Pollution in Antarctica detected in HÜBTÜAM

Under the auspices of the Presidency, within the scope of the National Antarctic Science Expedition organized under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, samples taken from the Antarctic Sea to detect metal pollution were analyzed at the Hitit University Scientific Technical Application and Research Center (HÜBTÜAM).

Within the scope of the study, sea sludge, soil and sea water samples brought from Antarctica and specially preserved were analyzed at HÜBTÜAM. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that there was a change in marine pollution in Antarctica compared to previous years.

"We Detected Increased Pollution in Antarctica"

HÜBTÜAM Deputy Director and Chemical Engineering Faculty Member Assoc. Dr. İbrahim BİLİCİ stated that studies have been carried out to establish a base in the poles for the last 3 years, and said that as Hitit University, they are working to detect pollution in the continent's seas.

Stating that they examined the samples brought from the region during the 3rd Science Expedition to Antarctica, Dr. BILICI said:

“We conducted heavy metal studies on the soil brought from there, seawater and also on the sea snail, an endemic species unique to the area. These investigations were those that started about 30-40 years ago. From time to time, we tried to create a database for studies to be carried out in Antarctica, which has a unique flora and fauna, by including some studies and elements that have not been done before, how much pollution has increased and what consequences it has caused. . As a result of the studies, we found that the pollution of some heavy metals in Antarctica has increased. We made comparisons of these 20 or 30 years ago. On some metals, we saw a reduction in pollution. Currently, our evaluations on this continue. "

"We can observe the pollution in the world from here"

Pointing out that Antarctica is a continent isolated from other parts of the world, Assoc. Dr. Bilici continued as follows:

“It is a region where industrialization is not allowed. Therefore, you cannot incinerate solid waste or throw any garbage out on this continent. Therefore, we can watch all kinds of pollution and all kinds of waste on the other side of the world thanks to the large ocean currents. This study we have done is a very good indicator of how these materials, which are not in Antarctica due to their nature, affect Antarctica, sometimes from China, sometimes from the American continent, maybe from other continents of the world. Both sediments and shellfish show this. These sea creatures are fed with elements we call heavy metals and they literally store these elements in their bodies. We can easily observe the pollution in other parts of the world from here. This was the main purpose of our work. "