The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens participated in Greece’s first oceanographic and scientific diving expedition to Antarctica. The mission formed part of the Second Greek Scientific Expedition, organised by the Hellenic Polar Zones Society, and was conducted in the coastal waters of Livingston Island.
Representing the University’s Department of Biology, PhD candidate Dionysia Rigatou joined forces with Eleni Kytinou of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in a multidisciplinary investigation into the effects of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on coastal marine food webs.
The research integrates satellite observations and advanced climate modelling with in situ measurements across multiple depths, complemented by scientific diving and the deployment of a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Primary production—focusing on phytoplankton and macroalgae—is examined through systematic sampling and laboratory analysis, while high-resolution underwater recording techniques are employed to assess the abundance, biomass, and structural complexity of benthic ecosystems.
Conducted over 17 days under demanding polar conditions, the expedition involved continuous sampling both aboard a research vessel and at the Bulgarian Antarctic base on Livingston Island. Notably, the mission included the first Greek scientific dives in Antarctic waters, carried out in water temperatures below 2°C and with limited visibility.
The expedition was made possible through the support of Laskaridis Shipping Co. Ltd., with hosting provided by the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute. Participation by the University of Athens was coordinated through the Oceanography and Earth Observation research group of the Department of Biology, under the academic leadership of Dionysios Raitsos, further consolidating the institution’s presence in cutting-edge polar research.
Invitation
The academic community and the wider public are invited to the presentation of the Second Greek Scientific Expedition to Antarctica:
On Friday, 3 April 2026, at the Historical Library of Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, 36 Defteras Merarchias St, Piraeus 185 35, from 19:00 to 20:30, with free admission.
The first scientific results will be presented, along with the researchers’ experiences from the expedition—a significant milestone for the Greek scientific community.
