At the beginning of the special project “Today,” Antarctica”, in which the crew of the “Today” of the channel “Ukraine” went with the 22nd Ukrainian expedition to the station “Academician Vernadsky” Antarctic, we asked you to send questions about the edge of eternal glaciers and life in the Arctic circle. Our journalists have already returned to the mainland along with the answers to your questions. So…
– Cold there in Antarctica? Is it possible to live there and survive?
Vitaly Smagol
Candidate of biological Sciences, head of Laboratory of hunting resources of the Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
If I say that there is no cold, no one will believe me. Of course, it’s cold in here. Man is a creature that can survive anywhere, so in Antarctica it is possible to survive. In such circumstances, as we have at the station “Akademik Vernadsky”, not only to survive but to live comfortably.
– Who owns Antarctica?
Vitaly Smagol
Candidate of biological Sciences, head of Laboratory of hunting resources of the Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Not exactly state – Antarctica belongs to all mankind. Although at the time prior to the signing of the Antarctic Protocol, several States have declared a particular part of Antarctica as their property. In the beginning of the Second world war, the Germans flew the Queen Maud Land, threw there flags and stated that it was German land. Of course, after the war, the Germans could no longer claim the right of ownership and Antarctica has been claimed by several States (particularly Norway, France, Chile, Argentina and Britain). After the Commonwealth broke up, except Britain, have started to apply New Zealand and Australia. It so happened that the two most powerful countries – the Soviet Union and the United States did not “stake” in Antarctica your site. Perhaps this was the reason for the signing of the Madrid Protocol and imposing a moratorium on the use of Antarctica. That is, if not us – then, no. The UN had declared the so-called Antarctic Protocol that for 50 years no country has the right of territorial claims to Antarctica. Most recently, he was continued for another 50 years.
Antarctica is a good replacement base for the future. Here is everything – diamonds, oil, any natural resources, stocks of biological material. Here is so a large biomass of krill that it can wrap the globe 2.5 times. There is absolutely everything is impossible to get. There must at least something to remain intact, to be able to come here and study.
– How does the ozone hole on the flora of Antarctica?
Ivan Parnikoza
Senior research fellow, Institute of molecular biology and genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
This question is still not fully understood. Common in the Antarctic organisms (plants, mosses, lichens), for millions of years then there are in low density of ozone, which is formed in the area. Therefore the direct negative effects are not observed. For example, some mosses when excessive insolation (solar influence – ed.) produce protective pigments and thus protect themselves from ultraviolet radiation. For example, the black yeast produce melanin and thus protected. In addition, we found no signs of mutagenic activity in vascular plants, which could indicate that UV has a harmful effect on the local plant life.
– Whether there is a profession of pinguinoerrante?
Vitaly Smagol
Candidate of biological Sciences, head of Laboratory of hunting resources of the Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
A beautiful myth! Hats off to the person who invented it. Penguins are very playful – you will not be able to fix it on the back even for a few seconds. These birds are great control your body. So the story about perevorachivatel penguins – it’s all pretty true. Even in English literature, I read that in the Falklands, where the base of the British military, a profession of perevorachivatel penguins. I think the military has something to do, except how to go and flip the penguin. It’s beautiful, but still a myth.
– Is it possible to fish or to hunt seals in Antarctica?
Vitaly Smagol
Candidate of biological Sciences, head of Laboratory of hunting resources of the Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
In any case! In Antarctica you can not hunt. For many decades there is the Antarctic Treaty, according to which in the latitude of Antarctica is impossible to destroy the seals. And not only seals, but also whales, penguins and all warm-blooded vertebrates.
– What do you need in order to participate in the expedition? Where to go wishing and what documents are needed for this?
Nikolay Starinets
The head of the station “Akademik Vernadsky” 21-th Ukrainian Antarctic expedition
The requirements are very simple. First, people must be healthy. Secondly, there must be documents proving your professional skills. Plus credentials Committee – it checks all submitted documents. After a contest – is the selection. Candidates admitted to the hospital, look at the condition, compare documents and choose the best. Preference is given to people who already spent a winter in Antarctica or the Arctic.
