Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 11:24:06 -0300 To: mo-sciweekly@polar.org, mpc@lmg.polar.org, verretro@lmg.polar.org, alsuther@nsf.gov, kerb@nsf.gov, ppenhale@nsf.gov cc: rossro@lmg.polar.org, kozlowwe@lmg.polar.org, Menzies Dave , Carrillo Christopher , Chapman Erik , iresonki@lmg.polar.org From: "Ross, Robin" Subject: LMG01-01 4 -13 Jan 2001 Palmer LTER cruise LMG01-01 2001 January LTER cruise: 4 -13 January synopsis The Palmer LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) project is focused on the marine pelagic ecosystem west of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sampling and experiments are conducted on multiple scales, from the small spatial scale program that continues throughout the spring and summer, to the mesoscale sampling in January based on a 400 km alongshore by 200 km on/offshore grid between Anvers and Adelaide Islands, to process cruises scheduled to investigate specific questions. The program is multi-disciplinary, with teams focused on hydrography and sea ice/ocean modeling (BP-021, PI = D. Martinson, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory); optics and remote sensing for sea ice and ocean color (BP-032, PI = R.C. Smith, University of California at Santa Barbara); microbial ecology and carbon flux (BP-046, PIs = D. Karl, University of Hawaii and H. Ducklow, Virginia Institute of Marine Science); phytoplankton community distribution and productivity (BP-016, PI = M. Vernet, Scripps Institution of Oceanography); zooplankton distribution and abundance, and Antarctic krill physiology (BP-028, PIs = R. Ross and L. Quetin, UCSB); and apex predators, Adelie penguin demography and reproduction (BP-013, PI = W. Fraser, Montana State University). The 2001 January LTER cruise on the LM Gould was originally scheduled to leave Punta Arenas the morning of December 30. Unfortunately, within an hour of departure there were problems with the engine eventually diagnosed as a faulty turbo. Our departure was delayed 5.5 days until the new part could be flown down and installed. We left Punta Arenas 4 January 2100 LT. After we left Argentine waters, we collected a suite of data on the southbound trip to Palmer Station. The data included an xbt/xctd transect, and surface collections of water samples for analyses of chlorophyll, dissolved gasses, and the microbial population. At Palmer we were able to complete the offload/onload for the cruise in 26 h, and departed at 2000 January 9. The willingness of Palmer Station personnel to help us with this fast and unprecedented turnaround is greatly appreciated. The first 3.5 days of science operations have gone very smoothly, aided by superb support from an experienced scientific group, RPSC personnel, the ECO captain and crew, and calm weather. We occupied the seasonal stations (B and E) and acoustic transects (A-E and F-J) that are sampled twice a week from October to March. We have retrieved the Palmer sediment trap located about 4 km from Palmer Station, and retrieved and redeployed the Hugo sediment trap, about 100 km southwest of Palmer Station. Sampling of the 9 stations on the 600 line that runs perpendicular to the continent and 24 km south of Palmer Station is now complete. Stations are 20 km apart, and at each station we deployed multiple instruments: a PRR (profiling reflectance radiometer) cast for both uv and visible light, a CTD cast for hydrographic data and to collect water samples, a FRRF (fast repetition rate fluorometer) on casts less than 500 m, and two acoustic (120 kHz) transects with simultaneous net tows (2-m and 1-m Metro nets) to sample the zooplankton community. At the station of the day closest to solar noon, two casts were done with the optics instrument package (ac-9 and Hydroscat-6) to measure inherent optical properties in the water column. Seabird censuses were conducted between cardinal stations, and on station. XBTs were dropped between stations. Regards, Robin Ross (028, Chief Scientist) and field team leaders Dave Menzies (021), Chris Carrillo (046), Wendy Koslowski (016), Kirk Ireson (032), and Erik Chapman (013)