Plastic debris is transported by ocean currents over long distances, reaching remote areas, far from its original source. In Polar Regions, microplastics (MPs) may come from local activities or be transported from lower latitudes, the former being the likely source. Although historically...

In this study, Candida Antarctica lipase B (CalB) was covalently immobilized on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles by sortase-mediated immobilization as well as a chemical attachment approach. Sortase is a transpeptidase that provides one-step purification and targeted...

As the most inhospitable continent on Earth, Antarctica has more than 90% of its territory covered with ice and contains around 70% of all potable water in the world. Its proximity to South America is especially relevant to Brazil, which includes it in the country's strategic surrounding area....

As the most inhospitable continent on Earth, Antarctica has more than 90% of its territory covered with ice and contains around 70% of all potable water in the world. Its proximity to South America is especially relevant to Brazil, which includes it in the country’s strategic surrounding area....

This book discusses to what extent the precautionary approach to fisheries management is reflected in the MSC Fisheries Standard and in the certification of four clusters of fisheries in polar waters. Certification according to private sustainability standards (ecolabelling) has become an...

Being the most inhospitable continent in Earth, Antarctica has more than 90% of its territory covered with ice and contains around 70% of all drinkable water in the world. Its proximity to South America turns this region into especially relevant to Brazil, being included to the country's...

Being the most inhospitable continent in Earth, Antarctica has more than 90% of its territory covered with ice and contains around 70% of all drinkable water in the world. Its proximity to South America turns this region into especially relevant to Brazil, being included to the country's...

This article provides general background on the development of tourism in Antarctica and environmental concerns raised by it. However, the major part of it reports on and interprets the results from a survey of tourists visiting Antarctica on a cruise ship. Particular attention is given to the...

This report contains environmental profiles for the 25 Overseas countries and territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union. These environmental profiles are set in a socio-economic developmental perspective so that the findings can be used to assist in programming projects in the...

The paper describes the design process of a photovoltaic (PV)-wind power system to be installed in the very challenging ambient conditions of the French-Italian Antarctic Base. Concordia Base has been built with the collaboration of Italian consortium PRNA, French Polar Institute IPEV and...

Within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, momentum has been building to define and manage the human footprint of research stations in Antarctica. This has been reflected by national operators and researchers offering varied approaches to measuring "footprint". By not having a standard...

For the 100th anniversary of the Race to the South Pole, Leading at the Edge offers a fresh look at what Sir Ernest Shackleton's legendary Antarctic adventure can teach us about true leadership. The book reveals 10 timeless leadership lessons that will help bring order to chaos - and achieve...

This paper discusses high-level environmental policy objectives under the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), and their relation to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). It reviews the need for SEA in Antarctica; discusses existing ATS strategic processes and the impediments to achieving the...

Rapid climate changes which have been observed over the recent years in both polar regions of the Earth, directly or indirectly affect vegetation dynamics. This article presents the main directions of the changes taking place in the recent years in tundra communities of both polar regions, based...

Rapid climate changes which have been observed over the recent years in both polar regions of the Earth, directly or indirectly affect vegetation dynamics. This article presents the main directions of the changes taking place in the recent years in tundra communities of both polar regions, based...

Reports the results of surveys of Antarctic cruise ship passengers on the ‘Akademik Ioffe’ who undertook their Antarctic journey in January 2003. The prime purposes of the surveys were to determine the socio-economic profile of these travellers, evaluate the importance of Antarctic wildlife...

Provides background on the development and nature of Antarctic tourism and associated environmental issues, as well as agreements and regulations affecting environmental management in Antarctica. Following an outline of the survey methodology and provision of information on the socioeconomic...

The geographic position, astronomic factors (e.g. the Earth's maximum distance from the Sun during winter), ice cover and altitude are the main factors affecting the climate of the Antarctic, which is the coldest place on Earth. Parts of Antarctica are facing the most rapid rates of...

This article showcases a range of small and large scale energy efficiency and renewable energy deployments at Antarctic research stations and field camps. Due to the cold and harsh environment, significant amounts of fuel are needed to support humans working and living in Antarctica. The...

Rapid changes in the major environmental variables like: temperature, wind and precipitation have occurred in the Antarctic region during the last 50 years. In this very sensitive region, even small changes can potentially lead to major environmental perturbations. Then the climate change poses...

<p>The geographic position, astronomic factors (e.g. the Earth's maximum distance from the Sun during winter), ice cover and altitude are the main factors affecting the climate of the Antarctic, which is the coldest place on Earth. Parts of Antarctica are facing the most rapid rates of...</p>

An important question stated in the presented paper is: Could rotifers be the indicators of climate change in the Antarctic environments? Rotifers are one of the most important components of the invertebrate fauna of the Antarctic freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. However, investigations of...

This study presents changes in the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in two streams in Western Antarctica (Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands) that differ in trophic status. The results suggest a decline in concentrations of the determined forms of N and P between 2001...

Rapid changes in the major environmental variables like: temperature, wind and precipitation have occurred in the Antarctic region during the last 50 years. In this very sensitive region, even small changes can potentially lead to major environmental perturbations. Then the climate change poses...

An important question stated in the presented paper is: Could rotifers be the indicators of climate change in the Antarctic environments? Rotifers are one of the most important components of the invertebrate fauna of the Antarctic freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. However, investigations of...

This study presents changes in the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in two streams in Western Antarctica (Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands) that differ in trophic status. The results suggest a decline in concentrations of the determined forms of N and P between 2001...

The International Polar Year commences in 2007. We offer a macro-project plan to generate a large amount of electricity on the continent of Antarctica by using sail-like wind dams incorporating air turbines. Electricity can be used to make exploration and exploitation efforts easier on...

The International Polar Year commences in 2007. We offer a macro-project plan to generate a large amount of electricity on the continent of Antarctica by using sail-like wind dams incorporating air turbines. Electricity can be used to make exploration and exploitation efforts easier on...

The technical and economic feasibility of utilizing solar energy at South Africa's SANAE IV station in Antarctica was evaluated in order to estimate potential financial and external savings, and to alleviate the programme's dependence on the special blend of diesel shipped annually from Cape...

This paper presents a study for the utilization of wind energy at the South African research station, SANAE IV, in Antarctica (71°40’ S 2° 50’ W). A procedure to evaluate the feasibility of utilising wind power for Antarctic stations is given. The analysis is based on the technical and...