Scientists to uncover Earth’s secrets in Antarctic expedition
It was a balmy 6°C when the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition reached Marion Island, one of SA’s foreign territories, on Christmas Day. It was the multinational expedition’s first stop on its three-month voyage through some of the most inclement ocean on Earth. On December 20, Russian research vessel Akademik Treshnikov departed from Cape Town, to return on — weather permitting — March 18. With 55 researchers from 30 countries, including SA, this expedition aims to undertake 22 scientific projects to understand these unique ecosystems. The Southern Ocean — or Antarctic Ocean — is one of the most understudied. Often referred to as the "lungs of the world’s oceans" since it is surrounded by other oceans, this is where we expect to see the drastic consequences of climate change. But this ocean is also renowned for its stormy weather, which makes it difficult to undertake the research that is vital for understanding Earth’s system and climate. The Antarctic Circumnavigation Expediti...
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