC EUCARIOTIC PLANKTON
ANTARCTIC PEARLWORT AND GLOBAL CHANGE MACROFAUNA AND PERTURBATION IN MARINE ICE
TICK IN MARINE BIRDS AS A PATHOGEN VECTOR IN PENGUINS CHAETOGNATHS AND AMPHIPODS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FOOD WEB MIGRATORY CONNECTIONS OF THE HUMPBACK WHALE SEASTAR REPRODUCTION IN ANTARCTIC WATERS ASCIDIANS AT FILDES BAY GELATINOUS ZOOPLANKTON AT FILDES BAY
CONTAMINATION AT CHILEAN ANTARCTIC BASES PERSISTENT ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
CLIMATE EFFECTS ON PENGUIN POPULATIONS
MOLECULAR STUDIES OF PENGUIN POPULATIONS
DYNAMICS OF THE MAGNETOSPHERE
ROLE OF THE ANTARCTIC INTERMEDIATE WATER IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GASES
BASE STATION DESIGN FOR ANTARCTICA
MAPPING ATMOSPHERIC CORROSIVITY
GENETIC DIVERSITY IN ANTARCTIC SEASTARS CYANOLICHENS ASSOCIATION AT LIVINGSTON ISLAND
CLIMATE CHANGE AND UV RADIATION IN ANTARCTICA IMMUNE RESPONSE IN ANTARCTIC SEA URCHINS
GLACIOLOGICAL STUDIES USING AIRBORNE SENSORS A BIOPTICAL MODEL OF ALGAE PHOTOSYNTHESIS
TURBULENCE IN SPACE PLASMAS
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE FILDES PENINSULA NEUTRON MONITOR
INFRASTRUCTURE
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Chile built its first polar base in 1947, on Greenwich Island. That semicircular facility of 89 square metres, shared the honour of being one of the first facilities in Antarctica with the Wordie House, which the United Kingdom built in January of the same year. Since then, all Chilean Antarctic operators have built various other installations, first and foremost with a commitment to national sovereignty and exploration of the unknown continent, and then as strong support for the scientific work done and to be done by the Antarctic international science community.
Chile supplies stations and shelters in various locations on the Antarctic Peninsula, in the South Shetland Islands, and in the Patriot Hills-Union Glacier area. Additionally, scientific camps are set up in other locations according to the requirements of the projects, and shipping transport is arranged along with coordination for the stays of Chilean researchers at stations and shelters belonging to other nations.
1. Scientific station “Professor Julio Escudero” (INACH)
2. Shelter Julio Ripamonti (INACH)
Geographic location: Fildes Peninsula (62º 12’ S; 58º 57’ W), South Shetland Islands. Maximum occupancy: 36 persons in summer. Facilities: 2 dry laboratories, 2 wet laboratories. Scientific equipment: laminar flow hood, drying ovens, loupes and microscopes, digital scale, spectrometer, magnetic agitator, refrigerator, freezer. Available vehicles: 4 all-terrain vehicles, 1 Ford F3500 truck, 1 utility vehicle, 1 truck/lorry, 3 Zodiac MK-V inflatable boats, 2 Skidoo snowmobiles. Communications: HF and VHF radios, telephony, satellite phone and internet.
3. Station Dr. Guillermo Mann (INACH) Geographic location: Cape Shirreff (62º 27’ S; 60º 47’ W), Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. Located in the Antarctic Specially Protected Area Nº 149 and requires a special entry permit. Maximum occupancy: 6 persons in summer. Facilities: One housing unit, one igloo module, one laboratory module, wind-powered electrical generator. Available vehicles: One all terrain vehicle subject to restrictions of the Management Plan for the area. Communications: HF and VHF radio, satellite telephone.
Geographic location: Ardley peninsula (62º 12’ S; 58º 53’ W), King George Island, South Shetland Islands. Located in the Antarctic Specially Protected Area Nº 150 (requires a special entry permit). Maximum occupancy: 2 persons, in-transit only, in summer. Facilities: 2 habitation containers, one located at the centre and the other at the northeast extreme of the peninsula. Available vehicles: No vehicles available. Entry of motor vehicles into this zone is prohibited. Logistical support is provided by the Escudero station using Zodiacs. Overland access is possible at low tide. Communications: VHF radio.
For more information, see this site: www.inach.cl/concurso/infraestructura.php
4. Captain Arturo Prat Station (Navy) Geographic location: Greenwich island (62º 30’ S; 59º 39’ W), South Shetland Islands. Maximum occupancy: 25 persons in summer; 21 in winter. Facilities: Heliport, hut, general purpose laboratory. Available vehicles: Summer and winter vehicles belonging to the Chilean Navy. MK-IV Zodiac boat. Communications: HF and VHF radio, telephone and internet via satellite.
5. Bernardo O’Higgins Station (Army) Geographic location: Covadonga Bay, Cape Legoupil (63º 19’ S; 57º 51’ W), Tierra de O’Higgins (Graham Land), Antarctic Peninsula. Maximum occupancy: 50 persons in summer; 21 in winter. Facilities: Heliport, hut. Dry laboratory equipped by INACH for multipurpose use. Available vehicles: Summer and winter vehicles belonging to the Chilean Army. MK-IV Zodiac boat. Communications: HF and VHF radio, telephone and internet via satellite.
6. President Eduardo Frei Montalva Station (Air Force) Geographic location: Fildes Peninsula (62º 14’ S; 58º 48’ W), King George Island, South Shetland Islands. Maximum occupancy: 120 persons in summer. Facilities: General lodging, medical facilities. Communications: HF and VHF radio, telephone and internet.
7. President Gabriel González Videla Station (Air Force) Geographic location: Paradise Bay (64º 49’ S; 62º 51’ W) , Antarctic Peninsula. Maximum occupancy: 19 persons, in summer. Facilities: General lodging. Available vehicles: Two Zodiac boats. Communications: HF and VHF radio.
XLVII CHILEAN ANTARCTIC SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION Research Locations
Elephant
ds
lan d Is
tlan
Area 1
Han
C. Shirreff Byers
Livingston
Snow
lson I. N e
nah Wil P. liam
s P.
She
King George I.
Admiralty B.
Risopatrón Prat St.
Deception
Br
an
Covadonga
Low
ait
Escudero Station
O’Higgins
Str d l e s fi An
ta
rc
Joinville
tic
P. Ho pe
Dundee
B.
Eagle Vega Brabante
Ross
t rai
Seymour
t
Area 3
eS
Anvers Yelcho
h lac
a
ul
r Ge GGV Paradise
s in
en
P tic
c
ar
Gr
an
di di
er
t An
Area 2
Antarctic Circle
Adelaide
Carvajal Marguerite Bay
S. Kraus
Chilean Icebreaker “Óscar Viel” in Paradise Bay.
S. Kraus
S. Kraus
Foster Bay, Deception Island. We can see the craters left by the 1967 eruption.
DIRECTORY OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS Jorge ACEVEDO Fundación Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario Fuego-Patagonia y Antártica, CEQUA jorge.acevedo@cequa.cl Carla ANTOGNINI Universidad de Chile cantognini@ug.uchile.cl María Soledad ASTORGA Universidad de Magallanes msoledad.astorga@umag.cl Marcelo BAEZA Universidad de Chile mbaeza@uchile.cl Ricardo BARRA Universidad de Concepción ricbarra@udec.cl Jenny BLAMEY Fundación Científica y Cultural Biociencia jblamey@bioscience.cl Hernán Gonzalo BOBADILLA Universidad de Chile hbobadil@ing.uchile.cl 22
Mauricio CALDERÓN Universidad de Chile mcalderon@gmail.com Leyla CÁRDENAS Universidad Austral de Chile leylacardenas1@gmail.com Cristina CARRASCO Universidad de Concepción cristinacarrasc@udec.cl Jorge CARRASCO Dirección Meteorológica de Chile jorge.carrasco@meteochile.cl Gino CASASSA Centro de Estudios Científicos, CECS gc@cecs.cl Enrique CORDARO Universidad de Chile ecordaro@dfi.uchile.cl Raúl CORDERO Universidad de Santiago de Chile raul.cordero@usach.cl Daniela CORREA Fundación Científica y Cultural Biociencia dcorrea@bioscience.cl
Marely CUBA Universidad de Concepción mcubaster@gmail.com Renato CHÁVEZ Universidad de Santiago de Chile renato.chavez@usach.cl Alessandro DAMIANI Universidad de Santiago de Chile adamiani024@gmail.com Rodrigo DE LA IGLESIA Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile sirkonio@gmail.com Angie DÍAZ Universidad de Chile angie.ddl@gmail.com Beatriz DÍEZ Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile bdiez@bio.puc.cl Bernhard DOLD Universidad de Concepción bdold@udec.cl Karin GERARD Universidad de Chile gerardkarin@yahoo.fr Manuel GIDEKEL VentureL@b, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez manuel.gidekel@uai.cl Iván GÓMEZ Universidad Austral de Chile igomezo@uach.cl Daniel GONZÁLEZ Universidad de Concepción danigonz@udec.cl Gerardo GONZÁLEZ Universidad de Concepción ggonzal@udec.cl Humberto GONZÁLEZ Universidad Austral de Chile hgonzale@uach.cl Marcelo GONZÁLEZ INACH mgonzalez@inach.cl Ingrid HEBEL Universidad de Magallanes inghebel@hotmail.com
Thomas HERAN Universidad Austral de Chile thomasheran@gmail.com
Eduardo QUIROGA Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso eduardo.quiroga@ucv.cl
Francisco HERVÉ Universidad de Chile herve@cec.uchile.cl
Andrés RIVERA Centro de Estudios Científicos, CECS arivera@cecs.cl
Matthew LEE Universidad de Los Lagos matthew.lee@ulagos.cl
Aurelio SAN MARTÍN Universidad de Chile aurelio@uchile.cl
Marcelo LEPPE INACH mleppe@inach.cl
Dirk SCHORIES Universidad Austral de Chile dirk.schories@gmx.de
Mauricio LIMA Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile mlima@bio.puc.cl
Marina STEPANOVA Universidad de Santiago de Chile marina.stepanova@usach.cl
Andrés MANSILLA Universidad de Magallanes andres.mansilla@umag.cl
Wolfgang STINNESBECK Geologisches Institut der Universtät Heidelberg wolfgang.stinnesbeck@geow.uni-heidelberg.de
Claudia MATURANA Universidad de Chile cmaturana.ciencias@gmail.com
Mario SUWALSKY Universidad de Concepción msuwalsk@udec.cl
Ernesto MOLINA University of Technology (Sydney) Ernesto.MolinaBalari@uts.edu.au
Teresa TORRES Universidad de Chile ttorres@uchile.cl
Marco MOLINA Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas, CEAZA marco.molina@ceaza.cl
Inmaculada VACA Universidad de Chile inmavaca@uchile.cl
Héctor Gonzalo MORA Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso moragonza@gmail.com
Rosa VERA Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso rvera@ucv.cl
Patricio MUÑOZ Universidad de Santiago de Chile pmunoz@bioscience.cl Julieta ORLANDO Universidad de Chile orlandojulieta@yahoo.com.ar Ariel PARDO Universidad de Santiago de Chile ariel.pardo.ramirez@gmail.com Fabiola PEÑA Universidad de Chile faby.pmor@gmail.com Víctor PINTO Universidad de Chile victor.pinto@gmail.com
Publication of the Chilean Antarctic Institute - INACH ISSN: 0719-0654 [Chil. antarct. sci. program (Engl. ed.)]. Editors. Reiner Canales and Verónica Vallejos. Editorial Committee. José Retamales, Javier Arata, Marcelo Leppe, Elías Barticevic. Drafting Committee. Marcelo González, Ricardo Jaña. Cover. Dušan Matulic and Pablo Ruiz. Design. Pamela Ojeda, LPA. Traslated byy Robert Runyard and INACH. Printed byy La Prensa Austral. June 2011.
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