Brazil is preparing a scientific expedition to Antarctica with a zero carbon footprint scheduled for the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026, with four researchers who will go to the “Cryosphere 1” laboratory, created between 2011 and 2012, located 600 km from the South Pole, a fully automated scientific platform that in summer runs on solar energy and in winter on small wind turbines.
According to the Brazilian news portal Brasil 247, the laboratory is located where the relationship between forest fires in the Amazon and the melting of Antarctic glaciers was confirmed.
Brazil expedition focuses heavily on climate change, studying ice melt, ocean dynamics, pollution (microplastics) and biodiversity with advanced tech like CO2 monitoring modules (Cryosphere).
This logistic operation, which include the use of commercial aircraft, a cargo ship, a polar ship and a snowmobile, was thoroughly analysed for emissions.
The apprimately 9 tons of carbon dioxide generated will be fully offset by planting 200 trees from the Atlantic Forest in collaboration with the Guapiçu ecological reserve (REGUA), a vital private conservation area in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, focused on restoring degraded land, protecting biodiversity, snd supporting research through partnerships, eco - tourism, and wildlife reintroduction programs.
Local communities and students will participate in this initiative, thus expanding the social impact of the project.
The publication points out that data from “Cryosphere - 1” laboratory showed that carbon particles generated by fires in the Amazon reach the upper layers of the atmosphere, they are transported by air currents and are finally deposited on Antarctic ice.
This action reduces the albedo (the reflective capacity of the surface), causing faster warming, and accelerates ice melting and the findings will reinforce the need for strict measures against deforestation and forest fires.
The scientists also found that about 50% of the soot particles detected in Antarctica come from tourist cruise ships operating in the region. The growth of polar tourism, driven by the search for the so called “extreme experiences” worries researchers. If the current trend continues, entire regions of Antarctica could reach an irreversible melting point.
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https://tvbrics.com/es/news/brasil-prepara-una-expedici-n-completamente-carbono-neutral-a-la-ant-rtida/
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