Mendel Polar Station
Mendel Polar Station (Mendelova polární stanice in Czech) is a research station built in Antarctica, on the coast of James Ross Island. The station, financed by the Czech Republic, was opened in February 2006.
Basic facts
The station can be reached by via Prince Gustav Channel that separates the island from Antarctic Peninsula. The channel was fully covered with ice shelf which disintegrated cca 15 years ago.
The base is named after Johann Gregor Mendel (1822 - 1884). Mendel is known for his genetic research but he also did research in meteorology. It operates seasonally, during Antarktic summers. The station is intended for biological, geological and climatological research in newly created oasis after glacier had contracted.
Construction
Preparation of the project took five years. Main participants in the project were Masaryk University in Brno, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The base was financed by Czech Republic (via Ministry of Education), its cost being around 50 million of CZK. It is managed by the Masaryk University.
Construction of the base started in January 2005 and finished in March 2006. Company PSG International [1] from Zlín obtained the contract. Pontoons were used to move construction material from ship tho the shore. Center of the station is building of size 21x11 meters which can accomodate 15 researchers. Another nive objects were built around the center. Energy is provided by wind turbines, solar collectors and by diesel aggregates. Expected lifetime of the station is 30 years.
Inhabitants of the station will live in single or double bedrooms. Kitchen, dining room, shower, washing machine and toilets are available.
Research
During 1993 - 1997 Czech scientists participated on the first time on research in Antarctica (together with scientists from Britain). The idea of permanent base had been promoted by Pavel Prošek, a professor at Masaryk University and other scientists.
One area of research are simple plants (as algae) able to grow in hostile environment. The intention is to find and transfer the mechanims of their survival into higher plants. Geologists concentrate on detailed research of 130 km² area exposed to climate after retreat of the ice sheet.