Oct. 17 – The Italian base in Antarctica, Mario Zucchelli, reopened yesterday in Terra Nova Bay, thus officially kicking off the 30th expedition on the study of climate change, environmental contamination, glaciology and equipment testing. The station welcomed a team of ENEA researchers, including the head of the expedition, Giuseppe De Rossi, and 13 skilled technicians. The scientific group is flanked by two officers of the armed forces involved in the operations room, three helicopter pilots from New Zealand, a physician and a cook. The campaign will last for four months, until February 11, 2015, with the participation of a total of 170 Italian and foreigner technicians and researchers. The research, coordinated by the National Research Council, will focus specifically on: biodiversity, evolution and adaptation of Antarctic organisms, earth sciences, glaciology, environmental contamination, atmospheric and space science, and monitoring activities within the permanent climate, geophysical and astronomical observation spots. (Cle)
ENEA’s all-Italian expedition to Antarctica
