Ancient Ice from Antarctica to Be Delivered to St. Petersburg for Study in July

The seasonal work of the 69th Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute has been completed. As the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia reported, 46 scientific programs were implemented in seven months, which made a significant contribution to the development of Russian science.

In particular, during the expedition, specialists extracted ice cores from a depth of about 3,600 meters, aged 1.2 million years, with samples of mineral inclusions.

"In July, ancient ice from Central Antarctica will be delivered to St. Petersburg for research in the laboratory of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute," the ministry's website says.

In addition, scientists completed an oceanographic section in Prud Prud Bay along the 70th meridian of east longitude.

"The data obtained show that anomalously strong amplification of the layer of circumpolar deep waters continues to be observed in the continental slope area. Compared to the data of previous years (from 2003 to 2016), the layer has become warmer by 0.2°C," the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia noted.

Specialists found that as a result of the powerful warming effect, the volume of formation of Antarctic bottom water on the slope has significantly decreased. It is also noted that the record low ice cover of the Commonwealth Sea in the summer period.

Aerogeophysical work was carried out from the AN-2 aircraft, based on the runway of the Mirny station, along 35 routes, covering an area of more than 15 thousand square kilometers.

"The processed materials will make it possible to obtain information about the geological structure of the studied territory and build a map of the subglacial relief," the ministry said.

In addition, during the expedition, 4,300 tons of cargo were delivered to Antarctica, including fuel, food, materials for the completion of the construction of the new Vostok wintering complex and the repair of stations.