subject: Vested Interests From Other Countries [print this page] Finding uranium in the Antarctic is a task for two scientists. Much controversy is associated with this project as it is seen to be a severe test for international cooperation.
It was in 1961 when Antarctica became a continent that was used for international scientific research. But increasing interest in the resources guarded by frigid weather and the forbidding cover of snow and ice here has begun to strain the fabric of what so far has been a model of cooperation among many nations.
There are no long summers in the Antarctic and while the valleys were snow free the scientists and their West German colleagues embarked on helicopter rides across the continent where they saw the beautiful scenery.
Not much pleasure was attained by the gentlemen from the helicopter rides. The radioactivity detector which they carry must be kept within a few hundred feet of the sheer cliffs.
Aside from the uranium, valuable resources can be obtained from the continent. The challenge comes with the location and exploitation of these resources with little doubt that these will reach practical levels after several years.
A Polish fleet is engage with the study of how to harvest krill, it is a cheap source for protein that resembles a shrimp and can be found in the Weddell Sea. A mountain was discovered by the Soviets containing high grade iron ore.
A research vessel from America found ethane and methane in the Ross Sea in 1973. These are signs that can verify the existence of possible natural gas and oil deposits.
According to the US Geological Survey Antarctica's continental shelf can well hold up to 45 billion barrels of oil and 115 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Varying from the US consumption per year, this is eight times more for oil and six for natural gas.
This year, the National Science Foundation is supporting two teams of geologists who are surveying a region called the Dufec Intrusive. Here is where mineral rich areas just like in South Africa are, as well as the bush veld which may be a source for chromium and platinum.
With American prompting, following the International Geophysical Year celebration, an Antarctic treaty was agreed upon by most of the nations present on the continent .
From not pursuing territorial claims to openly conducting scientific research, the nations also agreed to use the continent for nothing but peaceful purposes and to protect its environment and wildlife. From the National Science Foundation came about American bases.
The meeting of treaty nations in Oslo was where the problem of resource exploitation was thoroughly discussed. For a change to be possible, everyone should agree.
Right now this is a very sensitive issue of other countries searching for valuable resources. Both scientists argue that as much must be discovered about the continent's resources as possible. When it comes to international cooperation everyone agrees with how serious of an issue resource development in the Antarctic could be.
by: John Chambers
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