Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station

The Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station (Polska Stacja Antarktyczna im. H: Arctowskiego) is situated in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, has operated continuously since its founding in 1977. As a result of its establishment Poland became the 13th Consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty, the organization which now numbers 24 members. Operated by the Polish Academy of Sciences, this medium sized station can accommodate up to 70 people during the summer season, and 20 during the winter. Ten people are generally required to maintain the station on a daily basis. In 1992, 11 people spent the winter at the base. Since 1997 there has been continuous research in the fields of Oceanography, Geology, Geomorphology, Glaciology, Meteorology, Climatology, Seismology, Magnetism, and particularly Ecology, Research into the living resources of the Southern Ocean are directly related to fishing fleets' activities in this region.

Such research is required of Poland as a signatory of both CCAMLR and the ATCM. Between 1976 and 1989, the Institute of Ecology and the Sea Fisheries Research Institute of Gdynia cooperated in five marine expeditions to the South Shetland Islands on board the research vessel Profesor Siedlecki. These were conducted within the framework of the BIOMASS program, the scientific basis of which was complementary to research carried out at Arctowski station. In addition, research on the base is closely connected to other international scientific programs coordinated by SCAR, such as BIOTAS, EASIZ, and GLOBAL CHANGE. The principal role of the base is to serve as an ecological and earth sciences observatory. More than 1000 Poles have worked at the station. Of these, 230 were scientists representing various Polish universities and institutes within the Polish Academy of Sciences. As a result of research conducted at Arctowski station 29 Masters degrees, 14 PhD's, 6 'habilitations', and 3 Professorships have been awarded.

Within the Biological sciences almost 290 papers have been published, including many in foreign journals. A similar number have also been published in Geology, Paleontology, and other earth sciences, Admiralty Bay is widely considered a perfect area for such multi-disciplinary research.

Polish scientists have cooperated with fellow workers from many countries including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the former Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the near future also closer cooperation with other international bodies such as the ESF and EEC countries. Collaboration also exists in the area of logistical support.

The ten countries which now operate station on King George Island cooperate frequently. The newly formed Department of Antarctic Biology (PAS), directed by Prof. S. Rakusa-Suszczewski, is responsible for the stations operation and further development.

The station is named after the Polish explorer of Antarctica Henryk Arctowski.

History

The meteorological measurements records commenced at the Arctowski's Station just after it had been built, i.e. in February 26, 1977. At the beginning the Station was manned by two meteorologists, synopticists and the meteorological station was run according to 3-hours synoptical regime. The number of the Station was 89052, registred by WMO. The equipment of the station was made up of standard measuring instruments.

During 2nd Antarctic Expedition, in summer 1977/78, apart from measurements taken at the Station there were continuous, 3-month series of measurements recorded from the vessel anchored in Ezcurra Inlet. During 4th Expedition continuous, yearly series of total radiation sums were taken. In 1982, in winter there was only one person at the station, which resulted in the reduction of standard meteorological observation to 3 observations a day. Furthermore in winter 1984 the observer had an accident and this led to tremendous reduction in the scope of observations. Full-time observations were resumed in December 1984 and carried out till January 1990. During this period the synopticists from Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) and from Military Technical Academy (WAT – Warsaw, in 1977) were the observers.

Since 1990 the station has stopped taking synoptical measurements, only some chosen, meteorological elements were frequently measured automatically. Geographers, members of next expeditions from Adam Mickiewicz University, looked after these measurements. In 1992 the automatic meteorological station was damaged and the measuring series was stopped again. In 1994 the meteorological measurements were resumed again.

From December 1994 to March 1995 measurements of intensity of UV radiation were carried out (P. Prošek – Department of Geography, Masaryk University, Brno and M. Janouch – Solar and Ozone Obserwatory Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Hradec Kralove). From this time on records of total radiation and some components of the radiation balance were commenced (P. Prošek, M. Janouch), continued by G. Kruszewski, K. Laska and M. Kejna.

Location

This station is situated on a low, marshy terrace formed by the sea accumulation rising about 2–5 m above mean sea level. Penguin Ridge (about 60–70 m a.s.l.), a hilly land area forms the southern edge of the terrace and the western edge is made up of steep slopes of rocky plateau. Point Thomas (~ 175 m a.s.l.) situated NW of the Station buildings is the highest point of this edge. Northern edges of the Admiralty Bay are high with numerous falls and glaciers starting from Arctowski's Ice Dome falling down on it. The ice divide of Arctowski's Ice Dome is situated 670–540 m a.s.l. The air onflowing to the Admiralty Bay from NW, N and NE must overcome this hight.

Geographic coordinates of the Station: 62°10′ S 058°28′ W.

The Station

The closest neighbouring area to the Station. The Station's buildings are observed to be situated on a low terrace accumulated by the sea. The adjacent sea area is formed by the Admiralty Bay, whereas the Bransfield Straits can be seen at the background. There is an icy part of the island with the Kraków Ice Dome (about 425 m a.s.l.) on it, visible on the other side of the Admiralty Bay. The meteorological station is situated to the right of the straight line joining the T-shaped building with a small yellow building on the sea coast which is straight there.

Buildings at the Arctowski's Station. In front of this picture you can see the "Meteo" building, a meteorological garden is to the left of it (dark point – heliograph gauge). Further away you can observe the Station's living accommodation (so called "aeroplane") and behind it the station's storerooms (grey, on the right), power plant and workshops (grey, on the left) and small buildings (summer laboratories, geophysical observatory – seismic prospecting, magnetism). The edge confining the seaside terrace from W and NW is well seen. Just above the edge you can see plateau which is not icy. The rocky peak is a volcanic neck (stump) Jardine Peak (~220 m a.s.l.). The coastline of the Admiralty Bay is extending, on the right of the Station's buildings, forming Arctowski Cove, which is difficult to be spotted in the photograph as it is covered with sea ice. This photograph was taken from a lighthouse (~17 m a.s.l.).

• 55 000 sq m total station area
• 15 buildings
• 900 sq m used as accommodation

External link

• The Polish Antarctic Station "Henryk Arctowski"