Turkish Team Landed in Antarctica

The Turkish team, which set out as part of the 6th National Antarctic Science Expedition, set foot on the white continent after the long journey and quarantine period.

The team, which participated in the 6th National Antarctic Science Expedition, carried out under the auspices of the Presidency, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and under the coordination of TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute, left behind an exhausting and exciting journey and a 7-day quarantine period to reach the continent.

The team, which started their journey from Istanbul on January 7, after a 2-day quarantine period in Puerto Williams, the last point of settlement in the southern hemisphere, took a flight that lasted approximately 21 hours and arrived at King George Island in Antarctica.

The expedition team took measures to prevent the transport of non-native creatures to the continent in accordance with the Antarctic Environmental Protection Protocol. Before flying to the continent, the team carefully checked all their suitcases and clothes for possible residues, cleaned their boots in disinfectant solution while getting off the plane and set foot on land. On the way to Antarctica, 2 foreign scientists joined the team to carry out their projects within the scope of cooperation with Portugal and Bulgaria.

A team of researchers from TUBITAK, Naval Forces Command, General Directorate of Maps, General Directorate of Meteorology, Anadolu Agency, research institutes and universities, is located in Chile, off the coast of King George Island, where they will carry out their studies for 30 days. bayraklı After the crew settled on the ship, the first planning meeting regarding logistics and scientific activities was held under the coordination of the expedition leader and his assistants.

WE ARE HERE WITH OUR NATIONAL EQUIPMENT

Turkey Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK) MAM Polar Research Institute Director Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy said, “We are in King George at 62 south latitude. The difference of our expedition this year was to make it within the framework of the covid-68 measures. In a very serious epidemic, we delivered our expedition team to Antarctica without being affected in any way and by performing the quarantine processes.

Our team is currently in Antarctica, with a one-day quarantine in Santiago and an 8-day quarantine in Puerto Williams. Another aspect of this expedition is that we are here with our national equipment. With the equipment we have brought from Aselsan, Havelsan, TÜBİTAK Sage, national equipment, we will not only ensure the health and safety of the voyage, but also carry out the testing of these equipments." said.

IT'S TIME TO START THE FIELD WORK THAT WE HAVE PREPARED FOR ONE YEAR

Özgün Oktar, deputy leader of the 22th National Antarctic Science Expedition, which started on January 2, and reached the Antarctic continent on February 4, after passing 2 countries and 6 cities, said, "The difficult parts of the pandemic and the journey have been left behind. It's time to start the field work that we have been preparing for a year. At the moment, our ship's needs such as supplies, food and fuel have been completed, after which a challenging sea journey awaits us for about 5 days.

We will see many science bases on our itinerary, but unfortunately we will not be making a visit this year due to the pandemic. With our 20-person expedition crew and 30-person ship crew, we will be isolated on our ship for the next month and go to Horseshoe Island, where our temporary science camp is located, and start our scientific activities.” made its assessment.

29 SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS WHICH ARE STAKEHOLDERS OF 14 INSTITUTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED

Expressing that the TAE-VI expedition started under pandemic conditions, Hasan Hakan Yavaşoğlu, the deputy leader of the expedition in charge of science, said, “29 scientific projects will be carried out in the field of life sciences, earth sciences and physical sciences, in which 14 institutions are stakeholders. Studies will be carried out on the biodiversity of Horseshoe Island, lichenified fungal flora, zooplanton species, geological development and atmospheric parameters, sea level, tectonic movements, glacier change and snow thickness.

Scientific equipment for studies to be carried out approximately 15,000 km away from our country were tested during the quarantine period, their calibrations were renewed and their maintenance was carried out. In the last 5 years, 86 publications and dozens of scientific books and theses have been produced from the scientific studies carried out in Antarctica. This year, we will be on the field with projects that will contribute to national and international literature.”

Participating in the science expedition, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Department of Biology, Hydrobiology USA. Lecturer Prof. Dr. Okan Külköylüoğlu said, “At the end of a period that we have been waiting for with curiosity and patience, we are on the Betanzos research ship off the coast of King George Island. Seeing penguins in the natural environment on the beach reminded us of where we were while we were getting to the ship with the boats used by two experienced people. From the very first day, we have encountered the warm and close attention of the ship's crew,” he said.

Joining the science expedition for the first time, Assoc. Dr. Hilal Ay said, “The longest and tiring journey continues with the excitement of being close to new discoveries. Looking curiously out of the ship, we see gray skies and the snow-covered white cliffs of King George Island. We are confident that we will make great discoveries that will illuminate our future in the coming days.”

Participating in the expedition for the second time this year, Istanbul Technical University faculty member Dr. Mahmut Oğuz Selbesoğlu also said, “2. Today, when we embarked for our National Antarctic Science expedition, we embarked on a happy and proud adventure as a team, as well as excited for the work we will do on behalf of our country.”