As public funding for science passes through one of its most critical moments, CONICET He once again embarked on a new, impactful oceanographic expedition. The campaign runs from December 14th to January 10th, 2026 “Living in the extremes” Travel key areas of the South Atlantic aboard the ship Falkor (also)with live streaming and open access to scientific content.
The mission was developed in collaboration with the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at the UBA and the Schmidt Ocean Institutecontinues his explorations in the deep waters of the Argentine Sea. This time the focus is on the study of Cold methane gas escapes On the continental slope there are extreme ecosystems that harbor life forms that rely not on sunlight but on chemical processes.
They (also) travel on board the Falkor. 25 specialists17 of them Argentinians under the direction of the biologist Maria Emilia BravoCONICET researcher and university professor. The itinerary includes the Malvinas BasinThe Salado Basin and the pools Colorado–RawsonRegions in the South Atlantic where the presence of poorly understood chemosynthetic communities is suspected.
Authoritarians don’t like that
The practice of professional and critical journalism is a mainstay of democracy. That is why it bothers those who believe that they are the owners of the truth.
UBA geologist explains how mining affects glaciers
Life in the extremes, almost 4,500 meters deep
The central goal of the campaign is to understand how methane affects the biological, physical and chemical properties of the deep ecosystem. To achieve this, the team must achieve at least one achievement 15 dives with the SuBastian ROVa remote-controlled vehicle that can descend 4,500 metersCapture high-resolution images and collect samples of water, sediments, rocks and benthic fauna without disturbing the environment.
At the same time, the ship Falkor (also) takes off acoustic mapping with state-of-the-art oceanographic instrumentation. The data obtained is integrated into open scientific repositories and adapted for educational use in schools, universities and dissemination areas.
The ecosystems studied are home to highly specialized organisms – such as tubeworms, clams, mussels and microorganisms – that survive under extreme conditions of pressure, darkness and toxicity. These studies not only expand knowledge about marine biodiversity, but also provide important information for the Climate Change Monitoringas methane leaks play a central role in the dynamics of greenhouse gases.
Live science and public access
As with the previous expedition that took place in Mar del Plata, the scientific work can be followed in real time via the digital platforms of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The broadcasts show the ROV dives, daily work on board and exchanges between researchers, with the opportunity for the public to submit questions that will be answered live.
The experience creates identification and closeness again. In the first few hours of the broadcast, videos and memes were already circulating, such as the moment when Some fish stopped collecting coral samples the work and one researcher commented with a laugh: “They are royals, we have already taken many photos of them, they have already been on TV, spread them”. The term, typical of the Argentine Lunfardo, once again built a bridge between border science and everyday culture.
Scientists discover a mysterious giant structure hidden beneath the Bermuda Triangle
Investigate, despite everything
The new expedition stands in contrast to the scenario that the national science system is currently experiencing. CONICET researchers have been warning of a new outbreak since the end of 2023Cutting government subsidiesthe return of already approved international funds and the growing dependence on external financing, which is difficult to sustain in the long term.
He Defund sustained direct impacts on the development of projects, the continuity of scholarships, the career entry of new scientists and the operational performance of research institutes across the country.
In this context the National Agency for the Promotion of Research, Technological Development and Innovation (R+D+I Agency) –The organization responsible for funding scientific projects said it had suffered Save 78% of your budgetwas about to close and informed researchers with current projects about it There will be no new payoutswhich implies the paralysis of research lines in strategic areas such as health, engineering, biotechnology, food industry and social sciences.
While CONICET supports the structure of the system – infrastructure, buildings, equipment, career personnel and fellows – the R&D&I agency finances specific projects selected through rigorous scientific evaluation. The Underutilization of IDB loansof concrete importance, has not only stopped the ongoing investigation, but will force the Argentine state to do so return already approved international funds. In addition, no items have been requested for 2026, meaning a new year of paralysis for hundreds of work teams.
The impact of the cuts is being felt across the country. An example is what happened in Rosariowhere 12 work CONICET execution units with highly complex institutes, modern laboratories and active connections to the productive sector. There, as in other regions, projects were aimed at industry, construction and SMEs remained without fundingwhich interrupted developments that had a direct impact on the economic structure.
Conicet researchers found a carnivorous dinosaur egg in near perfect state of preservation
From a budgetary point of view, the adjustment planned for the science and technology sector is… Budget 2026 around the 300 million dollarsa value comparable to and even lower than the fiscal impact of the recent reduction in withholding taxes on agricultural exports. The comparison returns Highlight a priority scheme which is relegated to scientific research despite its historical role in productive development, innovation and foreign exchange generation in the country.
In this context “Living in the extremes” It also functions as a postcard of resistance. The expedition shows that even with limited resources and a strained system Argentine public science continues to produce knowledge relevant, articulate international cooperation and arouse great social interest.
Without sustained funding or public policies that prioritize research, these campaigns could become exceptional, they warn in the industry. Currently, CONICET dives into the seabed again and to show – live – how knowledge is built in one of the least explored environments on the planet, even as government support is withdrawn from the surface.
DG/EM
About The Author
