General Artigas Station

Uruguay National Antarctic Program Overview Antarctic agency: Instituto Antártico Uruguayo 8 de Octubre Av. 2958 PO Box 6051 Montevideo URUGUAY CP11.600 Phone +598 2 487 8341/43 Fax +598 2 487 6004 Email antartic@iau.gub.uy Web Page: www.iau.gub.uy 1 . General Information:

Uruguay, a Consultative member of Antarctic Treaty since 7th October 1985 , has a permanent, active and autonomous activity as a National Governmental Program in Antarctic. It comes to effect operating an all year round station in KGI, South Shetland, and seasonally at Antarctic Peninsula , and onboard its vessel ,where performs scientific activity based on SCAR & Treaty needs and recommendations, supported by own logistic sea and air transport , and operating under COMNAP guidelines . Has delegates and members as full member of SCAR, SCAR-WG, COMNAP-SCALOP networks & WG, CCALMR and ATCM .- 2.Programs overview Uruguay has been associated with Antarctic activities since 1776, when the country issued licenses for fishing in the southern seas. In 1916 , it was officially involved in the attempt of rescue of Sir . Ernest Shackleton and HMS Endurance crew reaching Elephant Island in August that year in an expedition by T/N Ruperto Elechiribehety of the Uruguayan Navy. During the half of the century at IGY and so on , Navy officers participated in Argentine and British expeditions to Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands. In the 90s the Air Force trained pilots for inland operations on ice by cooperation with Germany.

In 1975 the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute was created under MoD , making the nation's Antarctic presence - through an expeditionary program begun in 1984 - a government matter. I has an annual budget specially assigned by the Ministry of Economy . Organization : It is ruled by a Interministerial Council , with delegates of MoD, Foreign Affairs and ministry of Education and Culture . Structure: The Uruguayan Antarctic Institute works in different areas with specialized and experienced personnel in Directions according to the fields and need. They are: Scientific Coordination Direction, General Secretariat ,Plans & Operations, Logistics, Finances and Personnel , totaling 58 people .The Scientific Coordination Direction organize and evaluates, scientific research programs within the Universities, institutes and research communities to fulfill the needs, requirements and recommendations promoted by SCAR .It also promotes research programs in SCAR areas of interest with international cooperation and participation with national Institutes and universities Plans & Operations deals with COMNAP affairs in AIROPS, SHIPOPS, TRAINET. Station crews are trained and selected following COMNAP guidelines, as well all other implemented plans such as MEDEVAC , Oil Spills Contingency, Waste Management , working together with Logistics ,who is also involved in COMAP –SCALOP for those activities. An important issue is the developing of environmental monitoring program according to the manuals to be issued by COMNAP . The UAI actively participates in all events of Antarctic Community . By national Legislation ratifies all protocols and agreements caring about science and environment.

Since 1984 research has been performed in these areas:

Glaciology: General Glaciology on KGI, South Shetlands,and Antarctic Peninsula , in various fields aiming to detect environmental changes due to anthropogenic activities and those related as response to climatic changes. This program is in scope of SCAR recommendations and is being carried out in cooperation with other nations operating in Antarctica(KORDI)

Atmospheric sciences Calibration of effects of the atmosphere on metals commonly used in the Antarctic Mossbauer spectroscopy to identify atmospheric corrosion products Installation and operation of an ionospheric laboratory at Artigas, the Uruguayan year-round research station on King George Island

Ocean sciences Comparative studies of physical and chemical variables in coastal waters of Fildes Bay Observations of the Antarctic Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) Marine meteorolgy of Drake passage, according to SCAR and Treaty objectives.

Earth sciences Satellite geodesy applicationsfor SCAR_EPOCH & GIANT Program

Life sciences Medical research Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) vascular and lipid characteristics Modification of collagen disease and atheroma in rabbits by adding krill to their diet Ornithological observations in Fildes Peninsula (King George Island), South Bay (Livingston Island), and Harmony Point (Nelson Island), South Shetland Islands Behavioral studies in a penguin colony in the South Shetland Islands

Logistics : Are provided by the National Defense Ministry (of which the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute is a part) and the armed forces (army, navy, and air force), which also contribute to scientific programs. Transport methods include Hercules C-130B airplanes, Bell 212 helicopters, Navy Ships and other seaborne units, amphibious vehicles, and various land vehicles.

Uruguayan antarctic research is generally proportional to overall national efforts, although there is a special emphasis on life sciences and those related to changes in the environment.

Uruguay is particularly mindful of environmental matters and abides by all agreements and treaties pertinent to the Antarctic , so develops continuous environment monitoring programs complementing the impact assesments of its activities. 3 General information on Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas Location of base South Shetlands, KGI, Fildes Peninsula Lat : 62°11'04 Long: 58° 54 “ 17 mts above sea level Ice free surface 100 meters from the Antarctic coastline Bellingshausen St. nearest station Usuahia (1000 km) nearest port Major dates • Station opened 22nd December 1984 • Breaks in operation:22/12/84 Population 60 maximum summer population 9 average winter population Additional notes around 10 scientists in summer, 6 crew for helicopter, 3-5 for maintenance ,4 servicemen. Science activities The following science activities are carried out at Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas: Environmental monitoring (since 1998) Geodesy/mapping (since 1986) Glaciology - continental (since 1991) Human biology (since 1985) Ionospheric/auroral observations (since 1992) Meteorological observations (since 1984) Stratospheric ozone monitoring (since 1998) Tide measurement (since 1989) Observations and Scientific programs according to SCAR recommendations, environmental monitoring as Protocol of environmental Protection. Station infrastructure Area and buildings 24000 total station area 13 building(s) Power and fuel supply 220 V 60 Khz power supply 375 KVA power generation capacity 3 generator(s) Generators fuelled with Antarctic Gas Oil 160.000 lts of fuel used annually none wind generator(s) Water and sewage Potable water supply source/method:Lake 876000 of water used each year Medical facilities Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas has the following medical facilities: 30 sqm medical suite 1 doctor(s) 0 paramedic(s) 2 bed(s) for patients MEDEVAC & Fire Plan updated and exercised

Logistic support Ice Ice breakout: October Fast ice formation: late May Shipping 1 ship visit(s) per season 1 resupply visit(s) per season (in January) 300 mts from station to anchorage 30 mts deep anchorage Air transport 7 intercontinental flights per season Aircraft used: Hercules C-130 Light aircraft/helicopter available December-March Types used: Bell 212 1 concrete & 1 rock for Helicopter airstrip surface at base from station to airstrip Other support transport Tracked personnel carriers: 2x Hagglunds Snowmobiles: 1x snowmobile Rough terrain quads/tricycles: 1xquad Outboard watercraft: 2x zodiacs Trucks 1xIFA Tractors, loaders, excavators Wheeled tractor(s): 1 massey ferguson