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Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice

Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice

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3 years ago

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Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice
  • Project leader said such research helps scientists trace the animals’ behavioural patterns and ecology.
  • Each seals had travelled as far as 633km (393 miles) from the coast of Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica.
  • These seals were equipped with the head-mounted conductivity, temperature and depth sensor.

A seal wearing a helmet with an antenna might look unusual, but eight Weddell seals, each with a 580g monitoring device on their heads, have been helping Japanese researchers survey the waters under the thick ice sheet in Antarctica.

Tapped for a research project between March and November 2017 – winter in Antarctica – these seals were equipped with the head-mounted conductivity, temperature and depth sensor, which allows scientists to collect observation data, such as water temperatures and salt levels, in areas with extremely harsh environmental conditions.

Project leader Nobuo Kokubun said such research helps scientists trace the animals’ behavioural patterns and ecology.

“During the summer, we can go to Antarctica on icebreakers to conduct actual research activities, so that we can collect data there. But during the winter, such things cannot be done in so many places,” Kokubun said during an interview with Reuters on Friday.

“However, even in such a situation, many animals such as seals are living in the area of Antarctica, so I thought we should have them collect the data,” Kokubun added.

The data successfully gathered from seven seals showed one of them had travelled as far as 633km (393 miles) from the coast of Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica, while another had descended to a depth of 700m (2,297 ft).

Kokubun said the scientists also learned from the data that warm seawater from the upper layer in the open sea reached Antarctica from March through winter that year. The water flowed below the ice, bringing in sea creatures like Antarctic krill, a major food source for seals.

Aiming to examine further the impact of global warming on Antarctic coastal areas, Kokubun next hopes to make the device small enough to fit on other animals at the South Pole such as penguins.

“The advantage with penguins is that they come back to the same place and we can collect the data from them immediately. Also, we can use the devices on a large number of penguins so they can cover a wide area,” he said.

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As of today, the F-8 Underpass is now open to traffic. Naqvi

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According to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, traffic will begin to flow through the F-8 Exchange Underpass today.

During his inspection visit to the F-8 Exchange Interchange and Serena Interchange Projects in Islamabad, the minister made the statement.

According to him, the F-8 Exchange Chowk Interchange Project is still being worked on nonstop.

Serena Chowk Interchange will be opened in January, according to Mohsin Naqvi, and the construction will be finished in 60 days.

He said any kind of hindrance to the projects should be removed and projects be completed on time at all costs.

He said with the completion of the projects, citizens’ traffic woes will end.
The minister also ordered protection of trees during construction of projects.

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When Alam was having a conversation with a group of people from the Green Tech Hub at NUST and UN-Women, he brought up the idea that women who live in rural regions are particularly vulnerable, but that they are also quite important in the process of creating solutions that are sustainable.

It was discussed by the delegation that the Green Tech Hub, which was formed in October at NUST, should be enlarged in order to foster innovation in the disciplines of climate adaptation and renewable energy. This was done in order to encourage innovation in these domains. For the purpose of bolstering the initiative, Romina Alam has committed to give assistance in the search of collecting funds and collaborations.

The necessity of providing women with the knowledge and tools necessary to create resilience was emphasized by Romina Alam, who also called for climate strategies that are inclusive and take into account the specific issues that women face and the potential that they have to take on leadership roles.

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Climate-related challenges are growing in Pakistan, and the prime minister’s climate aide is advocating for gender-inclusive climate resilience.

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During her presentation on climate change, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Romina Khurshid Alam emphasized the importance of gender-inclusive climate resilience in light of the fact that Pakistan is experiencing a worsening of the effects of climate change.

Alam brought up the fact that women living in rural areas are especially vulnerable, but they are also vital to finding sustainable solutions during a discussion with a team from the Green Tech Hub at NUST and UN-Women.

It was discussed by the delegation that the Green Tech Hub, which was established in October at NUST, should be expanded in order to encourage innovation in the fields of climate adaptation and renewable energy. In order to bolster the project, Romina Alam has committed to providing help in the pursuit of acquiring financing and collaborations.

The necessity of providing women with the knowledge and tools necessary to create resilience was emphasized by Romina Alam, who also called for climate strategies that are inclusive and take into account the specific issues that women face and the potential that they have to take on leadership roles.

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