6/00 NSF Fastlane https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/ Enter Award Number : 9632763 (7 digits) Pin#: xxxx (4 digits) Enter Start Date: 06/01/1999 Enter End Date: 06/01/2000 Annual Project Report: Palmer LTER ************** Reporting Categories 1. Participants: Who has been involved? June99-June00 A person who worked significantly on the project and received salary, wages, stipend or other support from NSF funding. (ie, anyone in field since supported by NSF to get there) 1.A What people have worked on the project? Name >160 hrs? Role Raymond C. Smith yes Lead-PI, Optics, Remote Sensing, SeaIce William R. Fraser yes Co-PI, Seabirds David M. Karl yes Co-PI, Microbial Processes Douglas G. Martinson yes Co-PI, Modeling/Physical Oceanography Langdon B. Quetin yes Co-PI, Prey Robin M. Ross yes Co-PI, Prey Maria Vernet yes Co-PI, Phytoplankton Karen S. Baker yes Co-PI, Data Management Charleen R. Johnson yes Staff, Logistics Laurie Burke yes Staff Laurel A. Coe yes Staff Meghan Duffy yes Staff Peter A. Duley yes Staff Lance Fujieki yes Staff Jill Glass yes Staff Kimberly M. Grimm yes Staff Dale Hebel yes Staff Rich Iannuzzi yes Staff Kirk Ireson yes Staff Sara Kerr yes Staff Jared C. Kneebone yes Staff Wendy A. Kozlowski yes Staff Jared Kneebone yes Staff Daniel Martin yes Staff David W. Menzies yes Staff John Milner yes Staff Tim Newberger yes Staff Michele Rosenshield yes Staff Dan Sadler yes Staff Caroline T. Shaw yes Staff Karie Sines yes Staff Sharon E. Stammerjohn yes Staff Luis M. Tupas yes Staff Veronica Vigilante yes Staff Jennifer A. White yes Staff Marnie Zierbel yes Staff Martha Ferrario yes Visiting Scientist Jinro Ukita yes Visiting Scientist Eric J. Woehler yes Visiting Scientist Karin Bjorkman yes Graduate Student Christopher J. Carrillo yes Graduate Student Nicolas Cassar yes Graduate Student Michael Colee yes Graduate Student Heidi M. Dierssen yes Graduate Student Irene Garibotti yes Graduate Student David Hamm yes Graduate Student Brent Mardien yes Undergraduate Student Stephanie Oakes yes Graduate Student Donna L. Patterson yes Graduate Student Karen W. Patterson yes Graduate Student Diane Poehls yes Undergraduate Student Angie Thomson-Bulldis yes Graduate Student Dominique Sonier yes K-12 teacher, Voluteer Mimi Wallace yes K-12 teacher, TEA Andrew Altieri yes Volunteer Brian Bradshaw yes Volunteer James Flaherty yes Volunteer Christopher Holmes yes Volunteer Mary Jane Sadler yes Volunteer Matthew Scott yes Volunteer 1.B What other organizations have been involved as partners? ASA-Antarctic Support Associates CONICET-Commision Nacional de Investigaciones y Cientificas y Tecnicas DEB-Division of Environmental Biology LTER-Long-Term Ecological Research Program NASA-National Space and Aeronautics Administration AMLR-Antarctic Marine Living Resources CCAMLR-Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources JGOFS-Joint Global Ocean Flux Meetings TEA-Teachers Experiencing Antarctica or Artic HOT-Hawaii Ocean Time-Series BAS-British Antarctic Survey SCAR-Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research SCOR-Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research SI-Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History 1.C Have you had other collaborators or contacts? David Ainley (H.T. Harvey & Assoc.) - seabird ecology; Palmer Steering Comm Penny Allen (British Broadcasting) - krill filming at Palmer Andrew Clarke (BAS) - carotenoids in krill; Palmer Steering Comm. Frank Crandall (Smithsonian, Natural Museum of Natural History)-pelagic Nemertea Lucia deLeiris (artist in residence Palmer Station) - live zooplankton samples Ed DeLong - (MBARI) - microbial processes Douglas DeMaster (NMML) - fisheries; Palmer Steering Comm. Mark Drinkwater (JPL) - sea ice dynamics Eugene Domack (Hamilton College) - sedimentology, paleoecology Wencke Eikrem-University of Oslo, polar phytoplankton Steve Emslie (U North Carolina) - seabird archeology, paleoecology Martha Ferrario - phytoplankton taxonomy Tom Fisher (HPEL) - ecology, nutrients; Palmer Steering Comm. Irene Garibotti-University of Oslo, graduate student Danielle Harvey-University of Southern California, Rodolfo Iturriaga advisor Harmut Hellmer - Alfred-Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven - sea ice buoys John Hobbie (MBL) - microbial processes; Palmer Steering Comm. George Hunt (UCI) - seabird ecology; Palmer Steering Comm. James Kennett (UCSB) - marine paleooceanography, paleoecology Amy Leventer (Colgate U) - paleobiology, paleoecology Xiang Liu (JPL) - sea ice dynamics Stephen Nicol (Australian Antarctic Division) - krill/salps separation/genetics Christine Moraes-Japan-Brazil Ellen Mosley-Thompson (Ohio State U) - ice core records, paleoecology Jim Reichman (NCEAS,UCSB) - mammals, ecology; Palmer Steering Comm. Brad Seibel (RSMAS) - enzymes in pteropods Janet Sprintall (SIO) - collaboration on Drake Passage XBT program Angela Swafford, Discovery Channel Latin America/Iberia Jinro Ukita, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center Jahn Trondsen-University of Oslo, polar phytoplankton Bob Whritner- (AARC/SIO) satellite imagery Eric Woehler- (AAD,Tasmania) Australian Antarctic Division, Hobart, Tasmania 2. Activities and Findings: What have you done? What have you learned? 2.A What were your major research activities? The Palmer LTER sampling strategy combines seasonal time series data from the nearshore Palmer stations and seabird observations from nesting sites near Palmer Station with annual cruises covering a regional grid along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). During USAP9900 the Palmer LTER completed a ninth season at Palmer Station (with field sampling from mid-November to late March) as well as the eighth mesoscale summer time series research cruise (jan00). In addition, as a key component of our 6-year research plan, we completed an early winter sea ice cruise (jun99). A key objective of this sampling is long-term, integrated studies on ecological processes of the marine ecology of the Southern Ocean. During this period each component was assisted in meeting the data policy requirement (data online via the Palmer LTER web page) and continued to build our long-term data legacy. Winter ice cruise Jun99 (NBP99-6 15Jun-11Jul99) The June99 cruise Winter Sea Ice cruise (R. Smith, Chief Scientist) was a sea-ice process study during fall/winter to investigate, document & understand sea-ice growth processes & the relationship of these processes to the biota. Core measurements were made at stations along LTER standard grid lines 200 and 600. All field components participated in this cruise which included the following objectives: (1) to carry out observations for a range of sea ice types (frazil, nilas, young, open and closed pack) to address several hypothesis associated with the period of sea ice formation; (2) to investigate relationships found during this sea ice formation period with the various trophic components (ie microalgae, krill, penguin) of the ecosystem (see proposal, esp. Figs. 8,9, & 10); (3) to characterize sea ice across an ice gradient from open water, frazil, small & large pancake, to open and close pack ice in order to investigate key parameters important for the biota; (4) to deploy ice buoys in collaboration with Dr. Hellmer of the Alfred-Wegener Institute; (5) to carry out Sea bird observations in the Special Protected area at at Dion Island. All operations were completed and successful. Summer cruise Jan00 (LMG00-1 08Jan-01Feb) covering the full suite of cardinal lines along grid lines 200 to 600 but dropping some stations due to shortened cruise time allotment: Maria Vernet was the Chief Scientist for the LMG00-01 annual summer cruise of the Palmer LTER. All field components participated in the cruise which included the following objectives: (1) To document the spatial and temporal variability in Western Antarctic Peninsula region (specifically the shelf & slope between Anvers and Adelaide Islands) in order to distinguish among trends, cycles and natural variability in the ecosystem; (2) To investigate linkages between the Adelie penguins nesting near Palmer Station and the marine resources within their foraging range; (3) To continue a study of the factors that determine the spatial patterns observed in the ecosystem and the space/time variability of these factors over the study region; and (4) To conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms underlying the structure and function of this Antarctic marine ecosystem. The 1999/00 field season (Oct99-Mar00) at Palmer Station included research activities by BP-013 (Fraser), BP-028 (Quetin/Ross), BP-016 (Vernet) and BP-032 (Smith). Researchers from three groups (Fraser, Smith & Vernet) arrived at Palmer on 15 October 1999. Brash ice prohibited island and watercolumn station visits and core sampling until the first weeks in November. Core sampling included arrival dates and population counts of Adelies as well as physical, optical and biological observations at stations B & E. Prior to this time krill were observed in the ice although ice cleared in the first week in December. The LMG99-01 cruise occupied Jan (08Jan-01Feb) early February while the Palmer field season was completed in March. During USAP 0001 we plan to participant in the annual LTER research cruises (Jan01), the seasonal time series at Palmer Station (Sep00-Mar01) and a sea ice cruise (Sep01) during the period of sea ice retreat. We expect the Sep01 cruise to follow and be coordinated with a SO GLOBEC Jul/Aug cruise. 2.B What are your major research findings? Data Management (Karen S. Baker) Group co-ordination was facilitated by data management's maintenance and update of the Palmer LTER web pages. The completion of cruise and Palmer season reports making use of a co-ordinated format in the form of Antarctic Journal (AJUS) articles for the January 1999, June 1999 and the Palmer 1998-1999 season provides a valuable & consistent long-term context for a general description of our annual activities. Drafts for the January 2000 cruises and the Palmer 1999-2000 season are under development. The development of at-sea capabilities was extended through availability of LTER procedure manuals on disk and the LTER grid program in java for use on a PC. The procedure manuals, previously archived on macintosh computers, have been updated and transferred so as to be available via the web. A new central archive disk was purchased increasing storage from 2 GB to 8 GB to accommodate the growing LTER database. Two LTER Network internships were awarded to Palmer LTER Information Management permitting a continuation in the investigation of relational database design, the redesign of a site description directory and the design of a web interfaced LTER site information management survey. The LTER Palmer database is part of an LTER Network Information System (NIS) model published in a multi-site manuscript (Baker, Benson, Henshaw, Blodgett, Porter and Stafford, accepted Bioscience) describing the LTER information management system developed in partnership by information managers and site scientists. NIS component modules were addressed through joint work at LTER Meetings including the 1999 DataManager Meeting, 2000 DataTask Meeting at the LTER Network Office in New Mexico, and the NEON Symposium at the Supercomputer Center in San Diego. An LTER Newsletter was established in such a way as to facilitate rotating co-editorship. The Newsletter was co-edited for two issues by K.Baker and a series of articles contributed. Development of CDROM publishing capability was initiated including purchase of needed equipment, design and production of labels, designation of copyright and consideration of publication form. Education Outreach progams were coordinated by information management component and an outreach CD published as part of the SIO Report Series. Optics, Sea Ice, Climate Variability, Productivity (R. Smith): The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region has experienced a statistically significant warming trend during the past half century. Also, a statistically significant anti-correlation between air temperatures and sea ice extent, as determined from satellite passive microwave data during the past two decades, has been observed for this region. As a consequence, the WAP region is proving to be an exceptional area to study ecological response to climate variability (Ross et al., 1996 and references therein; Smith et al., 1996; Smith et al., 1999). Foci during this funding period included: (1) participation in both cruises (jun99 & jan00) and the Palmer Station field season; (2) continued extension of earlier sea ice and air temperature observations to include the past decade focusing on the annual cycles of these climatic parameters in order to place our recent observations within a context of changes seen in the longer term records and the subsequent effects on the marine ecosystem (Smith & Stammerjohn, accepted); (3) bio-optical observations aimed at optimizing the use of ocean color satellite data for the estimation of pigment biomass and modeling of primary productivity (Diersen et al., 2000; Diersen & Smith, JGR accepted). Bio-Optical Sampling Program: During this recent year we continued in-situ bio-optical observations (in collaboration with M. Vernet) aimed at creating robust bio-optical models for waters of the southern ocean. The bio-optics team participated in both cruises and the Palmer field season and observations and methods were as reproted previously. Sea Ice: Sea ice observations have as a primary objective the understanding of the physical & climatic controls on interannual sea ice variability and the effects of this variability on the marine ecosystem. Passive microwave derived ice concentrations and sea-ice indexes continue to be updated and used to study the southern ocean and the WAP area. Sea ice indexes (Smith et al., 1999) quantitatively define the timing & magnitude of ice coverage & give a common context within which to interpret ecosystem studies (Smith, Baker & Stammerjohn, 1998, Karl et al, 1996, Ross et al., 2000). This multidisciplinary work also quantitatively demonstrated the marine ecosystem sensitivity to climate change and presented conceptual models for understanding this change. We continue to update previous work and are investigating alternative indices for linkage to other trophic levels. Work continues on a collaborative NASA-funded effort to investigate the variability in sea-ice coverage and the ice-motion dynamics in the Palmer LTER region (Stammerjohn, Smith, Drinkwater & Liu, 1998) making use of high resolution SAR data. This work was reported at the Gordon Research Conference on Polar Marine Science (March 1999). During the Jun99 winter sea ice cruise we carried out a series of statons in the marginal ice zone, each focusing of different ice types and conditions ranging from interior pack ice to nilas and young pancake ice. Snow cover and seasonal thickness as well as physical and stable isotopic characterization of the ice samples were carried out at each station. Snow cover was minimal during this early period of ice cover. Ice growth processes were dominated by a rapid freezing at the ice edge under stormy turbulent conditions with a frazil-pancake mechanism, followed by a slower thermodynamic growth at the base. These seasonal sea ice observations are among the first to be carried out in the WAP region and are currently under analysis. Pigment biomass and Productivity: A manuscript, "Modeling primary productivity in Antarctic coastal waters" (Dierssen, Vernet & Smith, 2000) quantitatively demonstrates that phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean have a significantly different photoadaptive variable and model parameters than phytoplankton in temperate waters. We find that the remotely sensed reflectance spectrum, as a function of chlorophyll concentrations, is significantly different from the SeaBAM dataset collected from other regions of the world's oceans. Model studies (Dierssen & Smith, JGR accepted) suggest that the shape of the Antarctic remote sensing reflectance spectra is consistent with waters that have very low backscattering. We hypothesize that low coefficients of backscattering are because concentrations of bacteria and viruses, the primary backscattering particulates, have been found to be an order of magnitude lower throughout the Southern Ocean when compared to most other oceanic regions (Karl et al., 1996). During the LMG99-01 cruise spectral backscattering was measured with HydroScat-6 to test this hypothesis. Ocean color algorithms specific for the Southern Ocean (SO) are being developed and tested. Collectively, this work provides a spatial and temporal assessment of pigment biomass for the WAP region and does so within the context of the entire Southern Ocean. Additionally, these SO algorithms will permit more accurate estimation of pigment biomass and resultant estimates of phytoplankton productivity by making use of ocean color satellite data. Also during this period Ms. Heidi Dierssen and Ms. Karen Patterson completed their PhD work (June 00). Much of their research was facilitated by and done in collaboration with the Palmer LTER. (Suppport for Dierssen was via a NASA fellowship and for Patterson via an EPA fellowship.) Physical Oceanography & Modeling (D. Martinson) The PAL LTER physical oceanography (PO) component consists of several foci: (1) the sampling program; (2) data analysis; (3) modeling. Work over the last year focused on the sampling program and analysis. Modeling efforts will be introduced later after initial data analysis and synthesis have been completed. Physical Oceanography Sampling Program: During this recent year the PO team (Martinson and Iannuzzi) participated in the LTER99 winter cruise (June-July, 1999). The participation was aimed at refining and documenting our sea-going operations to assure consistent operations each year. In particular, while at sea we (working with ASA) developed a complete operational manual outlining CTD operations and quality control while at sea. The manual includes labeled digital photos of all equipment as well as detailed description of each stage of the CTD and hydrographic program (e.g., pre- and post-deployment steps for the instrument and data; in-water operations; rosette sampling; salinity testing; mechanical and software troubleshooting; cursory data analysis and presentation; data archiving and distribution; etc.). During the cruise we collected 76 CTD profiles and conducted continuous profiling through the ice during ice stations. All operations were a complete success. On-board analyses proved useful in anticipating ice growth and short-term upper ocean evolution while at the ice stations, aiding ice sampling, additional CTD sampling and on-site interpretation. Upon completion of the cruise, CTD sensors were sent out for post-cruise calibration. The calibrations have been completed and post-cruise data reduction will take place shortly (our shipboard analyses suggest that the post-cruise adjustments will introduce negligible change in the current values). All data have been distributed to the LTER group in the standard format. Upon completion of the post-cruise processing, the data will be put immediately in the relevant national data archives. We also coordinated and oversaw the LTER00 summer cruise (Jan-Feb, 2000) CTD operations, communicating cruise-specific sampling requirements and operations. As per our standard operation strategy, initial CTD tests were outlined and the results emailed to LDEO to verify that the CTD sensors and operations were proceeding according to plan and operating at the required level of accuracy and precision (they were). Periodic data transmissions to LDEO were made to assure consistent quality control. The summer CTD sampling program was fully successful, and the raw data were passed to LDEO where we will conduct final data reduction shortly after receiving the post-cruise calibration constants (these will be slightly delayed since the CTD sensors remained upon the LM Gould for use in the program following the LTER cruise). Data Analysis: Fundamental to the LTER physical program component is an analysis strategy that attempts to identify physical-optical-chemical-biological (POCB) covarying behavior across the LTER grid (and ultimately to extrapolar climate). We have initiated this analysis using the methodology outlined in Martinson and Iannuzzi (1998). This serves to develop climatologies of all relevant variables of interest across the grid. During this past year, the processing code was generalized for LTER use. We have provided the code and on-site training to each LTER group so that they can compute climatologies of various parameters. Analysis procedures, progress and discussions have been conducted on a regular basis (at least once a month) via conference calls, with all results posted to the LTER web site as soon as they are completed. To date, each group has computed the primary climatologies across the grid (some effort was spent working out the optimal smoothing algorithm for graphical presentation that minimizes spherical curvature artifacts). For the PO program specifically, we have computed climatologies for most of the physical variables of interest (e.g., depth of Tmax, mixed layer depth, pycnocline thickness, etc.) and of all climatically-relevant bulk parameters, as described in Martinson and Iannuzzi (1998). Other components have contributed relevant climatologies for this interdiscilinary comparison and analysis. Temporal variability of LTER variables relative to the climatology is being done through an optimal analysis procedure outlined in Martinson and Iannuzzi (JGR, submitted). The latter involves the fitting of the LTER data by empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) which identify spatial patterns that preserve their shape through time while undergoing changes in amplitude. Thus, the EOFs identify space/time structure that is coherent throughout the domain in each variable. By focusing on the 3 lowest order EOFs (which describe over 70% of the total variance), we tend to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the interannual variability. This allows correlation of the temporal variability of the EOFs (as described by their principal components; PCs). At present, the methodology has been developed and the code is currently being generalized for application to all variables directly in the LTER grid. This work is in an advanced stage of progress and we hope to complete this analysis in the next few months. Completion of this initial analysis will set the stage from which covariability between POCB variables that can be identified and evaluated. This allows us to search for underlying mechanisms and serves as our primary means of initial synthesis of the LTER data collected through the 1990s. Such a strategy has proven extremely useful in identifying and testing polar-extrapolar climate teleconnection mechanisms in the Weddell gyre area. Microbiology and Carbon Flux (D. Karl): The microbiology and carbon flux subcomponent of the Palmer LTER supports the measurements of: (1) dissolved inorganic carbon [DIC] and dissolved organic carbon [DOC] pool dynamics, (2) measurements of bacterial standing stocks and production rates and (3) particle sedimentation and export production on the annual LTER program cruises. These measurements collectively provide a description of the large scale movements of carbon, from photosynthetic production to respiration and sediment burial. The use of autonomous moorings allows us to record events year round and to examine the role of sea ice in export production processes. To date we have participated in nine LTER annual cruises, two special focus microbial loop cruises and four sediment trap service cruises. In July 1999 a winter cruise was also accomplished. Several significant and recurrent features have been observed, including: (1) documentation of substantial depletions in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), especially in areas near Palmer Basin and in Marguerite Bay, that are associated with and indicative of hypereutrophic conditions and extensive net production of particulate organic matter, (2) confirmation of our previous report of an unusual temporal decoupling of photoautotrophic and chemoheterotrophic bacterial processes which sustains both the high net CO2 depletions mentioned above, and a net accumulation of dissolved oxygen -- reasons for this decoupling are not known, (3) significant export of particulate matter from the euphotic zone, especially at the initiation of the spring bloom (Nov-Dec), as recorded by the bottom-moored sediment traps, (4) the presence of a high percentage of planktonic Archaea and (5) winter sea ice microbial processes. Carbon/Oxygen Dynamics: Mr. Christopher Carrillo, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Hawaii, has amassed a comprehensive data set on sea surface pCO2 distributions in the LTER region and on the relationships between physical (temperature, upwelling, salinity, gas exchange) and biological (primary production and respiration) controls of biogenic gas distributions. These data sets have documented a mosaic habitat wherein biological processes are geographically restricted to selected areas of the LTER grid. Physical processes dominate the variability fields. Particulate Matter Export: The strong seasonal phasing in particulate matter export, was fully anticipated as well as the large dynamic range in export from the phytoplankton bloom-supported peak export processes in summer to the low wintertime fluxes. We did not realize, at the start of this project, that these values from the LTER study region would represent global maxima and minima, respectively. Two additional interesting and unexpected results of this initial data set are: (1) the extremely low implied values for annual primary production based on the time-integrated particulate matter export and (2) the unusual, non-Redfield molar C:N:P stoichiometry of the summertime particulate matter export pulse. The elemental composition of sinking particulate matter is seasonally-phased with higher C:N, N:P and C:P ratios in spring/summer compared to winter. This implied, lower food quality of the elevated summertime export may be a result of a melt-out of detritus accumulated in the ice rather than a true reflection of the C:N:P composition of contemporaneous production. This stoichiometric uncoupling sustains a positive, net export of carbon from the euphotic zone. It is important to distinguish between gross particulate carbon export (measured by sediment traps) and net carbon export (the difference between gross export and upward advection/diffusion of dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC). A finite rate of export production is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for a net flux of carbon out of the surface ocean. If the elemental ratios (C:N:P) are the same in the upward inorganic flux and in the organic downward flux, there is no net export of carbon, and no potential for sequestration of carbon dioxide. The distinct stoichiometric uncoupling of the particulate matter export each summer with much greater than Redfield (C:N and C:P) export is consistent with a net carbon export from the euphotic zone in the LTER study area and hence a net sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The winter cruise (see below) provided an opportunity to examine processes occurring in regions of sea ice formation. Young sea ice (<1 week old) contains large amounts of particulate matter. Furthermore, the C:N:P stoichiometry of this POM matches the non-Redfield patterns that are observed for the early spring export pulse discussed above. We presently suspect a strong coupling between these two phenomena and if this is true, then particulate matter export may be ice-controlled rather than under the control of primary production. The process of particulate matter formation during ice accretion is unknown but we suspect that it is related to the salting out of dissolved organic matter, perhaps protein and carbohydrate materials. This hypothesis will be tested in future field studies. Archaea: There are three known domains of life on Earth: Bacteria, Eucarya and Archaea. The latter were discovered only about 20 years ago and their existence as a separate, identifiable group of living organisms is still under debate. In 1994, Ed DeLong, working with LTER scientists at Palmer Station, discovered an abundance of planktonic Archaea in the coastal waters of Arthur Harbor. This led to the discovery of planktonic Archaea in ocean habitats worldwide including subtropical as well as polar environments. In 1999 we began a systematic assessment of the distribution and abundance of Archaea in the LTER grid. This collaboration, with Ed DeLong, has employed a recently developed polynucleotide probing method to distinguish Archaea from their morphologically similar Bacteria. We now have samples from two summer periods (LMG99-01 and LMG00-01) and one winter period (NBP99-6). In the future we will endeavor to combine cell-specific activity measurements with biomass distributions to further probe the ecological-physiology of these new, strange microbes. Winter Dynamics: Our first LTER winter cruise (NBP 99-6) during June-July 1999 was a grand success, rich with previously undescribed and unexpected phenomena. Bacterial cell numbers and biomass were generally higher than in summer (Jan) emphasizing the temporal decoupling between photoautotrophic production and microheterotrophic processes. This could help explain the apparent summertime uncoupling of algae and bacteria. Also, as mentioned above, sea ice formation appears to catalyze the formation of particulate matter from dissolved matter, and this may be a key to the survival of bacteria. Many of our samples are still in various stages of analysis and we look forward to the completion of these data sets and, especially, to the next winter cruise, tentatively scheduled for Aug/Sep 2001. Phytoplankton (M. Vernet): The timing and the magnitude of the phytoplankton blooms is a critical feature of the Antarctic ecosystem yet poorly understood (Smith et al 1996). The field sampling designed to address this question at Palmer Station includes total particulate carbon, primary productivity experiments, photosynthetic pigments, and determination of environmental variables controlling primary production. The phytoplankton development near Palmer Station had a smaller spring bloom (end of November) and a larger summer bloom (end of January). For 180 days of growth (15 October to 15 April), and based on 132 days of sampling, primary production was estimated at approximately 63.5 g C m-2 a-1, one of the lowest in the last nine seasons, compared with a maximum of 377.6 gC m-2 a-1 for 95/96 and a minimum of 54.5 g C m-2 a-1 98/99. This year's results indicate we have yet to start a second 'ice cycle' in the study area, expected to last from 5 to 7 years. Primary production over the continental shelf (the LTER grid) was also one of the lowest in the last 9 years and followed phytoplankton biomass. The spatial distribution followed that of last season (98/99). The only areas of higher biomass accumulation were Palmer Basin and Marguerite Bay. The distribution of primary production showed the classical pattern of onshore-offshore gradient. Experiments were run to estimate variability of Primary Production as a function of temperature (0-9 C) (2 hour incubations) and simulated in situ experiments to measure UVB effect on daily primary production. Non-core activities include taxonomic composition of microplankton (cells >2 micrometers) have been completed for the January 1997 cruise and continuing back in time for the January 1996 cruise. This study is done in collaboration with Dr. Martha Ferrario of Argentina and a graduate student, Irene Garibotti, who is being funded by Argentina through CONICET under a PhD fellowship. We participated on a second cruise during June/July 1999 where we tested the hypothesis that ice formation entrained particles from the water column into the ice. During the cruise we measured standard LTER core measurements (primary production, pigments, CHN and nutrients) and we carried out these measurements in both ice and water column samples. Microscopic analysis of phytoplankton was carried out on board by Dr. M. Ferrario. An AJUS manuscript was submitted with a summary of these results. Data analysis continues with graduate students Danielle Harvey (USC) and Cristine Moraes (Japan-Brazil). We also started a collaboration on analysis of sediment trap samples for a 5 year period with Drs. Martha Ferrario and D. Karl. In addition, we have finished with the experiments for the effect of temperature on primary production and we are now to analyze the data. For this coming season, we will continue the sampling to ascertain temporal and spatial distribution of phytoplankton. Collaboration with Argentina will continue for the analysis of microplankton samples. In addition, we have established collaboration with Jahn Trondsen and Wencke Eikrem, University of Oslo, who will train Ms. Irene Garibotti to analyze flagellates in the LTER region, by light and electron microscopy and also by establishing flagellate cultures through the dilution method. We will participate in Palmer Station sampling, the January cruise and a winter cruise in Aug/Sep 2001 to measure the effect of ice melting on early spring phytoplankton populations. The experimental work will focus in 2 areas: biochemical markers of Fe limitation in phytoplankton for the LTER area and continuing with the interannual variability of UV Radiation on daily primary production. Zooplankton and Micro-nekton (R. Ross & L. Quetin): Analysis of the 7-year time series (1993 -1999) of the physiological maturity stage composition of female krill in summer has illuminated interannual variation in the reproductive cycle. Several indices were devised to quantify differences in the timing of a reproductive season, and the proportion of the female population that reproduces in any one season. The 'seasonal index' varied from 0.05 or severely delayed in 1998 to 0.90 or advanced in 1996. The percent of the population reproducing ranged between 11% in 1995 to 98% in 1996. The finding that the percent of the population reproducing can vary by a factor of 10 has serious implications for calculations of population fecundity based on total female krill. The physiological status of the female must be evaluated before such calculations are legitimate. Variation in the reproductive cycle appeared to be tied to variation in food supply in both spring and summer. The extent of spring sea ice and the timing of retreat are indications, respectively, of the extent and timing of availability of food for the developing females in the spring. When spring sea ice extent is at or slightly above average and retreats in the September/October time frame, reproduction is optimized, as in summer 1996. When sea ice retreats in late winter or late spring, the ice-associated food is not available to the maturing female krill at the critical time, and reproduction is delayed or postponed until the following year. These results are part of a paper presented at the Antarctic Marine Biology symposium in January 2000 in Atlanta at the SICB meeting, and submitted to the American Zoologist for publication. A pattern is also emerging in the relative abundance of different zooplankton taxa in January across the shelf and shelf break between Anvers and Adelaide Islands. During the 8-year time series (1993 to 2000) Antarctic krill have always been present, but the abundance appears to follow a 5-year cycle, with lows in 1995 and 2000. Salps, a potential competitor for herbivorous krill, have only been found in high abundance in 3 of those years, none of which were low krill years. The research topic for one of the undergraduates mentored this season is the relationship between the amphipod community present and the relative abundance of krill and salps. The changes in abundance and community composition of the zooplankton may be related to hydrographic changes or to differences in phytoplankton community composition or production. These interactions are currently being explored with other Palmer LTER PIs. Sea Birds (W. Fraser): Field work at Palmer station was initiated on October 20, 1999 and terminated on March 28, 2000. Research focused on obtaining the seabird component core data on Adelie Penguin breeding biology, demography, foraging ecology and pelagic distribution. Breeding population size, a measure of overwinter survival, did not change relative to last season, but several measures of reproductive success exhibited slight declines. This included the total number of chicks produced in the area's colonies (-9.0%), the number of chicks fledged per-pair (-8.0%) and the number of two-chick broods (-4.0%). Chick fledging weights also remained unchanged relative to last season, but peak fledging occurred on 7 February as opposed to 10 February during 98/99. Recruitment data, which are based on the return of banded, known-age penguins, have not been analyzed, nor have the result of our pelagic surveys based on the annual LTER cruise. The first and last diet samples were obtained on January 9 and February 12, respectively. Telemetry studies, which complement the diet analyses by providing data on foraging trip durations, began on January 7 and ended on February 20. As has been the case for many seasons, the krill Euphausia superba comprised 96% of the diet by weight, with fish and several species of amphipods accounting for the remaining 4% of stomach masses. Foraging trip durations during the brood period increased a significant 2.6 hours relative to last season, but as this analysis is not yet complete, this increase should be regarded as preliminary. 2.C What research training has the project helped provide? The LTER cruises and season provided training this year for more than thirteen graduates and undergraduates in addition to postdocs and visiting scientists. 2.D What other educational and outreach activities have you undertaken? In conjunction with the LTER Network of sites, an NSF Schoolyard LTER supplemental grant was received to design an approach to education outreach. A Teacher Experiencing Antarctica (TEA) intership was hosted at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (K.Baker) and an Education Outreach Workshop was held at UCSB by the Palmer LTER Team with scientists, teachers and educators in attendance. TEA Mimi Walace participated in field work at Palmer Station and Middle School teacher/volunteer Dominique Sonier participated on the Jun99 sea ice cruise. Two Palmer representatives attended the second LTER Educational Workshop in 1999. An automated weather station was provided to one of our collaborating schools. Other group and LTER-related activities during the June99-May00 period included: Palmer LTER scientist participation on the the Antarctic Research Vessel Committee (D.Karl, R.Ross, D.Martinson) and the Palmer Area User's Committee Meeting (W.Fraser,L.Quetin, M.Vernet). Co-ordination with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) continued and participation continued in activities associated with CCAMLR, SCAR, AMLR and the Southern Ocean US Globec effort. R.Ross was on the International Organizing Committee for the Second International Symposium on Krill, 23-28 August 1999. LTER Cross Site and Network Level Activities include Ray Smith's attendance, as lead Palmer PI and a member of the LTER Executive Committee (term ended fall 99), at all the LTER coordinating Committee and Executive Meetings ( 4 per year). R.Smith co-chairs the LTER Network standing committee on "Climate Variability and Ecological Response (CVER)" and is planning a workshop to be held during the LTER All Scientist Meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Aug 2000. The output from this workshop is expected to be a book in the LTER Oxford press series as a cross site synthesis on CVER. The Palmer LTER data manager continued as an active member in Network activities with participation at the annual data manager meeting and as a member of the LTER Data Manager Executive Committee which met at the LTER Network Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico in Feb00. As lead on the Data Management Site Description Directory Committee, Palmer has taken the lead in creating a prototype site directory for the LTER Network Information System. A one month exchange for Karen Baker at the Network Office followed by a two month fellowship for database work with the Network office has facilitated cross-site data manager activities focused on methods of organization of the LTER group base of information. 3. Publications and Products: What have you produced? *3Ai Major journal publications *3Bi Books and other one-time publications 3Ci What Web sites or other Internet sites reflect this project? project URL: http://www.icess.ucsb.edu/lter *3Di What other specific products (database, collections, software, inventions, etc.) have you developed? -database URL: http://www.icess.ucsb.edu/cgi-bin/studycatalog.cgi -educational CDROM: SIO Report No. 00-02 (CDROM with photographs) Palmer LTER: Seasonal Process Sea Ice Cruise June-July 1999 (NBP99-06) University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California 4. Contributions: Why does it all matter? 4A To the development of your own discipline(s) Mounting evidence suggests that the earth is experiencing a period of rapid climate change. Direct evidence and model results suggest that the polar regions are areas where such change may be both earlier and larger in magnitude than elsewhere. Consequently, the Antarctic is an area where studies of how environmental change influences the earth's biota and the ability to distinguish anthropogenic change from natural variability may be optimal. The Palmer LTER aims to exploit the sensitivity of this ice dominated ecosystem to environmental variability and to study the important ecological processes associated with this biological response to physical forcing and to provide a long-tern legacy of high quality data for assessing possible change. While this work is focused on the Western Antarctic Peninsula area, evidence suggests that our studies are broadly representative of the Southern Ocean ecosystem and, hence, of global significance. Further, by focusing on year to decadal time scales we provide data within which to evaluate shorter term processes studies within a context of relatively large interannual variability and possible long term trends. 4B To other disciplines of science or engineering? In collaboration with the LTER Network, we are helping to apply computer science and new technology in the development of information system paradigms. This work will have a broad influence on science via both data and information management. Further, we are exploring new technologies for optimizing data collection in this remote and ice dominated ecosystem. Also, several cross-site activities are in the making. 4C To education and development of human resources? The LTER sites provide a special opportunity for direct partnership research scientists, information managers and educators. The LTER network provides an established community infrastructure as well as support for local education co-ordination via the Schoolyard LTER supplement. The Palmer LTER interaction with the OPP Teachers Experiencing Antarctica and Artic program also provides a unique opportunity for interaction over time. Further, given the communication and feedback mechanisms within the LTER network, there is an ongoing training within the community itself on wide ranging topics including education, technology and cross-site research. 4D To physical,institutional, & info resources for science & technology? 4E To the public welfare beyond science and engineering? As noted in Sect. 4A, the polar regions may well be those areas best suited for quantitative evaluation and hence "early warning" of global change. The strong linkage between environmental forcing and ecological response makes this an important natural laboratory for such studies. In addition, the aesthetic and adventure attraction of our Antarctic area to the general public provides us with a unique opportunity to train volunteers and educate others with respect to an appreciation of this polar ecosystem and our research. 5. Special Requirements 5.A Objectives and Scope Our overall objectives and scope of the project remain the same. 5.B Change in Objectives or Scope (a) Once again a shortened summer cruise (imposed by the cruise schedule) limited sampling opportunities and required curtailment of some core grid sampling stations. (b) For the Palmer field season Vernet & Smith combined zodiac operations in order to consolidate field activities. 5.C Special Reporting requirements 5.D Unobligated funds 5.E Animals, biohazards, human subjects