CHILE BICENTENNIAL
Chilean Antarc tic
S c i ence Prog ram
2010
G OV E R N M E N T O F
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CHILEAN ANTARCTIC INSTITUTE
w w w. i n ach .g ob.cl
INTRODUCTION
The Chilean Antarctic Science Program brings together the projects that are financed, organized, coordinated, and
executed by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (Instituto Antártico Chileno - INACH), whether directly or through the support
of universities and centers for scientific research. Projects are funded through various sources through an open and
transparent competition system subject to peer review.
The research activities carried out within the frame of our Science program are conducted on the field and in institutional
laboratories. During the period considered here there will be realized 45 research projects, 27 of which have required
traveling to Antarctica to collect new data and samples during the XLVI Chilean Antarctic Scientific Expedition. The projects
had been conducted on the islands of King George, Robert, Deception, Livingston, Low, and Snow, as well as in various
locations on the Antarctic Peninsula, from the O’Higgins Station by the north to the Fleming Glacier by the south (near to
Rothera Station, UK).
INACH promotes four main areas of research:
1. Relationships between South America and Antarctica
2. Global warming and climate evolution
3. Abundance and diversity of Antarctic organisms
4. Antarctic environment and its bioresources
Chilean research in Antarctica shows particular strengths in the study and understanding of the Antarctic environment,
its physical and biological character in both past and present, and in the modeling of future scenarios. These research
areas are circumscribed in four lines of research identified by INACH in correspondence with the international programs
indicated by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, SCAR.
The final objective of this program is to produce high-quality Chilean Antarctic science, worthy of international recognition
and in keeping with the Chilean national interests through the delivery of selected studies relating to our cultural, economic
and social development.
Dr. José Retamales
Director
Chilean Antarctic Institute - INACH
PUBLISHED BY CHILEAN ANTARCTIC INSTITUTE.
DESIGNED AND PRINTED BY LA PRENSA AUSTRAL
PRINTERS, PUNTA ARENAS.
TRANSLATION BY ROBERT RUNYARD AND INACH.
COVER BY PABLO RUIZ.
MARCH 2010
MORE INFORMATION
Head of Project
Administration Department
Javier Arata
[email protected]
J. MUÑOZ
1
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
SOUTH AMERICA AND
ANTARCTICA
The physical link between the Antarctic
Peninsula and Patagonia has been fully probed.
The opening of the Weddell Sea and the southern
tip of the South Atlantic are closely linked, and
the patterns of diversification and evolution
of the Patagonian-Antarctic flora during the
Cretaceous may be a key to understand the
climatic and paleogeographical evolution of this
area. The project PALEOPHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL
AND EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS AMONG
THE SOUTHERN PATAGONIA AND THE ANTARCTIC
PENINSULA FLORAS DURING THE CRETACEOUS
aims to contribute to the understanding of the
complex geological and paleontological history
of these regions.
During most of its natural history, Antarctica was a
green continent, with a biodiversity similar to that of New
Zealand, Chile or Argentina. The definitive separation of South
America and Antarctica - 23 million years ago - was a dramatic event
that transformed global climate, and permanently affected life, the
environment, and the landscape of Chile. It is of great importance to understand
how this influence evolved in the past, to gain knowledge that would allow us to
understand the present and to predict the future.
1. MOLECULAR DIVERGENCE AND CONNECTIVITY
IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN: A MODEL OF
ANTARCTIC AND SUBANTARCTIC RINGS
Principal investigator: Elie POULIN, Universidad
de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Pontificia Universidad
Católica de Chile, Instituto Nacional de
Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero, INIDEP
(Argentina), Universidad Nacional de la
Patagonia, San Juan Bosco (Argentina),
Université Aix-Marseille (France), Université
Bourgogne (France), and Universidad de
Magallanes.
Execution period: 2007-2010.
2. PALAEOPHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL AND
EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
SOUTHERN PATAGONIA AND ANTARCTIC
PENINSULA FLORAS DURING THE CRETACEOUS
Principal investigator: Marcelo LEPPE, Chilean
Antarctic Institute (INACH).
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: INACH and Geologisches
Institut der Universität Heidelberg
(Germany).
Execution period: 2008-2011.
3.THERMOCHRONOLOGICAL STUDY OF NORTHERN
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THEIR
MESO-CENOZOIC AND CLIMATIC EVOLUTION
Principal investigator: Mauricio CALDERÓN,
Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile,
University of Arizona (US), and Universität
Bochum (Germany).
Execution period: 2009-2011.
Funding over
US$ 750.000
4. METASEDIMENTARY COMPLEXES PROVENANCE
FROM NORTHERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND
PATAGONIA: TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS
Principal investigator: Paula CASTILLO,
Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile,
INACH, SERNAGEOMIN, and The Australian
National University.
Execution period: 2008-2010.
5.ICTHYOSAURS OF THE LATE JURASSIC AND EARLY
CRETACEOUS IN THE TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL
PARK IN SOUTHERN CHILE
Principal investigators: Wolfgang STINNESBECK
(Geologisches Institut der Universität
Heidelberg), Eberhard FREY (Staatliches
Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe), and
Marcelo LEPPE (INACH).
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: INACH, Geologisches
Institut der Universität Heidelberg
(Germany), and Staatliches Museum für
Naturkunde Karlsruhe (Germany).
Execution period: 2008-2011.
7. VERY LOW GRADE METAMORPHISM IN THE
VOLCANIC SUCCESSIONS OF THE SOUTH SHETLAND
ISLANDS
Principal investigator: Francisco HERVÉ,
Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile.
Execution period: 2009-2011.
8. EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS AND
DIVERSIFICATION PROCESSES OF THE GENUS
STERECHINUS (ECHINODERMATA, ECHINOIDA)
FROM SHALLOW AND DEEP-SEA AREAS OF THE
SOUTHERN OCEAN
Principal investigator: Angie DÍAZ, Universidad
de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile.
Execution period: 2009-2011.
6. GENETIC STRUCTURE AND ANCESTRAL NICHE
MODELING APPROACH OF SANIONIA UNCINATA
(HEDW.) LOESKE AS SUPPORT FOR STUDIES ON
CONSERVATION
Principal investigator: Ingrid HEBEL, Universidad
de Magallanes.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de
Magallanes, Fundación Centro Estudios
del Cuaternario, Albert-Ludwig-Universität
Freiburg (Germany).
Execution period: 2009-2012.
Funding between US$ 175.000
and US$ 750.000
Funding between
US$ 100.000 and $175.000
Funding under
US$ 100.000
J. WENDT
2
GLOBAL WARMING
AND CLIMATE
EVOLUTION
Climate Change and Global Warming are particularly
evident in Antarctica. Since the Antarctic climate provides
in great measure a model of the global climate, particularly in
ways that can impact our economy and society, the subject of global
warming is on the agenda of nearly all the nations of the world and, in
particular, in Chile. The problem of climate change and the impact of global
warming in Antarctica, taken together form the objective of this line of research.
1. STABILITY AND RECENT BEHAVIOR OF GLACIERS
IN THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA –
THE INTERACTIONS WITH ICE SHELVES
Principal investigator: Anja WENDT, Centro de
Estudios Científicos (CECS).
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: CECS, Dirección
Meteorológica de Chile, University
of Colorado (US), and Jet Propulsion
Laboratory-NASA (US).
Execution period: 2007-2010.
2. CHARACTERIZATION OF FINE ANTARCTIC
TROPOSPHERIC AEROSOLS OF THE NORTH END OF
THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND LINKAGE WITH
THEIR SOURCES
Principal investigator: Margarita PRÉNDEZ,
Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile and
University of California-DaviS (US).
Execution period: 2007-2010.
3. ECO-PHYSIOLOGICAL OUTCOMES FOR
ANTARCTIC FLORA UNDER A GLOBAL WARMING
SCENARIO
Principal investigator: Angélica CASANOVA,
Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institution: Universidad de
Concepción.
Execution period: 2007-2010.
4.CLIMATE OF ANTARCTIC AND SOUTH AMERICAN:
JOINT EXTRACT OF BRAZILIAN-CHILE-USA ICE
CORE SAMPLING IN THE DETROIT PLATEAU OF THE
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Responsible investigator: Ricardo JAÑA, Chilean
Antarctic Institute (INACH).
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: INACH, Universidad
Federal de Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil),
Climate Change Institute-University
of Maine (US), Centro de Estudios del
Cuaternario and Universidad de Magallanes.
Execution period: 2007-2010.
5. CHEMICAL FINGERPRINT OF TEPHRA FROM
PLEISTOCENE/HOLOCENE VOLCANOES AROUND
THE NORTHERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: A KEY
TO REGIONAL VOLCANIC HISTORY AND CLIMATE
RECONSTRUCTION
Principal investigator: Stefan KRAUS, Chilean
Antarctic Institute (INACH).
Associated Institutions: INACH and Climate
Change Institute-University of Maine (US).
Execution period: 2007-2010.
6. IDENTIFICATION OF BIO MARKERS OF THE
FLUCTUATIONS OF THE ICE COVER IN THE
BENTHONIC DIATOMS OF THE CHILEAN ANTARCTIC
PENINSULA
Principal investigator: Paulina URIBE,
Fundación Ciencia para la Vida.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Fundación Ciencia para
la Vida, Universidad de Chile, University of
Southern California (US), and Universidad de
Valparaíso.
Execution period: 2008-2011.
7. PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN COLOBANTHUS
QUITENSIS (CARYOPHYLLACEAE) BEFORE A
COMPLEX SCENE OF GLOBAL CHANGE
Principal investigator: Marco MOLINA, Universidad
de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de
Concepción, Centro de Ciencias
Medioambientales-Consejo Superior de
Investigaciones Científicas (Spain), and
INACH.
Execution period: 2008-2011.
The project STABILITY AND RECENT BEHAVIOR OF
GLACIERS IN THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA investigates
the responses of glaciers located in the Antarctic
Peninsula to ongoing climate changes. These glaciers
typically flow into ice shelves which have undergone
a substantial retreat in recent decades but especially
during rapid collapsing events where some ice
shelves have completely disintegrated in response to
atmospheric changes. The project focuses on glaciers
in the southern part of the Antarctic Peninsula
with the main aim to analyze and compare current
state and possible future behavior of glaciers under
different climatic conditions.
8. EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE DIETARY
HABITS OF SEABIRD POPULATIONS ON ARDLEY
ISLAND, USING STABLE ISOTOPES OF CARBON AND
NITROGEN
Principal investigators: Pablo NEGRETE and Franco
PERONA, Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile.
Execution period: 2009-2010.
9. SURFACE SPECTRAL UV RADIATION AND
UV-LINKED EFFECTS ON ENDEMIC SPECIES
Principal investigator: Raúl CORDERO, Universidad
de Santiago de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Santiago
de Chile, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa
María, Pontificia Universidad Católica de
Chile and University of Hannover.
Execution period: 2010-2012.
10. GLACIOLOGICAL STUDIES IN THE ANTARCTIC
PENINSULA BY AIRBORNE SENSORS
Principal investigators: Gino CASASSA and Andrés
RIVERA, CECS.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: CECS, NASA and Chilean
Navy.
Execution period: 2002-2013.
Funding over
US$ 750.000
Funding between US$ 175.000
and US$ 750.000
Antarctic ecosystems are changing. The recent
destruction of the Larsen B dome has revealed
that Antarctic marine biodiversity is greater than
previously believed. The roles played by each of
the species within the delicate ecosystems of the
Frozen Continent pose a crucial question relative
to understanding the abundance, availability, and
behavior of the living resources of the Antarctic.
This line of research brings together the studies of
abundance and diversity of Antarctic organisms,
while seeking an understanding of the biodiversity
of the Antarctic, along with its dynamics and
relationships with the surrounding continents, and
in particular South America.
1. LOCAL PATTERNS OF SHALLOW ANTARCTIC
ECHINODERMS WITH CONTRASTING
DEVELOPMENTAL MODES: THE RELATIVE
IMPORTANCE OF PREDATION, FOOD AVAILABILITY
AND ICE-RELATED DISTURBANCES
Principal investigator: Álvaro PALMA, Pontificia
Universidad Católica de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Pontificia Universidad
Católica de Chile, Universidad de Chile, and
Universidad de la Santísima Concepción.
Execution period: 2007-2010.
2. STRUCTURE OF BENTHONIC COMMUNITIES
IN ANTARCTIC ROCKY REEFS: ASSOCIATIONS OF
MICROHABITATS AND CENSUS OF BIODIVERSITY
Principal investigator: Emma NEWCOMBE,
Fundación Centro de Estudios del
Cuaternario de Fuego-Patagonia y Antártica,
CEQUA.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Fundación Centro
de Estudios del Cuaternario de FuegoPatagonia y Antártica (CEQUA), Universidad
de Magallanes, INACH, and Universidad
Austral de Chile.
Execution period: 2008-2011.
Funding between
US$ 100.000 and $175.000
Funding under
US$ 100.000
In the Antarctic coastal
environment we see a large
number of invertebrate species,
including echinoderms, molluscs,
and polychaetes. These species incubate their
young (with direct growth development rather than
passing through a free larval stage in the water column with the rest
of the plankton). Nevertheless, the species with planktonic (drifting) type development are
numerically dominant. The principal factors responsible for this pattern include the effects
of glacial ages that have long characterized the Antarctic continent, and have resulted in
selective extinctions of certain groups of organisms. Of these, the planktonic types have
been the most vulnerable. The project LOCAL PATTERNS OF CONTRASTING FORMS OF
DEVELOPMENT IN ANTARCTIC ECHINODERMS investigates whether or not the ecological
success of species characterized by a pelagic larval transition form, exemplified through
patterns of distribution and population abundance of shallow-water coastal echinoderms,
agrees with terrestrial observations today. These observations take into account the effects
of an important regional climatic change which, among other impacts, affects the melting
rates for snow and ice. The photo shows eggs from an incubating sea-star (echinoderm) that
are being studied in this project.
3. GEO-REFERENCING, BIODIVERSITY AND
GROWTH RATE IN THE SOUTHERN OCEANS
Principal investigator: Dirk SCHORIES, Universidad
Austral de Chile
Email: [email protected]
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).
Execution period: 2009-2012.
4. GENETIC DIVERSITY AND SMALL SCALE
POPULATION STRUCTURE OF ABATUS AGASSIZII
(MORTENSEN, 1910), A BROODING ANTARCTIC
ECHINOID FROM BAHIA FILDES, KING GEORGES
ISLAND, SOUTH SHETLAND
Principal investigator: Karin GERARD,
Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated institutions: Instituto de Ecología y
Biodiversidad, Universidad de Chile.
Execution period: 2009-2012.
5. PREDATION IMPACT AND ROLE IN THE
VERTICAL CARBON FLUX OF CHAETOGNATHS AND
AMPHIPODS IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
Principal investigador: Humberto GONZÁLEZ,
Universidad Austral de Chile.
Email : [email protected]
Associated institutions: Universidad Austral de
Chile and Universidad de Concepción.
Execution period: 2009-2011.
6. BACTERIAL BIODIVERSITY ASSOCIATED
TO MACRO ALGAE FROM ANTARCTICA AND
PATAGONIA AND ITS ANTIBIOTIC POTENTIAL
Principal Investigator: Javier PÉREZ, Pontificia
Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.
Email: [email protected]
Associated institutions: Pontificia Universidad
Católica de Valparaíso and INACH.
Execution period: 2009-2010.
7. EFFECTS OF A SEVERE POPULATION
BOTTLENECK IN THE ANTARCTIC FUR SEAL,
ARCTOCEPHALUS GAZELLA
Principal investigator: Layla OSMAN, Universidad
Austral de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad Austral de
Chile and Fundación Centro de Estudios del
Cuaternario de Fuego-Patagonia y Antártica,
CEQUA.
Execution period: 2007-2010.
A. PALMA
3
ABUNDANCE AND
DIVERSITY OF
ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS
Millions of years of isolation have produced unique adaptive
responses to the extreme Antarctic environment, so that one
of the greatest treasures of Antarctica is in the genes of its
organisms. Therefore, INACH has set as one of its objectives to
offer our country a new horizon for scientific research.
J. MUÑOZ
4
ADAPTATIONS TO THE
ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT
AND ITS BIORESOURCES
Several projects that are part of this line of
investigation study the properties of the two vascular
plants that exist in Antarctica: Deschampsia antarctica
and Colobanthus quitensis (above). They are plants
able to withstand low temperatures, high solar
radiation levels and long periods without light.
1. ANTARCTICA: SOURCE OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Principal investigator: Jenny BLAMEY, Fundación Científica y Cultural
Biociencia.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Fundación Biociencia, Universidad de Santiago de
Chile and INACH.
Execution period: 2007-2011.
2. PRODUCTION OF DESCHAMPSIA ANTARCTICA CELLS IN BIOREACTORS:
USES FOR THE COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY INDUSTRY INCLUDING
CRYOPRESERVATION AND PHOTOPROTECTIVE AGENTS
Principal investigador: Manuel GIDEKEL, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: VentureL@b, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, VitroGen
S.A., Apoteknos S.L. (Spain) and Avesthagen Ltd. (India).
Execution period: 2007-2010.
3. THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL IRON AND SULFUR CYCLES IN THE
ANTARCTIC–FROM MICROBIAL SULFIDE OXIDATION TOWARDS
SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE
Principal investigador: Bernhard DOLD, Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Instituto GEA-Universidad de Concepción and
Centro de Astrobiología-INTA-CSIC (Spain).
Execution period: 2008-2011.
4. BIODIVERSITY AND METABOLIC CAPACITIES OF THE BACTERIAL COMMUNITY
IN DIFFERENT HABITAT OF FILDES PENINSULA (KING GEORGE ISLAND) AND
CAPE SHIRREFF (LIVINGSTON ISLAND)
Principal investigator: Gerardo GONZÁLEZ, Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institution: Universidad de Concepción.
Execution period: 2008-2011.
5. PROTEOMICS OF THE LEA FAMILY IN VEGETATIVE
TISSUES OF DESCHAMPSIA ANTARCTICA UNDER ABIOTIC STRESS
Principal investigator: León BRAVO, Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Concepción and Instituto de
Biología Molecular de Barcelona-Consorci CSIC-IRTA (Spain).
Execution period: 2008-2010.
6. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SUCROSE ACCUMULATION AND SPS ACTIVITY
INDUCED IN COLD ACCLIMATED COLOBANTHUS QUITENSIS WITH SUCROSE
PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (SPS) ISOFORMS EXPRESSION; DAY LONG AND LIGHT
MODULATION AND NATURALS POPULATIONS DIFFERENCES
Principal investigator: Marely CUBA, Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Concepción and
Universidad de Magallanes.
Execution period: 2009-2012.
7. FOTOBIOLOGY AND UV STRESS TOLERANCE OF ANTARCTIC SEAWEEDS
Principal investigator: Iván GÓMEZ, Universidad Austral de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad Austral de Chile and Universidad
de Los Lagos
Execution period: 2009-2011.
8. SECONDARY METABOLITES IN MARINE ORGANISMS
Principal Investigator: Aurelio SAN MARTÍN, Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated institutions: Universidad de Chile, Instituto de Productos
Naturales y Agrobiología-CSIC (Spain), Institut de Recerca i
Tecnología Agroalimentaries (IRTA)(Spain) y
Universidad de Magallanes
Execution period: 2009-2012.
Funding over
US$ 750.000
Funding between US$ 175.000
and US$ 750.000
J. MUÑOZ
The organisms that have been adapted to live in
Antarctica have followed evolutionary ways different
to the biota of the rest of the planet, generating unique
genomes largely unknown for the scientific eyes. Then,
an extreme climate has lead the evolution of new
biochemical adaptations to face the extremely low
temperatures, elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation,
high levels of hydric stress, modification of the salinity,
etc. In the photo, Dr. Freddy Boehmwald of the project
ANTARCTICA: SOURCE OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES FOR
NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY collecting samples during
the last Antarctic expedition.
9. INDUCTION OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THE ANTARCTIC
SEA URCHIN STERECHINUS NEUMAYERI BY LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES
AND HEAT STRESS
Principal investigator: Marcelo GONZÁLEZ, Chilean Antarctic
Institute (INACH).
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: INACH, Pontificia Univ. Católica de Valparaíso,
Universidade do Sao Paulo (Brazil), and Université de
Montpellier 2-CNRS-Ifremer (France).
Execution period: 2009-2012.
10. BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OBTAINED FROM NEW FUNGI
ISOLATED FROM ANTARCTIC MARINE SPONGES
Principal investigator: Inmaculada VACA, Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile and Instituto de
Productos Naturales y Agrobiología del CSIC (Spain).
Execution period: 2009-2013.
11. BIOGEOGRAPHY AND BIODIVERSITY OF ANTARCTIC
YEASTS AND ITS BIOTECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL
Principal investigator: Marcelo BAEZA, Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated institutions: Universidad de Chile.
Execution period: 2009-2012.
Funding between
US$ 100.000 and $175.000
Funding under
US$ 100.000
12. STUDIES ON THE STRUCTURAL EFFECTS INDUCED BY INORGANIC
COMPOUNDS, THERAPEUTICAL DRUGS AND NATIVE
PLANT EXTRACTS ON CELL MEMBRANES
Principal investigator: Mario SUWALSKY, Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated institutions: Universidad de Concepción and Pontificia
Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.
Execution period: 2009-2013.
13. RESPONSE TO OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ISOLATED THERMOPHILES
MICROORGANISMS FROM DECEPTION ISLAND
Principal investigator: Miguel CASTRO, Fundación Biociencia.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Fundación Biociencia.
Execution period: 2009-2011.
5
OTHER
INITIATIVES
1. NEUTRON MONITOR MN-64 FOR THE ANTARCTIC TERRITORY
Principal investigator: Enrique CORDARO, Universidad de Chile.
Email: ecordaro@dfi.uchile.cl
Associated Institution: Universidad de Chile and Università di Pisa (Italy).
Execution period: 1982-2010.
2. UV RADIATION IN CHILEAN BASES IN ANTARCTICA
Principal Investigator: Claudio CASICCIA, Universidad de Magallanes.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Magallanes.
Execution period: 2005-2010.
3. CONJUGATED STUDIES OF THE INTERNAL DYNAMIC OF THE MAGNETOSPHERE
DURING MAGNETIC STORMS USING DATA FROM THEMIS AND SAMBA
Principal investigator: Víctor PINTO, Universidad de Chile.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Universidad de Chile, Universidad de
Santiago de Chile and Air Force Research Laboratory (US).
Execution period: 2009-2010.
4. EVALUATION OF THE POLLUTING EFFECTS RELATED
TO ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES IN CHILEAN ANTARCTIC BASES
Principal investigator: María Soledad ASTORGA, Universidad de Magallanes.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institution: Universidad de Magallanes.
Execution period: 2008-2011.
5. PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, TRENDS,
TRANSPORT, BIOACCUMULATION AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS
Principal investigator: Ricardo BARRA, Universidad de Concepción.
Email: [email protected]
Associated Institutions: Centro de Ciencias Ambientales - EULA, Universidad
de Concepción and Instituto de Investigación Pesquera.
Execution period: 2009-2012.
6. PROGRAM OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS
AT STATIONS FREI, O’HIGGINS AND PRAT
Institution: Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC).
Financing: Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC).
Execution period: Permanent.
FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR CONDUCTING RESEARCH
IN THE CHILEAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY
INACH has two funding programs for conducting scientific research in Antarctica, one oriented to the existing research capacity
employed mainly at universities, and the other focused in capacity building for the next generation of Antarctic researchers. The title
of these programs, their different lines of financing and the amounts involved are presented below.
FUNDING PROGRAMS
REGULAR FUND
Field Project
(proposal requiring to carry field activities in Antarctica)
Lab Project
(proposal not requiring to go to Antarctica)
FUND FOR THESIS SUPPORT
Grant*
Valorization of Logistic Support**
U$ 72,000
U$ 55,000 - U$ 180,000
(total for 3 field campaigns)
U$ 22,000
Not available
Master’s Thesis
U$ 5,500
Doctorate’s Thesis
U$ 14,300
Honor’s Thesis
Not available
U$ 18,000 - $36,000
(1 field campaign only)
U$ 36,000 - U$ 72,000
(total for 2 field campaigns)
U$ 1,800 - U$ 3,600
* Maximum funding provided for each category, 2009.
** Valorization of the logistic support provided by INACH.
In addition, INACH has agreements with the most important funding agencies for Science & Technology in Chile, which allow any
research team to apply directly to these agencies for funds for conducting research in the Antarctica. If granted, INACH will provide the
logistic support needed for their field activities in Antarctica. Current agreements are the following:
FUNDING PROGRAMS
Grant*
Valorization of Logistic Support**
U$ 109,000
U$ 180,000
U$ 360,000
U$ 55,000 - U$ 180,000
(total for 3 field campaigns)
Fondecyt:
Postdoctorate
Initiation
Regular
CONICYT – PIA (‘Antarctic Rings’)
U$ 410,000
U$ 410,000
(total for 3 field campaigns)
* Maximum funding provided for each category, 2009. These funds are provided by the indicated funding agency.
** Valorization 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-INNOVA is now funding an important biotech project in Antarctica.
INFRASTRUCTURE
In order to conduct terrestrial research projects in Antarctica, Chile operates stations and shelters in several parts of the
Antarctic Peninsula area. In addition, temporary scientific camps are set up when and where needed. In accordance with
the requirements of the projects, support vessels can be supplied under lease or special arrangements.
1. Scientific Station
“Professor Julio Escudero” (INACH)
Geographic location: King George Island (62º 12 ‘ S; 58º 57 ‘
W), South Shetland Islands.
Maximum occupancy: 26 persons.
Facilities: Two dry laboratories, two wet laboratories.
Scientific equipment: Laminar flow chamber, drying
ovens, microscope, cryogenic storage vessels,
steroclave, vacuum pressure pump, analytical
balance, general-purpose refrigerator/freezer, and
incubator for microbiological purpose.
Available vehicles: Two Yamaha 350 all-terrain vehicles,
one Toyota Land Cruiser, one Ford F-350 HD DRW, one
Zodiac MK-V HD (heavy duty) inflatable boat, two Skidoo snowmobiles (under the control of the station
personnel).
Communications: HF and VHF radios, telephone and
internet.
2. Shelters “Julio Ripamonti” (INACH)
Geographic location: Ardley Peninsula (62º 12 ‘ S; 58º 53
‘ W), King George Island, South Shetland Islands.
These shelters are located within the Antarctic Special
Protection Area Nº 150, which requires special entrance
permission.
Maximum occupancy: 4 persons.
Facilities: 2 residence containers, located to the center
and in the northeast end of the peninsula, respectively.
Available vehicles: Vehicle use is prohibited in this area, so
no vehicles are available. Logistical support is supplied
from the Escudero base via Zodiac boat. Terrestrial
access is possible at low tide.
Communications: VHF radio.
3. Scientific Station “Dr. Guillermo Mann”
(INACH)
Geographic location: Cape Shirreff (62º 27 ‘ S; 60º 47 ‘ W),
on the north coast of Livingston Island, South Shetland
Islands. This location is within Antarctic Special
Protection Area Nº 149 and within CEMP Nº 2 which
include the San Telmo islands (the CEMP areas are
ecosystem monitoring sites). This area requires special
entry authorization.
Maximum occupancy: 6 persons.
Facilities: Living quarters, igloo module, laboratory
module, wind-power generator.
Available vehicles: One all-terrain vehicle subject to
restricted use.
Communications: HF and VHF radios. Satellite phone.
4. Station “Arturo Prat”
(Chilean Navy)
Geographic location: Greenwich Island (62º 30 ‘ S; 59º 39 ‘
W), South Shetland Islands.
Maximum occupancy: 25 persons in summer; 11 in winter.
Facilities: Heliport and shelter.
Available vehicles: Winter/summer vehicles, belonging to
the Chilean Navy; MK IV Zodiac boat.
Communications: HF and VHF radios, telephone, internet
and satellite telephone.
5. Station “Bernardo O’Higgins”
(Chilean Army)
Geographic location: Covadonga Bay, Cape Legoupil (63º 19 ‘
S; 57º 51 ‘ W), Palmer Peninsula (referred to as “O’Higgins
Land” by Chile).
Maximum population: 50 in summer, 21 in winter.
Facilities: Heliport and shelter. Dry science laboratory,
equipped by INACH for multipurpose use.
Scientific equipment: Physical parameters gauges, grain
size analysis equipment, scales, microscopes,
microcentrifuge, autoclave, laminar flow chamber,
cold chamber (-80ºC), meteorological st., and rotary
evaporator.
Available vehicles: Summer/winter vehicles (belonging to the
Chilean Army); Zodiac MK IV boat.
Communications: HF and VHF radios, telephone, internet,
and satellite telephone.
6. Station “President Eduardo Frei
Montalva” (Chilean Air Force)
Geographic location: King George Island, South
Shetland Islands (latitude 62º14’ S; longitude
58º48’ W).
Maximum occupancy: 120 persons (in summer).
Facilities: General housing; medical facilities.
Communications: HF and VHF radios, telephone,
Internet.
7. Station “President Gabriel González Videla”
(Chilean Air Force )
Geographic location: Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. (Latitude
64º49’ S; longitude 62º51’ W).
Maximum occupancy: 15 persons.
Facilities: General housing.
Communications: HF and VHF radio.