tests to assess the effects of global warming
PUBLISHED: 10 Feb 2025 at 04: 50
According to a Thai research group, the ice in Antarctica has melted more than in past decades as a result of global climate.
The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Her Royal Highness, led the Thai voyage, which was supported by the Information Technology Foundation under the support of the lady.
It aims to analyze the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem, says group head Prof Suchana Chavanich, a teacher of the Marine Science Department of Chulalongkorn University’s Science Faculty.
She claimed that the journey coincided with her expectations that the South Pole’s ice and snow may be affected significantly by global warming.
” We are shocked to see the ice and snow had disappeared in many areas”, she said, adding:” Even when snow fell during our stay, it melted almost immediately after reaching the ground. This shows the heat in Antarctica is higher than normal, causing the snow to melt soon”.
The team of four comprises three experts and a artist.
Other than herself, Asst. Prof. Sujaree Bureekul, a teacher from the Chulalongkorn University Department of Marine Science, and Nipat Pinpradab, an admin researcher at the Faculty of Science’s Department of Aquatic Science, are the only two researchers. The artist is Pakinai Yimcharoen.
The team will spend until February 28 at the South Pole, China’s second clinical research facility outside of the Great Wall, on January 29. They also volunteered their services to the 41st Chinese Antarctic Expedition led by the Polar Research Institute of China ( PRIC ).
The Thai group began collecting samples quickly to examine the effects of sea debris, plastic, and climate change on marine life and communities. During the first two times, they collected earth samples, mark and bird droppings, and measured Arctic air pollution.
” The tests will show the number of different contaminants, including pathogens in faeces, to see if these pets are affected by global warming”, said Prof Suchana.
According to preliminary findings, Antarctica’s ice has substantially melted since the Thai staff last conducted research there 11 years ago.
But, proportions of air quality indicate that the Antarctic atmosphere is still far purer than that of other regions of the world.
The group is also conducting research, and they are also keeping track of their findings with videos and photos that will be included in a book and film about Thailand’s polar research efforts, which will be released this year.
It will help usher in the 50th year of the political relations between Thailand and China, as well as the 70th day of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was the first Thai person to visit Antarctica in November 1993 to see research studies on science, geography, weather, and the surroundings.
Eventually, the princess spearheaded the royal venture, which would help Thai researchers and scientists conducting studies in the South and the North Poles through collaboration with nations like China, Japan, and South Korea.
The Princess’s organization, the Information Technology Foundation, has previously sent 19 Thai professionals to Antarctica and another 15 experts to the Arctic.
The team gathers ground tests to assess the level of pollution.