Solar energy utilization in overall energy budget of the Johann Gregor Mendel Antarctic station during austral summer season

It is well known that the utilization of renewable energy sources is inevitable for a sustainable future. Besides the fact that other energy sources such as coal, gas or nuclear power have limited reserves the proper use of increasingly higher shares of renewable energy sources may lower negative impacts of traditional energy sources on the ecosystems. This is especially important in naturally protected areas located in remote Earth locations. Such areas are still almost untouched by mankind, e.g. Antarctica. The research activities in the area of renewable energy sources have increased rapidly within the last few decades. It is of a global interest to carry out the research in an ecologically sensitive way, i.e. balance the outputs and the effects of infrastructure on environment. In this paper, a project of installation of a photovoltaic system on the Czech Antarctic Station (Johann Gregor Mendel) on the James Ross Island is described and the first experience from the system run is reported. The contribution of this system to the overall energy production on this station shortly after commissioning of the system is presented as well. In discussion, a possible future development of the system is suggested.

Basic epidemiological data on metazoan parasites of noto-thenioid fish off James Ross Island (Prince Gustav Channel, Weddell Sea), Antarctica

During the Czech Antarctic expedition 2014, 102 fish of six species (Trematomus hansoni, T.bernacchii, T. newnesi, Notothenia coriiceps, Parachaenichthys charcoti, Pagothenia borchgrevinki) were examined for parasites. The fish were caught in the Prince Gustav Channel (depth about 5–25 m) off the Johann Gregor Mendel Station on the James Ross Island. Altogether 7,925 metazoan parasites were found, which were identified to individual groups (usually classes). The most abundant were nematode larvae (prevalence 97.0 %, mean abundance 32.7 larvae/per fish), followed by acanthocephalans, especially larvae of species of Corynosoma (76.5%, 14.9) and monogeneans (77.5%, 13.0). Cestodes (Diphyllobothriidea, Tetraphyllidea) were represented by larval stages whereas trematodes only by adults. Our preliminary data may help in future studies on fish parasites in Antarctica because they indicate the most abundant groups of parasites occurring in notothenioid fish.

Stabilisation of geodetic points in the surroundings of Johann Gregor Mendel Station, James Ross Island, Antarctica

The article is focused on issuing of the permanent stabilisation of geodetic points in the periglacial environment. Periglacial environment of ice-free areas of northern James Ross Island is characterised by specific geomorphological processes connected with freezing and thawing and mass movement processes in the superficial part of the ground. Variable intensity of periglacial processes creates main limitations for traditional methods of permanent geodetic point’s stabilisation. This article describes periglacial processes with regards to the traditional stabilisation methods and suggests alternative solutions, which were practically applied and verified on the ice-free area of Ulu Peninsula, northern James Ross Island.

Nitrate and ammonium ions contents in field minibioreactors with Antarctic freshwater autotrophs

The content of nitrate and ammonium ions in aquatic environment is an important factor in the development of microorganisms colonies especially in low-nutrient environment. In this study, field experiments using small-volume minibioreactors were performed directly on the James Ross Island in Antarctica in order to describe changes in nitrate and ammonium ions contents in the Antarctic environment The ion concentrations in minibioreactors with local freshwater autotrophs was monitored for increased eutro-phication conditions. The content of nitrogen forms was determined in water samples taken from the minibioreactors regularly. Samples were taken to the laboratory of the Johann Gregor Mendel station where nitrogen content was evaluated using ion-selective electrodes. Furthermore, the freshwater autotrophs was subjected to basic taxonomic study. Closed system of the minibioreactors allowed the monitoring of nitrogen speciation changes which take place in the environment. These changes can be attributed to both the biological activity of microorganisms and external conditions. Increased eutrophication of water did not induce a rapid development of the freshwater autotrophs.

Facilities of J. G. Mendel Antarctic station: Technical and technological solutions with a special respect to energy sources

In this paper, we focus on technical facilities and technologies used at the Johann Gregor Mendel station (James Ross Island, Antarctica) with a special respect to energy sources used for running the station. Construction of the station is evaluated from energy demand and energy loss points of view. Detailed description of main energy sources, i.e. wind turbines, solar thermal panels, and diesel generators is given. Water management and combustible solid waste management are described as well. Brief overview of future plans related to energy sources at the Johann Gregor Mendel station including an increase in the exploitation of solar energy from photovoltaic panels is given.

Microbial diversity of internal environment of Johann Gregor Mendel Station, Antarctica

During January and February 2011 two sets of microbiological samples were collected inside the main building of Johann Gregor Mendel station located at the James Ross Island near the coast of Antarctica. The aim was to examine the changes of microbial profile of the antarctic station environment. The first set of samples was collected from the station environment before the staff entry, i.e. after 10 months of quiescent state when nobody was present at the station. The second set of samples was collected from the same places before the Antarctic expedition staff left the station after 45 days of the stay. The cultivation of samples was focused on mesophilic bacteria. Twenty-three strains were obtained from the Set No. 1 and 27 strains were obtained from the Set No. 2. However, 8 strains from each set were not reliably identified by mass spectrometry. Altogether 13 strains of Gram-positive bacteria were identified in the Set. No. 1, while only 7 in the Set No. 2. Contrastingly, Gram-negative bacteria were much more abundant in the Set No. 2 (12 strains) than in the Set No. 1 (2 strains). Bacillus sp. was the most common Gram-positive strain (9 isolations from the first set, 2 isolations from the second set). Pantoea agglomerans was the most common Gram-negative strain (2 isolations from the first set, 7 isolations from the second set). The first experience with the microbial profile of the research station showed that we were able to detect mainly bacteria commonly present in the outer environment that could survive under extreme conditions. We did not isolate any microbes related to human colonisation except of enterococci and Escherichia vulneris. For further investigation of the station environment, it will be necessary to choose alternative way of collection and storage of samples to ensure survival of all present bacteria.