Masaryk University’s expedition to Antarctica has returned - logistics complicated by the Covid pandemic and war

The main goal of the expedition was to continue long-term climate monitoring and comprehensive monitoring of the state of polar geosystems and ecosystems, i.e. long-term climate monitoring and comprehensive monitoring of the state of polar geosystems and ecosystems, such as glaciers, long-frozen land, deglaciated areas allowing the growth of lower plants, river and lake systems and other geomorphological formations. Zoological research mainly concerned penguins and marine mammals (seals, sea lions, elephant seals). “Recently, we successfully launched the five-year JUNIOR STAR project, aimed at studying long-term changes in permanently frozen soils on the Antarctic Peninsula. Also new was the strengthening of research into the impact of stress on the physical health of workers in polar regions using the ‘Entrant’ device, which was developed by a spin-off company of Masaryk University”, said Filip Hrbáček, head of this year’s expedition.

Members of the expedition, which lasted a total of 83 days, arrived at the J. G. Mendel station at the turn of the year. Despite the return from Antarctica to the Czech Republic being complicated by severe anti-epidemic measures, the participants managed to return home in just four days. “The Chilean naval ship that was supposed to pick the expedition up from the J. G. Mendel Station did not set sail due to the Covid pandemic, and the entire logistics had to be re-planned immediately”, explained Daniel Nývlt, head of the Czech Antarctic Research Program. The Chilean Navy provided a replacement vessel for the approximately 200-kilometre move from James Ross Island to King George Island, and Uruguay's Antarctic program was able to provide accommodation on the island. The Turkish Antarctic program then made it possible to cross the Drake Strait. “We would like to thank all these partners. Without long-term confidence-building and technical-logistical relations, it would not have been possible to resolve the situation quite so easily”, said Pavel Kapler, manager of the Czech Antarctic Research Program. "If the whole world worked as well as international cooperation in Antarctica, it would be much better for humanity”, he added.

Transfer logistics were also significantly affected by the current armed conflict in Ukraine. "Under normal circumstances, we would probably turn to the Russian station at Bellingshausen, which is closest to the port and airport, for help with accommodation; however, given the world situation, we were very happy that Uruguay helped us”, added Nývlt.

All stages of the transfer proceeded with minimum time delays, which is uncommon in the rapidly changing weather conditions of Antarctica. "Fortunately, all the improvised changes in transfer plans worked excellently and, surprisingly, this year’s expedition can boast of one of the fastest return times”, added the leader of the expedition, Hrbáček.

The expedition that set out for Antarctica this year was truly multinational. In addition to experts from Masaryk University, the group included a Doctoral student from the University of Leeds (UK). The Polar-Geo-Lab team from the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Science, MU, have a long-term working relationship with researchers at the University of Leeds, working on quantifying material and nutrient transport in Antarctic river basins. Charles University also sent two representatives, while the post of expedition doctor was filled by MUDr. Haiduk from the University of Ostrava and technical support was provided by three technicians from the Czechoslovak Ocean Shipping contract company.

As part of the Czech Antarctic Research Program’s cooperation with the industrial and application sphere, several commercial products (outdoor jackets and a system for strengthening gravel surfaces) were also tested during the expedition. If successful, these companies may then apply for a license to use the trademark ‘Tested in Antarctica’.

The J. G. Mendel Czech Science Station, owned and operated by Masaryk University, was completed on March 4, 2006. It was then handed over to scientists on February 22, 2007. The cost of construction was approximately 60 million crowns. The Science Station is designed to serve the needs of experts from Masaryk University and other Czech and foreign institutions for the next 30 years. In building this unique research infrastructure, the Czech Republic has become one of thirty countries whose national scientific programs participate in research on the ice continent.