PALMER STATION SCIENCE SITREP JULY 2001 (corrected) H. William Detrich, Station Science Leader NEWS FROM THE LAB Brett C. Pickering, Winter Assistant Supervisor, Laboratory Operations The Month of July brought the end of the short winter science deployment. Early in the month the R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD took grantees from BO-036 and BO-037 out for two fishing trips that took them to Low Island, Dallman Bay, Hugo Island and an area approximately 5 miles west of Palmer Station. The labs and aquarium remained quite busy until their departure. During the fishing trip to Hugo Island it was hoped that the problem with the automated weather station situated there could be isolated and corrected. However, high winds and rough seas prevented Zodiacs to be launched. The R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD returned near the end of the month before beginning the second SO GLOBEC. This port call brought the station materials and supplies, most notably the instrumentation for the new automated weather station that was to have been set in place in June. The current plan is for the station to be in place by September. While the vessel was on station grantees utilized lab space to acid wash glassware and weigh out chemicals. One group preformed check out dive near the seawater intake. Materials need by the individual research groups were transferred to the ship as by the lab manager and science personnel. On station FEMC has stayed busy with the first floor GWR sheetrock project and once science left continued to sand blast the support beams beneath Bio Lab. The month was a colder than average July. The high for the month was +1.5 C, there have only been two years since 1989 with highs lower than this temperature for the month of July. The average temperature in July was 5.8 C. Precipitation and snowfall through July remain lower than the norm. The average year to date precipitation and snow fall for the last 10 years is 485 mm melted precipitation and 220 cm of snow fall. This year's accumulation through July is 324 mm melted precipitation and 124 cm of snow accumulation. The average wind speed was 10 knots with prevailing winds coming from the south. The peak gust was 54 knots on the ninth. Wildlife sightings continued to taper off during the month. However, the following animals were seen during the month: Adelie Penguins, Antarctic Terns, Blue-eyed Shags, Crab Eater Seals, Elephant Seals, Fur Seals, Gentoo Penguins, Giant Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Pintado Petrels, Sheathbills, Snow Petrels, and Weddell Seals. The following programs were involved in research at Palmer Station: BP-032-O LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH (LTER) ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM: AN ICE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT. Raymond C. Smith, ICESS, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA. The Laboratory Supervisor conducts the weekly sampling. Water was sampled weekly from Palmer Station's seawater intake. Water and air temperatures as well as sea ice coverage was noted during each sampling. The samples were then filtered in a darkened laboratory and stored in a 70 C freezer for subsequent processing. BO-036-O PROTEINS OF OXYGEN-BINDING AND ENERGY METABOLISM IN MUSCLES OF ANTARCTIC FISHES: EVOLUTIONARY ADJUSTMENTS TO LIFE AT COLD BODY TEMPERATURE. Bruce D. Sidell, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine Personnel on station: Joseph Eastman, Theresa Grove, Leonardo Magnoni, Victoria Metcalf, and Bruce D. Sidell On 18 June, the L.M. Gould departed Palmer Station with Bruce Sidell, Joe Eastman and Victoria Metcalf aboard for a more extensive fishing effort that included experimental fishing with baited fish pots. Graduate students Theresa Grove and Leonardo Magnoni remained on-station to pursue their work. Grove's work during our very short season at Palmer is focusing on preparation of subcellular fractions of oxidative skeletal muscles from Antarctic fishes that are enriched with mitochondria. These fractions are being frozen on-site and will be transported back to our CONUS laboratory for further purification of the enzyme, fatty acyl CoA synthetase, which may be the primary determinant of the very pronounced tendency of these fishes preferentially to oxidize of monoenoic fatty acids. Magnoni is making measurements of key enzyme activities and metabolite concentrations that are related to gluconeogenic activity from various tissues of Antarctic fishes. One key objective of this part of the work was to confirm the frozen stability of several enzymes in tissues from these fish. Unfortunately, due to apparent communication failure, many reagents necessary to perform these measurements were not ordered by RPSC, thus compromising this set of objectives. The L.M. Gould returned on the AM of 21 June, after a successful fishing effort (see LM Gould situation reports). Eastman, Metcalf and Sidell disembarked the LMG and proceeded with laboratory work, including many measurements of buoyant mass of notothenioid fishes in seawater. These determinations are related to the amount of corporeal lipid found in Antarctic fish species, which are known to accumulate fats to confer static lift (buoyancy) to some species, permitting exploitation of niches in the water column. Additionally, vascular casts of both white-blooded and red-blooded Antarctic fishes are being performed by perfusion of the animals with a silicone-based Microfil solution). These casts will be used for both quantitative and qualitative assessment of vascular systems in these animals. Several specimens were fixed in buffered formalin for subsequent analyses. Additional tissue and blood samples were harvested from several species and frozen for later analyses at our CONUS laboratory. As is the norm for our project, laboratory work (as described above) was interspersed with additional fishing effort on the L.M. Gould, again from 25-28 June. This pattern will continue until our departure from Palmer Station on 11 July. We wish to thank RPSC personnel, both at Palmer Station and aboard the L.M. Gould and Master, officers and crew of the L.M. Gould for their exceptional support this season. They have made critical contributions to both the scientific success and the personal enjoyment of our work in Antarctica this year. BO-037-O: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND EXPRESSION OF TUBULINS, GLOBINS, AND MICROTUBULE-DEPENDENT MOTORS FROM COLD-ADAPTED ANTARCTIC FISHES H. William Detrich, Principal Investigator Dept. of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA Personnel on Station: H. William Detrich, Ennio Cocca, Guido di Prisco, Steven Hann, Sandra K. Parker, and Donald Yergeau During the first nine days of July, we concentrated on completing the three studies initiated in June. The separation of white blood cell populations from the red-blooded rockcod Notothenia coriiceps and from the white-blooded icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus by density gradient centrifugation was highly successful. Preparations of lymphocytes, granulocytes, and thrombocytes were frozen for further study in our CONUS laboratory. Sampling of age classes of Lepidonotothen larseni, L. nudifrons, and Parachaenichthys charcoti (blood, ototliths, and scales) for analysis of globin gene switching during development was completed, and we will process these samples at our CONUS and Italian institutions. Finally, we harvested tissues from N. coriiceps for analysis of promoter function during globin gene expression; likewise, these samples will be processed further in Boston and in Naples, Italy. Two brain microtubule preparations, from C. aceratus and Champsocephalus gunnari, were also completed during this period. Two fishing trips were conducted in conjunction with Project BO-036 (Sidell). The first trip to Low Island and Dallmann Bay (2-5 July) produced a total catch of ca. 80 icefish of 4 species (C. aceratus, C. gunnari, Chaenodraco wilsoni, and Chionodraco rastrospinosus), 50 Gobionotothen gibberifrons, 8 N. coriiceps, and assorted other species. Most of the fish were captured by bottom trawling, but the fish traps again proved excellent for capturing N. coriiceps. As for June, we noted the abundance of icefishes and scarcity of G. gibberifrons when compared to fishing during our usual period, March-May. From 8-9 July, the Gould sailed for Hugo Island to attempt trap fishing on an experimental basis and, if possible, to visit and repair the Hugo Island Automated Weather Station. Although poor weather disrupted the fishing, the traps did produce two fish, including one specimen of Trematomus hansoni, a species rare in the Peninsula region. Unfortunately, said weather conditions also prevented a landing to attempt the AWS repair. On 10 July, we packed the laboratory, and we departed Palmer on 11 July aboard the ARSV Laurence M. Gould. Project BO-037's brief 2001 field season finished with the arrival of the Gould in Punta Arenas, Chile, on 15 July. We thank Manager Pam Hill and the personnel of Palmer Station, Captain Warren Sanamo and the crew of the ARSV Laurence M. Gould, and MPC Al Hickey and his Marine Techs for working enthusiastically to help us to achieve successfully our goals for the season. GO-052-P GPS CONTINUOUS OPERATION REFERENCE STATION. J. Mullins, Principal Investigator, U.S. Geological Survey. The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. The Z12 Rover was used to measure the location of the Tide gauge. The system has been operating smoothly. GO-091-P GLOBAL SEISMOGRAPH STATION AT PALMER STATION. R. Butler, Principal Investigator, Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS). The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. The system lost connection to the network and had to be rebooted to reestablish connection. Other than that the system has been running smoothly. Data tapes were shipped back to the US. A new lock latch was installed on the door. The old one had rusted through. AO-106-P STUDIES OF LIGHTNING-INDUCED ELECTRON PRECIPITATION OF THE IONOSPHERE. U. Inan, Principal Investigator, Stanford University. The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. CDs and BETA tapes have been shipped to the US. A request was made to extend BETA tape recordings to 1600hr for the dates of July 15 to August 15 2001. Normal recording period is daily 0100 1000 UT. The modified period will be daily 0100 1600 UT. The system was shut down during the power outage as per the SOP. OO-275-O DOE-EML REMOTE ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENTS PROGRAM. C. Sanderson, Principal Investigator, Department of Energy, Environmental Measurements Laboratory. The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. Weekly filter changes and monthly disk change were completed. Monthly control filter cartridge was prepared. The air pump was shut down during the power outage, but radiation sampling and data collection were left on. OO-283-P ANTARCTIC AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS. Charles Stearns, Principal Investigator, University of Wisconsin. The Science Technician monitors data transmissions for the project. Automated Weather Station (AWS) transmissions from Bonaparte Point, Hugo Island, and RACER Rock were monitored using the TeraScan system. The Bonaparte Point unit continued to send an invalid wind speed, presumably due to a CPU failure. The Hugo Island and RACER Rock units have not been broadcasting data. Repair of the AWSs is contingent on the arrival of new parts and on vessel scheduling. An attempt was made to fix the unit at Hugo Island but bad weather did not allow for safe landings. R-035 TIDE GAUGE. Tony Amos, Point of Contact, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. The system crashed a few times for unknown reasons during the first part of the month. It has been operating smoothly for the last part of the month. TO-312-O TERASCAN SATELLITE IMAGING SYSTEM R. Whritner, Principal Investigator, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. System has been operating normally. TO-513-O UV MONITORING NETWORK. C. Booth, Principal Investigator, Biospherical Instruments, Inc. The Science Technician operates and maintains on-site equipment for the project. The site visit was finished and the system went back on line. Systems have been running smoothly. OO-204-O MEASUREMENTS OF ATMOSPHERIC O2 IN RELATION TO THE GLOBAL CARBON CYCLE. Ralph Keeling, Principal Investigator, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Air samples are collected on a semi-weekly basis by the station physician. The goal of this project is to resolve seasonal and interannual variations in atmospheric O2 (detected through changes in O2/N2 ratio), which can aid in determining rates of marine biological productivity and ocean mixing. The results are also used to help determine the terrestrial and oceanic distribution of the global anthropogenic CO2 sink. The program involves air sampling at a network of sites in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Palmer Station is especially well situated for resolving signals of carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean. Samples taken from the station are return-shipped to Scripps where the analysis of O2 and CO2 content takes place. OO-254-O CHLORINE-AND BROMINE-CONTAINING TRACE GASES IN ANTARCTICA. R.A. Rasmussen, Principal Investigator, Oregon Graduate Institute for Science and Technology. Air samples are collected on a weekly basis by the station physician. Samples are returned to the Oregon Graduate Institute for analysis of a number of trace components, mostly chlorine-and bromine-containing gases. These elements in particular 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. David Hofmann, Principal Investigator, Environmental Research Laboratories, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Air samples are collected on a weekly basis by the station physician. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory team continues its long-term measurements of carbon dioxide and other climate-relevant atmospheric gases. The Palmer Station air samples are returned to the NOAA laboratory for analysis as part of NOAA's effort to determine and assess the long-term buildup of global pollutants in the atmosphere. Data from this experiment will be used in modeling studies to determine how the rate of change of these parameters affects climate.