NEWSLETTER WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION JUNE 1992

Bigelow Medal to be Awarded RIDGE Office Moves to WHOI for Marine Snow Research Alice Louise Alldredge and Mary Wilcox Silver, both scientists Another major national research program with the University of California system, have been se lected to office has been established at WHOI in receive WHOl's Henry Bryant Bigelow Award in . recent months. The two scientists will share the prestigious honor, to be awarded The U.S. RIDGE. or RIDGE Inter-Disci­ for only the tenth time in the 32 years since its establishment, for plinary Global Experiment. office officially their pioneering investigations in ~mar ine snow." opened for business February 1 in the Clark ~We are pleased to be able to recognize such seminal work in Annex. Senior Scientist Bob Detrick of the oceanography. The very infrequency of the award speaks to the Geology and Geophysics Department. who honor it carries - only a few people have advanced the field in the joined the WHOI staff in DecelTber, heads way that Drs. Si lver and Alldredge have," Craig Dorman said. the RIDGE Office in a part-time capacity. The Bigelow Award Committee solicited nominations for the Susan Humphris, former Dean at the Sea award throughout the national and international science community. Education Association and an adjunct "The search process was certainly a challenge, given the fact that scientist at WHO!, joined the WHOI staff full­ there is a large number of talented marine scientists in the fi eld," time February 1 to coordinate the RIDGE Committee Chairman Bm Jenkins of the Chemistry Department program and manage daily office !?perations. said. "In the end, the committee was very enthusiastic about Anita Norton. formerly at the Deep Submer­ recognizing Alldredge and Silver for their ground-breaking work in gence Laboratory, provides staff support. understanding the importance of marine snow." Detrick, a geophysicist interested in Starting in the mid-70s, Alldredge and Silver were among the seismic structure of the oceanic crust and first to recognize that marine snow might be an important source of tectonics of the mid-ocean ridge, describes sinking particulate material, and that the physical and organic RIDGE as a coordinated. interdisciplinary

Continued on page 5 national research program to study the little­ known physical, chemical. and biological processes along the mid-ocean ridge and how these processes relate to each other. ~ The primary goal of the RinG E Initiative

Continued on page 2

Research Assistant Phil Alatalo of the Biology Department examines a culture of protozoa to be fed to winter flounder larvae at the Environmental Systems Laboratory (ESL). The cultures are kept in a cold incuba­ tor (fJOC or 4~F). Research Specialist Scott Gal/ager and Diane Stoecker of the Univer­ sity of Maryland, formerly WHOI. are study­ ing predator-prey interactions. Library Offers New Service I The MBUWHOI Joint Library is now ! offering 8 new service to the Woods Hole l' scientific community. the Rrst$earch Catalog. ~ FirstSearch is an electronic information system designed for scientists. students and other staff members. It offers access 10 a number of online, subject·speciHc databases (like Min.. GEOREF for the Geosciences and ContentsRnder for the joumal tables of contents). It is linked to the wOOd's largest computerized card catalogue. WorktCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalogue), with more than 26 million bibliographic records repre­ senting the holdings of 13,000 libraries worldwide. Available via the Internet, FirstSearch Left to right: Associates President Charlie Dana, Stanley Watson, requires no special training in computers or Cecil Green and Charley Hollister at the annual Associates Dinner on-line searching. Anyone should be able to on the Iselin Mall June 19. sit down al a terminal and perform a suc­ cessful search. FirstSearch brings the wOOd Watson Receives Green Award of on..Jine infonnation directly to the informa­ Micr~ist Stanley W. Watson was presented the Cecil H. tion user. Green Award for outstanding contributions to oceanography at Each search (one search statement) WHOI June 19 at the annual Associates Dinner on the Iselin Mall. costs less than $1 .00 and includes down­ The award was established in 1991 by the WHOI Associates and loading or printing. The Library Office will is named for philanthropist and Texas Instruments founder Cecil H. provide staff or offices with their own blocks Green, who has had a long association with the Institution. The of 10 or 25 search authorizations and will award, a memento and plaque, was presented to Watson by the 91- charge the cost back to the appropriate year-old Green. account. However, as an introduction to the A scientist emeritus in the Institution's Biology Department, servtee, the Library will give new users a Watson is considered a leading marine microbiologist and the world block of 10 search authorizations at no authority on nitrifying bacteria, a specialized group of bacteria that charge to their projects. oxidize ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. His 4o-year scientific Contact the MBUWHOI Joint Library at career has encompassed such diverse areas as viral disease in .nher MBl (Lillie 230) or WHOI (Clark 131 C) salmon, the biology and ecology of marine slime molds, marine and for more informaHon about access methods freshwater nitrifying bacteria, marine cyanobacteria and the modifi­ and obtaining an authorization. cation of the horseshoe crab blood cloning system for various uses. WHOI To Assist MMA in New Oegree Program The Newsletter is published monthly for WHOI is assisting the Massachusens Maritime Academy (MMA) in employees, students and members of ptanning and offering a program of study at MMA leading to a Bach­ the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institu­ elor of Arts degree in Marine Safety and Environmental Protection tion community. Copy deadline is the beginning with admission of a freshman class in the fall of 1992. 25th of the month. Ideas for stories, Director Craig Dorman and MMA President Peter Cressy signed photos, and items of interest to the the Memorandum of Understanding between the Institution and Mass community are we~ome and should be Maritime July 13 during a technology transfer workshop aboard the sent to: Editor, Newslener, News Office, Academy's training ship Patriot State in Boston. The ship participated Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in Sail Boston activities; a general information disptay about WHOt Woods Hole, MA 02543. Telephone was aboard ship for the festivities. 508-457-2000 ext. 2270 or 3340. MMA has full responsibility for the degree program. WHOI scien­ tists and engineers will contribute their knowledge and expertise in Editor: Shelley M. Lauzon marine environmental research and environmental protection through Staff Support: Kathleen Panerson curriculum development, course teaching. and internships at the Institution.

2 WHOI NEWSLETTER

" Shortage of funding to result in All crew furlough

Citing a shortage of sufficient telephone interview with National but one are covered through various operating and science funding for Public RadiO. In addition, Atlantis 1/ payroll options during the mid-June Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin, had the first all female officer corps to early August in-port period, Milner WHO! Associate Director for Marine when Pat Pasanen served as Renet added. The one person not fully Operations Richard Pittenger an­ Master, Sally Davis as Second Mate covered during this time is taking the nounced recently that "when the and Brandy Walker as Third Mate first available relief position on Knoff Atlantis II (All) returns from opera­ (there was no Chief Mate) during a in early July when it arrives in tions on mid-October, it will be put in 1991 shipyard period. Auckland, New Zealand. The a reduced, or maintenance, status. "This need to temporarily lay up Personnel Office and WHOI depart­ Regrettably this may entail furlough­ the ship is a result of a failure of the ments are providing assistance by ing some members of the marine process designed to underpin the offering positions for furloughed crew crew." Alvin operations," Pittenger stated. ~I members. ~It's a real team effort," The Navy-owned Alvin and its regret that we have to take this Milner says. ~People here are doing support ship, the All, are operated by action, and we are continuing to work whatever they can to help the All WHOI as a national asset for the with the various government agen­ crew during this tough time and get entire oceanographic community. In cies to turn the situation around and them back to sea." normal years, scientists from WHOI to revise the process to avoid future and from other marine research recurrences." Pittenger said that he Navy Honors Ballard for programs throughout the country are expects to have Alvin and Aff back in funded by government agencies to operation early in 1993. Scientific Achievement conduct research using both the The 210-fool ship, which serves and the All. In 1992 no both as tender for Alvin and as an Bob Ballard, a senior scientist in new proposals to the National independent research vessel, has the Applied Ocean Physics & Science Foundation (NSF) for remained at the dock since June 10. Engineering Department, is this research using Alvin were funded. A One series of Alvin dives is sched­ year's recipient of the U.S. Navy's few dives were sponsored by the uled in the Atlantic Ocean during Robert Dexter Conrad Award, the Office of Naval Research (ONR). August. Alvin will then be off-loaded highest Navy honor for scientific "The Woods Hole Oceanographic for its routine and scheduled mainte­ achievement. Gerald A. Cann, Institution leads the world in deep nance checks and upgrades, a Assistant Secretary of the Navy for submergence capabilities," Pittenger process that normally requires Research, Development and Acqui­ stated. "The All crew and the Alvin several months. The All has another sition, presented the award, a gold group do a terrific job." Alvin, de­ cruise scheduled for late-August medal and certificate, to Bob at a signed and built in the 1960s, had the through mid-October. When it June 15 ceremony. best record of completed dives of any returns from that cruise, it will re­ The Conrad Award is presented of the world's deep-diving manned enter a "maintenance mode," accord­ annually to an individual who has in 1991, completing ing to Pittenger, rather than a fuJI made outstanding contributions in 152 dives out of 156 scheduled. The crew mode. "That means a crew scientific research and development other four dives were postponed due reduction from more than 20 to three for the Department of the Navy. It to weather. or four," he added. "We expect to commemorates Captain Robert During Voyage #125, which return to full manning in January Dexter Conrad, who was one of the began December 29, 1989 and 1993." primary architects of the Office of ended in Woods Hole June 10, Joe Milner, Manager of Marine Naval Research (ONR), the re­ At/antis II spent 575 days at sea and Employment, notes that every effort search and development organiza­ a record 894 days away from Woods will be made to get the furloughed tion responsible for the basic Hole. Alvin made 368 dives, many of Atlantis /I crew back to work. ~Other research programs of the Navy. them at hydrothermal vents in the ship operators in the academic Ballard is the 36th Conrad Award eastern Pacific. A number of firsts research fleet have been notified that winner. occurred during the voyage: the first we have crew available during this Since 1967, Ballard has been an use of a rock drill from Alvin, the first time," Milner notes. "When relief ONR contractor primarily in the female pilot, the sub's 2,500th dive, positions become available on Knorr fields of deep ocean engineering recovery of the U.S. Navy's remotely and Oceanus, the All regular crew and marine geology. He received operated vehicle CURV III. and a wilt have first refusal." the first Secretary of the Navy Chair ship~to-shore-to Alvin, on-the-bottom Fortunately, all the regular crew in Oceanography (1985-1989).

WHOI NEWSLETTER 3 Atlantis II/Alvin Homecoming

June 10, 1992

Banners (above) and signal flags (below left) decorated the dock.

Several hundred employees, friends and family members gathered on the dock June 10 to welcome home Research Vessel Atlantis II and Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin. The weather cooperated with clear sunny skies as Relief Masler Paul Howtand guided the ship to the dock just after noon, eooing record-breaking Voyage ~125. Atlantis If spent 894 days away from Woods Hole and 575 days at sea, and Alvin made 368 dives. Falmouth's Morse Pond School Hot Jazz Band, co"lJrised of more than 30 middle school students, entertained the crowd and serenaded the ship as it docked with "Pomp and Circumslance . ~ Director Craig Dorman, Regular Master Gary Chiljean. and Alvin Operations Manager Barrie Walden offered thetf welcome home to the crew in brief remarks. An Open House aboard Atlantis II followed from 1 to 4 p.m. Alvin Operations Manager Barrie Walden and Craig Dorman (left) . 4 WHOI NEWSLETTER Personnel News: TIAA Interest Rates, Loan Provision

Total interest rates credited on additional source of information on petitive variable interest rate, against personal finance, of which retirement the accumulation in your TlAA SRA­ TIAA supplemental retirement planning is an important part. generally up to 45% of your total TIM annuities for March 1, 1992 • Febru­ "Sound Money" is usually broadcast and CREF SRA accumulations. The ary 28, 1993 are: On Saturday or Sunday. Check your maximum amount you can borrow is local public radio station listings for $50,000. You must have 110% olthe For funds applied during the date and time of the program. amount you wish to borrow in your 1/1/92 - 6/30192 7.00% TlAA accumulation as security for the 1/1/91 - 12131/91 8.00% loans on Supplemental Retire­ loan. 1/1/88 -12131/90 8.25% ment Annuities Available You can take from one to five years Prior to 1988 8.00% A loan provision has been added to repay your loan (ten years if the to TIAA-CREF Supplemental Retire­ money is for the purchase of a house). ment Annuities (SRAs). This allows Payments are due every three months "Sound Money" you to access a portion of your SRA by check or automatic transfer from TIAA-CAEF is now sponsoring savings ~ retirement without your bank account. "Sound Money," a call-in investment incurring income taxes or penalties For more information on the loan information program that is broad­ while still allowing you to save feature, call TlAA·CREPs Participation cast nationally over public radio money on a tax-deferred basis. Information Center at 1·800·842-2nS. stations. This program provides an You may take a loan, at a com-

Bigelow Medal.continued/rompage1 ------­

chemistry of this material was appointed an Assistant Professor. Professor Henry M. Stomrnel, 1974; extraordinarily complicated. Today, She was promoted to Associate Professor Wolfgang Helmut Berger, their work is widely cited ~as being Professor in 1981, and has been in 1979; Dr. HoJgerW. Jannasch, 1980; the first of its kind, and has gained her position of Professor Professor Arnold L Gordon, 1984; them respect and admiration from since 1987. She received her Dr. Hans Thomas Rossby and their colleagues in the fields of Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology Douglas Chester Webb, 1988. biobgical and chemical oceanogra­ from the University of California. She Alldredge and Silver will share a phy." Their exhaustive and careful studied a year at the University of $10,000 honorarium, and each will research has helped scientists T ubingen in Germany, and later be presented with a gold medal. An comprehend the larger picture of the returned to California to earn her award ceremony is planned for this interactions between biological and Ph.D. in Oceanography from Scripps fall at WHOI. chemical processes in the marine Institution of Oceanography. She environment. has authored or co-authored over 20 Alice Alldredge is a Professor of scientific reports. Telephone Emergency .. Biology at the University of California, The Henry Bryant Bigelow Medal The Voice Mail System is at Santa Barbara (UCSB). She has and award was established by the capacity. Please delete your' - been with UCSB since 1976. A executive committee of the Board of messages as soon as' you haVG native of Denver, Colorado, she Trustees in 1960 to honor individuals listened to them. Incornil)9 " received her Bachelor of Arts degree who make outstanding contributions messages are being delayed and in biology from Carleton College in in any field of oceanography. The are not getting delivered to', " Minnesota, and her Ph. D. in Ecology award is named for the first Director mailboxes for several-days, or­ from the University of California, of WHOI, a well· known Harvard longer, because the system is it Davis. She has authored or co­ University biologist, who was named capacity. After IIstenlng'to " authored over 40 scientific journal its first recipient. Previous recipients messages press 76 to delet.,' articles and reports. of the award are: Dr. John C. them. If you need aSSistance,: Mary Silver has been with the Swallow, 1962; Dr. Bruce C. Heezen, call linda Benway at ext. 2251_ University of California, Santa Cruz 1964; Columbus O'D. Iselin, 1966; (UCSC) since 1972, when she was Professor Frederick J. Vine, 1970;

WHOI NEWSLETTER 5 New Faces

Jess F. Adkins Jennifer E. Agenbroad Ben}amin A. Brooks Max Defferbaugh Michael F. Hajosy JP Student JP Student JP Student JP Student JP Student EdocationlMC&G EducationIBiology EducationlG&G EducalionlAOP&E EducationlAOP&E Fye119 Redfield 120 Clark 1 Smith 201 Bigelow 41 5 Ext. 2885 Ext. 4310 Ext. 3441 Ext. 3282 Ext. 2207 O. Repeta L. Mullineaux M. Kleinrock A. Bradley A. Fricke

~ I , -';;,*,' , ~-,l

, . ~~ ,

Sarah E. Herbelin Stefan A. Hussenoeder Kelsey A. Jordahl eric D. Kessel Daniel E. Leader JP Student JP Studenl JP Sludent Info. Sys. Assoc. I JP Student EducationlMC&G EducationlG&G EducatiorVG&G G&G Educal ionlAOP&E Fye 142 Clark 275A Clark 145 McLean 237 Bigelow Trai~r Ext 3217 Ext. 3423 Ext. 2491 Ext. 2469 Ext. 3484 N. Blough M. Tivey M. McNutt K . .... on Redan

linda V. Martin SusanW. Mills elizabeth C. Minor Denis J. Peregrym Brian S. Racine JP Sludent Research Assistant 11 JP Student JP Student JP Student EducalionIBiology Biology Educatiorv'MC&G Educatiorv'AOP&E Educatiorv'PO Redfield 104 Redfield 120 Fye 111 Clark 224 Clark 343 Ext. 3247 Ext. 2898 Ext. 2627 Ext. 3390 Ext. 2936 H. Caswell l. Mullineaux T. Eglinton K. Stewart R. Beardsley

6 WHOI NEWSLETTER No Ph otos Promotions Susan Becker Research Assistant I AOP&E Kathy S. Frisbee (Communications) Bigelow to Business and Advertising Coordinator (4/20192) Ext. 2456 J. Ledwell Donna Lamonde (Development) to Staff Assistanlill (5/11 /92) Orjan M. Gustafson Isabel M. Penman (Facilities) Joint Program Student to Senior Switchboard Operator/Receptionist (5/17/92) MC&G Clark 442 Ext. 2820 Peter A. Traykovski W. Martin JP Student Congratulations to: AOP&E Sarah L. Zimmerman Nan and Jack Weiss on the birth of their second daughter, Clark 218 Temp. Research Asst. II Mary Katherine, June 19. She weighed 7 Ibs. 10 oz. Nan is a A. Baggeroer PO Clark S 175A Senior Development Officer. Mary joins her Ihree-ye~r-old Ext. 2794 sisler, Carty, al their home in Wilmington, North Carohna. J. Toole

Join the Club Ship Notes JASON Project Honored

When planning your next vaca­ ATLANTIS II/ ALVIN The JASON Project has been tion, take advantage of the Disney, RN Atlantis II and DSV Alvin remain honored with one of 22 National Universal Studios, and Anheuser­ at the WHOI dock in a maintenance Education Association (NEAl Awards Busch Theme Parks memberships mode awaiting the next voyage in for the Advancement of learning available to WHOI employees. early August. through Broadcasting. A record 288 Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom nominations were received for the Club offers exclusive benefits, special awards this year. KNORR The award will be presented July 2 discounts and vacation packages. R/V Knorr is headed for New at the NEA Broadcast Awards Dinner Benefits include reduced prices on Zealand on Leg IV of extended in Washington, DC . The dinner tickets, savings on accommodations, Voyage #138. The vessel left Easter begins the NEA's Annual Meeting, discounts at Disney stores nation­ Island May 30 to conduct a high with 8,500 delegates expected to wide, and discounts on airfare, car resolution hydrographic section attend. rental and cruise vacations. along 32° South latitude as part of The next JASON Project is sched­ Universal Studios Florida has the the South Pacific component 01 the uled for March 1 - 13, 1993. The Fan Club, which provides discounts World Ocean Circulation Experiment project will feature photosynthesis and on admission, merchandise, accom­ (WOCE). Knorr is due at Auckland, gray whales at Baja's San Ignacio modations, airfare and car rentals . New Zealand, July 7. Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks Lagoon and chemosynthesis at hydrothermal vents in the Sea of Club provides member discounts at OCEANUS Sea World, Busch Gardens, Cypress Cortez. RN Oceanus was scheduled to Gardens, Adventure Island, and arrive in Ponta Oelgada, Azores, Sesame Place. Save on admission, June 27, completing Voyage #250. in-park merchandise, hotels, restau· The vessel will depart July 1 to return rants and transportation. Safety Reminder home to Woods Hole, where Free membership cards are Oceanus is due July 6. Oceanus No bare feet are permit­ available from the Personnel Office, left Woods Hole in late January to Nobska. ted in WHOI buildings. begin a series of cruises in the eastern North Atlantic.

WHOI NEWSLETIER 7 Advisory Committee Reviews Garber Travel Performance

Editor's Note: In February 1991 the clearly lies in handling air and hotel 70 round trips to Washington D.C., Institution entered into an agreement arrangements to ~unusual" places. both from Providence and Boston for with Garber Travel to establish an on­ The responses, however, indicated a $380 and $360, respectively. These site office in support of WHOI travel definite improvement during the latter were all short trips, non-promotional needs. The ad hoc committee which half of Garber's time here. In the fares. These prices represent a recommended Garber Travel as the course of the review meeting, savings of about $180 per ticket, on-site agency was recently recon­ members of the committee repeat­ compared to average industry fares. vened to assess the agency's perfor­ edly stressed to Garber the impor­ There were 38 round trips to Dallas at mance over the past 15 months. tance attached to this aspect of the Garber price of $570; excursion travel. Garber has made a sincere rates were about $750-800. Prices The Committee conducted a committment that special attention noted here are for tickets that are not survey of WHOI travelers in June and will be paid to international travel. penalty ridden. They allow changes, held a follow-up meeting with Garber The "other negative" category is are not based on staying over a Travel representatives to discuss the comprised of responders who Saturday, and do not require the resuhs. The following article is a expressed their dissatisfaction with three-day minimum stay. summary of survey resuhs, provided­ Institution policy, which they feel Many trave~rs have expressed to the Newsletter by the ad hoc them to deal with Garber, or complimentary opinions of the Garber committee; more accurately, with a single-source agents, praising their attitude, knowl­ vendor. Either they have not tried edge and professionalism. Many also Returns received 230* working with Garber or had one, less feel that an on-site agency is a real Returns considered 188 than happy, experience. plus for WHOI, and that while it is not 1-3 trips taken 98 returns There were some responses perfect, the Institution and its employ­ 4 or more trips taken 90 returns indicating that people would appreci­ ees are receiving better than average Positive of Garber 135 or 72% ate more personal attention, that "8 service. Negative of Garber 29 or 15% little extra" brings a business relation­ Members of the ad hoc travel Other negative 23 or 12% ship to a higher, more comfortable committee are: Karin Bohr, Janet level. Interest was also expressed in Johnson, Susan Kadar, Gretchen *01 these 42 people had taken no receiving more general infonnation. McManamin, Patty Odams, John trips, or personal trips only; the Again, the Garber reps responded Powers, David Simoneau, Martha committee considered the remain­ very positively and changes have Tarafa. Carl Wirsen and (ex-officio) ing1 88 returns. already been made. Patty Duffy. While the committee was pleased Does WHOI save money? There that the majority of people expressed are many answers to this question. Editor's Note: The Newsletterwill positive opinions, there was based on the premise that by virtue include infonnation about special concensus among committee mem· of the nature of the travel industry it Garber Travel vacation plans and bers that the negative replies needed is almost always possible to find a programs in upcoming issues. atlention. The Garber udeficiency" better fare. Some pertinent numbers: In Memoriam ---- Oceanus Magazine Plans Special Stommel Issue The Institution announces with A tribute to the late Henry Stommel, who passed away in Janu­ sorrow the death of Honorary Trustee ary, will be published In a spec:lallssue of Oceanus magazine due and Honorary Member of the Corpora· out In September. The issue will feature raminiseences from col­ tion E. Bright Wilson July 12 at age 83. leagues, a sampling of Stommel's writing, photos and other remind­ A retired Harvard University chemis­ ers of this prodigious oceanographer. try professor, Wilson was considered a This Issue is not part of a regular magazine subscription, but Is a major architect of chemical physics, supplement to Volume 35. The cost is $8.00 for prepublication contributing to the understanding of the orders and $10.00 for postpublication orders. A 25% discount will structure and dynamics of molecules be given for all orders of five or more. Please send chec:k made through molecular spectroscopy. He payable to WHOI with your order to Gall McPhee, Co-op (ext. 2378). worked at WHOI during World War II as part of the research team in the under­ water explosives laboratory.

8 WHOI NEWSLETTER