Thread by @SIF_Seychelles

Our third #AldabraResearchStation50 post focuses on some of the #Aldabraresearchstation’s critical infrastructure which has made major discoveries possible and enables ongoing ecosystem monitoring & scientific #research. 1/10

#throwback #ThrowbackThursday #Seychelles #Aldabra

First up is the #research block, the station’s heart. Originally constructed by @theroyalsociety and officially inaugurated on the 30th June 1971 it has experienced various visible changes while welcoming many #Seychellois & international researchers. 2/10

Another major change to #Aldabra’s infrastructure, also visible in these photos, is the #lighthouse. At 17M tall the solar-powered lighthouse, erected in 2013, helps vessels stay clear of Aldabra&its reefs. 3/10

It replaced a light that was mounted on the station’s first water tower that is also visible in these photos.
Speaking of the water tower, this vital part of the station ensures the #Aldabra team has a continuous water supply. 4/10

Today the new water tower compromises of two fiberglass tanks, each able to hold 2,000 liters sitting atop a galvanised steel frame. Freshwater is collected from the rain in one of the tanks and the other is filled with seawater which is used mainly for toilets. 5/10

Using pumps, the tanks are filled at dawn&dusk each day, then gravity provides all buildings a steady flow of water. A new tower, donated by the #Seychelles National Parks Authority, was constructed between 2017&2018, with the SIF team being assisted by @indiannavy & IDC. 6/10

Lastly, we cannot speak about water without electricity! Since 2012, 94% of the station’s electricity has been supplied by a photovoltaic (PV) system. #Seychelles’ first hybrid off-grid system was developed from a volunteer’s (now staff) MSc thesis! 7/10

Before this #renewableenergy upgrade #Aldabra depended on several diesel generators, which not only created huge logistical nightmares - unloading 100sof heavy barrels of diesel each yr without machinery – but was also releasing CO2 that contributed to the #ClimateCrisis. 8/10

Today, #Aldabra has a small backup diesel generator only used when there is not enough sun to meet the stations’ electricity needs. Since its operation, the PV system has ⬇️SIF’s annual diesel demand by 98%, prevented the emission of 330,000 kg of CO2& created major savings! 9/10

These are some of the changes that have taken place for this 50-year-old home of #science. They have improved the working conditions of #Aldabra personnel, made the station more resilient and #sustainable.
Photos Credits: Jude Brice, Martin Van Rooyen & @SteveBlackm0re. 10/10