site.btaProf. Pimpirev Says Turquoise and Rare Metals Are Likely Present on Smith Island in Antarctica

Turquoise and rare metals are likely present on Smith Island in Antarctica, Prof. Christo Pimpirev, President of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, told a presentation highlighting the achievements of the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition in Varna on Friday. In the Star Hall of the Planetarium at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Pimpirev gave a brief overview of the results of the expedition.

Among the guests at the event were Vice President Iliana Iotova, the Naval Academy's Rector, Flotilla Admiral Kalin Kalinov, Commander Nikolay Danailov, commanding officer of Bulgaria's first naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii during the 31st and 32nd Antarctic expeditions, Prof. Boyan Mednikarov, and the Sofia University Rector, Prof. Georgi Valchev.

The 33rd polar expedition, which ended on Friday, has been one of the most successful to date, Pimpirev said. Bulgarian scientists worked on over 30 projects. For the first time, research into solar activity was launched, thus introducing astrophysics and astronomy into the scope of polar studies. Bulgarian researchers also carried out numerous projects in microbiology, which is significant given the presence of endemic organisms on the Ice Continent, Pimpirev said. He stressed that Antarctica is like a different planet, making it possible to extract strains from those unique microorganisms for the development of new medicines, including some with anti-cancer properties.

During the 33rd expedition, Bulgarian scientists conducted geological surveys on Smith Island for the first time, Pimpirev said. Preliminary samples suggest the possible presence of turquoise. The island remains largely unexplored; to date, only five expeditions have set foot there - one each from the United States and Britain, and three tourist expeditions aiming to summit its highest peak. Smith Island is yet to be explored, as it is also believed to be rich in valuable rare metals - resources over which conflicts are already being waged. "We must study it because in 20 years, when the moratorium is lifted, Bulgaria will be able to benefit from these resources," he said. He concluded by saying that Bulgarian Antarctic researchers are not working for the current generation, but for the children of today.

One of the major achievements highlighted by Pimpirev is the completion of the scientific laboratory at the Bulgarian base on Livingston Island. The facility will enable scientists, not just Bulgarian ones, to conduct research for many years to come. He added with a smile that the lab was built for the 22nd century, not for the 21st.

The scientist also said the Bulgarian research vessel had helped colleagues from other countries to reach Antarctica for the first time. Pimpirev specified that support was extended to researchers from Montenegro, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Spain.

"Many tasks remain for the 34th expedition," he concluded. "There will be work in Antarctica for at least 33 more expeditions."