In early 2024, the COASTANTAR expedition, led by Portuguese scientists, successfully completed a pioneering mission in Antarctica. The team utilized a small sailboat, the “El Doblón,” to conduct various scientific studies in the challenging environment of the Antarctic Peninsula. This area, known for its rapidly changing climate, served as the focus of extensive research on glacial retreat, permafrost, marine biology, and environmental contaminants.

Despite facing logistical and weather-related challenges, the expedition covered over 1,100 km, gathered valuable data, and underscored the potential for low-impact, cost-effective scientific exploration in polar regions. The samples collected during this mission are now being analyzed, with results expected to further our understanding of climate change and its global impact.