Cauldron

Issue date: 4/2/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Joanne Romagni

Biology professor Joanne Romagni never thought she would go to Antarctica, but when Juan Carlos Garcia, a member of the University of Cadiz in Spain, invited Romagni to participate on a scientific expedition in Antarctica, she didn't hesitate.

The project was one of many investigations conducted during the International Polar Year. During the campaign, 54 investigators conducted scientific research in Antarctica in such disciplines as seismology and climatology.

Romagni, an adjunct professor at the University of Cadiz, was invited to collaborate on a project about allelopathy in lichens.

"Allelopathy" refers to how plants and microorganisms defend themselves from other organisms by using toxic substances. The results of research projects like the one Romagni was involved in are used to create new fungicides and herbicides based on natural substances that are less harmful to the environment.

On Jan. 16, Romagni met with her two Spanish colleagues, Garcia and Asuncion Torres, in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world's southernmost city. From there, they took a flight to Punta Arenas, Chile and boarded the Spanish ship "Las Palmas" for Antarctica.

During the trip, the captain had to make a stop at Cape Horn. This highly restricted Chilean area is often thought to be the end of the earth. Usually, no tourists are permitted there, but thanks to special permission, Romagni and the rest of the scientists had the opportunity to venture onto it. "The views are breathtaking," she wrote in her ship's log. "I can't stop taking pictures. None of them do justice to the scenery."

Romagni, Garcia and Torres were the only scientists onboard allowed in Antarctica. The three scientists arrived at the Argentine base Primavera, at Caleta Cierva, on Jan 24. Romagni describes the base in her diary: "It is built on several levels with separate buildings that are connected by wooden walkways painted black. The walkways hug the side of the hill/cliff as you go from level to lever or module to module."

There, Romagni started collecting samples and documenting the lichen site. Collecting the lichen required deft fingers, and therefore, she wore no gloves. Every 10 minutes or so, Romagni and her colleagues had to put their hands under their shirts to get them warm and functional.

On Jan. 30, Romagni and the Spanish scientists left for the Byers Peninsula. There, they spent 10 days without showers, bathrooms or cooking facilities. The crew slept in tents pitched on the ground and ate pre-prepared food.

Continued...

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