NOV91 Palmer SITREP - W.Fraser SEND PLM131.NOV MSG%"PALMER_SCIENCE",ASAHQ PSDN-1762 SCIENCE SITREP R 052137Z NOV 91 FROM: William R. Fraser, Station Science Leader !TO MCM SITREP P A L M E R S T A T I O N A N T A R C T I C A TELEMAIL::PALMER.STA PHONE/FAX: 011-874-150-3157 SPAN::PALMER@ATSVAX.SPAN TELEX: 5841503157 PNHG INTERNET::PALMER@ATSVAX.RSMAS.MIAMI.EDU CC E-MAIL::ANTARCTIC.OPS, NSF.DPP.OCEANOPS, P.PENHALE, T.DELACA, R.HANSON, ASA.MCMURDO, ASA.DENVER, NSF.MCMURDO, ASA.CHCH, E.HOFMANN, NSF.CHCH, R.BOOTH, O.HOLM.HANSEN, G.MITCHELL, M.VERNET, M.HUNTLEY, R.WHRITNER, D.KARL, D.AINLEY, W.FRASER, B.SIDELL, W.DETRICH, VLF@STAR.SPAN, M.KENNICUTT, K.DUNTON, W.STOCKTON, L.QUETIN, R.ROSS, R.BERNSTEIN, ABENNETT@27867.SPAN, POLAR.DUKE, SOUTH.POLE, J.PROSPERO, W.TRIVELPIECE, R.SMITH.UCSB, T.HOLLIBAUGH, GMCC.BOULDER (pass to B.Mendonca), F.AZAM, R.RADTKE, DENEB@RADLAB.UCSF.EDU, CHAPPELL@UCRACC.SPAN, DALLUGE@ATMOS.OGI.EDU, TFOSTER@UCSCC.UCSC.EDU, ENELSON%MINES.BITNET@SDS.SPAN, MVW@ARCANE. UCSD.EDU S-013 The Bahia Paraiso Oil Spill: Impacts on a Southern Ocean Seabird Community. William R. Fraser, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Long Term Ecological Research on the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem: An Ice-Dominated Environment. William R. Fraser and Wayne Z. Trivelpiece, Seabird Component, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Field Team: W. Fraser, W. Trivelpiece, B. Houston and D. Keller. The field team arrived at Palmer Station on 17 October. Unlike last season, consolidated pack ice (8/8 cover) extends to the horizon, making all boating operations impossible. Access to seabird colonies within our study site, which is roughly defined by the Palmer 2-mile boating limit, has thus been restricted to those that can be safely reached on skis. These include areas on Torgersen, Litchfield, Humble and Shortcut islands, as well as Norsel Point. Because it is still very early in the season relative to the timing of reproductive activities in most seabird species, our field work has largely been restricted to preliminary censuses of seabird populations. Among these, much of the effort has focused on Adelie Penguins, whose populations are currently at their seasonal peak and which should initiate egg-laying within the next week. We have purposely avoided frequent visits to Kelp Gull and Giant Petrel colonies to minimize disturbance to these species while pair bonds are being established and breeding sites selected. Skuas have not yet arrived in the area. It has been nearly two decades since similar seabird censuses have been done in the Palmer area, meaning our early work this season will provide some valuable comparative data to assess both long- and short-term changes in the populations of these upper trophic level predators. A secondary component of our work has concentrated on the development of our field and experimental sites in anticipation of the demographic, reproductive and dietary studies scheduled to be undertaken later in the season. This has included the development of better area maps, updating last season's databases and field protocols, testing telemetry equipment, and establishing the skua (Shortcut Island) and Adelie (Torgersen and Humble islands) study sites that will form the core of our LTER-associated work. S-014 ENERGETICS OF THE ADULTS AND LARVAE OF THE ANTARCTIC KRILL EUPHAUSIA SUPERBA. R. ROSS AND L. QUETIN, University of California, Santa Barbara. Field Party: L.B. Quetin and T. Moylan. Time has been spent analyzing samples and data, and repacking equipment after the September cruise. We are maintaining krill larvae in corrals in the aquarium room and survival is good. We have added to stocks from WinCruise IV with krill larvae from the vicinity of Palmer Station. T. Moylan has begun analyzing IGR samples from the September cruise, and we were able to collect enough krill from near Palmer Station for an additional experiment. Fast ice in the vicinity has prevented diving and sampling except for a one-day cruise aboard the Polar Duke. We are providing some krill larvae and early juveniles to Deneb Karentz for preliminary experiments on the effect of UVB ton survival and MAA production. S-016 Long Term Ecological Research on the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem: An Ice-Dominated Environment. B. Prezlin, Primary Productivity Component, University of California, Santa Barbara. Field Team: Mark Moline and Elise Stephens. We arrived at Palmer Station on 10/17/91. Finished setting up equipment on the Polar Duke while it was in the Arthur Harbor area (10/17+22/91) for the November LTER cruise. Unpacked cargo and established a laboratory space. Planning and preliminary testing of the zodiac sampling operation. Set up and calibration of the HPLC and two LKB scintilation counters. Installation of two outdoor incubator units. Preliminary planning of experiments for the period following the LTER cruise ending on 11/22/91. Preparation of last needed equipment and supplies for LTER cruise beginning 11/7/91. S-028 Long-Term Ecological Research on the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem: An Ice-Dominated Environment. R.M. Ross and L.B. Quetin, Prey Component, University of California, Santa Barbara. Field Party: L.B. Quetin, T. Newburger, T. Moylan. T. Newburger arrived on station 17 October. Fast ice remains in the vicinity of Palmer Station so zodiac operations to stations near Palmer Station have not started. Modifications are underway to turn a Zodiac Mark V into an oceanographic sampling platform for work near Palmer Station. Station personnel have been very helpful in this effort. Preparations are nearly complete and all shipments are predicted to arrive for the LTER cruise November 7-21. This cruise will cover a grid of stations between Anvers and Adelaide Islands. We have located a site for the Automatic Weather Station on Bonaparte Point, but need it to be evaluated further by construction personnel and T. Amos. T. Moylan and L. Quetin have completed three ice dives to observe and collect krill: one in Arthur Harbor, one in Hero Inlet and one from the Polar Duke in the Palmer area. The most successful dive was from the Polar Duke. Several thousand krill were collected and thousands were observed and photographed below the ice. Samples of krill were preserved and frozen for later analysis. Generally, the LTER effort is off to a good start, but space and specific operational needs remain a critical issue. S-031 PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF ULTRAVIOLET-ABSORBING COMPOUNDS IN ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS D. Karentz, University of California, San Francisco. Field Party: D. Karentz, W. Dunlap. I. Bosch, M. Slattery, T. Gast. This month we have continued monitoring levels of mycosporine-like amino acids in selected populations of algae and invertebrates. There has been no open water in the vicinity of the Station and pack ice that was carried into areas adjacent to Palmer last month has frozen solid. Holes have been cut for collection of samples by SCUBA divers, plankton nets and Niskin bottles. Eight dives were made beneath the sea ice at Gamage Point and Hero Inlet. Five species of invertebrates and four species of algae were collected at four depths and processed for our survey of temporal and depth-related changes in MAA content of field populations. Additional intertidal samples have been collected from the south side of Bonaparte Point. Preparation and HPLC analysis of these samples has been a major effort during the past month. The first time series samples from the ongoing ambient light exposure experiments were collected the second week of October. The seastar, Odontaster validus, had severe mortality in the UV- transparent treatment (50% of ambient sunlight). Nacella concinna (limpet) and Sterechinus neumeyeri (urchin) have not exhibited any visual detrimental UV effects. The macroalgae also appear unharmed. Krill larvae collected from the plankton have been set up in a similar ambient light experiment to monitor UV-B effects on MAA concentrations. Weekly samples will be taken. Adult sea stars of two species, Perknaster auroae and Psilaster charcoti, were induced to spawn in the laboratory and samples to determine the MAA content of their eggs and sperm were collected. Viable embryos obtained from both species were placed in outdoor experimental containers with differential exposure to ambient UV radiation. We were also able to obtain large numbers of sea urchin (Sterechinus neumeyri) embryos to initiate another series of ambient light experiments. Currently, embryos have developed to the pluteus larval stage in outdoor cultures. The reproductive status of the limpet Nacella concinna continues to be monitored for further embryological studies. Our biological dosimeter system has been deployed under the ice on three days during October. Under 15 cm of ice without snow cover biological effects of UV-B were evident to a maximum depth of 3 m. Subsequent data collected under the same ice field with 22 cm of snow cover indicated a maximum depth of detection of UV-B effects to approximately 1 m. Plankton samples have been collected and Phaeocystis sp. was the predominant phytoplankton species early in the month (approximately 1000 cells per ml). More recent samples indicate a decline in Phaeocystis numbers and an increase in diatom cell concentrations. Concurrent water samples were also collected for DNA, chl a, and mycosporine-like amino acids. These analyses are underway. Larvae from an asteroid, a nemertinean and a tunicate have been fairly common in the plankton and a sufficient number have been isolated for determination of MAA content. Clonal cultures have been established for twelve species of phytoplankton and several strains of seawater bacteria. Based on continued growth and maintenance in culture, these organisms will be used in further ambient UV exposure experiments. S-032 Long-Term Ecological Research on the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem: An Ice-Dominated Environment. R.C. Smith, Remote Sensing/Bio-Optics Component, University of California, Santa Barbara. Field Party: R.C. Smith, D. Menzies, S. Kilpatrick Arrived on station 17 October. Set up labs and checked out equipment. The Antarctic LTER is concerned with several sampling grids: the "Palmer" area, within a 10 km radius of Palmer Station, where sampling will be conducted on a daily basis (weather and ice permitting) from August through March; a "small scale" area, that includes the foraging area of the Palmer seabirds, that is a 60 km x 60 km area generally south-west of the station but including the Palmer area; a "large scale" grid, inclusive of water masses and prey recruitment areas, that trends roughly parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula and covers an area roughly 200 km south west, 100 km north east and 100 km off shore from Palmer Station. Sampling within the Palmer grid is limited to within a 4 km radius of the station and we have been preparing equipment for sampling from Mark V zodiacs including a CTD with fluorometer and beam transmissometer and an Optical Free Fall Instrument (OFF) for determining downwelling spectral irradiance and upwelling radiance. Arthur Harbor is ice covered so, to date, there have been no zodiac observations. We are also preparing for the November LTER cruise which will cover the small and large scale grids. The R/V Polar Duke was used for a one day cruise in the Palmer area to sea-test equipment. Problems found during this one-day test have since been repaired. We intend to use a Trimble Pathfinder Basic GPS system for station location in the Palmer area and have been "surveying" local bench marks (Palmer, Boneparte Pt., Torgersen and Humble Islands) as a prerequisite for area navigation using GPS. S-033 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ANTARCTIC SURFACE ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FROM SATELLITE AND IN SITU MEASUREMENTS. K. Gautier, University of California, Santa Barbara. Field Party: Dan Lubin, California Space Institute Catherine Gautier, Dept. of Geography, UCSB Robert Whritner, SIO Antarctic Research Center. All surface and satellite measurements proceeded normally throughout October. Catherine and Bob arrived on station October 17, but were only able to stay 6 days instead of the anticipated 14 days. Despite this time shortage, some preliminary data analysis was accomplished. Bob installed new software for the Terascan which allows data to be uploaded from the tape archive for analysis on station. The NOAA-12 and DMSP F-10 satellites were added to the tracking schedule. However, Bob was compelled to leave for McMurdo before all the bugs could be worked out. There is still a bug in the software which prevents the satellite tracking and archiving from being fully automated, as it was before. Right now Rod Corson (the new station science tech) and I are working shifts to maintain the data collection schedule. We are waiting for SeaSpace to dial into the Palmer Terascan to fix this bug. Hopefully it will be fixed before I leave, as this bug basically prevents a single person from gathering all the satellite data requested by Bob, S-033, ARC users, weather forecasts, ice reports, etc. Catherine and Bob began processing and analysis of several NOAA-11 passes, representative of various weather conditions, with which Catherine will begin testing some of the satellite radiation and cloud-detection algorithms upon her return to Santa Barbara. Catherine and I began looking in detail at the data from the surface AVHRR instrument made for us by Biospherical Instruments. We are considering leaving this instrument at Palmer through summer solstice, and may request that it be shipped back to UCSB in early January, 1992. The final 230-liter liquid nitrogen dewar arrived full, and the liquid nitrogen supply should continue uninterrupted throughout November. The FTIR experiment is still gathering data 4 to 5 times per day, and the time series now contains 280 measurements. S-106 VLF TRIMPI STUDIES AT PALMER STATION. U.S. Inan. Field Party: No personnel on station. Equipment being monitored and maintained by station Science Technician Rod Corson. Recordings were made for the month of October. A continuous VLF tape for October 23 failed due to operator error. The Trimpi data tape for October 4 failed to start due to a failure of the pertic recorder but Trimpi data charts were generated. The Trimpi data tape for October 10 stopped in mid tape due to failure of the recorder, the tape was restarted and 20 minutes of data was lost. Inventory of data now on station: (Oct. 31, 1991) 50 - Continuous VLF Tapes from 27 Aug to present. (missing 2 Sept. and 23 Oct.) 48 - Synoptic VLF Tapes from 16 Sept to present. (missing 1/2 of 30 Sept.) 49 - Trimpi recordings on digital tape from 13 Aug. to present. (missing 4 Oct.) The recording schedule continues with one VLF 1/5 synoptic recording, one continuous VLF recording, and one digital tape recording of Trimpi activity on a daily basis. Monday morning charts of the Trimpi data were sent to Stanford for investigators to maintain a better understanding of equipment performance and suggest any needed changes or adjustments to the system. S-200 ENERGETICS OF REPRODUCTION AND FORAGING IN ADELIE PENGUINS. M. Chappell, University of California, Riverside. Field Party: Don Janes and Donna Patterson. The field team arrived on October 17. Due to the presence of fast ice in Arthur Harbor, the team accessed the Adelie penguin colonies on Torgersen Island via cross-country skis the day after arrival. During the month of October we accomplished the following: 1) Daily survey of colonies 5-11 for return of birds banded last year. We have been keeping track of previously paired birds and noting the formation of new pairs during these surveys. These observations will enable us to measure the amount of time spent in reproductive activities during the breeding season. 2) Measurement of the total body water (TBW) present in 20 newly-arrived birds (10 males and 10 females) using the deuterated water dilution technique. Each TBW measurement takes 2 hours, during which time the birds are kept in a perforated wooden box on Torgersen Island. After the measurement the birds are released back to the colony from which they were removed. We have been able to process up to 6 birds a day in good weather. Using data collected last year on the relative amounts of water in fat and lean tissue, we can use the TBW data to estimate the amount of fat each bird has now, at the beginning of the breeding season. 3) Weighing of newly arrived birds. Subsequent weighings throughout the breeding season will indicate the change in body condition of these birds (i.e. use of fat as an energy source during nesting). 4) Repair of sprung or reversed bands from last year. In order to minimize inevitable disturbance to the colonies, we have restricted this activity to birds in danger of losing their bands. 5) Banding of birds with previously banded mates. We will need approximately 200 banded pairs for our daily census of nest attendance. Thus far insufficient numbers of birds have returned for this census. These data will be computerized to facilitate future reference and analysis. 6) Installation of a Scott tent on Torgersen Island. This tent greatly facilitates our field research, providing shelter from the elements during weighing and TBW measurements. Many thanks to Mark Melcon, Doug Hilborn, and Ken Howle for hauling the tent across the ice to Torgersen Island and putting it up early in the season. Thus far our project is proceeding on schedule. Severe weather has occasionally hampered our efforts to complete field work. Ice conditions remain safe for travel, but changing weather continually threatens the ice integrity. We hope for a quick transition between fast ice and open water. S-254 CHLORINE - AND BROMINE - CONTAINING GASES IN THE ANTARCTIC. R. A. RASMUSSEN. Field Party: No personnel on station, project being monitored and maintained by station physician. Twelve air samples were collected into stainless steel canisters within the clean air facility during the month. This sampling collected air coming off the glacier behind the clean air facility at Palmer station. Samples were retrograded to the PI on the R/V POLAR DUKE, 17 Oct. S-257 GEOPHYSICAL MONITORING FOR CLIMATE CONTROL (GMCC). J. T. Peterson. Field Party: No personnel on station, project currently being monitored and maintained by station physician. Eight air samples were collected into glass flask from a site located at the foot of the glacier behind the Palmer station clean- air facility. The samples were collected into the flask using an MAKS sampler provided by the PI. There are currently fourteen samples archived on station awaiting retrograde to PI for further sampling. S-275 UM/DOE ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING PROGRAM AT PALMER STATION. T. Snowdon, University of Miami; C. Sanderson/N. Chui, EML/DOE N.Y. Field Party: No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician Rod Corson. System continues to operate with normal weekly schedule of calibration, background, and sample counts, with one sample filter being exposed for the duration of the week. All recorded data on station was retroed tot he PI with the departure of the R/V Polar Duke. Information on 3.5 floppies was copied and archived on station before originals were retroed. Currently on Station there are three (3) exposed filters, one (1) filter being exposed, one (1) prepared blank filter, and one (1) full monthly data disk. An expected shipment of thirty two (32) filters were received with the arrival of the R/V Polar Duke on Oct. 17th. T-312 TERASCAN SATELLITE IMAGING SYSTEM. R. Whritner, Scripps Institute. Field Party: No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician Rod Corson. The satellite collection schedule continues with one (1) high elevation pass, one (1) pass to the east of Palmer over the Weddell Sea, and one (1) pass to the west over the Bellingshausen. Passes are collected digitally on 8mm video tape. There are four (4) full 8mm "video" tapes of collected passes on station and one currently being taped. R. Whritner arrived on site October 18th; during his visit the following was accomplished. Installation of a Sekosha hard copy device, installation of the latest version of Seaspace Terascan applications software, installed "LAN" capability to the HP 9000-835 computer workstation, developed a series of processing macros for ingest and preliminary processing of satellite data, installed DMSP F-10 and NOAA NOAA-12 receive and processing capability, and debugged software and defined problem areas for correction. R. Whritner also carried back to CONUS with him the remainder of the data tapes on station. There still remains a bug in the software, after the upgrade, that causes the compact digital tape recorder (cdt) to hang up after each pass. The only way to capture the next pass is for the operator to default the bug after each pass. Some passes have not been collected for various technical reasons and Palmer is in contact with Bob Whritner and Seaspace about irregularities. The lost passes amount to only a vary small percentage of total desired passes. T-313 UV MONITORING EXPERIMENT. C. Booth, Biospherical Instruments. Field Party: No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician Rod Corson. The scan schedule continues with hourly data scans, plus four response and two wavelength scans per day. An absolute calibration scan was run on 18 Oct. Daily data packages are sent to Biospherical via E-Mail. PMT voltage settings were changed on 30 Oct. to a lower level due to an increase in natural light. A response scan was performed after the voltage change and alarm parameters were changed accordingly. All changes were saved to disk. The Palmer monthly weather summaries are now being sent to Biospherical. It has been discovered that Palmer can create a file that will directly load into the spreadsheet program that is used by Biospherical. A new version of UVDECODE is now on line at Palmer Station and we are now able to process better preliminary data. Some of these preliminary data is being used by other science teams on station and some data has also been sent to Faraday Station. All users of this information realize that it is only preliminary data and is not properly corrected and finalized. Action? ------- End of Forwarded Message