Antarctica

Antarctica

By: Viktor TshibanguFife NaThe remote continent of AntarcticaAntarctica is a continent of ice. To the south of this dry continent is the Antarctic Desert. The Antarctic Desert is a desert because there has been no rainfall or snow there for over 100 years, this makes the Antarctic Desert the driest desert in the world. Antarctica is only 98% covered in ice the other 2 percent is rock.(Antarctic desert http://web.hcsps.sa.edu.au/projects/deserts/projects/group24/index.htm)

Antarcticas terrain is amazing Antarctica is the best continent for natural beauty. You might be surprised to see that the Antarctic Peninsula actually has patches of moss. It grows very slowly taking hundreds of years to get as large as seen above(Antarctic Scenery ). http://www.travelthewholeworld.com/antarcticascenery.html

What is the climate of Antarctica?This continent is consistently the coldest place on earth and the holder of the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded on the planet -89.2C (-128.6F) on July 21st 1983.The lowest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica was -129F. The warmest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica was 59F.

What activities are available?Iceberg and rock climbing.Mountaineering.Camping in Antarctica.Sea kayaking Those not wishing to participate in the optional extra adventures will have even more opportunity for photography, iceberg cruising and wildlife observation.

How much it coast?The easiest and most affordable Antarctica cruises are those that visit the Antarctic Peninsula. Reachable in two days by expedition ship, it is the most accessible part of Antarctica, and the destination of the most popular Antarctica cruises. Most flights last roughly 12 hoursFirst Class - $5,000Business Class $3,400 - $4,200Economy - $ 2,000

Plants of Antarctic!

Moss- on the better drained, stony slopes of the Antarctic Peninsula, mosses build up to a deep peat - as much as six and one half feet deep and 5,000 years old!

-Antarctic hair grass and the Antarctic Pearlwort. They are the only two flowering plants, which grow south of 60 latitude.

Lichen-more than 350 species of lichens are known. They have proliferated in Antarctica because there is little competition from mosses or flowering plants which lack the high tolerance of draught and cold seen in the lichens.

How to preserve AntarcticaDont fish too much or only fish once a week. Because the other wild animals need to eat the krill.People should use bike more, grow the tree To keep the ice in Antarctica not melted. The reason would be global warming is caused by CO2.People shouldnt use solvents, refrigerants, or spray-can propellants because it will make the ozone be smaller.Antarctic Protection Act compliance.

Reasons why we Protect AntarcticaThe Antarctic environment is very vulnerable to human impact. Without controls, those who come to visit this wilderness as tourists, scientists or in support roles, may damage the very values that attract them.There is only one Antarctica in whole big world.Antarctica will be very important to humans life.

Ice core and meteoritesMeteorite studies are a significant part of space science because the specimens include the oldest materials of the Solar System available for research. They provide identifiable records of certain solar and galactic effects, and they yield data that are otherwise not obtainable--about the origin, evolution, and composition of the Sun, the Earth, and other planets, satellites, and asteroids.

Importance of Antarctica:The natural environment of Antarctica has unique values for us human beings. Antarctica is the only place on Earth that is not owned by anyone. Because of its profound effect on the Earth's climate and ocean systems. Antarctica's clean air, water and ice of are of importance to science for understanding how the Earth's environment is changing both naturally and as a result of human activity.

Antarcticas animals !Antarctica is a very harsh and extreme environment though is very rich in wildlife due to the very high productivity of the Antarctic Ocean during the summer months driven by long days providing abundant light and copious nutrients brought to the surface layers by the upwelling's at the Antarctic Convergence.Antarctics krillsMore than anything else, krill are the engine that powers the Antarctic ecosystem. They are a small semi-transparent crustacean like a shrimp, about 4-5 cm (2") in length when fully grown, they can live for up to 6 years which is quite remarkable considering the wide variety of animals that feed on them in huge quantities.

Elephant SealsMales can grow to 4.5m long (15ft) and weigh up to 4 tones (8800lb). Like fur seals, they show a strong sexual dimorphism (difference in size between the males and females), females grow to about 2.8m (9ft) and 900kg (2000lb).

Emperor penguinsEmperor penguins are one of the "classic" penguin species that people imagine when they hear the name. Along with King Penguins and Adelie penguins, they are representative of the whole group.Emperor penguins have the upright and regal bearing that their name suggests.

Antarctica problems:The bigger issue might be the growing ozone hole. (Carbon dioxide raises the dead zone)There is also the problem of human contamination. Scientists working at the South Pole do their best to keep a clean environment, but there is still waste generated that cannot be taken away. Also, with a developing need for more natural resources like oil, more people are looking to drill under the ice cap. The Antarctic Treaty and Madrid Protocol protect against this, but the danger still exists.

The ozone hole and global warming Ozone is a compound of oxygen that contains three atoms instead of the two found in the oxygen gas that sustains life. It was discovered in 1839 by a Swiss chemist, Christian Friedrich Schonbein. In high concentration ozone is a bluish green gas, with very strong oxidizing properties.

Humans Impacts on Antarctica harvestingsome Antarctic species to the verge of extinction for economic benefit.killing and disturbing other species.contaminating the soilsdischarging sewage to the sea and leaving rubbish, cairns and tracks in even the most remote parts.

Cool Video!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im4H71li3HE&feature=channel_page&gclid=CM-1wf3P26gCFcW5Kgod6DQKDwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxVR-jP63GI&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Websites:Human Impacts on Antarctica and Threats to the Environment Overview. Cool Antarctica. 2001. Web. May 2011. Human impacts in Antarctica. Australian Antarctica Division : Leading Australias Antarctic Program. April 18, 2011. Web. May 2011. The Intrinsic Value of Antarctica. The Natural Environment of Antarctica. N.d. Web. May, 2011.

Na ( Anh ) Ngoc Nguyen.