Portuguese Polar Program Annual Report 2020

The Portuguese Polar Program - PROPOLAR is funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia ( based at Instituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território ( of the University of Lisbon ( The coordination of PROPOLAR is led by the Centro de Estudos Geográficos from Instituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território University of Lisbon (CEG/IGOT ULISBOA), under a Coordinating Committee that includes members from 4 other research centres, namely the Centro de Ciências do Mar University of Algarve (CCMAR UALG), the Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente University of Coimbra (MARE UC), the Centro de Química Estrutural from Instituto Superior Técnico University of Lisboa (CQE/IST ULISBOA), and the Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental University of Oporto (CIIMAR U PORTO) Gonçalo Vieira (CEG/IGOT ULISBOA) is the Head of the program The remarkable effort and commitment of the Portuguese Polar scientists, within the framework of the International Polar Year ( 2007 08 were key to promote awareness of the importance of Polar science and research for Portugal A strategic plan encompassing three main objectives was then set out to i creating a Portuguese Polar Program focused on polar research and innovation and supporting the young generation of Polar scientists,scientists,( signing the Antarctic Treaty, and ( implementing a national Polar education and outreach program With the support of the FCT, PROPOLAR started in 2007 Portugal ratified the Antarctic Treaty in 2010 and the Madrid Protocol in 2014 and has established liaisons with major international Polar scientific and management organisations and networks PROPOLAR in close connection with the FCT, has ensured consolidation and sustainability of the development of Portuguese Polar science

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Education and outreach by the Antarctic Treaty Parties, Observers and Experts under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings

Polar Record ◽

10.1017/s003224741800044x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 241-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

José C. Xavier ◽

Dragomir Mateev ◽

Linda Capper ◽

Annick Wilmotte ◽

David W. H. Walton

Keyword(s):

International Union ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Educational Value ◽

International Polar ◽

Antarctic Research ◽

Antarctic Treaty ◽

Education And Outreach ◽

The Antarctic

AbstractThe development of formal discourse about education and outreach within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM), and the influence of major international activities in this field, are described. This study reflects on the ATCM Parties’ approach to implementing the ambition of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Article 6.1.a, to promote the educational value of Antarctica and its environment, and examines the role of workshops and expert groups within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes. These early initiatives, which emerged in the 1990s, were a prelude to the development and implementation of a large number of International Polar Year (IPY) education and outreach programmes. The establishment of an Antarctic Treaty System Intersessional Contact Group, and an online forum on education and outreach during the 2015 ATCM in Bulgaria, is a legacy of IPY and is the next step in fostering collaboration to engage people around the world in the importance and relevance of Antarctica to our daily lives.

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Some reflections on the Antarctic Treaty

Polar Record ◽

10.1017/s0032247409990209 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 2-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F.W.G. Baker

Keyword(s):

50Th Anniversary ◽

The Arctic ◽

International Polar Year ◽

International Geophysical Year ◽

International Polar ◽

Antarctic Treaty ◽

Major Increase ◽

The Antarctic ◽

International Geophysical ◽

Made In

2009 brings not only the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty but also the end of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and of its extension into the period of International Geophysical Cooperation (IGC 1959). It is also the 133rd anniversary of K. Weyprecht's suggestion that initiated the impetus. As he noted, ‘if Polar Expeditions are looked upon merely as a sort of international steeple-chase . . . and their main object is to exceed by a few miles the latitude reached by a predecessor these mysteries (of Meteorology and Geomagnetism) will remain unsolved’ (Weyprecht 1875). Although he stressed the importance of observations in both the Arctic and Antarctic during the first International Polar Year (IPY) in 1882–1883 only two stations in the sub-Antarctic region, at Cap Horn and South Georgia, made such scientific recordings. In spite of the fact that several expeditions to the Antarctic had been made in the period between the first and the second IPY 1932–1933, no stations were created in Antarctica during that IPY. The major increase in scientific studies in Antarctica came with the third IPY, which became the IGY of 1957–1958.

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Antarctic winter scientific stations to the International Polar Year, 2007–2009

Polar Record ◽

10.1017/s0032247408007663 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 9-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R. K. Headland

Keyword(s):

International Polar Year ◽

International Geophysical Year ◽

International Polar ◽

Antarctic Continent ◽

Antarctic Treaty ◽

Scientific Station ◽

The Antarctic ◽

International Geophysical

ABSTRACTThe earliest winter scientific station established in the Antarctic was in 1883 as part of the first International Polar Year (IPY) programme. Subsequently, to the IPY of 2007–2009, scientific stations have been deployed on 139 sites (103 on the Antarctic continent, 36 on the peri-Antarctic islands), by 24 countries for a cumulative total of 2666 winters to that of 2008. This paper summarises the winter dates, locations, and national status of all stations in the region. It thus includes all winter stations of the three IPYs and those of the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958). The positions of 120 of these winter stations are south of 60°S, the boundary of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 (although many of them predate the Treaty).

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Arctic shipping guidelines: towards a legal regime for navigation safety and environmental protection?

Polar Record ◽

10.1017/s0032247407007127 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 107-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Øystein Jensen

Keyword(s):

The Arctic ◽

Legal Issue ◽

Polar Regions ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Safety Standards ◽

International Polar ◽

Key Issues ◽

Arctic Ice ◽

The Antarctic ◽

Near Future

ABSTRACTWith the International Polar Year (IPY) having commenced in March 2007, key issues relating to the polar regions are again in focus. This article reviews one central legal issue re-emerging in the Arctic: global regulation of safety standards for international shipping. The ‘Guidelines for ships operating in Arctic ice-covered waters’ are examined, with a view to the probable expansion of shipping in the Arctic in near future. Following an introduction to navigational issues within the Arctic context, the article describes how the guidelines came into being, and then analyses key elements and structure of the regulations and shortfalls of today's arrangements. The possible relevance of the guidelines to the Antarctic is also discussed briefly. Finally, the article inquires into the key repercussions of introducing binding regulations.

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‘Awkward Antarctic nationalism’: bodies, ice cores and gateways in and beyond Australian Antarctic Territory/East Antarctica

Polar Record ◽

10.1017/s0032247416000516 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 16-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Klaus Dodds

Keyword(s):

Action Plan ◽

Ice Cores ◽

East Antarctica ◽

Environmental Stewardship ◽

Critical Scholarship ◽

Starting Point ◽

Polar Science ◽

Antarctic Treaty ◽

The Antarctic

ABSTRACTThis paper explores ‘awkward Antarctic nationalism’ and builds on the critical scholarship that explores the contours and contradictions of everyday, mundane, banal and even hot polar nationalisms. The emphasis on ‘awkward’ is designed to draw attention to the resonances and affordances that are associated with Australian polar nationalism in and beyond the Australian Antarctic Territory/East Antarctica. Using the 2016Australian Antarctic strategy: 20 year action planas a starting point, it considers how bodies, ice cores and gateways are put to work in order to address a fundamental pressure facing all claimant states. That is how to reassure domestic audiences that claims to territory and access are safe, sovereign and secure without alienating others with whom one wishes to do business within a particular area of Antarctica. More broadly, the paper concludes that both claimant states and non-claimant states are rubbing up against one another in areas such as custodianship, environmental stewardship and polar science and logistics. This has implications for how we interrogate the ideals and practices of the Antarctic Treaty.

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Georg von Neumayer’s legacy in geomagnetism

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria ◽

10.1071/rs11062 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 123 (1) ◽

pp. 62

Author(s):

Charles Barton ◽

Doug Morrison ◽

Adrian Hitchman

Keyword(s):

Common Good ◽

Global Scale ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Modern Times ◽

Polar Science ◽

International Polar ◽

The Common ◽

Auroral Physics ◽

Magnetic Disturbances ◽

Magnetic Observatories

Terrestrial magnetism—its temporal and spatial manifestations and origins—has fascinated humans for 2000 years and has long been exploited for navigation. But not until the 19th and early 20th century was systematic mapping and observation of the field undertaken on a global scale, a satisfactory mathematical theory of magnetism developed, and a dynamo origin in the core identified. Georg von Neumayer was one of the leading luminaries who laid the observational basis for these advances. His principal contributions were in persistent and meticulous observation of earth and space science phenomena, particularly in the southern hemisphere, often carried out under challenging conditions. This talk traces the development to modern times of the areas of geomagnetism where von Neumayer played a pioneering role—establishing a world network of magnetic observatories, mapping and modelling of the geomagnetic field, the quest for the origin of the field, exploration geophysics (diagnostic use of magnetic fields to characterise subsurface bodies and geology), solar-terrestrial effects and auroral physics, magnetic disturbances and a relationship with weather, polar science and more. Perhaps his greatest legacy is in the foundation of a spirit of peaceful scientific collaboration between nations and sharing information for the common good. This is best exemplified by his lead role in the first International Polar Year (1882–1883) and its sequel today—the 4th IPY 2007–2008.

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Evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet: new understanding and challenges

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences ◽

10.1098/rsta.2006.1802 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 364 (1844) ◽

pp. 1867-1872 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Antony J Payne ◽

Julian C.R Hunt ◽

Duncan J Wingham

Keyword(s):

Ice Sheet ◽

Ice Streams ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Amundsen Sea ◽

Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽

West Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽

West Antarctic ◽

Future Challenges ◽

International Polar ◽

The Antarctic

This brief paper has two purposes. First, we gauge developments in the study of the Antarctic ice sheet over the last seven years by comparing the contents of this issue with the volume produced from an American Geophysical Union meeting, held in September 1998, on the West Antarctic ice sheet. We focus on the uptake of satellite-based observation; ice–ocean interactions; ice streams as foci of change within the ice sheet; and the time scales on which the ice sheet is thought to operate. Second, we attempt to anticipate the future challenges that the study of the Antarctic ice sheet will present. We highlight the role of the upcoming International Polar Year in facilitating a better coverage of in situ climatic observations over the continent; the pressing need to understand the causes and consequences of the contemporary changes observed in the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica; and the need for improved physics in predictive models of the ice sheet.

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Concordia, Antarctica, seismic experiment for the International Polar Year (CASE-IPY)

Annals of Geophysics ◽

10.4401/ag-6381 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Alessia Maggi ◽

Maxime Bes de Berc ◽

Jean-Yves Thoré ◽

Jean-Jacques Lévêque

Keyword(s):

Receiver Functions ◽

Surface Wave Tomography ◽

Extensive Experience ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Technical Problems ◽

Ice Cap ◽

Seismic Experiment ◽

International Polar ◽

Wave Tomography ◽

The Antarctic

<p>The CASE-IPY project, part of the larger POLENET initiative of geophysical observations for the International Polar Year, was built on our extensive experience of running seismological stations in Antarctica, both on rock sites (Dumont d’Urville station), and directly on the ice plateau (Concordia station). For CASE-IPY, we deployed 8 temporary seismic stations on the Antarctic plateau: 3 situated near Concordia itself (starting 2008), and the other 5 regularly spaced between Concordia and Vostok (2010-2012), following the maximum in ice topography. The technical problems we have encountered in our field deployments were essentially due to a combination of extreme environmental conditions and isolation of deployment sites. The 3 stations near Concordia were used as test sites to experiment different solutions, and to converge on a design for the 5 main stations. Results from the nearest stations, which transmit data regularly to Concordia, are very promising. The data recorded by our stations will be distributed widely in the scientific community. We expect them to be exploited essentially for structural studies involving Antarctica itself (its ice-cap, crust and lithosphere) via receiver functions, noise correlation, and surface-wave tomography, but also for studies of the Earth’s core.</p>

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The International Polar Year 2007-08 and the development of portuguese research on Antarctic permafrost

Finisterra ◽

10.18055/finis1379 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 44 (87) ◽

Author(s):

Gonçalo Vieira

Keyword(s):

Critical Mass ◽

Private Institutions ◽

Political Awareness ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Public And Private ◽

Main Research ◽

The Public ◽

Research Activities ◽

International Polar ◽

The University

portuguese Antarctic permafrost research has developed fast in the last decade. The research was initiated by the centre for Geographical Studies of the university of lisbon in the framework of a collaboration with the university of Alcalá (Spain) and the Spanish Antarctic programme in 1999. In 2007 and 2008, collaborations have extended, respectively to the bulgarian and Argentinean programmes. The critical mass has grown substantially since then and other institutions are now also involved on the research activities. The development of scientific activities was fostered by the International polar year 2007-08 and supported by funding from public and private institutions. A wide-scope education and outreach project has significantly contributed to the public and political awareness of the science programme, and a close interaction between scientists and society has developed. The main research topics are permafrost, active layer and geomorphological processes monitoring, with an emphasis on detection of climate change signals.

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Getting around Antarctica: new high-resolution mappings of the grounded and freely-floating boundaries of the Antarctic ice sheet created for the International Polar Year

The Cryosphere ◽

10.5194/tc-5-569-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 569-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 119

Author(s):

R. Bindschadler ◽

H. Choi ◽

A. Wichlacz ◽

R. Bingham ◽

J. Bohlander ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Landsat Imagery ◽

Ice Sheet ◽

Beam Theory ◽

Surface Shape ◽

International Polar Year ◽

Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽

Ice Shelves ◽

Order Of Magnitude ◽

International Polar ◽

The Antarctic

Abstract. Two ice-dynamic transitions of the Antarctic ice sheet – the boundary of grounded ice features and the freely-floating boundary – are mapped at 15-m resolution by participants of the International Polar Year project ASAID using customized software combining Landsat-7 imagery and ICESat/GLAS laser altimetry. The grounded ice boundary is 53 610 km long; 74 % abuts to floating ice shelves or outlet glaciers, 19 % is adjacent to open or sea-ice covered ocean, and 7 % of the boundary ice terminates on land. The freely-floating boundary, called here the hydrostatic line, is the most landward position on ice shelves that expresses the full amplitude of oscillating ocean tides. It extends 27 521 km and is discontinuous. Positional (one-sigma) accuracies of the grounded ice boundary vary an order of magnitude ranging from ±52 m for the land and open-ocean terminating segments to ±502 m for the outlet glaciers. The hydrostatic line is less well positioned with errors over 2 km. Elevations along each line are selected from 6 candidate digital elevation models based on their agreement with ICESat elevation values and surface shape inferred from the Landsat imagery. Elevations along the hydrostatic line are converted to ice thicknesses by applying a firn-correction factor and a flotation criterion. BEDMAP-compiled data and other airborne data are compared to the ASAID elevations and ice thicknesses to arrive at quantitative (one-sigma) uncertainties of surface elevations of ±3.6, ±9.6, ±11.4, ±30 and ±100 m for five ASAID-assigned confidence levels. Over one-half of the surface elevations along the grounded ice boundary and over one-third of the hydrostatic line elevations are ranked in the highest two confidence categories. A comparison between ASAID-calculated ice shelf thicknesses and BEDMAP-compiled data indicate a thin-ice bias of 41.2 &pm; 71.3 m for the ASAID ice thicknesses. The relationship between the seaward offset of the hydrostatic line from the grounded ice boundary only weakly matches a prediction based on beam theory. The mapped products along with the customized software to generate them and a variety of intermediate products are available from the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

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