site.btaPhysicist Tsvetan Parov Studies Impact of Solar Activity on Atmospheric Processes in Antarctica's Glacier Drainage Systems

Physicist Eng. Tsvetan Parov, who is part of the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, is researching the influence of solar activity on atmospheric processes in the drainage systems of glaciers in Antarctica.

In a BTA interview, Parov said that this is his third expedition to Antarctica. "This is proof that Antarctica is a collective sport, collective science, collective love, and all of us here are part of a greater and higher intelligence that fosters collaboration between teams and the various groups of scientists and logisticians working here," he shared.

The project examining the impact of solar activity on atmospheric processes in glacier drainage systems began in 2024. At 15 meters below the glacier’s surface, it is warm because the glacier, its cracks, and drainage systems retain heat, causing internal melting. "Even though we are in Antarctica, there is currently a flow of water, and you can drink directly from the glacier walls. This means the temperature is above freezing," he said.

Parov explained that this has remained unchanged in recent months. "According to our measurements and the sensors we have installed, the temperature here is always above freezing. Last year, we launched this project, and this year we expanded it to include two more glaciers – Johnson and Contell. Why them? Because this glacier, Perunika, which is part of a large ice field called Balkan, is a continental glacier—very wide, with no clearly defined boundaries. Meanwhile, Contell and Johnson are alpine-type glaciers that are smaller, faster, and have a thick ice cover reaching up to 200 meters in the accumulation zone. This makes them particularly interesting for research. We have already made discoveries – we have found a positive correlation between changes in solar activity, wind patterns, and temperatures within the glacier, both in the air and in the water flowing deep below us, some 80 meters down," Parov clarified.

The physicist emphasized that one cannot go to Antarctica and work there without loving what they do. He shared that he tries to pass on his passion for science to those who follow him. "I came here with considerable effort, and thanks to Prof. Christo Pimpirev and his team, I received an invitation to participate in the competitions for young scientists, to win the competition, and to work. Last year, I started this project on my own, which posed a higher degree of risk and danger. This justified the inclusion of Chief Assistant Dr. Yordanka Donkova, a geologist. Thanks to her, we expanded the project from studying vertical movements in the glacier to collecting interesting sediments from its bottom, which she will later analyze in laboratory conditions."

Eng. Parov explained that the sensors are installed in an area where the ice turns bluer, indicating that it is ancient. Each line and layer represent a year in the glacier’s life. Meanwhile, in its upper part, the atmosphere influences the glacier, causing its walls to rapidly drift apart and melt. "But below, in this glacier specifically, we identified a zone of constant temperatures last year at 12 meters. Now, it is at 20 meters. This means that the warm air has descended by eight meters in a single year. Whether this is due to changes in solar activity or is an anthropogenic effect caused by increased greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere remains to be determined," the scientist said.

Parov shared that their research continues on the direction and magnitude of air currents. They have already established that a strong upward current exists in the glacier's centre, but its origin remains unknown—whether it enters from the upper section or the periphery due to thermodynamic equilibrium with the atmosphere.

"The significance of conducting these studies here—both globally and for Bulgaria—is intertwined. The global significance is that Bulgarian science should be at the forefront! With projects like this, we are leading in solar-terrestrial physics. Why? Because it is crucial to know the rate at which these ice sheets are melting, as well as how quickly the chemical composition of ocean water in front of these glaciers is changing. This water, once salty, is now becoming more freshwater due to these rivers, which shift entire mountains around us. I’m not speaking specifically about Antarctica, where the economic impact is lower, but rather about alpine regions—the Himalayas, the Andes—where glaciers follow the same trend. We are in the most sensitive area of the planet, the Antarctic convergence, the current that separates Antarctica from the rest of the world. This is the front line of global climate change. Understanding what happens here and how quickly will allow us to apply that knowledge to densely populated regions like the Himalayas, the Alps, the Andes, and beyond," the physicist summarized.

"Gratitude and happiness are the words I use to describe my experience and presence in Antarctica," Parov emphasized.

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) departed from Varna on its third Antarctic expedition on November 7, 2024, and arrived at Livingston Island on December 28. The St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island opened for the new polar season on November 23, 2024.

BTA has a national press club on the vessel and at the Bulgarian Antarctic base. This is the third year in a row that BTA has sent a correspondent to Antarctica. This year's correspondent is Milena Ostrovska, who arrived at the base on January 17. Her reports are available for free in English at the Bulgaria-Antarctica Log on BTA's website and can be used for free by all media with attribution to BTA.