Antarctica and ice shelves south of 60° S for the purposes of the Treaty System. The treaty was signed by twelve countries including the Soviet Union (and later Russia), the United Kingdom, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and the United States. It set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation and environmental protection, and banned military activity on Antarctica. This was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War. In 1983 the Antarctic Treaty Parties began negotiations on a convention to regulate mining in Antarctica. A coalition of international organisations launched a public pressure campaign to prevent
Amphibolis antarctica Amphibolis antarctica Amphibolis antarctica, commonly known as wire weed or sea nymph, is a seagrass found in coastal waters of southern and western Australia. It is a herbaceous perennial up to 80 centimetres high. It has shorter leaves than the other "Amphibolis" species, "A. griffithii". Its flowers are green, and appear from September to February. First published as "Ruppia antarctica" by Jacques Labillardière in 1807, it has since been moved into numerous genera. It was named "Caulinia antarctica" by Robert Brown in 1810, "Posidonia antarctica" by C. P. J. Sprengel in 1824, " Cymodocea antarctica" by C. S. Kunth in