At the Italian base "Mario Zucchelli" in Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica, the XXXI 16-2015 Summer Antarctic Campaign of the 2016 November National Research Program in Antarctica (PNRA).
There are also two Navy diver in the XXXI Italian expedition in Antarctica coordinated by ENEA. The mission - which will last until 12 February - involves 200 people: Italian and foreign researchers over the military support.
The two divers of the Comsubin (Command Underwater and Incursori of the Navy) support the activities of the scientific team conducted under the ice. Already in the weeks preceding the departure, the specialized personnel of the Navy took care of the training of the researchers and is now taking care of their safety in all diving activities.
The scientific team works at average temperatures between 0 ° C and -35 ° C. and can enjoy 24 hours of light a day throughout the period.
Diving is the heart of the mission. Antarctica, the "seventh continent" looks like a frozen desert. Antarctic waters, however, are rich in nutrients, which give life to a complex food pyramid, of high naturalistic interest.
The CNR will coordinate research in the field of biodiversity, evolution and adaptation of Antarctic organisms, Earth sciences, glaciology, as well as monitoring activities at the meteorological, astronomical and geophysical permanent observatories.
The researchers will rely on the Italian scientific base "Mario Zucchelli", reopened for the occasion, in the bay of Terranova. This trip will also be supplied with the permanent "Concordia" base, located inland and managed together with France.
