She will protect historical remains in Antarctica

At the beginning of the last century, the first Swedish Antarctic expedition went to Snow Hill Island, east of the Antarctic Peninsula. Now, the remains of the expedition are threatened by the consequences of climate change. In early February, Jenny Lindblom, a geohydrologist at Luleå University of Technology, will travel to Antarctica to investigate how the remains can be preserved for posterity.

“The story behind Sweden's first Antarctic expedition is fascinating. It therefore feels both exciting and challenging to be able to participate in this project and actually be at the place where the expedition had its base. It is an important part of our cultural heritage that we should be proud of. It is also important that Sweden contributes to the preservation of our cultural heritage in Antarctica; in fact, we have a duty to do so”, says Jenny Lindblom.

The first Swedish Antarctic expedition, led by Otto Nordenskjöld, took place between 1901 and 1904. The expedition collected animal and plant fossils and carried out geological studies. The research team built a research station on Snow Hill Island. Today, the remains of the station are protected as cultural heritage under the Antarctic Treaty, a memorial to Sweden's first Antarctic expedition, which was one of the most successful of its time from a research perspective.

Permafrost is thawing

Western Antarctica is currently affected by changes towards a warmer climate. On Snow Hill Island, this has led to the permafrost thawing and meltwater rivers forming during the summer period. If nothing is done to slow down the erosion, the station will collapse. Parts of the remains have already been washed out to sea. Thawing permafrost is a threat in both Antarctica and the Arctic to archaeological remains as well as buildings and other infrastructure that are in use today.

The research station on Snow Hill Island. Photo: Dag Avango

Jenny Lindblom will investigate the conditions for using so-called thermopiles on Snow Hill Island. Thermopiles are tubes filled with liquid carbon dioxide that are driven into the ground. When the carbon dioxide evaporates, it takes heat from the ground and releases it into the colder air, cooling the ground. When the carbon dioxide is cooled by the air, it sinks back into the pipe and the process is repeated. This recreates the permafrost and stabilizes the ground on which the building stands.

Builds on earlier expedition

Jenny Lindblom's project is a continuation of a research expedition carried out six years ago (CHAQ 2020), in which researchers from Luleå University of Technology played a leading role. At that time, it was found that the remains on Snow Hill Island were threatened by thawing permafrost. CHAQ 2020 was carried through in close collaboration with reserachers from The Argentine Antarctic Insitute, a collaboration that is resumed by the new expedition. On January 28, Jenny Lindblom will fly to Buenos Aires and then on to Snow Hill Island.

“Thawing permafrost is not only a problem for the archaeological remains in Antarctica. It also affects the runway, which must be frozen for us to be able to land with the Hercules aircraft. Therefore, it is difficult to know exactly when I will be there. It depends on the weather conditions, but it will probably be in early February," says Jenny Lindblom.”

The research project is being carried out within the framework of the The Centre for the Arctic and the Antarctic at Luleå University. The center is a platform for research and education at Luleå University of Technology on issues relating to the Arctic and Antarctic. The Center for Arctic and Antarctic Research supports, coordinates, and communicates Luleå University of Technology's activities in this field, as well as the collaborations in which the university is involved.

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