DEC91 PALMER SITREP - D.Karentz SEND PLM080.DEC MSG%"PALMER_SCIENCE",ASAHQ PSDN-2042 SCIENCE SITREP R 020308Z DEC 91 FROM: Deneb Karentz, 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 LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM (LTER): AN ICE DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT General LTER activities in November included a two week cruise (S-016, S-028, S-032) to compare near and far field study sites, postcruise workup of shipboard data and samples, establishing logistics for Palmer-based studies from December 1991 to March 1992, and continuing work with the bird populations (S- 013B) near Palmer Station. S-013B did not participate in the November cruise because of delays in the Palmer-based sampling schedule. Fast ice in Arthur Harbor prevented zodiac operations for most of the month of November. The LTER cruise from November 6 - 21 occupied stations near Palmer Station and along three cardinal transect lines on the LTER grid. Station work was minimal from late November 7 through midday November 12 when the R/V Polar Duke was ice bound. During the cruise we occupied stations on the 700 line (Dallmann Bay), the 600 line (Palmer Basin), and the 500 line (Renaud Island). Transect lines were 80 - 100 km long depending on ice conditions and 100 km apart running roughly perpendicular to the Antarctic Peninsula. Stations along each transect line were spaced every 20 km. Detailed descriptions of samples collected during the cruise will follow in the individual project reports. Post-cruise activities included the development of a zodiac sampling system (as yet untested because of sea ice in Arthur Harbor) and the location of a site on Bonaparte Point for an Automatic Weather Station to be installed in December. S-013 LTER: SEABIRD COMPONENT. W. Fraser and W. Trivelpiece, P.I.s. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and THE BAHIA PARAISO OIL SPILL: IMPACTS ON A SOUTHERN OCEAN SEABIRD COMMUNITY. W. Fraser, P.I. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Field Team: W. Fraser, W. Trivelpiece, B. Houston and D. Keller Heavy pack ice (8/8 coverage) dominated Arthur Harbor during November, limiting access to most of the islands within the study area. Torgersen and Humble Islands became inaccessible by ice travel during the first week of November when the fast ice deteriorated around the harbor. Continued storms (winds ranging from 20K to 50K) also hampered boating efforts for the first nine days of November. Ice was so heavily packed around the pier November 18-28 that zodiac boats could not even be lowered into the water. W. Fraser and W. Trivelpiece departed Palmer Station November 22. Reproductive studies of Adelie penguins were started on Torgersen and Humble Islands, with 20 groups of 5 nests each on each island. Banding of known-aged penguin mates also continued on Torgersen colony 23 as part of the oil spill study. We continued to census all Adelie colonies on each island visited, with one early count at Litchfield Island on November 7, and first-time visits to Cormorant and Christine Island on November 12. Weighing of mated Adelie pairs between eggs 1 and 2 was begun. However, only 10% of the sample size was available before heavy pack ice kept us from returning to finish weighing. Weights and measurements of eggs from completed Adelie nest clutches, in colony 14, were obtainable and completed on November 30. Skua territories were mapped as mated pairs began forming on previously occupied sites, and band numbers were recorded as individuals were encountered on each island. Kelp gull censusing was begun on Bonaparte Point, Kristie Cove, and Limitrophe Islands, and is continuing when access to the islands is available. Limpet shells from the previous field season continue to be measured and classified, and LTER field protocols, mapping, and testing of radio telemetry equipment continues when ice and/or weather conditions restrict us to Palmer Station. S-016 LTER: PATTERNS AND REGULATION OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION. B. Prezelin, P.I., Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California Field Team: B. Prezelin, N. Boucher, M. Moline, T. Ligman, E. Stephens, M. Voytec, P. Walz Good weather during the transit of the Polar Duke from Punta Arenas to Palmer Station was used to complete laboratory preparations and shipboard procedures for the November cruise. Good communications were established with M. Moline and E. Stephens, who were already at Palmer Station and initiating procedures for shore-based operations. During the November cruise, good ice algae data was collected while the Polar Duke was ice bound. At each station during the cruise a rosette (with BOPS attached, see S-032) with twelve 5-liter go-flo bottles collected water samples from selected depths (n=4 to 12 depths per location, down to 500 meters) for chemical and biological analysis. S-016 and S-032 will combine their data bases to produce 3-D contour plots of key variables known to regulate patterns of primary production and to further development of a predictive bio-optical model for antarctic primary productivity. Our group collected and processed samples for analyses of 1) inorganic nutrients: NH4, NO3, PO4, silicate (n=901); 2) particulate silicate (n=455); 3) CHN (n=433); 4) 12 different chlorophyll and carotenoid markers of phytoplankton taxonomy and photophysiological state at time of sampling with an HPLC (n=580); 5) temporal and spatial variability in photosynthetic performance, potential, quantum efficiency, photoadaptive and photoinhibitory state, as well as rates of light- dependent rates of carbon fixation via beta-carboxylation (n= ca. 10,000 C14 samples), preliminary Q10 experiments to determine the temperature-dependency of the above photosynthetic parameters over the temperature range evident throughout the photic zone of the water column; 6) the vertical distribution of heterotrophic bacteria at selected stations. Post-cruise work included offload and preparation of samples (nutrients, CHN, PO4, silicate) for retrograde back to UCSB; recounting of all C14 samples; moving into Palmer Station and setting up outdoor incubation aquaria; establishing a light, weather, and ice monitoring system for the season; planning a zodiac routine that has been delayed due to sea ice remaining in Arthur Harbor; and running samples collected through an ice hole and from laboratory cultures of antarctic phytoplankton (courtesy of Deneb Karentz). S-028 LTER: PREY COMPONENT. R. Ross and L. Quetin, P.I.s. Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California Field Team: L. Quetin, T. Newburger, C. Lascara, T. Moylan, M. Talkovic, V. Vredenburg November was dominated by preparations and participation in the cruise aboard the R/V Polar Duke. At each ice-free station during the cruise three different trawls were used to collect samples: a 333 um mesh 1-m2 trawl, a 1000 um mesh 4-m2 trawl (both fished to 300 m), and a 4.5 um mesh 9-m2 trawl (fished to a maximum of 850 m). The water column was also sampled with a BioSonics acoustical profiling system during each tow. Zooplankton samples were preserved from the 1-m2 trawl and krill samples were collected from all three trawl sizes. Silverfish were not evident at any of the stations occupied during the cruise. A total of 60 tows were completed during the cruise: approximately an equal number for each trawl. Subsamples of krill were measured for total length and frozen for later determination of wet weight, CHN, protein, and lipid: individual juveniles (n=145), bulk juveniles (n=10), bulk adults/subadults (n=36), individual adults (n=138). Six experiments to determine the instantaneous growth rates of krill (3 adult, 3 juvenile) were also completed during the cruise. Post- cruise activities were primarily concerned with preparations and procedures for sampling in the vicinity of Palmer Station from a zodiac. In addition, we collected enough juvenile krill through an ice hole in Hero Inlet to start a growth experiment, freeze samples for chemical analysis and preserve a large sample for length frequency and stage analysis. C. Lascara, V. Vredenburg and M. Talkovic returned to Punta Arenas after the November cruise, and L. Quetin, T. Newburger and T. Moylan remain at Palmer Station. S-032 LTER: REMOTE SENSING AND BIO-OPTICS COMPONENT. R. Smith, P.I. Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California. Field Team: R. Smith, K. Hwang, S. Kilpatrick, D. Menzies, K. Waters An objective of the LTER project is to define ecological processes linking the extent of annual pack ice with the biological dynamics of different trophic levels within antarctic marine communities. Our component of the LTER is to develop a regional bio-optical model of primary production for the area of the LTER that combines models of ice-edge dynamics with bio-optical models of both phytoplankton biomass and production. During the November LTER cruise we completed hydrographic and bio-optical observations along the three transect lines. At each station, spaced 20 km apart, a Bio-Optical Profiling System (BOPS-II) provided data necessary to define the physical, optical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water column. Parameters determined during BOPS-II casts include: temperature, salinity, depth, in-situ fluorescence, beam transmittance (660 nm), spectral down- and up- welling irradiance, down-welling spectral scalar irradiance, PAR and spectral up-welling radiance. The BOPS-II includes a rosette with twelve 5-liter go-flo bottles for the collection of water samples for Chl a and other determinations (see S-016) at selected depths. After the cruise R. Smith and S. Kilpatrick remained at Palmer Station to help set up the long-term Palmer area sampling program. S-014 ENERGETICS OF THE ADULTS AND LARVAE OF THE ANTARCTIC KRILL EUPHAUSIA SUPERBA. R. ROSS AND L. QUETIN, P.Is., Marine Science Institute, 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 continue to add to stocks from the cruise with krill juveniles from the vicinity of Palmer Station. We are also maintaining adults returned from the LTER cruise in November for assimilation experiments and behavioral observations that will start in December. T. Moylan has completely analyzed four IGR experiments from the September cruise, and we were able to collect enough krill from near Palmer Station for two additional experiments. We are packing gear and samples for retrograde. All IGR samples will be shipped as well as preserved samples from the September cruise. Frozen samples will not be shipped, but will be left at Palmer for a March return. S-031 PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF ULTRAVIOLET-ABSORBING COMPOUNDS IN ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS D. Karentz, P.I., University of California, San Francisco. Field Team: D. Karentz, W. Dunlap. I. Bosch, M. Slattery, T. Gast Arthur Harbor and Hero Inlet have been ice covered all but three days in Nov. Six dives were completed under the ice for collection of vertical profile/time series samples and to obtain organisms used for life history studies. A major effort is being made to complete HPLC analyses of over 2000 samples collected this season. Considerable differences have been noted in both the complement and concentration of UV-absorbing compounds (MAAs) in various species of invertebrates and algae. Preliminary data exhibit expected patterns of UV-absorbing compounds with depth and indicate that large differences also exist in the distribution of these compounds between various organs (body wall, gonad, gut, etc.). Additional samples have been collected to examine MAA concentrations relative to reproductive strategies. A series of experiments have been completed on the UV photobiology of Sterechinus neumeyeri (sea urchin) early development. Embryos were maintained in outdoor cultures under ambient light (with and without UV-B) and allowed to develop to the pluteus larval stage. Samples were collected periodically for analysis of MAA concentrations, UV-induced DNA damage, frequency of anaphase abberrations, organic content and morphological abnormalities. Embryos were also exposed to a controlled gradient of artificial UV-B radiation to establish dose-response relationships for induction of DNA damage and occurrence of anaphase abberrations. Routine sampling of outdoor tank experiments and in situ deployment of the biological dosimeter system continued during November; and intertidal samples are being collected when ice conditions allow. Phytoplankton cultures have increased to sufficent volumes for use in ambient light experiments during the next month. I. Bosch and M. Slattery departed Palmer Station on Nov 22. S-106 VLF TRIMPI STUDIES AT PALMER STATION. VLF REMOTE SENSING OF THUNDERSTORM AND RADIATION BELT COUPLING. U.S. Inan, P.I., Stanford University Field Party: No personnel on station. Equipment being monitored and maintained by station Science Technician Rod Corson. Most recordings were made for the month of November. As of November 5, we are out of analog tapes for the 1/5 synoptic recordings. The Trimpi data tape for November 4 failed to start due to a failure of the Pertec recorder but Trimpi data charts were generated. The Trimpi data tape for November 8 stopped in mid tape due to failure of the recorder, the tape was restarted and only 49 minutes of data was lost. On October 18 had a Pertec recorder failure, changed to back-up recorder. No data was lost. Most recorded data was shipped out with the last departure of the R/V Polar Duke on Oct 22, the remainder of the recorded data will be shipped out on the next departure of the R/V Polar Duke. Inventory of data now on station: (Nov. 30, 1991) 16 - Continuous VLF Tapes from 15 Nov to present. 0 - Synoptic Vlf Tapes 49 - Trimpi recordings on digital tape from 6 Nov. to present, and from Sept 15 to Oct 11 The recording schedule continues with one continuous VLF recording, and one digital tape recording of Trimpi activity on a daily basis. No 1/5 synoptic recordings, due to being out of tapes. Monday morning charts of the Trimpi data are still being sent to Stanford so that the investigators can maintain a better understanding of equipment performance and suggest any needed changes or adjustments to the site. Adjusted Spectracom frequency standard on Nov 10 as requested. S-200 ENERGETICS OF REPRODUCTION AND FORAGING IN ADELIE PENGUINS. M. Chappell, P.I., University of California, Riverside. Field Party: Don Janes and Donna Patterson. During November, the penguins in the study colonies on Torgersen Island completed courtship, laid eggs, and began incubation. The field team continued work on several aspects of the project. 1) We observed that 216 birds banded by our team last year had returned to breed this year (out of 464 total banded birds). We banded an additional 165 birds to give us a total of 381 banded birds. We greatly appreciate the assistance of the S-013 field team who showed us a better technique than we had been using for banding birds. In addition, our deepest gratitude is extended to the following ASA employees and science personnel who volunteered to help band penguins: Herb Baker, Geri and Pete Boudreau, Dave Christian, Jim Close, Rod Corson, Tom Gast (S-031), Laura Gittings, Doug Hilborn, Ken Howle, Kris Kincaid, Jim Meis, Mark Melcon, Ann Peoples, Gail Santosuosso, Marc Slattery (S-031), and Dave Vella. 2) We measured total body water isotopically in two penguins during the three day period between the laying of the first and second eggs. 3) Doubly-labeled water was used to measure metabolic rate over a four day period in six penguins during courtship. These measurements will supplement data collected last year during the courtship phase. 4) We collected urine from ten birds using a new technique in which the penguin is lifted by the base of one flipper and a plastic 500 ml beaker is positioned under the vent to catch spontaneously voided urine. The urine is then transferred to a preweighed plastic test tube using a Pasteur pipette. We subsequently analysed the urine for urea and ammonia content as well as total osmolality. Portions of each urine sample were frozen for later analysis of sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphate and sulfate content in the United States. 5) At the end of the month, when all eggs had been laid, we counted the total number of nest sites in use in colonies 5-11. This number multiplied by two gives the assumed number of breeding penguins in these colonies, as well as the total number of eggs laid. By counting the number of fledglings at the end of the breeding season, we can calculate the egg-to-fledgling mortality rate. The number of nests counted this year closely matches the number counted at the same time last year. A combination of prolonged bad weather and tightly packed brash ice has prevented us from having regular access to Torgersen Island. We were only able to get to Torgersen Island eight days this month. This problem has severely hampered our project, decreasing drastically both the amount and quality of our data. The patience and cooperation of Jim Close, Boating Coordinator, in providing ready access to Zodiacs as weather and ice conditions permit, regardless of working hours, has greatly facilitated our efforts to reach Torgersen Island. S-254 CHLORINE - AND BROMINE - CONTAINING GASES IN THE ANTARCTIC. R. A. RASMUSSEN, P.I., Oregon State University. Field Party: No personnel on station, project being monitored and maintained by station physician. Twelve air samples were collected into stainless steel canisters wihtin the clean air facility during the month. This sampling collected air coming off the glacier behind clean air facility at Plamer station. There are eighteen (18) samples archived for retrograding to CONUS for analysis. S-257 GEOPHYSICAL MONITORING FOR CLIMATE CONTROL (GMCC). J. T. Peterson and L. Waterman, P.Is., NOAA 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 a MAKS sampler provided by the PI. There are currently sexteen (16) samples archived for retrograding to CONUS for analysis. S-275 UM/DOE ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING PROGRAM AT PALMER STATION. T. Snowdon, P.I., University of Miami; C. Sanderson and N. Chui, P.Is., 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 shipped North with the departure of the R/V Polar Duke. Information on 3.5 floppies was copied and stored on site before the originals were shipped. On Station there are currently three (3) exposed filters, one (1) filter being exposed, one (1) prepared blank filter, and one (1) full monthly data disk (Nov.) on station December 1, 1991. On Nov 13 intake clogged with snow, removed snow from intake and filter then resumed sampling. T-312 TERASCAN SATELLITE IMAGING SYSTEM. R. Whritner, P.I., Scripps Institute. Field Party: No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician Rod Corson. The satellite collection schedule continues with the following NOAA satellite passes; 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. Two DMSP satellite passes are also collected daily. These passes are recorded digitally on 8mm video tape. There are four (4) full 8mm "video" tapes of collected passes on station and one current tape almost complete. A few passes have failed in the collection process for various reasons and Palmer is in contact with Bob Whritner and Seaspace about these irregularities. The lost passes amount to only a very small percentage of total desired passes. On November 15th personnel at Seaspace dialed into the terascan system and corrected the software problem, allowing the system to capture and record data automatically. 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 Nov 23. Daily data packages are sent to Biospherical via E-Mail. PMT voltage settings were changed on 28 Nov. to a lower level due to an increase in 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 on what we expect to be a regular basis. 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 this 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. On Nov 22 had a level two alarm on the uv monitor system (response lamp burnout). Problem was corrected and a post repair absolute calibration scan was performed. During repair process a 1.7nm wavelength offset was introduced into the system. On Nov 30 calibrated wavelength to correct for 1.7nm offset.