Programme presentation

Phase III

The implementation of the third phase of the Research Programme on the Antarctic was approved on June 1992, for a total budget of 126 MBF (about 3,125 MEUR).

The nine selected projects covered seven research themes in four fields:

Marine ecology and biogeochemistry

• Spatial and seasonal variability of the transport of biogenic compounds in the Southern Ocean
• Role of the meiobenthos in Antarctic ecosystems
• Control of the Antarctic pelagic ecosystem by higher trophic levels in relation to variations in environmental conditions
• Ecological modelling of the planktonic microbial food web

Protection of Marine Ecosystems

• Oil spill modelling for the Antarctic seas (OSMAS)
  Preparedness to oil spill pollution: a case study (in cooperation with BAS)

Ocean-cryosphere-atmosphere interactions

• Isotopic and chemical composition of Antarctic shelf ice: implications for global changes
• Formation of the Tephase3a Nova Bay polynya and climatic implications
• Dynamics of the Antarctic ice cap and climatic changes

Sedementary palaeoenvironment

• Belgian contribution to the "Antarctic offshore acoustic stratigraphy project"

More information about the Programme in general and a compilation of the scientific research results of the projects is included in the following publications:

• synopsis
• volume I: Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecodynamics
• volume II: Hydrodynamics and Marine Geophysics
• volume III: Glaciology and Climatology

These publications can be ordered via the "Links & Resources" page.