Khalifa University makes historic Antarctic deployment

The UAE's Khalifa University of Science and Technology has successfully deployed a specialized instrument designed to study ice in Antarctica.

The Snow Ice Mass Balance, or SIMBA, was deployed by a team of scientists and researchers from the university's Environmental and Geophysical Sciences (ENGEOS) laboratory and the Earth Science department.

This marks the first time a team from any UAE academic institution has deployed operational instruments on the continent.

The project is led by Dr. Diana Francis, head of the ENGEOS lab and assistant professor of Earth Sciences, with support from five researchers and collaboration from two scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division.

"We are proud of this achievement and remain dedicated to pioneering innovation and scientific exploration, particularly in climate change. This initiative started in 2020, has successfully attracted international collaborations with those countries already present in Antarctica," said Professor Bayan Sharif, provost of Khalifa University.

The SIMBA instrument was strategically deployed in April, ahead of the annual sea ice formation that typically begins in May and peaks in July.

Dr. Francis explained that once the ice surrounds the instrument, it will continue to monitor various parameters, providing insights into the evolution of sea ice thickness and the conditions affecting its formation and melting.

Antarctic sea ice plays a vital role in protecting the continent's glaciers and influencing global sea levels. With over 99.5 per cent of Antarctica covered in ice, understanding the dynamics of this environment is essential for climate science and global ocean currents.

A team from @KhalifaUni has developed the UAE’s first-of-their-kind operational instruments for scientific study in Antarctica. Instruments will assess formation, parameters and melting of sea ice, and provide insight into ocean and atmospheric characteristics in the South Pole. pic.twitter.com/P8kvlldRIU

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