Ukraine and Poland launch joint research on the seabed of Antarctica
A new international study of marine life on the seabed of Antarctica has begun aboard the Ukrainian scientific vessel "Noosphere," marking a new chapter in scientific cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. Within the framework of collaboration between Polish and Ukrainian scientists, samples of marine fauna were collected from the floor of the Southern Ocean, as reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine.
To collect samples of marine fauna, Ukrainian and Polish researchers used a specialized bottom trawl, conducting research in the Penola Trough near the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Academic Vernadsky" at three different depths.
Various marine organisms were discovered at each designated depth. At 250 meters deep, sponges, large sea stars, and holothurians predominated, while at 200 meters deep, medium-sized species of sea stars, snails, large polychaete worms, and ophiuroids were most frequently encountered. The depth of 120 meters was characterized by various species of echinoderms and colonies of sedentary bryozoans.
The collected samples are stored on board in special freezing chambers for further research. Scientists plan to conduct genetic code extraction and sequencing of selected organisms and investigate the metal content in their mineral skeletons in a laboratory on "the great land."
Researchers note that climate change leads to an increase in seawater temperature and oxidation, affecting the physiology of animals. The study will allow scientists to assess the sensitivity of marine organisms to changes in the chemical composition of the Southern Ocean and identify groups most threatened by the consequences of climate change in Antarctica.
Scientists also note that the metal-contaminated skeletons of marine inhabitants weaken. Additionally, water oxidation adversely affects the shells of animals formed from calcium carbonate, as it dissolves in acidic environments. Together with metal accumulation, this makes the skeletal support of marine life fragile and vulnerable.
Thus, thanks to these studies, scientists will be able to assess the sensitivity/resilience of aquatic invertebrates to changes in the chemical composition of the Southern Ocean and identify groups most threatened by the consequences of climate change in Antarctica.
From the Polish side, researchers from the Polish Academy of Sciences and the University of Gdansk are participating in the research. Ukrainian scientists emphasize that this project marks the beginning of a new direction in scientific cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. Its development into a long-term joint project funded by the National Science Center of the Republic of Poland is expected.
It should be noted that not only Ukrainian scientists but also journalists work in Antarctica. In particular, the host of the "UATV English" channel, Henry Keen (Gennadiy Kurkin), visited Antarctica, including the deck of the "Noosphere" vessel, where he captured a lot of interesting material about Antarctica as part of the preparation for the documentary film "Science Warriors."
