Argentina launches a nuclear-powered plastic control program in Antarctica

From the Marambio base, in the Antarctica Argentina, the president Javier Milei began cooperation activities with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the use of nuclear energy in the control of pollution by plastics, according to official sources reported this Saturday.

The president traveled to the Marambio Joint Antarctic Base, together with the head of the IAEARafael Grossi, to launch the Nutec Plásticas project, with the aim of monitoring marine pollution caused by microplastics and nanoplastics on the continent’s coasts.

”Through this program, Argentina will begin a new chapter in its long and distinguished career in Antarctic science. Through international cooperation agreements, we seek to enhance our capabilities to be able to provide quality scientific information for decision-making within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty,” he stated. Milei it’s a statement.

At a global level, the initiative has the collaboration of 63 countries in marine monitoring and another 30 nations that are developing innovative recycling technologies, with methods such as irradiation to treat existing plastic material and make them suitable for reuse.

”The exercise of science, cooperation and the preservation of the Antarctic environment are priority axes of our Antarctic foreign policy,” said the president, after getting off the plane that took him from Río Gallegos (province of Santa Cruz) to the Marambio base.

Activities include the organization of expert missions, training for sample collection and analysis, as well as logistical support to facilitate access of scientific personnel to the Antarcticawhich will include publications and best practices in the field of international cooperation.

“The Argentina “It is renewing its commitment to the international community, making its contribution to our common good and that of future generations,” he added.

According to official information, this project will transfer to the Antarctica to two scientific groups that will work for 60 and 120 days, respectively, coordinated with the Argentine Ministry of Defense, for the logistical support of the researchers.

For its part, the Argentine Antarctic Institute will analyze the samples taken and the IAEA will provide supplies, laboratory equipment and financing for training.

The implementation of the agreement is coordinated by the Argentine Antarctic Program through the National Antarctic Directorate (DNA), which depends on the Argentine Foreign Ministry, and according to the Antarctic Treaty System.

”The ‘Nutec Plastics’ initiative is a program for the study of marine plastic pollution that covers almost all the world’s seas, except the Antarctic. Through this agreement, our country will extend this program to the white continent,” the document highlighted.