Artigas Base


The General Artigas Station, also referred to as the Artigas Base is the larger of the two Uruguayan scientific research stations in Antarctica, the other one being Elichiribehety Base. It is one of the 68 permanent bases in Antarctica.

Organization

The Artigas Base depends on the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute Plans & Operations Direction which is ruled by an Interministerial Council, with delegates of MoD, Foreign Affairs and ministry of Education and Culture.
Uruguay, a Consultative member of Antarctic Treaty since 7 October 1985, has a permanent, active and autonomous activity as a National Governmental Program in Antarctic. It comes to effect operating an all year round station in King George Island, South Shetland, and seasonally at Antarctic Peninsula, and onboard its vessel, where performs scientific activity based on SCAR & Treaty needs and recommendations, supported by own logistic sea and air transport, and operating under COMNAP guidelines. Has delegates and members as full member of SCAR, SCAR-WG, COMNAP-SCALOP networks & WG, CCAMLR and ATCM.
Since 1984 research has been performed in these areas:
Glaciology:
General Glaciology on KGI, South Shetlands, and Antarctic Peninsula, in various fields aiming to detect environmental changes due to anthropogenic activities and those related as response to climatic changes. This program is in scope of SCAR recommendations and is being carried out in cooperation with other nations operating in Antarctica
Atmospheric sciences
Calibration of effects of the atmosphere on metals commonly used in the Antarctic
Mossbauer spectroscopy to identify atmospheric corrosion products
Installation and operation of an ionospheric laboratory at Artigas, the Uruguayan year-round research station on King George Island
Ocean sciences
Comparative studies of physical and chemical variables in coastal waters of Fildes Bay
Observations of the Antarctic Polar Front
Marine meteorology of Drake passage, according to SCAR and Treaty objectives.
Earth sciences
Satellite geodesy applications for SCAR_EPOCH & GIANT Program
Life sciences
Medical research
Antarctic krill vascular and lipid characteristics
Modification of collagen disease and atheroma in rabbits by adding krill to their diet
Ornithological observations in Fildes Peninsula, South Bay, and Harmony Point, South Shetland Islands
Behavioral studies in a penguin colony in the South Shetland Islands
Logistics:
Are provided by the National Defense Ministry and the armed forces, which also contribute to scientific programs.
Transport methods include Hercules C-130B airplanes, Bell 212 helicopters, Navy Ships and other seaborne units, amphibious vehicles, and various land vehicles.
Uruguayan Antarctic research is generally proportional to overall national efforts, although there is a special emphasis on life sciences and those related to changes in the environment.
Uruguay is particularly mindful of environmental matters and abides by all agreements and treaties pertinent to the Antarctic, so develops continuous environment monitoring programs complementing the impact assessments of its activities.

General information

Location of base

  • South Shetlands, KGI, Fildes Peninsula
  • Lat: 62°11'04"S Long: 58°54'14"W
  • 17 m above sea level
  • Ice free surface
  • 100 meters from the Antarctic coastline
  • Bellingshausen Station nearest base
  • Ushuaia nearest port

    Major dates

  • Station opened 22 December 1984
  • Breaks in operation:22/12/84

    Population

  • 60 persons capacity
  • 9 average summer population
  • 8 average winter population

    Additional notes

Around 10 scientists in summer, 6 crew for helicopter, 3-5 for maintenance, 4 servicemen.

Science activities

The following science activities are carried out at Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas:
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Geodesy/mapping
  • Glaciology - continental
  • Human biology
  • Ionospheric/auroral observations
  • Meteorological observations
  • Stratospheric ozone monitoring
  • Tide measurement

    Observations and scientific programs

Station infrastructure

Area and buildings
  • 24000 total station area
  • 13 buildings

    Power and fuel supply

  • 220 V 60 Hz power supply
  • 375 kVA power generation capacity
  • 3 generators
  • Generators fuelled with winter blend fuel
  • 160.000 lts of fuel used annually
  • none wind generator

    Water and sewage

  • Potable water supply source/method:Lake
  • 876000 of water used each year

    Medical facilities

  • Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas has the following medical facilities:
  • * 30 sqm medical suite
  • * 1 doctor
  • * 0 paramedic
  • * 2 beds for patients
  • * MEDEVAC & Fire Plan updated and exercised

    Logistic support

  • Ice
  • * Ice breakout: October
  • * Fast ice formation: late May
  • Shipping
  • * 1 ship visit per season
  • * 1 resupply visit per season
  • * 300 m from station to anchorage
  • * 30 m deep anchorage
  • Air transport
  • * 7 intercontinental flights per season
  • * Aircraft used: Hercules C-130
  • * Light aircraft/helicopter available December–March
  • * Types used: Bell r Helicopter airstrip surface
  • * at base from station to airstrip
  • Other support transport
  • * Tracked personnel carriers: 2x Hagglunds
  • * Snowmobiles: 1x snowmobile
  • * Rough terrain quads/tricycles: 1x quad
  • * Outboard watercraft: 2x zodiacs
  • Trucks
  • * 1xIFA
  • Tractors, loaders, excavators
  • * Wheeled tractor: 1 massey ferguson