PALMER STATION SCIENCE SITREP DECEMBER 1998 William R. Fraser, SSL NEWS FROM THE LAB Robert L. Edwards, Supervisor, Laboratory Operations We had large changes in conditions and activities around Palmer Station through December. The month began with continued heavy brash and pack ice in Arthur Harbor and out into the Bismarck Strait, preventing the R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD (LMG) from reaching station at the beginning of LMG99-10. The ice finally began to dissipate mid-month, with open water conditions predominant by Christmas, allowing boat access to local islands and study sites. Two researchers from one project redeployed with the LMG before the Christmas, and two members from the artist and writer program arrived. Two more researchers came to station with our first tour ship visit at the end of the month, bringing the total number of grantees to twelve, from five projects. The combination of orienting new personnel, initiating tourist operations, increased research fieldwork and preparations for the annual Long Term Ecological Research Project cruise kept grantees and support staff very busy through the holiday season and into the New Year. There were no major changes in facility use or configuration this month, though we were heavily involved in the planning and preparation for the continuing station remodeling projects. Construction in the Boathouse, Comms Center, and GWR are slated for this coming fall and winter, so a major effort has been devoted to identifying excess stock and finding storage space for items from the affected areas. December weather was somewhat warmer (mean 1.2 C), drier (total precipitation 26.5mm) and sunnier (8 clear or partly cloudy days) than November, though we had almost identical wind (peak 48 kts) and cloud conditions (averaging 86% cover) as last month. All in all, it seemed to be quite reasonable summer weather for the Peninsula. We, of course, celebrated the summer solstice appropriately, and Mother Nature cooperated with some spectacular late night sunsets scattered throughout the month. The following projects conducted research at Palmer Station: BO-003-O IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON ANTARCTIC VASCULAR PLANTS: WARMING AND UV-B RADIATION. Thomas A. Day, Principal Investigator, Department of Plant Biology and The Center for the Study of Early Events in Photosynthesis, Arizona State University. Personnel on station: Christopher T. Ruhland, Fusheng Xiong, Jenny S. Lin. Studies continued on the effects of UV-B and warming on the two species of Antarctic vascular plants, Deschampsia antarctica (Antarctic hairgrass) and Colobanthus quitensis (Antarctic pearlwort). We have been sampling intensively from our experiment being conducted on Gamage Point, near Palmer Station. We have nine UV-radiation manipulation filter frames (UV-B exclusion, UV-B transparent and open) with both species growing under these frames. Plants under these frames have been sampled an additional four times during the month of December (eight total) for UV-mediated DNA damage. These sampling days occurred during ozone depletion events and we expect that they will yield higher levels of cyclobutane dimers in plants exposed to enhanced UV-B. These samples are currently being processed in the lab at Palmer Station for transport back to Arizona State University. We have also been examining the effects of UV-B on impairment of photosynthesis in both species. Measurements of carbon dioxide uptake, oxygen evolution and photosynthetic yield of photosystem II have been examined in both species under our treatments using combinations of an infrared gas analyzer, oxygen electrode and pulse amplitude modulated fluorometer. In addition to measurements of photosynthesis we have been conducting growth censuses using Demographic Growth Analysis. We have been examining differences between leaf length and number, tiller/shoot production and reproductive stage on a regular basis. These plants will be selectively harvested for determination of final biomass over the course of the season. We are currently examining concentrations of chlorophyll and soluble phenylpropanoid concentrations of both species under our treatments. These analyses are currently being performed on plants used for photosynthesis and growth measurements. In addition to these measurements on mature plants, we have germinated seeds of both species of Antarctic vascular plants in the lab, and placed these seedlings under our UV-manipulation filters. We will be conducting physiological measurements on these seedlings to examine UV-B effects on growth and development. Members of BO-003-O (C. Ruhland and J. Lin) accompanied members of BP-013-O to Biscoe Island on December 23 to collect mature seeds from both species. We would like to thank ASA personnel at Palmer Station who have continuously provided excellent support to our field team and helped make December a very productive month for BO-003-O. BP-013-O LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT (SEABIRD COMPONENT). William R. Fraser, Principal Investigator, Biology Department, Montana State University. Personnel on stations: Peter Duley and Matt Irinaga. Improved access to our island study sites during December has allowed us to get back on schedule and continue collection of the LTER Seabird Component core data. In early December we completed the censuses needed to determine Adelie Penguin overwinter survival and breeding population status. Access to earlier established sample groups of breeding pairs, used ultimately to determine breeding success, has also allowed us to continue our studies on the causes of variability in breeding chronology. During the last week of December we set up and tested the Humble Island data link, which permits remote, real-time access to data loggers used to record the presence of Adelie Penguins instrumentd with radio transmitters. These data are used to determine the duration of foraging trips, which our studies now reveal are extremely sensitive indicatiors of krill availability in the foraging environment. We would like to thank Sheldon Blackman and Andy Sutton for their assistance in setting up our telemetry equipment. BP-016-0 LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT (PHYTOPLANKTON COMPONENT). Maria Vernet, Principal Investigator, Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Personnel on Station: Wendy Kozlowski, Eric Pohlman, Jennifer White. December opened with ice remaining in the Arthur Harbor vicinity, preventing the usual sampling at Palmer offshore stations. As in November, sampling was continued during these non-boating days from surface water from the vicinity of the station seawater intake. Full profile water collection was completed four times each at stations B (17, 22, 27 and 30 Dec) and E (19, 23, 27 and 30 Dec). Seawater intake was sampled on 01, 07 and 14 Dec and weather permitted one sampling of surface water at station B on the 10th. Core LTER measurements are continuing to be taken on all water collected. This includes two types of primary productivity experiments (both long term simulated in situ and a short term multi-irradiance incubation), water collection for pigment analysis with HPLC, filtration for particulate Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen analysis, sample collection for nutrient analysis of Nitrate, Silicate and Phosphate, and several preservations for microscopy. Preliminary measurements show slightly increasing production levels; and the diatom Thalassiosira sp. continues to dominate the photic zone water column population, with Corethron now also being seen. BP-028-0 LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE-DOMINATED SYSTEM (PREY COMPONENT). Robin M. Ross and Langdon B.Quetin, Principal Investigators, Marine Science Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara. No personnel on station. BP-032-O LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT (OPTICS COMPONENT). Raymond C. Smith, Principal Investigator, ICESS, University of California at Santa Barbara. Personnel on station: Karen W. Patterson. Due to continued ice cover, zodiac sampling of stations B and E were restricted to four days this month. The ice finally cleared around December 22nd and we have been able to start twice weekly sampling at both stations during the end of December. Chlorophylls continue to be sampled twice weekly from Bonaparte and Gamage Points and weekly from the seawater intake. Ice pictures continue to be taken daily from the platform on the roof of GWR and weekly from the glacier. Jeff Otten has provided us with a few sea ice images this month for use in planning the January LTER cruise. The Lambda 6 spectrophotometers continue to have baseline problems, although the magnitude of the problem is improving. To resolve this issue, a Lambda 6 from McMurdo has been shipped, checked out by a Perkin Elmer technician in Santa Barbara while en-route, and should arrive here at the start of the LTER cruise. Many thanks to all involved in organizing the shipment and checkout of this spectrophotometer as it passed through Port Hueneme. Planning and preparation for the January LTER cruise were also major activities this month. GO-052-O GPS CONTINUOUS OPERATION REFERENCE STATION. J. Mullins, U.S. Geological Survey. The station science technician has monitored the system. During the month GPS data was collected continuously, converted daily to a RINEX format, compressed, and transmitted to the US Geological Survey in Reston, VA. GO-091-O GLOBAL SEISMOGRAPH STATION AT PALMER STATION. R. Butler, Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS). The station science technician has operated the system. Global seismic events were recorded throughout the month. All operations during the month were normal. AO-106-O STUDIES OF LIGHTNING-INDUCED ELECTRON PRECIPITATION OF THE IONOSPHERE. U. Inan, Stanford University. The station science technician has monitored the system. The Stanford receiver records very low frequency (VLF) radio waves for studying ionospheric and magnetospheric natural phenomena. Efforts were made to determine the problem causing one of the narrowband recording systems to sporadically stop data collection. The problem has not yet been located. OO-204-O MEASUREMENTS OF ATMOSPHERIC O2 IN RELATION TO THE GLOBAL CARBON CYCLE. Ralph Keeling, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Air samples are collected on a semi-weekly basis by the station physician. The samples are return shipped to Scripps for analysis of O2 and CO2 content. The goal of the program is to resolve seasonal and interannual variations in atmospheric O2 (detected through changes in O2/N2 ratio) which can aid in the determination of rates of marine biological productivity and ocean mixing and aid in the separation of the global sink for anthropogenic CO2 into terrestrial and oceanic components. The program involves air sampling at a network of sites in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Palmer Station is especially well situated to resolve signals due to carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean. OO-254-O CHLORINE-AND BROMINE-CONTAINING TRACE GASES IN ANTARCTICA. R.A. Rasmussen, Oregon Graduate Institute for Science and Technology. Air samples are taken on a weekly basis by the station physician. The samples are returned to the Institute for analysis of a number of trace components, especially chlorine- and bromine-containing gases. These elements have been implicated in the chemical processes that contribute to the austral-spring depletion of the ozone layer over Antarctica. This work will contribute to a better understanding of the buildup of trace constituents, particularly those of high-latitude marine origin. OO-264-O COLLECTION OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR FOR THE NOAA\CMDL WORLDWIDE FLASK SAMPLING NETWORK. James T. Peterson, Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Air samples are taken on a weekly basis by the station physician. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory team continue long-term measurements of trace atmospheric constituents that influence climate. The Palmer Station air samples are returned to the NOAA laboratory for analysis of trace constituents, including carbon dioxide. These measurements are part of NOAA's effort to determine and assess the long-term buildup of global pollutants in the atmosphere. This data will be used to determine how the rate of change of these parameters affects climate, particularly by including them in climate model studies. OO-275-O UM/DOE-EML REMOTE ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENTS PROGRAM. C. Sanderson, Department of Energy, Environmental Measurements Laboratory. The station science technician has operated the system. One sample filter was exposed for the duration of each week, and a weekly schedule of calibration, background, and sample counts was maintained. The RAMP system is part of a global network seeking to characterize the quantity and distribution of radionuclide particles occurring both naturally and artificially in the atmosphere. OO-283-P ANTARCTIC AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS. Charles Stearns, University of Wisconsin. Automated Weather Station (AWS) transmissions were monitored from Bonaparte Point, Hugo Island, and RACER Rock using the TeraScan system. The Racer Rock AWS site was serviced by personnel on the R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD on a regular transit from Palmer Station back to Punta Arenas. Both battery boxes and their cables were replaced. Corroded connectors will require an additional visit in the future. TO-312-O TERASCAN SATELLITE IMAGING SYSTEM. R. Whritner, Scripps Institute of Oceanography. The station science technician has operated the system. Throughout the month, the TeraScan system collected, archived, and processed DMSP and NOAA satellite pass telemetry, maintaining a schedule of 17-20 passes per day. SeaWiFS satellite pass telemetry was also collected and archived in its decrypted format. NOAA and DMSP telemetry was archived for BP-032-O when the LTER grid was clear of clouds. Some bugs in the TeraScan system remain. The vendor has duplicated the problem in house but so far has been unable to fix the problem. Ice images were generated when skies were clear for use by the R/V Laurence M. Gould in navigation. TO-513-O UV MONITORING NETWORK. C. Booth, Biospherical Instruments, Inc. The station science technician has operated the system. Throughout the month, raw irradiance data scans were collected daily and transmitted to BSI, and preliminary irradiances and spectral integrals were produced in support of Science. Scheduled absolute calibration scans were performed, and the system is operating normally.