Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek has decided to increase the subsidy for the implementation of the comprehensive reconstruction of infrastructure called "ARCTOWSKI - PolarPOL - Polish Multidisciplinary Laboratory for Polar Research in Antarctica" by an additional PLN 43 million. The amount of the subsidy will amount to over PLN 173 million.
photo: MNiSW
The construction investment entitled "ARCTOWSKI - PolarPOL - Polish Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Polar Research in Antarctica" covers the new headquarters of the Polish Antarctic Station named after Henryk Arctowski. It is located on King George Island in the South Shetland archipelago in Antarctica. It is 120 km away from the continent of Antarctica. The station has been operating since 1977 and has been continuously used as the only Polish, year-round scientific and research facility in this part of the world.
Minister of Science Dariusz Wieczorek met with the management of the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the operator of the Polish Antarctic Station named after Henryk Arctowski, regarding the transfer of additional financial resources and discussion on the status of the implementation of the comprehensive reconstruction of the infrastructure called "ARCTOWSKI - PolarPOL - Polish Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Polar Research in Antarctica".
The head of the Ministry of Science emphasized the importance of research centers such as the Arctowski Polar Station, which enable the implementation of ambitious scientific projects and the development of the achievements of Polish scientists on the international arena.
– I am very glad that the allocated funds will allow the completion of the investment of comprehensive reconstruction of the Polish Station. H. Arctowski, which, due to its location, allows strengthening the international position of scientific research conducted by Poland and securing Poland's presence on the international forum. This unique research platform allows for broader involvement in research on climate change, which is important due to the current and future conditions in the functioning of the planet we inhabit - said the Minister of Science during a meeting with representatives of IBB PAN
photo: MNiSW
The investment is being carried out by the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, financed by a subsidy from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Its implementation will enable the conduct of innovative research of strategic importance for the development of Polish science, economy and politics. It will also allow for the expansion and commencement of research of global importance, both cognitive and practical, in the field of, among others, research on global climate change and its impact on the resources and productivity of Antarctic waters.
To date, over PLN 70 million has been spent from public funds on the implementation of the investment, taking into account 2024. The amount of the subsidy amounted to over PLN 130 million. These funds were increased by an additional PLN 43 million at the request of IBB PAN. The investment completion date is scheduled for 2027.
The implementation of a comprehensive reconstruction of the station's infrastructure will allow Poland to remain in the elite group of twenty countries operating year-round scientific and research stations in Antarctica and maintain the status of a member of the Consultative Antarctic Treaty, and with it an equal right to vote in decisions regarding the management of Antarctica.
The scientific projects implemented in 2023 based on the Polish Arctowski Station include, among others, the following research projects:
Carbon flow in coastal ecosystems of the Subantarctic during the era of intensive glacial melting
The aim of the project was to record the distribution, density and diversity of echinoderms along the depth gradient in order to track changes in the assemblage of animal organisms associated with the shallow-water coastal zone of the Antarctic marine environment over the past decade. The tasks were carried out using diving and underwater photography.
Project implementation: "King George Island Glacial History"
The aim of the research was to assess the glacial history and dynamics of ice masses in the areas adjacent to the H. Arctowski Station, using a variety of research methods and UAV flights of ice masses.
Life on both ends of the globe – verification of the concept of bipolarity in pelagic Ostracoda
The aim of the research is to determine the differences in the clusters of small crustaceans (Ostracoda) not related to the permanent substrate in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic and Antarctic waters by verifying their species structure, distribution (in the past and today) and role in two different polar ecosystems.
photo: MNiSW
source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education
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