AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 The Australian Antarctic Division, a Division of the Department of the Environment, leads Australia’s Antarctic program and seeks to advance Australia’s Antarctic interests in pursuit of its vision of having ‘Antarctica valued, protected and understood’. It does this by managing Australian government activity in Antarctica, providing transport and logistic support to Australia’s Antarctic research program, maintaining four permanent Australian research stations, and conducting scientific research programs both on land and in the Southern Ocean.

Australia’s Antarctic national interests are to: • Preserve our sovereignty over the Australian Antarctic TECHNOLOGY Territory, including our sovereign rights over the adjacent offshore areas. 4 Drone use set to rise in Antarctica • Take advantage of the special opportunities Antarctica offers for scientific research. • Protect the Antarctic environment, having regard to its special qualities and effects on our region. From the Director • Maintain Antarctica’s freedom from strategic and/or political confrontation. • Be informed about and able to influence developments in a In April the Australian Antarctic community celebrated the launch of region geographically proximate to Australia. • Derive any reasonable economic benefits from living and the Australian Government’s Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year non-living resources of the Antarctic (excluding deriving Action Plan. This exciting and timely Strategy sets out the vision for such benefits from mining and oil drilling). Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica, while the accompanying SCIENCE Action Plan details the steps the Australian Government will take to 10 Volcanic hotspot may fortify ocean life Australian Antarctic Magazine is produced twice a year (June achieve it. Together, the Strategy and Action Plan will ensure Australia and December). Australian Antarctic Magazine seeks to inform the Australian and international Antarctic community about continues to build its leadership role in Antarctica. the activities of the Australian Antarctic program. The views and The Antarctic Strategy and Action Plan were informed by an opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or independent report and recommendations commissioned by the the Minister for the Environment. government, and prepared by former Australian Antarctic Division Director Dr Tony Press, released in late 2014. As leader of Australia’s © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Antarctic program, the Antarctic Division will coordinate the delivery of the Action Plan. Among our commitments will be further establishing OPERATIONS HISTORY Australia’s position of science leadership in Antarctica, including by: 24 Heavy-lift flights boost 26 Century-old artefacts uncovered at Australian Antarctic Magazine is licensed by the Antarctic capabilities Mawson’s Hut Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative • Delivering a new icebreaker ship during 2019–20, with enhanced Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence, with the marine science and logistics capability, and integrating its exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth operation with other national shipping assets. of Australia, content supplied by third parties, and any CONTENTS images depicting people. For licence conditions see • Establishing an overland traverse capability with associated https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE PEOPLE ice core drilling and mobile station infrastructure and research This publication should be attributed as ‘Australian support. This will support an internationally collaborative project Nick Gales’ message 1 Lights, camera…Macquarie Island 19 to successfully complete all our science and resupply priorities. This Antarctic Magazine, Commonwealth of Australia 2016’. to retrieve a one million year ice-core climate record. included conducting and supporting a major marine science voyage TECHNOLOGY Career challenges shape new Chief Scientist 20 The Commonwealth of Australia has made all reasonable • Developing a full business case for establishing year-round to the Kerguelen Plateau (see pages 8-12). The comprehensive Grand Wastewater Designs (revisited) 2 Icebreaker Master retires 22 efforts to identify content supplied by third parties using aviation access to Antarctica. sampling conducted across the Kerguelen Plateau region will enable Drone use set to rise in Antarctica 4 OPERATIONS the following format ‘© Copyright, [name of third party]’. the development of an observing program that will help measure the • Improving our krill research infrastructure in Hobart, to conduct current status of the East Antarctic ecosystem, and future trends as a Managing drones in Antarctica 6 Heavy-lift flights boost Antarctic capabilities 24 Editorial enquiries, including requests to reproduce research that will contribute to the sustainable management of result of climate change. material, or contributions, should be addressed to: SCIENCE HISTORY the Southern Ocean krill fishery. Overseeing our Antarctic science program is our new Chief Scientist, The Editor DNA reveals three populations of Antarctic Century-old artefacts uncovered at • Establishing collaborative relationships with key international Australian Antarctic Magazine Dr Gwen Fenton. Since 2003 Gwen has managed the science planning Mawson’s Huts 26 partners, to share capabilities and facilitate more efficient blue whales 7 Australian Antarctic Division and coordination of all projects within the Australian Antarctic Science science, operations and policy outcomes in Antarctica. Krill ‘super-swarm’ surprises scientists 8 203 Channel Highway Program. Her depth of knowledge of Antarctic science, and her POLAR MEDICINE Kingston, 7050 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE The Antarctic Division is also continuing its discussions with Defence background in marine research, are great assets to the program, and I Volcanic hotspot may fortify ocean life 10 Preparing polar doctors of the future 28 Tasmania, Australia. with a view to establishing a regular program of flights to Antarctica warmly welcome her to the role (read her story on page 20). Climate models to benefit from Antarctica inspires medical future 29 Australian Antarctic Division using the Royal Australian Air Force C17-A aircraft. Last season we Last, but not least, we were reminded this year that operating in subantarctic cloud watch 13 Telephone: (03) 6232 3209 ANTARCTIC ART conducted five highly successful proof of concept flights, moving more Antarctica is not without risk, with the sad loss of Helicopter Resources Focus on the East Antarctic fast ice 14 (International 61 3 6232 3209) than 109 tonnes of machinery and cargo into and out of Antarctica Katabatic winds inspire sound rendition email: [email protected] pilot David Wood, who was working in support of our program at Davis Drones take ICECAP flights to new heights 16 (see page 24). This efficient and additional means of moving heavy 30 2016 of Antarctic experience 30 Facsimile: (03) 6232 3288 research station. While safety is our number one priority in all that we Antarctic ice cores enhance Australian (International 61 3 6232 3288) assets will improve options for supporting science projects, as well as do in Antarctica, this tragic event is a reminder that we must all remain ISSUE water management 18 IN BRIEF our regular resupply activities. vigilant to the risks we face and continue to strive for better and safer Editor: Wendy Pyper ways of doing our work. David will be remembered during our FREEZE FRAME Production: Sally Chambers, Jessica Fitzpatrick Collaboration has always been an important part of working in Graphic Design: WOOF Creative Solutions Antarctica and will increasingly be so as nations active in Antarctica mid-winter ceremony. Issue 30: June 2016 seek to maximise the efficiency of their science, operations and policy Dr NICK GALES outcomes. In recent meetings Australia has agreed on shared priorities ABOUT THE COVER ISSN 1445-1735 (print version) Director, Australian Antarctic Division Australian Antarctic Magazine is printed on Monza satin with both China and the United Kingdom, including enhanced scientific Supervising Communications Technical Officer, recycled paper; a 50% post consumer waste and 50% FSC cooperation, advancing policy discussions for environment protection, Stuart Shaw, took this photo of Lake Druzhby in certified fibre stock. and the use of Hobart as an Antarctic Gateway (see page 32). the Vestfold Hills (near Davis research station) during a field trip to Trajer Ridge in June 2014. Australian Antarctic Magazine can be viewed online: This season the spirit of cooperation was again apparent when Japan, The photo was taken at about midday, with the www.antarctica.gov.au/magazine the United States, China and France came to our assistance during winter twilight providing a colourful backdrop

the grounding of the Aurora Australis at Mawson research station. MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN to the glassy surface of the frozen freshwater Despite this setback, our Antarctic neighbours’ support enabled us 1 lake. Stuart used a flash to highlight the bubbles trapped in the ice as the water froze. 2 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 TECHNOLOGY low maintenancewaterrecycling. stations astepclosertoreliable, self-contained, Hobart (Tasmania), putsAustralia’s Antarctic Selfs Point wastewatertreatment plantin The successofthetrial,conductedatTasWater’s into theenvironment. the amountofwastedischarged reducing energy consumptionand water from wastewater, while plant canproduce drinkingquality research station,hasshownthe (AWTP), destinedforDavis Wastewater Treatment Plant A 12-monthtrialofanAdvanced Designs (revisited) Grand Wastewater 2. 1. (Michael Packer) secondary treatment plant. the qualityofwastewaterin analytical instrumentsformeasuring the biologicalprocess, andsomeofthe Aeration blowers thatprovide oxygento (Michael Packer) pumped totheoceanoutfall. effluent tanks(backleft)before being and treated water iscollectedinthe directed intothesludgetank (front left) processes. Oncetreated, sludgeis directed through thevarioustreatment enters. Aneven,controlled flowisthen where wastewaterfrom thestation the inletbuffertanks(front right) in December2015. Thisphotoshows installed atDavisresearch station The secondarytreatment plantnewly 4. 3. (Michael Packer) the plant. station afterasuccessfulstart-upof plant installationteamatDavisresearch The secondarywastewatertreatment (Michael Packer) Davis stationin2017. The plantisexpectedtobeinstalledat microfiltration filters isinstalledtopleft. automatically cleanstheROand right). A‘cleaninplace’systemthat chlorine andultraviolet light(top and microfiltration (bottomleft),and filter (bottomrightquadrant), ozone and biologicallyactivatedcarbon include areverse osmosis(RO)system Division. Theplant’s treatment barriers Plant setupattheAustralian Antarctic The AdvancedWastewater Treatment to Australia. water’s edge,whilethesolidsare returned is discharged totheoceanviaapipeat 25: 30-31, 2013). Theresulting cleanwater remove solids(Australian Antarctic Magazine microbes todigestnutrientsandfiltration to ‘membrane biologicalreactor’ process –using and bathroom wasteusingastandard The secondarytreatment planttreats kitchen Second tonone always maintained.” and surety thatthequalityofwateris barriers provide averyhighlevelofprotection different treatment barriers. Thesemultiple contaminants andpathogensusingseven “The AWTP willdealwithanyresidual disrupting chemicals,” hesaid. compounds, pharmaceuticalsandendocrine contaminants, suchassomeinorganic but itdoesn’tremove allofthechemical removing mostofthenutrients and pathogens “The secondarytreatment plantisverygoodat December 2015, andimprove onitsquality. wastewater treatment plant,installedin treated effluentfrom thestation’s secondary Michael Packer, saidthenewAWTP willtake Australian Antarctic Divisionengineer, Mr are expectedinAntarctica. works undermore demandingconditionsthan The 12-monthtrialoftheplantproved thatit University, TasWater andColibanWater. RMIT University, Veolia, AECOM, Curtin Victoria University, University ofMelbourne, Australian Water RecyclingCentre ofExcellence, academia andindustrypartners, includingthe research, designandtestinginputfrom Australian Antarctic Division,withfunding, Antarctica. Thebespokeplantwasbuiltatthe 2017 itwillbetheonlyoneofitskindin When theAWTP isinstalledatDavisinearly One ofakind in thesummer.“ people onstation,andreturn ittofullcapacity size overwinter, whenthere are 10 timesfewer “We canalsoreduce theplant’s operational aim for. we are achievingthestandards thatwe capacity, sothatwecancontinuouslyconfirm maintenance andhasalotofmonitoring ensure theplantishighlyautomated,low “We’ve workedcloselywiththecompanyto terms,” MrPacker said. ours isclosetotheleadingedgeintechnology Membrane Systems, inAntarctica, however plants builtbyGermancompany, Martin “There are similarmembrane biologicalreactor Casey andMawsonstationsinfuture years. secondary treatment plantswillbeinstalledat contaminants intheenvironment. Two further practices were causinganaccumulationofsome which showedthatexistingwastemanagement by Antarctic Divisionscientistsin2009-10, environmental impactassessmentconducted The plantwasinstalledinresponse toan 2 1 autonomously, withonlyannualmaintenance continue toensure theplantcanoperate expectations, sometrialworkneedsto While theeffluentqualityhasmet plant iftheparameters are breached. problems, andtriggertheshut-downof the Antarctic Divisionheadofficeofpotential control parameters’ havebeendefined,toalert the treatment process arange of‘critical ones, whichare filtered outlater. Throughout molecules, suchashormones, intosmaller and protozoa, andbreak uplarge chemical processes killand/orremove bacteria,viruses ultraviolet disinfectionandchlorination.These biological activatedcarbon,reverse osmosis, – ozonedisinfection,microfiltration, killing andmolecule-blastingtechnologies To dothistheplantusesanarsenal ofgerm- to 11 decimalplaces. reduction kills99.9%ofpathogens, andsoon reduction kills99%ofpathogens, athree log pathogens. To putthatincontext,atwolog aims toachieveupa13‘logreduction’ in immediate planstouseitforthispurpose), quality water(althoughthere are no As theAWTP isdesignedtoproduce drinking Drinking Water Guidelines.” well withinthestandards setbytheAustralian removing pathogensandchemicalstovalues “However, ourAWTP proved quitecapableof Mr Packer said. process thanourAntarctic plant,” more traditional biologicalnutrientreduction secondary treatment plant,becauseitusesa not ascleantheeffluentfrom theDavis Selfs Point secondarytreatment plantis “The effluentcomingoutof TasWater’s 3 plant wasrecycled forreuse atDavisstationit The trialhasalsoshownthatifwaterfrom the work todoensure minimaloperator input.” and stoproutinely, howeverwestillhavesome remotely andthatitcanautomaticallystart “We’ve shownthattheplantcanbeoperated every twoorthree days. filters andinwinteritmightonlyrunonce “But itneedsafewhours eachdaytoflush day atfullcapacity,” MrPacker said. provide upto22kilolitres ofcleanwaterper “The AWTP worksonabatchbasisandwill flows increase. low. Theplantthenramps upagainwhen sensitive filtermembranes –whenflows are go into‘preservation’ mode–topreserve plant, itisdesignedtoshutitselfdownand from thesecondarywastewatertreatment operation isdependentontheflowofeffluent required byaskilledoperator. AstheAWTP’s 4 Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER treatment systems. collaborating inthedevelopmentofsimilar both ChinaandIndiaexpressing interest in international attention,withinstitutionsin systems. Asaresult, theproject hasattracted waters from sewer, miningandstormwater remote areas around theworld,usingsource suited topotablewaterproduction inother As wellasAntarctica, theAWTP iswell for energy savingishigh,”MrPacker said. 33 000litres ofdieselayear, sothepotential “If wereuse thewaterwe’dsavemore than need todesalinatewaterfrom anearbytarn. water managementby69%,reducing the could reduce energy consumptionrelated to

3 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 TECHNOLOGY 1 4 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 TECHNOLOGY resupply voyagetoCaseyresearch station. crew navigatingthrough seaiceduring theship’s annual drone, isundergoing testsofitspotential toassistthe Call-sign take-off from theedgeofAurora Australis ’ helideck. Three kilograms ofbladedelectronics sitpoisedfor rise inAntarctica Drone usesetto Inspire 1,aremotely pilotedaircraft (RPA), or potential applications includegeophysical are flownfor recreational purposes. Other surveillance andfuel spillmapping,and have supportedwildlifemonitoring, vessel and verticaltake-offlandingdrones Protected Areas. Elsewhere, fixedwing health ofmossbedsinAntarctic Specially program researchers tocollectdataonthe model hasbeenusedbyAustralian Antarctic commonplace inAntarctica. An eight-bladed Unsurprisingly, drones are becomingrelatively reconnaissance flights. than usinghelicopters toundertake quick and environmentally friendlier proposition aircraft are alessexpensive,easiertodeploy ship onanygivenday. Indeed, thesesmall the conditionsimmediatelyaheadof obtained seaiceimagerywithviewsof sky,’ well-suitedtosupplementingsatellite- drones are aneasytodeploy‘eyeinthe passed withflyingcolours. Thetrialconfirmed custom-painted fluoro-orange ‘quadcopter’ this camera-carrying technology, andthe Antarctic Division’s first operational useof The 2015-16 summermarkedtheAustralian falling snow. ice. Theyincluded oneflightin17knotwindsand another inlightly undertaking fiveincident-free sortiesinthefewdaysthatship transited performance issues. Inspire 1flewupto75mabovetheship’s deck, flights toquantifyand resolve thesignificanceofeachanticipated The icereconnaissance trialinvolvedintroducing increasingly complex strong windsare liabletoaffectdrone stability. Furthermore, batterylifeisreduced byexposure tolowtemperatures, and problem iftheaircraft headsbacktothecoordinates ofitsdeparture point. circling) and‘fly-aways.’ Landingonamovingplatformcanalsobe experienced operators havelosttheiraircraft to‘toilet-bowling’(irrevocable of drones’ erratic behaviourinhighlatitudeenvironments; insufficiently calibration andGPSissues are likelybehindthemanyanecdotalreports by thousandsoftonnessteelship.Indeed,compass region, alongside themagneticinterference generated declination mustbefactored when flyingintheCasey as aprecaution. More than100 degrees ofcompass challenges; thevoyagecarriedseveral back-upunits technology, flyingdrones inAntarctica isnotwithout Still, andnotwithstandingrapid changesin for missingpersons. interaction studies, detectingcrevasses andsearching meteorological andocean–seaice–atmosphere exploration, documentingglacialretreat, supporting 2

4. 3. 2. 1. quadcopter drone. (AAD) A viewoftheAurora Australis docked inHobartfrom the flights offtheAurora Australis helideck.(Sandra Potter) JamesRennieandthequadcopterInspire 1during (Sandra Potter) future mappingandplanningwork. which tookhighresolution imagesofCaseystationfor James Renniewiththefixed-wingSenseflyeBee drone, (AAD) composite ofimagestakenbytheeBeedrone. Part ofamapCaseyresearch stationcomprisedofa

5 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 TECHNOLOGY 6 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 TECHNOLOGY Antarctic ModernisationProgram, Australian Antarctic Division RPA Project Manager DR SANDRAPOTTER aurora-australis-uses-drone-technology-to-navigate-sea-ice. viewed ontheAntarctic Division’s newssitewww.antarctica.gov.au/news/2015/ pilot JamesRennieofAustralian UAV.Videofootagetakenabovetheshipmaybe Both theDJIInspire andSenseflyeBeedrones were operated byCASAlicensed station operations. 20 lichens, three mossesandaliverwortthat are vulnerable totheimpactsof turn, improve ‘town’planningprocesses. Theregion’s flora includesmore than the Antarctic Divisiontogainabetterunderstanding of Casey’s footprintandin a linearlandingaccuracy ofapproximately 5m.Theimagery obtainedwillassist and replete witheagletalonholes–are thrown intotheairtolaunch,andhave by a160WbrushlessDCmotor, these690gram foamunits–ours from Victoria distance of1.5cm/pixelispossible.)Marketedasgreen technologyandpowered swathes at3.5cm/pixelresolution. (Flownataloweraltitude,ground sampling transects 120maboveground level,quietlymapping thestationarea in100 m of afixed-wingmodel.AmidstthehiveCasey’s resupply, aSenseflyeBeeflew The ship-basedtrialwasfollowedbythefirst Australian Antarctic program use rapid-climb functionstoevaderaptors) thantheydotowildlifedisturbance. making devices, different livery, flighttimings, andthedevelopmentof to theefficacyofwaysprotecting drones from wildlifeattack(suchasnoise- Studies undertakeninmore northerlylatitudesappeartogivegreater attention Problematically, there islimitedempiricaldataonwhichregulators candraw. and thephaseintheirbreeding season,are amongrelevant considerations. animal ethicscommittee.Theintensityofoperations, andthespeciesexposed 4 3 Australians’ drone usessouthof60 Division. Alongsidemostotheractivities, environmental aspectsbytheAntarctic Civil AviationSafetyAuthority, andthe The safetyaspectsare regulated bythe The regulation ofdrones issimilarlycomplex. may alsobesubjecttotheapproval ofan research uses, suchasbird colonycounts, single-engine helicopteroperations. Certain and seals–thesamedistancesapplyingto are maintainedfrom concentrations ofbirds of 750mverticallyand930horizontally the Antarctic Divisionrequires thatbuffers has beenissued,a2015 policyreleased by offence todisturbwildlife.Unlessapermit Protection) Act1980.Themakesitan under theAntarctic Treaty (Environment assessment andauthorisationprocess are subjecttoanenvironmental impact o S Strategies Branch, Australian Antarctic Division RHONDA BARTLEY Australian Antarctic [email protected]. contact theTerritories, Environment andTreaties Sectionofthe for fun.Formore informationaboutusingdrones inAntarctica want toflythem,forawhole range ofpurposes, including just is trulyspectacular, andthere isnodoubtthatmore peoplewill Some oftheimagesandfootagetakenfrom drones in Antarctica aware oftheconditionsunderwhichtheycanbeused. must haveanenvironmental authorisationandusers mustbe including bydisturbingwildlife,soalldrone useinAntarctica drone flighthasthepotentialtoimpactonenvironment, and proximity tostationfacilitiesandaviationactivities. Any conditions, includingthingslikevisibility, windconditions, wildlife, provide guidanceontheappropriate useofdrones inAntarctic its ownoperational andenvironmental policies. Thesepolices challenges andrisks, theAustralian Antarctic Divisionhasprepared As operating drones inAntarctica offers someparticular obtain alicence. a drone toAntarctica shouldcheckwhether theyfirst needto CASA website(www.casa.gov.au) andanyoneplanningontaking or fordrones overacertainsize.Informationisavailablefrom the drone, includingforscience,governmentoperations andmedia, operators likelytoobtaincommercial gainfrom theuseof place thatappliestodrones. Thisincludesalicensingregime for The CivilAviationSafetyAuthority(CASA)haslegislationin understand therulesforuse. anyone planningtouseadrone inAntarctica, itisimportantto uses, toexpeditioners, scientistsandcommercial operators. For affordable. Thisincreases theirappeal,forawholerange of advanced inrecent years andmore compact,lightweightand Piloted Aircraft, drones havebecomemore technologically Unmanned AerialVehicles, UnmannedAerialSystems, orRemotely requires care andsensitivitytotheenvironment. Alsoknownas Drones offerauniqueperspective onAntarctica, butusingthem Antarctica drones in Managing important, toprevent localextinctions. makes population levelconservationespecially differences inthreats between populations gear, tourismandclimatechange.These and shippingactivity, entanglementinfishing including noisepollutionfrom seismicsurveys they willeachbeaffectedbydifferent threats, migration pathstoseparate breeding grounds If thethree populationstravel different oceans, whenthey migrate northinthewinter.” in different locations, possiblyevendifferent “This suggeststhatthethree groups breed Attard, wrote inTheConversation. University molecularecologist, DrCatherine that theyare genetically distinct,”Flinders when feedinginAntarctic waters, wefound “Although thethree groups occurtogether some 239000individualstojust360. whaling, whichreduced their numbers from help thewhalesrecover from 20thCentury March, willinformmanagementmeasures to The finding,publishedinScientificReports critically endangered deepseagiants. identified three distinctpopulationsofthe (Balaenoptera musculusintermedia)has Genetic analysisofAntarctic bluewhales whales blue of Antarctic three populations reveals DNA 1 their separate wayswhentheyheadnorth to “We suspectthatthethree populations go the large amountsofkrillthattheyfeedon. rove longdistancesaround Antarctica tofind Antarctic, possiblybecausebluewhalesneedto populations occurtogetherthroughout the The teamfoundthatindividualsfrom thethree different populations.” are more geneticallysimilarthanthosefrom “Individuals from thesame breeding population populations,” DrAttard said. population, andestimatethenumberof tell whichindividualswere part ofthesame in theDNAofindividuals, wewere ableto “By comparingsimilaritiesanddifferences populations ofAntarctic bluewhales. these biopsiestoidentifyanddescribethe Luciano Beheregaray, usedDNAfrom 142of Professor LucianaMöllerandProfessor Dr Attard andhercolleagues, Associate biopsies from thewhales. Commission havecollectedskinandblubber under theauspicesofInternationalWhaling 1990s, however, ship-basedsurveysconducted expense offindingandtracking them.Sincethe by theirmobilelifestyleandthedifficulty Antarctic bluewhaleshasbeencomplicated Understanding thepopulationstructure of 2 (9 March 2016). study authors’ articlein www.nature.com/articles/srep22291 andthe University. Readthescientificpaperat well asFlinders University andMacquarie within theAustralian Antarctic Division,as by theAustralian Marine MammalCentre Genetic dataanalysisofsampleswere funded Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER near-annihilation bywhalers.” step closertohelpingthemrecover from their hazards theyfaceontheway, wewillbea “If wecanfindoutwhere theygo,andwhat populations are which. at thebreeding grounds toconfirmwhich More biopsysamplescouldthenbetaken the whalesandwatchingwhere theygo. “This shouldbedeterminedbysatellitetagging Atlantic andIndianoceans,” DrAttard said. breed, presumably totheSouthPacific, South 2. 1. populations ofAntarctic bluewhales.(Paula Olsen) Scientists haveusedDNAanalysistoidentifythree breeding grounds. (CarlosOlavarria) will helpscientistsidentifytheirmigration pathsand Satellite taggingofAntarctic bluewhales(pictured)

7 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 8 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 100 humpbackwhalesfeedingonit.” of theSouthernAntarctic Circumpolar Current Front, withmore than 3500 m-deepwatertothewestof theKerguelen Plateauandnorth “We alsoencountered arare super-swarmofAntarctic krillin this region. ice isnotaprimaryfactorinfluencing thedistributionofadultkrillin Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front– whichsuggeststhatsea “However wefoundkrillmuchfurthernorth–evenofthe boundary oftheAntarctic Circumpolar Current,” DrConstablesaid. “Most studieshavefoundkrillconcentrated southofthesouthern super-swarm –were found furthernorththanexpected. The mostsurprisingdiscoverywasthatkrill–includingarare different butinextricably linkedfoodchaintokrill.” great abundance throughout theecosystem,andthattheyrepresent a krill were expectedtodominate. Andwefoundthatfishoccurred in zooplankton, wasmuchgreater thanexpectedinareas where Antarctic of grazers, suchassalps[floatingformsofseasquirts]andsmall than thesurfacewaters measured bysatellites. Theabundance phytoplankton, wasregularly muchmore abundantinwater deeper “For example,wefoundthatchlorophyll, whichisamarkerfor much more productive thanwethought,” DrConstablesaid. “Our preliminary results indicatethatthesystem inEastAntarctica is ice extent. including iron concentration, oceantemperature andsalinity, andsea phytoplankton, andarange ofchemicalandphysicalproperties In eachhabitattheteamsurveyedkrill,fish,zooplanktonand in north. southern partoftheK-Axis, andthefish-copepod-basedfoodweb banks, tounderstand thedrivers ofthekrill-basedfoodwebin across theAntarctic continentalshelf,deep oceanandontoshallow Cooperative Research Centre (ACECRC),surveyedninehabitatgradients Australian Antarctic DivisionandAntarctic ClimateandEcosystems The 8850km‘K-Axis’voyage,ledbyDrAndrew Constableofthe and Februarythisyear. voyage totheKerguelen Axis*,betweenJanuary Australian Antarctic Division’s marinescience ecosystem were amongthediscoveriesof Super-swarms ofkrillandahighlyproductive surprises scientists Krill ‘super-swarm’ 2 1 the K-Axisarea.’ Antarctic continentalshelfin been observedmuchnearer the Other large swarmshaveonly early 1970s byafishingvessel. since anobservationinthe measured intheIndianOcean been properly observedand time asuper-swarmhas ‘The encounterwasthefirst multiple locations around theKerguelen Axis. ship takingsamples andmeasurements in Umitaka Maruand Hakuho Maru–witheach Marion Dufresne andtheJapanesevessels CSIRO’s Investigator(seepage10), French ship that includedtheUSvesselRogerRevelle , Australis waspartofaninternationalstudy The K-Axisvoyageonboard theAurora at-sea observations.” relationships between land-basedand based outofMawsonandDavis, toidentify the region, totracking studiesoftheseanimals whales, seals, penguinsandflyingseabirds in “We’ll alsobeable toaddourobservationsof Ocean ecosystems,” DrConstable said. a majorgapinourunderstanding ofSouthern web anddifferent energy pathways, whichis comprehensive reconstruction ofthefood phytoplankton intheirdiets, will enableamore of krillandzooplankton,thetypes ecosystem. Dataontheseanddifferent species “Salps are clearlyadominantgrazer inthe food webreconstruction inecosystemmodels. and movementintheregion, andtoimprove new andimproved theoriesonkrilldistribution comprehensive ecosystemdatasettoformulate The research teamnowhasthefirst K-Axis area. the Antarctic continentalshelfinthe swarms haveonlybeenobservedmuchnearer early 1970s byafishingvessel.Otherlarge the IndianOceansinceanobservationin has beenproperly observedandmeasured in The encounterwasthefirst timeasuper-swarm of Australian Antarctic Magazine29:2-3,2015. Read more abouttheresearch inthe previous issue Antarctic GatewayPartnership andthe ACECRC. Studies, theAustralian Research Council-funded Tasmania’s InstituteforMarineandAntarctic Australian Antarctic Division,theUniversity of The voyagewasacollaboration betweenthe Kerguelen Island. the SouthernOcean,betweenHeard Islandand Ice ShelfontheEastAntarctic coast,outinto and subantarctic islands.Itrunsfrom theAmery the Antarctic continental shelf,thedeepocean the Antarctic Circumpolar Current flowsacross *The Kerguelen Axisisalineoflongitudewhere Australian Antarctic Division CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS ecosystems inHobart2018. on statusandtrends ofSouthernOcean be presented ataninternationalconference Antarctic MarineLivingResources. Resultswill to theCommissionforConservationof Network. Theresearch willalsocontribute System andtheAustralian OceanData System, theSouthernOceanObserving the Australian Integrated MarineObserving through theAustralian Antarctic DataCentre, The datafrom thevoyagewillbeavailable a result ofclimatechange. East Antarctic ecosystemandfuture trends as will helpmeasure thecurrent statusofthe development ofanobservingprogram that This comprehensive samplingwillenablethe 3. 2. 1. samples. (NickRoden) krill, zooplanktonandphytoplankton salps collectedfrom netsdeployedfor Dr Andrew Constable(left)examines colours indicatedepth.(MikeSummer) resupply triptoDavisstation.Ocean Antarctic continent–followedbya southern Kerguelen Plateauandthe the K-Axisstudyarea –betweenthe line) from Hobart(notshown)towards track oftheAurora Australis (orange This mapshowspartofthevoyage during theK-Axisvoyage.(NickRoden) Scientists andcrew emptythekrillnet 3

9 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 10 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE approximately halftheoxygeninEarth’s source forothermarinelife,theysupply Southern Oceanecosystems. They’re afood “Phytoplankton are thefoundationoflifein Coffin said. growth ofphytoplanktonblooms,” Professor we suspectthisiron maybecriticaltothe from theseafloorathydrothermal vents, and circulation ofiron-rich fluidsthatare emitted “Active underwatervolcanoesdrivethe phytoplankton growth. availability ofthe‘trace element’iron for active volcanoesontheseafloorand aimed totestthehypothesisofalinkbetween and Antarctic Studies(IMAS),thevoyage* University ofTasmania’s InstituteforMarine Mike Coffin,amarinegeophysicistwiththe According toVoyage ChiefScientist,Professor around Heard andMcDonaldislands. rich waters onthecentral Kerguelen Plateau, the seafloorandsamplingphytoplankton- Marine NationalFacility, Investigator,mapping scientists spent51 daysaboard Australia’s new To findout,aninternationalcontingentof waters intheSouthernOcean. pockets ofhighlyproductive volcanoes maybefertilising with activeunderwater hydrothermal ventsassociated It’s elemental.Iron spewedfrom fortify oceanlife Volcanic hotspotmay 1 phytoplankton biomass. the plateaushowingsignificantincreases in deeper offshore waters, withnearbywaters on concentrations 10 to20foldgreater thanin McDonald islands, we’vedetectediron “But inthewaters around Heard and sized swimmingpools,” A/Prof Bowiesaid. like tryingtofindapinheadin 1000 Olympic with iron concentrations sosmallitwouldbe “Generally theSouthernOceanisanaemic, iron concentrations. also detectedsignificantlyelevated waters. Previous voyagestotheregion have Kerguelen Plateau,compared tosurrounding intense phytoplanktonbloomsonthecentral colour satelliteimagesregularly revealed Centre (ACECRC)andIMAS,saidocean Climate andEcosystemsCooperative Research Professor Andrew BowieoftheAntarctic Iron biogeochemistryexpert,Associate influence theEarth’s climatesystem.” silicon andsulphurintheocean,whichturn affect theconcentrations ofcarbon,nitrogen, atmosphere, andphytoplanktonblooms Professor Coffinsaid. hundred square kilometres around theislands,” on thecentral Kerguelen plateauandseveral “We mappedaround 7000 square kilometres ship circumnavigated theislandsseveral times. emissions suchasmethanebubbles, asthe hydrothermal ventsand/orotherseafloor than 100 ‘acousticplumes’,indicativeof Together theseinstrumentslocatedmore seawater properties. operated towedvehicle’thatmeasured acoustic systems, aswella‘remotely seafloor mapping,andsub-seafloor profiling continuously operating watercolumnimaging, seafloor, theteamemployedInvestigator’s To lookforhydrothermal ventsandmapthe dispersing inthesurrounding ocean.” Heard Island,mixingwithactiveglaciers and ash from theeruptingBigBenvolcanoon around theislands, andpartlybyvolcanic delivered byhydrothermal ventsinthewaters iron comesfrom, wethinkitispartlybeing “While wecan’tsaycategoricallywhere that the islands.‘ kilometres around hundred square plateau andseveral central Kerguelen kilometres onthe around 7000 square ‘We mapped several hours. and filterhundreds oflitres ofseawaterover lowered todifferent depthsandlefttopump particles inthewatercolumn.The pumpswere ‘in situpumps’,usedtocollectand measure Among thesamplingworkhorses were eight ocean properties. rocks, phytoplankton,microbes, andvarious volcanic particles, volcanicsediment and other trace elements, nutrients, suspended around thehydrothermal ventsforiron and team sampledthewatercolumnandseafloor When theweatherconditionspermitted, coalesced around BigBen.” volcanic activityaround Heard Islandhas to popupeverywhere, while mostofthe than Heard Island,sovolcanoes are continuing because theMcDonaldIslandsare younger features around Heard Island.Thismaybe Islands andtherelative paucityofthese features ontheseaflooraround theMcDonald “We were surprisedbythenumber ofvolcanic 3 2 Bowie said. hydrothermal ventsontheseafloor,” A/Prof ash, from glaciers ontheislands, orthrough the iron maybedelivered through volcanic water column,whichcanhelpusto seehow the iron concentration changesthrough the “The TMRsampleswillallowustoseehow humanoperators. from theship,atmosphere or clean conditionsthatprevent contamination and isdeployed,retrieved andstored under titanium andaluminiuminitsconstruction, affect thesamples, theTMR usesonlyplastic, column. Becauseanyiron contamination will analysis atdifferent depthsinthe water seawater foriron andother trace element This rosette ofadozen12 litre bottlescollects metal rosette (TMR)at40 samplingstations. A/Prof Bowie’s teamalsodeployedatrace detected anincrease inbiologicalactivity.” water collectedoutsidethevolcanicregion, we “When weaddedsomeoftheseparticlesto Bowie said. resuspended inthewatercolumn,”A/Prof of blackvolcanicmaterialthathadbeen “Around theislandsfilters cameupfull 3. 2. 1. plateau. (Peter Harmsen) waters abovethecentral Kerguelen deployed inchallengingconditions The trace metalrosette (TMR)wasoften (Tom Watson) row, fourthfrom theright. Professor Andrew Bowieisintheback and centre onthesteps.Associate Scientist Professor MikeCoffinisfront Interactions’ voyage.Voyage Chief of the‘Heard Earth-Ocean-Biosphere The scientists,artistsandsupportstaff (Peter Harmsen) in thesurrounding waters. a localincrease iniron concentrations ash intheatmosphere iscontributingto will helpidentifywhetheranyofthe during theirvoyage.Aerosol samples of theBigBenvolcanoonHeard Island Scientists were treated toaneruption

11 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 12 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 4 ferric iron (Fe regular, oxygenatedseawatercontainsmore of iron knownasferrous iron (orFe oxygen environment, whichresults inaform Hydrothermal ventscreate anacidic,low will provide informationaboutitsorigin. Laboratory testsforthe‘speciation’ofiron growth ofphytoplankton. region totheiron-rich waters that supportthe that linkstheunderwatervolcanoes inthe on thevoyage,tolookfor“smoking gun” the vastamountofunderwaydata collected their water, sedimentandrock samples, and Over thenext12monthsteamwillanalyse what’s comingfrom below. sources ofiron comingfrom abovewith will helpteasethisoutandconstrain possible also havealocaleffect.Theaerosol samples thousands ofkilometres awaybut itcould volcanic plumecouldhavebeentransported eruption ofBigBenduringthevoyage.The transport –including from ararely seen allow theteamtoassessatmosphericiron located inthebowofInvestigatorwillalso Samplers setupintheship’s aerosol lab 30 percent,”A/Prof Bowiesaid. ferrous iron, butaround theislandsit’s upto dissolved iron intheSouthernOceanexistsas “Typically onlyoneortwopercentoftotal 3+ ). 6 2+ ), while Council fortheArts. program grant (AAS#4338), andtheAustralian Research Council,theAustralian Antarctic Science Australia’s MarineNationalFacility, theAustralian were alsoinvolved.Thevoyage wasfundedthrough University ofCalifornia, SanDiego.Fourartists and theScrippsInstitutionofOceanography, France), European InstituteforMarineStudies, Wales, Microbial Oceanography Laboratory (LOMIC, National University, CSIRO, University ofNewSouth IMAS, ACECRC,University ofTasmania, Australian The voyageincludedscientistsandstudentsfrom onboard French, JapaneseandAmericanvessels. 8), andothercomplementaryresearch intheregion Kerguelen PlateauontheAurora Australis (seepage between theAntarctic continentandsouthern of research thatincludedthe‘K-Axis’voyage voyage waspartofabroader collaborative program *The ‘Heard Earth-Ocean-Biosphere Interactions’ Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER and biological processes,” Professor Coffin said. Earth processes, specificallyhotspotvolcanism, demonstration of a link between dynamic solid phytoplankton blooms, itwillbethefirst iron exertscontrols overthedynamicsof “If wecanprove thathydrothermally-derived 5 6. 5. 4. (Erica Spain,IMAS) indicate shallowerfeatures. systems. Redandyellowcolours ship’s seafloormappingacoustic produced from datacollectedbythe Islands (unmappedwhitearea) knolls –around theMcDonald presumed volcanicfeatures –sea A three-dimensional viewof National Facility) in theregion. (Frances Cooke,Marine available forphytoplanktongrowth contribute tothehigherlevelsofiron on theseafloor, andare thoughtto emanating from hydothermalvents containing precipitating chemicals, are suspectedtorepresent hotfluid, McDonald Islands.Theseplumes and seafloorechosoundernearthe the Investigator’s watercolumn at different timesonemorningby The sameacousticplumesdetected (Sally Watson, IMAS) regions coloured red andyellow. seafloor depth,withshallower productivity. Colours indicatethe underwater volcanoesandocean Plateau tostudythelinkbetween and thesubantarctic Kerguelen some 16000kmbetweenAustralia The Investigatorvoyagetravelled subantarctic cloudwatch subantarctic Climate modelstobenefitfrom or amixture ofboth. whether thecloudsare composed ofice,water 6-7, 2015). Theywillhelpscientistsdetermine altitude (Australian Antarctic Magazine28: clouds from nearthesurfaceupto10 km microwave radiometer thatwillmeasure data, includeacloudlidar, cloudradar and The instruments, whichare nowcollecting radiation properties overtheSouthernOcean. the seasonalcycleofcloud,aerosol and Energy, installedtheinstrumentstomeasure Meteorology andtheUSDepartmentof Australian Antarctic Division,Bureau of Dr Alexanderandcolleaguesfrom the conduct cloud-related research.” Antarctic continent,it’s anidealplaceto weather systemswhichcirculate around the “As MacquarieIslandsitsinthepathof below freezing,” DrAlexandersaid. remain asliquidwaterattemperatures well and include‘super-cooledwaterclouds’which the SouthernOceanare thoughttobeunique focussed ontheArctic, butthecloudsabove “Most research onhighlatitudecloudshas formation andoceancurrents. the movementofweathersystems, seaice models represent andforecast temperatures, out). Thisinturnaffectstheaccuracy ofhow coming intotheatmosphere versus heatgoing representing atmosphericenergy balance(heat Hemisphere climatemodelsfrom accurately Southern Oceancloudsprevents Southern Dr SimonAlexander, saidalackofdataon scientist andChiefInvestigatoroftheproject, Australian Antarctic Divisionatmospheric weather forecasting andclimatemodels. clouds andhowtheycanbeusedtoimprove scientists betterunderstand SouthernOcean deployed onMacquarieIslandinApriltohelp An array ofatmosphericinstrumentswas 1 Australian Antarctic Division CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS University ofCanterburyinNewZealand. the Bureau ofMeteorology, CSIROandthe Radiation Measurement (ARM)program, Department ofEnergy’s Atmospheric Antarctic Division,theUnitedStates The project issupportedbytheAustralian above Davisstationlaterthisdecade. Antarctica torecord similarcloudproperties with sometobetransported to the islandforuptotwoyears, The instrumentswillremain on over theSouthernOcean. team tovalidatethesatellitedata Macquarie Islandwillallowthe ground-based observationsat to validate.Thedatafrom the the datahasproven difficult measuring low-levelcloudsand satellites, yetthesehavedifficulty the atmosphere rely heavilyon Southern Oceancloudsand Current knowledgeof systems,” DrAlexandersaid. how theyare related toweather how frequently theyoccur, and various cloudphasesoccur, the altitudeatwhich “We willbeabletodetermine 2. 1. & SimonAlexander) lower-level clouds.(Andrew Klekociuk stripes indicatemissingdatadueto throughout theday. Blackvertical from 6kmaltitudeto2.5 10 April2016. Thecloudbasedescends Australian Antarctic Divisionlidar on over MacquarieIslandbythe This graphic showscloudsrecorded retrievals. (JeffAquilina) models andvalidatesatellitecloud weather forecasting andclimate data gathered willbeusedtoevaluate (partially visibleatthelowerright).The Bureau ofMeteorology’s cloudradar Measurement program, alongwiththe Energy’s AtmosphericRadiation provided bytheUSDepartmentof and variousbroadband radiometers ceilometer, microwave radiometer on MacquarieIslandincludea The atmosphericinstrumentsdeployed 2

13 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 14 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE of algae,andtounderstand itsspatialandtemporal distribution in Together, theseradiometer datawillbeusedtoestimatetheamount simultaneous dataofice-algaebiomassandunder-icelightspectra. holes inthefasticeat48locationsacross thetransects, tocollect 2940 lightspectra. An‘L-arm’radiometer wasalso deployedthrough During thesedivestheROV-mountedradiometer collectedmore than surface) asit‘flew’undertheicealongits128mtransects. an upward-looking sonartodetecticedraft (iceextent below the The ROVwasequippedwitharadiometer (lightsensor),cameras, and fast-ice sub-surface(Australian Antarctic Magazine29:12-13,2015). the seaicetomeasure thephysicalandbiologicalproperties of the of thesearemotely operated vehicleor‘ROV’ wasdeployedunder and ecosystemsteamworkedalongfourdetailedtransects. At each cargo andearlyfieldtraining. Overthree weeksthefast-icephysics excellent stationsupport,includingspeedyaccesstoourscience After adelayedarrivalourteamwasquicklydeployed,thanksto fast-ice associatedalgalbiomass. and afterthespringtransition, andlinkingthesetochangesinthe overlying snowwithintheatmosphere-ocean systembefore, during ecosystems. Ourprojects focussedoncharacterizing thefasticeand climate processes, andastructuringcomponentofAntarctic marine near-shore zone.ItisasensitiveindicatorandmodulatorofAntarctic Land-fast seaice(‘fastice’)isthedominantcryosphericfeature ofthe the work. and Petra Heil(fast-icephysics),review someof project leaders, Drs KlausMeiners (fast-icealgae) complementary scienceprojects. Two ofthe aspects ofthenear-shore fastice,through four of 12sea-iceresearchers studyingvarious Early thisseasonDavisstationsawaninflux fastice Antarctic Focus ontheEast 3. 2. 1. (Rob Massom) GPS-MagnaProbe device. snow depthandGPSpositionusinga Dr Petra Heilmeasuringandrecording (Pat Wongpan) layers ofthefastice. growth anddistributioninthebottom light measurements todeterminealgae radiometer, usedtotakeunder-ice sub-surface oftheice,includinga a range ofinstrumentsto studythe This RemotelyOperated Vehicle carried (Rob Massom) density samplesupthesnowcolumn. known volumeusedtoacquire snow temperature, andametalcutterof photo showsaprobe measuringsnow surface isvisibleatthebottom.The In this49cm-deepsnowpittheseaice 3 2 1 the deeperoceaniclayers, verticalprofiles of these observationswithseasonalchangesin near-surface oceanandatmosphere. To merge intervals) aswellthetemperature ofthe profiles oficeandsnowtemperatures (at2cm and lossofice)havebeenrecording vertical sea-ice mass-balancestations(measuringgain As partofanover-winterproject apairof using classicaltechniques. crystals andtodetermineicealgalbiomass area, tomeasure thesizeandformofice 130 sea-icecores across thebroader study using GPS.Theteamsalsoretrieved more than area, whichwere referenced totheicesurface snow-thickness measurements overthewider Complementing thesurveywere intensive deuterium isotopecomposition. salinity, density, structure andoxygen to deriveverticalprofiles oficetemperatures, and otherparameters. Icecores were retrieved snow temperature, salinity, density, grain size information ontheverticaldistributionof and algaegrowth. Thesesnowpitsprovided snow cover, whichaffectslightpenetration were dugalongeachtransect toexamine the ROVtransects. Atleasttwosnowpits temperature measurements were takenalong coincident snow-thicknessandice-surface To investigatethephysicalenvironment, environments. of ice-algalgrowth incoastalAntarctic the Davisfasticeandphysicaldrivers Australian Antarctic Division PETRA HEILandKLAUSMEINERS data willhelptotestthishypothesis. ice-covered marineecosystems. Thecollected during spring,mayhaveflow-oneffectson future changes, suchasinAntarctic snowfall the Davisfastice.We speculatethatpotential sea iceandthusextendedthealgalseasonin of oursamplingdelayedthespringmelt the blizzard weexperiencedduringthemiddle exploration there isastrong indicationthat from thefield.However, basedonearly data analysis ofoursamplesoncetheyare returned We willundertakespecialisedtechnical other things, throughout ourstay. and repaired broken scientificgear, amongst provided fieldtraining, maintainedvehicles by theentire Davisstationpersonnel who successfully, thankstotheexcellentsupport delays wecompletedoursamplingprogram We hadafantastictimeatDavis. Despitesome winter icemass-balancesite. transect sitesaswellnexttotheover- the oceanproperties were collectedatthe 5 4 Marie Bigot).(Grant Jasiunas) Most ofthefast-iceteam(absent: This Image 5. 4. classical methods.(Pat Wongpan) measure algaebiomassusing across thetransect sitesto Some 130icecores were collected (Florian Deman) light conditionsundertheice. chains, andare adaptedtothelow frustules andformcolonies cores. Thesealgaehavesilicate diatoms collectedfrom fast-ice A microscopic viewofseaice

15 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 16 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE inland, andbothdrones canflyslowerthan range oftheBasler, sowecanflyfurther “The larger drone alsohasabouttwicethe difficult togetbyship,”hesaid. fly oversea-icecovered areas thatwouldbe water. Sotheycanflyfurtherand they don’tneedsafetyequipmenttoflyover to operate overthecontinentalshelf,because workhorse, thedrones giveusmore flexibility “While theBaslerremains ourprimary continental interiorandoffshore. explore newanddifficulttoaccessareas inthe efficiently monitoricesheetchangeand will ultimatelyallowtheproject teamtomore installed in aseventonneBaslerBT-67 aircraft, variations ofthescientificequipmentnormally Dr JasonRobertssaidthedrones, carrying Australian Antarctic Divisionglaciologist brother, ‘Tiburon’, willjointhesurveyteam. in summer2017–18, Tiburon Junior’s big areas oftheicesheetare changing.Beginning and geology, whilemonitoringhowcertain structure andunderlyingbedrock topography has beensimultaneouslysurveyingicesheet project which,overthepastsevenyears, represented thenextphaseofICECAP* (Texas) basedengineeringcompany. Theflights developed byIntuitiveMachines, aHouston Runway hostedtestflightsof‘Tiburon Junior’, Between FebruaryandMarch 2016, Wilkins past summer. Antarctic IceSheetstudiestonewheightsthis Long-range drones tookAustralia’s East flights tonewheights ICECAP Drones take a camera, gravity meter, andgeomagnetic includes ice-penetrating radar, laseraltimetry, To findout,theairborneICECAPtoolkit the formationofliquidwateratitsbase?” movement oftheicesheetbycontributingto radioactive rocks thatcanlubricatethe there. Forexample,are they‘hot’,naturally the iceandwhattypeofrocks are under mountain ranges, basinsorflatplainsunder ”So wewanttoknowwhere there are path andspeedoficeflow,” DrRobertssaid. ”Bedrock topologyandcompositionaffectthe piece ofthepuzzle. and howitmightbechanging,isacritical level. Understanding theflowpathofthisice, Antarctica causesoverall risesorfallsinsea these lossesandgainsdetermineswhether or meltsintotheocean.Thebalanceof to thecoast,where itcalvesoffasicebergs, by thelossoficeasitflowsfrom theinterior millimetres ofglobalsealevel.Thisisoffset of snow, whichisequivalenttoaboutsix accumulation rate of2200billiontonnes and sealevelrise.Antarctica hasanannual East Antarctic IceSheetinglobalclimate and theunderstanding oftherole ofthe will enhancemodellingoficesheetdynamics ICECAP aimstouncoverinformationthat Ice gainsandlosses data points.” our databecausewehavelessspacebetween the Basler, whichimproves theresolution of normally does,” hesaid. monitoring workthattheICECAPBasler to offloadsomeoralloftheicesurface confident thatnextsummeritwillbe ready fit withinWilkins’operational scope,we’re ”Given howwellJuniorflewandthatitcan priorities nextseason. potential toaccomplishasubsetofICECAP that thedeploymentdemonstrated Junior’s geophysicist, DrJaminGreenbaum, said University ofTexas InstituteforGeophysics definition videoandalaseraltimeter. including multispectral imaging,high- payload toobservetheicesheetsurface, in Antarctica. Juniorcarriedaninekilogram establishing thelogisticsrequired tooperate focussed oncoldweatheroperations and by members ofICECAPandIntuitiveMachines, This summer’s testflightsofJunior, conducted Drone deployment and composition. of liquidwater, andbedrock depth,structure structure, icesurfaceelevation,thepresence equipment, tomeasure icethicknessand 1 information tooceanographers. bedrock depthandprovide temperature along thecontinentalshelf,tomeasure the temperature/depth probes inthesameregion Using theBasler, theteamwillalsodeploy water withtheicesheet. models represent theinteraction ofwarm Shackleton IceShelf,toimprove howocean shelves, betweenDumontD’Urvilleandthe the geometryofbedrock beneathice A keytaskforTiburon willbetobettermap and inland.” drone, across thecontinentalshelf ICECAP instrumentsonthelarger Tiburon “In twoyears’ timewe’llbeginflyingheavier ice surfacemonitoring,”DrRobertssaid. smaller drone, andnextseasonwillfocuson ”This seasonwasprimarilyapilotrunwiththe 130 kgscientificpayload,intwoyears. Tiburon, withitsninemetre-wingspan and the drone’s developers tooperate thelarger This experiencewillsetupscientistsand aircraft havealready surveyed.” appropriate platformforflyingwhere larger than anypilotedaircraft, soitisamore instruments. Junioralsoburnsfarlessfuel areas requiring thecombinedsetofheavier with Junior, willallowtheBaslertofocuson the icesurfaceisrisingorfallingovertime– ”Monitoring theicesheet–observingwhether year climaterecord. could provide anicecore withaonemillion Basler tocontinuethesearch fordeepicethat The ICECAPteamwillalsousethedrones and West Antarctica.” potential contributionfrom allof and isequalto,oralittlelarger than,the ”Such achangewouldtakeseveral centuries to sealevelriseofatleast3.5metres,” hesaid. way intothedeepAurora Basinitwould lead ”If theTotten Glacierwere toretreat allthe gradual butirreversible iceloss. West Antarctica, where there appears tobe these findingssuggestthe region ismore like climate program, DrTas vanOmmen,said Leader oftheAustralian Antarctic Division’s Dr Robertssaid. to earlierestimatesof0.2percent,” more than1000 mbelowsealevel,compared ”Twenty onepercent oftheAurora Basinis below sealevel. previously thoughtandsitsonbedrock far into theTotten Glacier, ismuchdeeperthan shown thattheAurora Basin,whichdrains Magazine 28:12,2015). ICECAPhasalso destabilising melting(Australian Antarctic water toinfiltrate itsbase,causingpotentially Totten Glacierthatcouldallowwarmocean of deepchannelsinthebedrock beneaththe This workfollowsthediscoveryinMarch 2015 Deep discoveries 2 Vetlesen Foundation. Environment Research Council,andtheG.Unger US NationalScienceFoundation,theUK’s Natural of Texas atAustinInstituteforGeophysics,the Council SpecialResearch Initiative,theUniversity Cooperative Research Centre, Australian Research Antarctic Division,Antarctic ClimateandEcosystems Profiling) isacollaboration between theAustralian of theCryosphere through Aerogeophysical *ICECAP (InternationalCollaboration forExploration Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER 800 000 years ago.” shift inthefrequency oficeagesabout help usunderstand thecauseofadramatic ”If BlobAharbours suchanicecore, itwill over eachother. a core, unlikelayers thatare foldedortwisted the iceallwaytobasewhenwedrill ”Horizontal layers allowustoaccurately date of liquidwateratitsbase,”DrRobertssaid. horizontal internalicelayers andnoevidence right thickness, about2.5kmdeep,withnice, Dome C,thatappears tohaveiceofthe ”We’ve foundasitecalled‘Blob-A’, near (Paul Helleman) currently beingmodifiedforuseindrones. the project, theequipmentsuiteitcarriesis years. Whileitwillremain theworkhorse of topography andgeologyforthepastfive sheet structure and underlyingbedrock by theICECAPproject tosurveyice This BaslerBT-67 aircraft hasbeenused This Image 2. 1. the icesheet.(JoeBibby) scientists tomeasure theelevationof scientific payloadthatwillallowICECAP wingspan. Thedrone cancarrya9kg Junior, showsoff“Junior”,withits3m Scott Arndt,leaddesignerofTiburon (Jamin Greenbaum) February andMarch 2016. deployed toWilkinsAerodrome between Two copiesofTiburon Juniorthatwere

17 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE 18 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 SCIENCE water management enhance Australian icecores Antarctic ACE CRC CARLY TOZER andTESSA VANCE relationship toEastAntarctica. be expandedtoothercatchments in Australia thatreveal asimilar sustainability ofcriticalwatersupply catchments. Themethodcan increase watersecurityandimprove theenvironmental healthand water resources modellingandmanagement.Thiswillultimately a streamflow reconstruction, whichcanthenbeincorporated into catchment-scale rainfall reconstruction willbeutilisedtoproduce climate informationforusebywaterresource managers. The Australian rainfall hasbeenexploitedtoprovide catchment-specific This isthefirst timethe linkbetweenAntarctic icecores and for managingwaterresources andinfrastructure inthecatchment. drought riskinthe WilliamsRivercatchmentandhaveimplications period. Thesefindingsallowustobettercharacterise floodand periods inthe1000 yearrecord thanhavebeenseenintherecent evident inthe1100s and 1200s. Inaddition,there are longerwetter in thecontextoflast1000 years, withaparticularlydryperiod last 100 years hasbeendrieronaverage, itisnotunprecedented years compared tothepast100 years (seegraphic). Althoughthe frequent wetanddryperiodswere experiencedin thepast1000 The reconstruction showsthatsignificantlylongerandmore urban, agricultural andindustrialactivities. the Newcastleregion ofNewSouthWales thatprovides waterfor Williams Rivercatchment;aneconomicallyimportantcatchmentin catchment-scale, 1000 yearannualrainfall reconstruction forthe This relationship hasrecently beenexploitedtodevelop a vice versa. higher sea-saltlevelsbeingassociatedwithrainfall and recorded atLawDomeisrelated toeasternAustralian rainfall, with Previous studieshavedemonstrated howsea-salt variability are connectedtolarge-scale weatherpatterns thataffectAustralia. Ice-core sea-saltlevelsreflect windsover theSouthernOcean,which East Antarctica. salt dataobtainedfrom icecores collectedatLaw Domein records forAustralian catchments, usingthousandsofyears ofsea- Antarctic Divisionare extendingexistinginstrumental climate Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACECRC)andAustralian To answerthesequestionsscientistsattheAntarctic Climate and water resources inourcatchmentsbased onthisdata? of rainfall possibleinAustralia andcanweadequatelymanage But is100 years ofclimatedatalongenoughtoshowthefullrange mitigation strategies) andwaterresources infrastructure. and catchmentmanagementsystems(suchasdrought andflood obtained from thisdatahavesincebeenusedtodesignwater have beencollectedacross Australia. Thepatternsandstatistics Since themid-1800sclimaterecords ofrainfall andtemperature information forwaterresource managers. records andprovide catchment-specificclimate Antarctic icecores canextendexistingclimate Sci. 20,1703-1717, doi:10.5194/hess-20-1703-2016, 2016. rainfall reconstruction insubtropical easternAustralia. Hydrol. EarthSyst. A. J.,andMoy, A.D.Anicecore derived1013-year catchmentscaleannual Read more in:Tozer, C.R.,Vance, T. R.,Roberts,J.,Kiem,A.S.,Curran, M. 1 2 2. 1. (Carly Tozer andTessa Vance) wet periods,respectively. bands highlightpredominantly dryand from LawDomeicecores. Redandblue past 1000 years, based onsea-saltdata in theWilliamsRivercatchmentover Graphic showing annual rainfall variability affect Australia. (JoelPedro) to large-scale weather patternsthat Ocean. Thesewindsinturnare connected that reflect winds overtheSouthern Antarctica contain sea-saltconcentrations Ice cores collectedfrom LawDomeinEast shoot thelowbudgetfilm. around Australia –ona“familyroad trip” –to and ayoung,energetic crew, they travelled Queen oftheDesert.Withasmallcastthree Australian filmTheAdventures ofPriscilla, as aProduction Coordinator fortheiconic of theSydneyCollegeArts, sheworked drives Esther. Inherearly career, notlongout People andtravel are alsoabigpartofwhat common goal.” working withateamtoachieve out howtodomultiplethingsatonce,and tomorrow isgoingtobring. Ienjoyfiguring set routine because youdon’tknowwhat “I’m usedtojobswhere you can’tbeina sounds muchlikeastationleader’s lot. In fact,Esther’s self-described perfectday those logistics,” shesaid. people betweencamps–andthenmanage things –suchascharteringaplaneormoving answer lotsofquestions, research howtodo “Working inaproduction officeyouhave to Station Leader. suited tohernewrole asMacquarieIsland world offilmandtelevisionsoundperfectly But EstherRodewald’s experiencesinthe common withasubantarctic stationleader. Boys andLonelyPlanet,wouldhavelittlein shows suchasHouseHusbands,Angry working inaproduction officefortelevision At first glanceyoumaythinkthatsomeone Lights, camera…MacquarieIsland 1 got EstherthinkingaboutAntarctica. fact, itwasatriptoIcelandwith friendthat online presence and24hourconnectedness. In city lifeandtherelentless expectationofan being 1500kmfrom thehustleandbustleof forward totheremoteness andsimplicityof be thedo-it-yourself kind, Estherislooking While theonlycoffeeonMacquarieIslandwill knows howyoulikeyourcoffee.” sights ofacity, butthe placeacross theroad “You mightmissseeingsomeoftheiconic they lived. visited theirhomesandgottoseehow grocery shopping. We metthelocalsand caught atrain toandfrom work.We didthe “In Berlinwestayedinanapartmentand very differently toatourist,”shesaid. “When yougotoaplaceworkseeit months inBerlin. thriller calledBerlinSyndrome, shespenttwo and Paris. Forhermostrecent film,apsycho- big citiessuchasLondon,NewYork, Havana, of timelivinginone-horse towns, butalso with aboarding pass”,Estherhasspentalot As someonewho“getsexcitedifajobcomes you justpickupwhere youleftoff.” but whenyoudoit’s likeafamilyreunion and real life.You mightnotseepeopleforyears, but thenfilmingendsandyougobacktoyour “Relationships getquiteintensequickly, 1. (Glenn Jacobson) Station Leader, EstherRodewald. New (2016) MacquarieIsland Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER red wig. of theDesert,lookoutforwaitress inthe go-getter, whenyounextwatchPricillaQueen While Estherisverymuchabehind thescenes best friends”. happy tobepartofafamily“13new team andtheworkthattheydo.Andshe’s She’s lookingforward toengagingwithher tune withtheseasonalcyclesofisland. wildlife, particularlypenguins, andgetting in Esther isalsoexcitedbytheprospect ofseeing success ofwhatthey’re engaged in. contribute totheirownsuccessandthe passionate abouttheirworkandwhoactively revels inbeingamongst peoplewhoare The challengeisadrawcard forEsther, who Esther said. the person thatbalancesallthosethings,” today. Soasastationleader, youhavetobe the mostimportantthingthathastobedone everyone thinksthatwhatthey’re doingis – becausewhenyou’re talkingaboutpriorities, “He saidthatscientistssoundalotlikeactors convinced her. role, achattoformerstationleadersoon application ofherskillstothestationleader While shewasinitiallyuncertainaboutthe just happenedtobeadvertisingjobs,” shesaid up ontheAntarctic Divisionwebsite,which ”After thetripIgoogledAntarctica andended Station Leader.‘ Macquarie Island to hernewrole as sound perfectlysuited of filmandtelevision experiences intheworld ‘Esther Rodewald’s

19 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 PEOPLE 20 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 PEOPLE mysid (shrimp-like) crustaceansinTasmanian this foodwebresearch duringherPhDto to lookat“whowaseatingwho”. Sheextended lighter formsofthesamechemical element) Zealand. Sheusedstableisotopes (heavier and of south-easternAustralia andsouthernNew key food-webspeciesinthecoastal waters species Nyctiphanesaustralis –oneofthe Gwen didherHonours project onthekrill the sea,soImajored inbotany andzoology.” both taughtattheuniversity. Ialwaysliked close tohomebecausemyfatheranduncle “I diddosomephysics, butitwas abittoo Australian Antarctic Division,”shesaid. it neveroccurred tome that I’dendupatthe with pictures andstories oftheAntarctic, but “I wasalwaysinterested in scienceandfamiliar the 1950s. Australian Antarctic programs during physicist withboththeUnitedStatesand and herfatherwasacosmicray andaurora mother majored inzoologyatuniversity Gwen hadaheadstartasscientist.Her rely ontoday.” things thatgavemetheskillsandexperienceI satisfying andIgottodoalotofdifferent “It wasnotaneasypath,butitvery employable,” Gwensaid. I couldgofulltime,sothatwouldremain family, butIworkedhalfaday, everydayuntil “Life wasquitecomplicatedwithayoung demanding profession. as theypursued anuncertainand and herscientisthusbandraised twochildren Antarctic ScienceProgram. Allthewhile,she coordination andplanningoftheAustralian environmental policydevelopment,andthe a career spanningmarineresearch, marine Several decadeson,Gwenhasexcelledin a year. University ofTasmania –initiallyjustfor to enrol shebeganasciencedegree atthe But whenshediscovered shewastooyoung applied tostudyphysiotherapy inMelbourne. Australian Antarctic Division,DrGwenFenton, At 16,thenewChiefScientistof new ChiefScientist Career challengesshape 1 using more traditional methodsatthe Technology Organisation (ANSTO), and the Australian NuclearScienceand Working closelywithcollaborators at Gwen said. known rate, providing anatural clock,” (ear bones)whichthendecaysata grows, ittakesupradium initsotoliths ageing questionsinAustralia. Asafish which Ithoughtcouldapplytofish radium-226 tolead-210 [ involving theradioactive decayof “I’d comeacross aradiometric method more than100 years. sea fish,orange roughy, couldlivefor fish thatenabledhertoshowthedeep this timeshedevelopedatechniquetoage working inpost-doctoral research. During students –andwentontospend11 years 24 –twoyears earlierthanmostdoctoral Gwen graduated withherPhDattheageof study populationdynamicsanddiet.” diving everythree hours tocollectsamples to sampling withasmallteam,where wewere “Some ofmyfieldworkinvolved24hour was partofthefun,”shesaid. getting qualifiedtoSCUBAdiveformyPhD “I didalotoffieldworkoffBrunyIsland,and 12 newspecies. waters, anddiscovered three newgenera and 3 226 Ra – 210 Pb], 2 growing fish.” limits were notsustainableforsuchaslow 20 and25years ofage,sotheexistingcatch roughy don’tmature untiltheyare between “Our workatthattimeshowedorange the wayorange roughy wasfished. The finding,whenitwasaccepted,affected the oldestfishwehadwasover 100.” prove, withgood,careful measurements, that people didn’tbelieveus. Butwewere ableto that orange roughy livedforabout12years, so “Other ageingmethodsatthetimesuggested interesting results. they begantounearthsomevery Queenscliff FishAgeingLaboratory (Victoria), Gwen said. across theAntarctic Divisiontodothis,” with science,operational andpolicycolleagues real teameffortandithasbeengreat working are neededtomaketheirprojects work.Itisa travel where, andwhen,thelogisticsthat working outwhichscientistsare going to “Season planningeachyeariscomplex; their objectives. impact sothatprojects could meet within theseason,andhelpminimise impact oncurrent andfuture scienceprojects example, itwasGwen’s role toexplainthe If avoyageorflightwasdisrupted,for could, toachievetheirprojects,” shesaid. in theprogram andhelpingthem,where I scientists from all theinstitutionsparticipating “I particularlyenjoyedhavingcontactwiththe Science Strategic Plan. science planning,anddevelopingtheAntarctic projects. Shewasalsoinvolvedinlongterm and coordination ofeachseason’s science science applicationprocess andtheplanning Division. Here sheledtheteamrunning next career movetotheAustralian Antarctic and negotiationsskillsthatwouldsupporther For sevenyears shehonedthecommunication work withgovernment,”Gwensaid. change witharange ofpartiesandhowto “I learntalotabouthowtonegotiatemajor major marineinfrastructure developments. water, andproviding environmental advicefor development formarinepestsandballast salmon farmingindustryinTasmania, policy environmental monitoringprogram forthe The workincludedhelpingtodevelopan management andpolicydevelopment. government positioninmarineenvironmental In 1996Gwenwasoffered aTasmanian 4 years’ time. new icebreaking shipwillbringinfour is ready fortheadditionalcapabilitythat she’ll worktoensure thatthescienceprogram for aspectsoftheirAntarctic operations. And China, India, Japan and France to use Tasmania – encouraging EastAntarctic partners suchas collaborations through theAntarctic Gateway applications. She’llwork tostrengthen next round ofAustralian Antarctic science the sciencestrategic plan andopeningthe This yearGwen’s focuswill beonreviewing than anyoneelse,”shesaid. projects I’veprobably saidnotomore people “As thedelegatefor scientificgrants and to maketoughdecisions. projects isalsoapparent, butshe’s notafraid desire tohelpthemgetthemostfrom their new role. Hergenuinecare forpeopleand Gwen thinkswillbevaluableattributesinher Australian Antarctic ScienceProgram, that knowledge ofthecomplexities It isthisindependence,aswellherdeep observing thesciencefacilitiesonstation. a fewdaysatCasey, meetingscientistsand newly appointedChiefScientist,shespent Scientist role, andinFebruarythisyear, asthe Wilkins Aerodrome whileactingintheChief role. More recently, shehashadtwoflightsto former scienceplanningandcoordination Mawson, CaseyandMacquarieIslandinher continent onlyoncebyship–travelling to opportunities. Asaresult, shehasvisitedthe to Antarctica sothatotherscientistshad science projects, andmakinginfrequent trips deliberately avoidingbecominginvolvedin about maintainingherindependence, Throughout itallGwenhasbeenrigorous Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER prepared for. path attests, onethatGweniseminently It soundslikeachallenge,but,ashercareer and runprojects ontheship.” nationally andinternationally, tocoordinate a strong leadership role inhelpingscientists, “I seetheAustralian Antarctic Divisionplaying the experiments. collaborators tohelprunandsupport data toanalyse,andwe’llneedattract more but thatmeanswe’llhaveawholelotmore mapping andtodeployunderwatervehicles, “We’ll havenewequipmentforseafloor for it,”shesaid. anything we’veeverhadandweneedtoplan “The newshipwillgiveusacapabilitybeyond 4. 3. 2. 1. (Marcel vanderSchoot) research stationinfrastructure.. Gwen takesatouroftheCasey (Marcel vanderSchoot) research station. research hutatCasey Gwen intheatmospheric (Marcel vander Schoot) as ChiefScientist. research stationinhernewrole recent opportunitytovisit Casey visited Antarctica. Sheenjoyeda science projects Gwenhasrarely As anindependentarbiterof (Marcel vander Schoot) research station. communications hutatCasey Gwen outsidethe

21 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 PEOPLE 22 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 PEOPLE ship andprotected usastheyrotated. they madeaVshape around thesternof the get pushedupagainstthepropeller. Instead “I wasworriedthesebigsheetsof ice would Doyle said. the icebergs alongsideusmoved,”Captain emergency becausetheshipwasrotating as “I calledbacktoAustralia anddeclared itan blizzard andwedgedbetween twoicebergs. season triptoDavis, theshipwas caughtina had; notallofitwelcome.Once,onalate however, there’s plentyofexcitementtobe the SouthernOceanasCaptainDoylehas, When youspendasmuchtimenavigating way…it wasapretty easy voyage,”hesaid. floes, sowecould pushthefloesoutof nine tenthsice,itwasbrashy stuff around big “Even thoughthewayintoCaseywaseightor Casey stationinDecember2015. career, withahappilyuneventfulresupply of sometimes frightening,andaward-winning Captain Doyleconcludedhisexciting, Chief Officeroftheiconicorange icebreaker, But aftersome50voyagesasMasterand for thelast20years. commuting backandforthtoAntarctica on the Aurora Australis Captain Murray Doylehasbeenafamiliarface tothose Icebreaker Masterretires 1 over theyears, from scientists, tradies and “I’ve metandworked withareal mixofpeople all themixingofpeople,”hesaid. “Marine sciencevoyagesare veryenjoyable,with that makethevoyagesmemorable. Mostly, however, it’s thepeople andthework when sea-icefloesunexpectedly broke up. two weeksandlosingafewscientificsamples including becomingbesetinseaiceforabout (Australian Antarctic Magazine23:4-11, 2012), eXperiment (SIPEX)voyagesin2007 and2012 early seasonSeaIcePhysicsandEcosystems Captain Doylealsofacedchallengesduringthe fly-off, whentheseaicedidn’tbreak out. peninsula, andanothercompletedbylong-range was donebyrunningthefuelhoseover was blockedbyaniceberg and refuelling resupplies atMawson –onewhentheharbour Other memorable occasions includedtwo lucky wegotout.Thatwasascarymoment.” closest shipwasthree weeksaway, sowewere watertight, soweweren’t inanyreal danger. The of damageinthetanks, thoughwewere still underneath thehullhadcausedquiteabit “We foundoutlaterthattheicepushing

processed through TeraScan andPolar Viewand and concentration. Today, satelliteimages and itwasareal “guesstimate”oficethickness old bythetimechartsarrived on theship NASA, buttheinformationwasalmost aweek Aurora Australis, icechartswere provided by in satelliteimagery. Whenhestartedonthe has beenmadealoteasierwithadvances Fortunately, chartinga path through theice can’t,” hesaid. know whatyoucangetthrough andwhatyou point B;you’vegottobeableread theiceto “It’s notjustamatter ofgoingfrom pointAto looking atthingsquitedifferently. challenges ofnavigatinganicebreaker meant Despite thismaritimeexperience,theunique Australian coast,Indonesia andtheArabian Gulf. Captain Doyleworkedonoiltankers off the Prior tohisappointmentontheAurora Australis what theyare aimingfor.” satisfying toseepeoplesucceedandachieve so youbuildreally goodrelationships. It’s very meet thesamepeopleonsubsequentvoyages, always workingalongsidepeopleandoften station leaders, tovoyagemanagement.You’re 4 3 2 3. 2. 1. (Sandra Zicus) seas duringthe2007 SIPEXvoyage. Ocean, includingnavigatingthesebig share ofexcitementintheSouthern Captain Murray Doylehashadhis (Sam Groves) General QuentinBrycein2011. Antarctic Medal from Governor Captain Murray Doylereceives his (Dean Lewins) the Aurora Australis in2012. Captain Murray Doyleonthebridgeof 4. (John Cadden) Pedersen, inJanuary2016. by CaseystationleaderPete voyage totheAntarctic continent, certificate inhonourofhislast with aweathered ANAREflagand Captain Murray Doyleispresented Australian Antarctic Division JILL BROWN around ingroups photographing everythingthatmoves!” how I’dgoonatouristship,withall thesepeoplestanding Islands, justforsomethingdifferent. AlthoughIdon’tknow “I wouldn’tmindvisitingSouthGeorgia andtheFalkland he said. to dooneoftheotherCaminowalks, inPortugal orelsewhere,” “A coupleofyears backIdidtheCaminoinSpain,andI’dlike for maritimecausesandindulginghisloveoftravel. plenty ofplansforhisownretirement, includingvolunteering could spendherretirement from Antarctic duties, healsohas While hehasplentyofideasabouthowtheAurora Australis capabilities,” hesaid. the newshipshouldbemuchmore efficientandhavegreater things havehappenedsincetheAurora Australis wasbuilt,so “There’s goingtobea30yeargapintechnology. Alotof and itsreplacement withanewicebreaker. He isphilosophicalabouttheimminentretirement oftheship activities inAntarctica astheMasterofAurora Australis . Antarctic Medalforhiscontributiontoscientificandlogistic Antarctica. Inrecognition ofthis, in2011 hewasawarded an contribution totheongoingsuccessofAustralia’s activitiesin the Australian Antarctic program hasmadeanimportant Captain Doyle’s commitmenttothegoalsandpeopleof of thefuture.” I thinkwewillseemore ofthattechnology;it’s thetechnology the airandgetagoodideaofwhatwasaheadveryuseful. “That wasveryinteresting. To beabletothrow adrone upinto a littletasteofthefuture. navigation (seepage4)onCaptainDoyle’s lasttripsouth,gave An innovativetrialusingaquadcopter‘drone’ forseaice Mawson, andupto90000litres offuel.” straight across. We savedthree daysofsteamingonthattripto there were somebigleadsgoingeasttowest, sowejustshot the ice,butwegotsomeverygoodimagesandcouldsee “We wouldusuallygoafairwaynorthandcomearound all on atripfrom DavistoMawson,”CaptainDoylesaid. “The first seasonthat TeraScan wasavailabletousweusedit provide areliable, next-dayassessmentoficeconditions. interpreted byseaicespecialistsattheUniversity ofTasmania, what youcan’t.‘ can getthrough and ice toknowwhatyou to beableread the to pointB;you’vegot of goingfrom pointA ‘It’s notjustamatter

23 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 PEOPLE 24 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 OPERATIONS of equipment,carrieda23tonnetractor C17-A, whichcanaccommodate72tonnes For example,duringthetrialflights into theA319.” turnaround timesandthat’s toobigtofit high priority, outsizecargo thatneedsquick “However, there’s anicheinthemiddlefor slow timeverywell,”hesaid. while ourshipmoveslarge, bulkcargo in “Our AirbusA319 movespeopleverywell, Division’s operational andlogisticalneeds. lift flightscouldfillanicheintheAntarctic years inplanning,demonstrated thatheavy of thecollaborative operation, which wasfive Manager, MrMattFilipowski,saidthesuccess Australian Antarctic DivisionFuture Concepts since 1963. missions totheAustralian Antarctic Territory It isthefirst timetheRAAFhasflown Mawson lateintheseason. the grounding oftheAurora Australis at helicopters and30expeditioners, following was undertakentorecover three B3Squirrel Australian Antarctic Division.Afifthflight cargo intoandoutofAntarctica forthe more than109 tonnesofmachineryand flights overthecourse oftheseason,moving complete afurtherfourproof-of-concept and operated aircraft wentontosuccessfully The RoyalAustralian AirForce (RAAF)-owned 5 November2015. the 270 tonneC17-AGlobemasterIII–on the largest aircraft everontheicerunway– in Antarctica thisseasonwiththelandingof Records were broken atWilkinsAerodrome capabilities boost Antarctic flights Heavy-lift and operational capabilities. C17-A aircraft couldsupportnewscientific As wellastimeandresource efficiencies, the been puttousebackhome.” and spaceonstation,whenitcouldhave on stationfor12months, requiring resources “Instead wehadsomeequipmentsittingidle Filipowski said. returned toHobartinasingleseason,”Mr in oneflight,delivered toCasey, andthen project couldhaveconceivablybeenlifted “With aheavyliftcapabilitythatentire the project hadfinished. equipment byshipinthe12monthsafter starting, followedbyremoval ofmostthe equipment ayearinadvanceoftheproject station. Thisrequired thepre-positioning of and divecompression chambers tothe computer andengineeringequipment 2015), aswellthedeliveryofcontainerised (Australian Antarctic Magazine28:8-9, beneath theseaiceoffCaseystation deployment bydivers ofscientificequipment acidification experimentthat required the scientists conductedanambitiousocean for example,Australian Antarctic Division are supported.Inthe2014-15 summer, change thewayAntarctic scienceprojects Mr Filipowskisaidthiscapabilitycould from Hobartbyship. of actionfortwoyears, asittravelled toand capability thetractor wouldhavebeenout Antarctica twomonthslater. Withoutthis to Hobartforrepairs andreturned itto Filipowski said. is toefficientlymovethatcargo onward,” Mr cargo veryquicklyandoneofourchallenges “The heavyliftaircraft bringsinagreat dealof concept flightshighlighted. challenges, however, whichtheproof-of- These excitingpossibilitiesdobringnew season early, andpullthemoutattheend.” we couldpotentiallygetthemintostartthe So that’s veryexpensive.ButwiththeC17-A turn dependentontheseaiceconditions. resupply scheduleoftheship–whichisin over winterbecausethey’re lockedintothe the momenttheyhavetoremain onstation Casey forthefirst timeinmanyyears. At “We couldalsooperate helicopters outof science campsorstations,” MrFilipowskisaid. develop anairdrop capabilitytodeepfield laboratories forscienceprojects. Andwecould vehicles. We coulddelivercontainerised to conductatraverse wecoulddeliverheavy “If weorourAntarctic neighbours wanted emergency aeromedical evacuation,”hesaid. heliboxes from 500feetandsimulatedan Antarctica, conductedanairdrop offour of machineryandcargo bothinandoutof “We successfullymovedover109 tonnes huge success. RAAF pointofviewtheflightshadbeena Commodore JoeIervasi,saidthatfrom a Director General AirOperations, Air extreme cold. generation ofhighlyautomatedaircraft inthe and crew, andexperienceoperating anew valuable coldweathertraining fortheirpilots not allone-sided,withtheRAAFacquiring from thiscollaboration, therelationship is While theAntarctic Divisionhasalottogain it intoouroperational supplychains.” to workimprove thissystemandintegrate “If theRAAFcontinuetosupportuswe’llneed Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER Division, whichwillincludeC17-Aairlift. regarding future supporttotheAntarctic and reach aMemorandum ofUnderstanding with theDepartmentofEnvironment The DepartmentofDefenceintendstoengage underway bytheAntarctic DivisionandRAAF. in February2016 andafullreview isnow flights were completed The proof-of-concept in Antarctica.” and scientificcapabilities and Australia’s logistical capability ofthisaircraft Force toenhancethe experience fortheAir to beaninvaluable conditions hasproven test theC-17Ainthese “The opportunityto (Justin Hallock) the Australian Antarctic Division. the C17-Aonward isanewchallengefor Moving thelarge amountsofcargo from This Image 2. 1. Aerodrome. (DavidSaid/RAAF) proof-of conceptflighttoWilkins Director, DrNickGales,onthefirst (left) andAustralian Antarctic Division C17-A AirCommodore Richard Lennon (Eliza Grey) C17-A onitswaytoAntarctica. Pallets ofequipmentpackedinsidethe 2 1

25 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 OPERATIONS 26 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 HISTORY that bears hisname. hang from thebunksofhut undisturbed onthefloorand balaclavas andotherdetrituslie on hisbunk.Oldjumpers and he leftthem.Hispillowstilllies boots stillsitontheshelfwhere Mawson’s hard wornleather they were leftbehind,Douglas More thanacenturyafter at Mawson’s Huts artefacts uncovered Century-old 4. 3. 2. 1. from MainHut.(DavidKillick) them toexcavateiceandsnow team hadalotofworkahead The Mawson’s Huts conservation (David Killick) have lookedbackin1914. the interiorofhutasitwould men left,itispossibletoappreciate For thefirst time sinceMawson’s were largely free ofsnowandice. workshop sectionsofMainHut the floorofbothlivingand By theendofexpedition Magnetograph House. (DavidKillick) was foundinaneatlyfoldedpile Belgrave Ninnis’laundered clothing David Killick.(DavidKillick) Godfrey, Peter Maxwelland Passingham, SallyHildred, Ian work. L-R:MichelleBerry, Marty team oncompletionoftheseason’s The Mawson’s Hutsconservation in Antarctica. Edward SuttonNinnis, wholosthislife complete setofclothingbelongingtoBelgrave astonishing array ofartefacts;amongthema Main Hut.Indoingso,theyrevealed an most ofthesnowandiceremaining inside efforts, thefieldpartymanagedto remove Building ontheworkofprevious conservation December andJanuary(2015–16). while workingonthehutforsixweeksover L’Astrolabe, andstayedinafieldcamp from HobartbytheFrench Antarctic vessel out. Thesix-person partywastransported remote conservationprojects evercarried south ofHobart,it’s probably oneofthemost his menatCapeDenison.Situated1500km the hutsbuiltbySirDouglasMawsonand been workingsincethemid-1990stopreserve Division, theMawson’s HutsFoundationhas With thesupportofAustralian Antarctic time inmore thanacentury. Australasian Antarctic Expedition,forthefirst a trove ofotherartefactsfrom the1911–14 outpost thissummeruncovered theseand An expeditiontoAustralia’s first Antarctic 1 its location. simplicity ofitsBalticpinestructure and all issomewhatastoundingconsideringthe standing ruins. ThefactMainHutsurvivesat and theAbsoluteMagneticHut,remain as Hut (usedforastronomical observations), almost originalconditionwhiletheTransit time: theMagnetograph Houseremains in four buildingssurvivingfrom Mawson’s on earthatsealevel.MainHutisoneof when itturnedouttobethewindiestplace rare windlessday, butlatercursed hisluck Mawson chosethesiteforhutsona (Australian Antarctic Magazine22:4-7,2012). epic journeyofsurvivalagainsttheodds who madeitbacktoCapeDenisonafteran return voyageanditwasMawsonalone Xavier Metrz.Mertzalsolosthislifeonthe with MawsonandSwissskiingchampion through acrevasse whileonexploratory trip until hisuntimelydeath,whensledbroke the mostpopularmembers oftheexpedition - whowasnicknamed‘Cherub’. Hewasoneof receipt confirmedthemtohavebeenNinnis’ from MainHut.Clothinglabelsandatailor’s wooden structure several hundred metres folded intheMangetograph House,asmall The clothingwasleftwashedandneatly 2 By theendof expeditionthefloorofboth effort wasimmense fortheteammembers. the icefrom thehut.Butreward forthe work, chippingandclearingremoving to floorlevel.Itmadeforslowand arduous randomly through thestrata all thewaydown the presence ofvaluableartefactsscattered kitchen. Makingthetaskeventrickier was floor; evendeeperinareas likethehut’s 30 cmofsnowandicebuild-upoverthe workshop ofthehutthere remained around Throughout theliving sectionandthe 2015–16 expedition. inside thehut;focusof the removal oftonnes ofsnowandicefrom decades ofwind-blownice.Finally, there was roof, whichhadbecome perilouslythindueto building. Thesecondwastooverclad thehut’s stabilisation ofthestructural fabricof the facing theMawson’s HutsFoundationwas conservation expeditionin1997.Thefirst task three broad themessincethefirst major The restoration oftheMainHuthasfollowed during aprolonged blizzard. still curleduponthesnowwhere ithaddied seven kilometres inlandfrom thehutin1997, recovered from thepolarplateauaround is more stableyear-round. Thedogwas Mawson’s bunk,where thetemperature verandah area toatemporary homeunder ‘Grandmother’, wasmovedfrom thehut’s in theice.OneofMawson’s oldsleddogs, the huttheirhome,were foundentombed A pairofskuasthathadapparently made the brooms usedtosweeptheflooratnight. lost legsoftheexpedition’s diningtable,and were bottlesandboxesofmatches, thelong- a pairoftrousers hangingfrom ahook.There jumpers invariousstatesofrepair andeven delicately from theice.There were oldwoollen gave upatrove ofpersonal effectschipped In additiontoNinnis’clothing,MainHut into the‘Homeof theBlizzard’. Ourtransit not normallybestowedonthosewho venture nautical milesaway. We enjoyedgoodfortune helicopters from theseaiceedge,some20 more difficult.Thisseasonwedeployedfrom built inshore oftheberg, makingaccess at thewesternedgeofbay, fasticehas to thepresence oficeberg B09B. Grounded has changedsignificantlyin recent years due The environment around CommonwealthBay communications equipment. weather observationsandrunthe to takephotos, writestories, dothe my dayjobatTheMercury newspaper expedition’s doctor, andItookleavefrom practitioner DrSally Hildred, actedasthe and Peter Maxwell.First-timer, Hobartgeneral conservators, DrIanGodfrey, MichelleBerry experience. There were three materials helicopter pilotwithextensiveAntarctic Passingham –aheritagecarpenterand the continent.TheteamwasledbyMarty combined experienceof37expeditionsto Huts. Betweenthesixmembers there wasa works onMawson’s assembled forconservation most experiencedever the expeditionwas The teamchosenfor long-running project. major milestoneinthe was astonishing,anda 1914. Thetransformation would havelookedbackin interior ofthehutasit possible toappreciate the Mawson’s menleft,itwas For thefirst timesince of snowandice. sections were largely free the livingandworkshop 3 4 Journalist DAVID KILLICK second century. Era’ buildingshould beassured wellintoits continued attentionthefuture of this‘Heroic important artefactsstillunseenwithin.With accessible areas ofthehut andthere remains There isstillsnow andiceinmanyoftheless monitoring ofthehut’s internal environment. are expectedtoperform maintenanceand the future. Future conservationexpeditions work stilltobedonepreserve MainHutinto Like withanyoldbuilding,there isalotof exceptional progress duringoursix-week stay. were alsoabsent,allowingustomake fast andfaultless. Theusualcycleofblizzards smooth andourdeploymentfrom L’Astrolabe across theSouthernOceanwasunnaturally

27 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 HISTORY 1

Preparing polar doctors of the future 1. Antarctic Medical Practitioners Rachel Hawker (left) and Grant Jasiunas (right) with John Cherry and Jessie Ling at Casey research station. Among the highlights of the John Flynn Placement Program students’ time in Antarctica Now an intern at the Orange Health Service This season, at the culmination of their “While telemedicine and the support of doctors in the Polar Former astrophysicsist, science were informal career advice discussions with the medical team atop Reeves in regional New South Wales, Dr Cherry placements, Dr Cherry and Ms Ling travelled Medicine Unit mean they’re never alone in Antarctica, they Hill (pictured) while watching Adélie penguins traversing the ice below, as well teacher and helicopter pilot, has just returned from a month-long visit on the Aurora Australis to Casey research really need such a broad range of skills compared to medical as visiting the Mitchell Peninsula, camping at the ‘Wilkes Hilton’, cross country John Cherry, could certainly to Antarctica as part of an extra-curricular station, for some hands-on experience of specialists, and it’s something I hope to emulate in my skiing, and the intense dart and pool matches on station. (Expeditioner Photo) take his pick of any number medical placement at the Australian Antarctic polar medicine. future career.” Division’s Polar Medicine Unit. of exciting careers. But it is “We had almost two weeks on station and Dr Cherry was also impressed by the sense of community, with expedition medicine, and in The placement is part of the John Flynn we helped with the resupply of the medical everyone chipping in to help with different aspects of station Placement Program (JFPP), which aims to facility, we assisted with some minor dental and ship-board life on top of their own responsibilities. Antarctica inspires particular Antarctic medicine, encourage medical students to work in work on a patient, and we had a tour of the As a result of his time at the Antarctic Division and in rural and remote areas when they graduate facilities,” Dr Cherry said. that has really captured Antarctica, Dr Cherry is now considering training to become (Australian Antarctic Magazine 24: One of the station doctors arranged for some a rural GP. His current internship and next year’s Resident medical future his imagination. 30-31, 2013). scenario training, based around a patient who position in Orange is a direct result of advice from Antarctic For the past three years, Dr Cherry and two had been exposed to the elements overnight doctors that rural practice allows doctors to gain skills earlier Over the 2015-16 summer I was fortunate to travel to Antarctica other JFPP participants, Jessie Ling and Felix following a trauma on a quad bike. The pair in their career than they might working in metropolitan areas on a month-long return voyage aboard the Aurora Australis, Ho, have spent two weeks a year working provided initial treatment, then loaded the with a greater workforce. as part of the John Flynn Placement Program at the Australian with doctors in the Polar Medicine Unit to patient on to a stretcher and took them back “As soon as I’m qualified and experienced enough I hope Antarctic Division. learn more about what it takes to be an to the station for further care. to apply for a position with the Antarctic Division’s Polar Antarctic doctor. This included restocking While on the ship, John Cherry (see main story) and I participated “It’s not often you get to do Antarctic trauma Medicine Unit,” Dr Cherry said. medical supplies for Australia’s Antarctic and in some mock scenarios as part of the medical response team, training on a glacier surrounded by penguins. subantarctic stations and the ship, Aurora “Medicine allows you to serve those most in need anywhere and helped the ship’s doctor in morning clinic in the ship’s It was quite surreal but very educational,” Dr Australis, engaging in teleconferences with in the world, and it gives you the opportunity to travel and surgery. During our 11 days at Casey research station, we helped Cherry said. doctors on station, and participating in the seek adventures that you couldn’t get with other professions. I in the medical clinic, unpacking literally a tonne of medical medical teaching practice of ‘grand rounds’. Dr Cherry was inspired by the clinical want to make the most of that.” resupply equipment, and discussed career pathways and excellence of the doctors he met during his opportunities in expedition medicine with the medical team. We The JFPP is funded by the Australian Government’s Antarctic placement. put our practical skills to the test in the Antarctic environment Department of Health and administered by the Australian during a realistic field medical scenario, and I was also able to “The uniting theme across experienced and College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM). For more assist with some dental procedures and had some tutoring in first time Antarctic doctors is their well- information visit www.acrrm.org.au/preparing-for-your- how to perform fillings. rounded and excellent clinical skills that allow career/john-flynn-placement-program. them to deal with any medical emergency in The experience heightened my awareness of the challenges WENDY PYPER such a challenging environment,” he said. associated with delivering health care in isolated areas and living Australian Antarctic Division and working in a small community. As a member of a small group, which is both a working unit and a social community, 1. Antarctic doctors of the future, professional and social roles intersect. As the medical officer, your John Cherry and Jessie Ling, patients are also your friends and support network. during their voyage to Casey station. (Expeditioner Photo) The trip also reinforced for me the distinct aspects of Antarctic

POLAR MEDICINEPOLAR work for the station doctors. The isolation, remoteness and MEDICINEPOLAR 2. John Cherry (left) and Jessie Ling harsh environment result in health issues that are peculiar to secure a patient for transport this extreme setting, which the station doctor must be able to during scenario training at Casey manage. While modern technological developments, such as station. (Expeditioner Photo) telemedicine and the digitization of medical information, have lessened the ‘tyranny of distance’, medical practice in Antarctica 30 2016 30 2016 remains uniquely challenging.

ISSUE These challenges pale in comparison to the tremendous ISSUE 2 opportunity to work in, and enjoy, the mesmerizing Antarctic landscape and wildlife. The strong sense of community at Casey 1 station, and the enthusiastic welcome from all expeditioners, also made this a truly exceptional experience. I’m currently in the final year of my medical degree in Launceston (Tasmania), and have a few more years of training ahead before I can apply for a position as an Antarctic doctor. However, the tantalizing prospect of returning to work in the great southern continent will fuel some of the long nights in the hospital ahead. I would especially like to thank my mentor, Dr AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN Jeff Ayton, and all the Polar Medicine Unit staff, who have been 29 28 so welcoming, encouraging and inspiring. 1 JESSIE LING 1. Philip with his sound recording gear at Casey station. 1 (Philip Samartzis) Rare Antarctic Australian Antarctic Strategy 2. Philip spent some time sheltering from a blizzard beside Jack’s Hut, while his recording gear “got hammered” – resulting in some exciting recordings of katabatic wind. artefacts on display and 20 Year Action Plan (Dan Wilkins) The first flagpole to fly the Australian flag in the In April the Australian Antarctic community celebrated the launch of the Australian Antarctic, and parts of the first aircraft taken to the icy Government’s Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan. The Strategy continent, are now on display at the Mawson’s Huts and Action Plan represents a significant package of measures to build Australia’s Replica Museum in Hobart. role as a leader in Antarctica and to strengthen our influence in the Antarctic Treaty system. Recovered from Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison between 2006 and 2010, the rare artefacts have been The Strategy sets out Australia’s national loaned to the Museum by the Australian Antarctic interests and the Government’s Antarctic Division. vision for our future engagement in Antarctica. The accompanying Action The flagpole was attached to the apex of the Main Hut Plan covers a 20 year period and details when it was built in January 1912 at Commonwealth the steps the Government will take to Bay by Douglas Mawson and other members of the fulfil the Strategy. Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–14). It was removed in 2006 (and replaced with an identical but Key actions include a new icebreaker new piece of Oregon pine) and returned to Australia for for research and resupply to replace Katabatic winds conservation treatment by the Mawson’s the ageing Aurora Australis, restoring 2 Huts Foundation. Antarctic science traverse capability, scoping expanded aviation capability The aircraft parts were part of a Vickers monoplane, inspire sound rendition and options for year-round aviation which crashed during a test flight in Adelaide just days access, increased scientific research and before the expedition left for Antarctica in 1911. The international engagement to support expedition took it anyway and used it as a form of a strong and effective Antarctic Treaty of Antarctic experience tractor to tow sledges along the ice, but it was not a system, and enhancing Hobart as an great success (Australian Antarctic Magazine 18: Antarctic research hub and the premier 30-32, 2010). Sound artist and RMIT is a low gravity wind that gains force as it Gateway to East Antarctica. travels down elevated slopes. It is particularly “Mawson left a wonderful legacy for Australia, and The Department of the Environment’s Australian Antarctic Division is responsible University academic, Dr Philip prevalent at Casey due to its location at the these items provide visitors with a unique link to the for leading, coordinating and delivering the Australian Antarctic program. Together Samartzis, travelled to Casey base of Law Dome, which gently rises to past, helping to tell the story of those epic early years with agencies across Government, the Australian Antarctic Division will implement an elevation of 1395 m. When the cooler of Antarctic exploration,” Mawson’s Hut Foundation station as an Australian the Strategy and Action Plan. temperature of a katabatic mixes with the Chairman and CEO, Mr David Jensen, said. Antarctic Arts Fellow in early warmer temperature of the onshore wind, an Read more at www.antarctica.gov.au/about-us/antarctic-strategy-and-action-plan. 2016, to explore the interaction erratic weather system emerges, making Casey of katabatic wind with the built the ideal location for my project. and natural environments. Katabatic wind is particularly notable for the brittle plastic sheets billowing in the wind, way it shapes the manner in which sound indifferent buildings and infrastructure, wind New icebreaker contract signed My project emerges out of an admiration is experienced within the built and natural gusting across desolate ice fields, and the of the innovative photography of Herbert environment. Its trajectory can push sound transformative effects of warming and cooling The Australian Government has Ponting and Frank Hurley who, by combining away from you or it can draw it closer to upon the polar environment. signed a contract for Australia’s you. Its intensity can mask sound and its subject, composition and climate, conveyed The sound recordings will inform a new new icebreaker with the Australian absence can heighten it. At its most ferocious a deeply mysterious and alien place. I am series of compositions for exhibition and company DMS Maritime Pty Ltd. it simply obliterates everything in its path. particularly intrigued by Hurley’s depictions performance designed to generate tactile and 1 The company will be responsible for A collision with the built environment of life on the ice through two iconic immersive experiences of the sonic ecology both the overall design and build ANTARCTIC ART ANTARCTIC transforms katabatic wind into an intense BRIEF IN photographs, The Blizzard and Leaning on the of extreme weather events. In development of the ship, and the operation and series of ascending and descending pitches Wind, both taken in 1912. The photographs is a new concert work for Melbourne-based maintenance of the ship over its - a supercharged aeolian harp. Inside the convey the ferocity and atmospheric effects ensemble Speak Percussion, combining expected 30 year life. The ship will braced, steel-framed and insulated panel A model of the new Australian icebreaker. of the conditions using a mix of techniques, multi-channel sound recordings with acoustic be built in Romania and is due to buildings, pervades a silence that imposes (©Damen/DMS Maritime/Knud E Hansen) including staged scenes and composite instrumentation, including specially designed arrive at its home port of Hobart in printing, to viscerally express something a profound sense of isolation from the ice instruments and wind machines. Through mid-2020. 30 2016 immediate environment. Outside, the volatility almost impossible to articulate through the convergence of sight, sound and space, is expressed through a variety of resonances This next-generation successor to the Aurora Australis will provide a step-change ISSUE ISSUE 30 2016 conventional documentary photography. expressed within the mutable framework of emitted by miscellaneous surfaces and in Australia’s Antarctic capabilities and is uniquely tailored to meet the Australian Inspired by these evocative depictions of sound art and experimental performance, vivid 2 materials undergoing tremendous stress. On Antarctic program’s needs. It will have: abstract landscapes shaped by volatile and dramatic impressions of nature in extremis one occasion, while recording from an ice conditions, I wondered how I could produce will be achieved. • greater icebreaking and cargo capacity; an equivalent account using sound recording encrusted cold porch, I was informed that PHILIP SAMARTZIS techniques to render an embodied experience wind gusts were exceeding 185 km/h. The 1. Australian Antarctic Division General Manager – • increased endurance and operational flexibility; piercing shrieks of the anemometer emerging of extreme climate. Philip Samartzis is the artistic director of the Bogong Strategies, Mr Charlton Clark (left), hands over the flagpole • a high standard of environmental performance; and from the white abyss provide testimony to Centre for Sound Culture (bogongsound.com.au) and to Mr David Jenson to display in the Mawson’s Huts With images of ferocious gales and its ferocity. • state-of-the-art research, rescue and resupply capabilities. phantasmagorical landscapes etched firmly Coordinator of Sound in the School of Art – RMIT Replica Museum. (Rhonda Bartley) Creative Victoria f into my mind I undertook three weeks of Over three weeks I recorded an assortment University. Philip thanks or their To celebrate the central role of the icebreaker for the Australian Antarctic support of his fellowship. 2. Air tractor parts from the Vickers monoplane, on display at fieldwork at Casey station, interrogating the of sound activated by wind and shaped by the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum in Hobart. program and the significance of Australia’s connection to Antarctica, the the cold. Ice granules dancing across sheet Australian Government will seek public input on the naming of the vessel AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN effects of katabatic wind on the station and (Rhonda Bartley) surrounding environment. Katabatic wind metal, agitated flags, murmuring cables, through a competition. 31 30 Read more at http://www.antarctica.gov.au/icebreaker 32 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 IN BRIEF australia-hosts-antarctic-talks-with-china Read more athttp://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2016/ Jinping’s visittoHobartinNovember2014. Ocean Affairs, signedduringChinesePresident Xi Cooperation intheFieldofAntarctic andSouthern China Australia Memorandum ofUnderstanding on The JointCommitteewasestablishedunderthe for eachother’s Antarctic programs. continued toworkcloselytogether, providing support Antarctica 30years ago,andthecountries have Australia helpedfacilitateChina’s first visittoeast activities, including: priorities forajointprogram ofworktoguidefuture meeting, Australia andChinaagreed onanumberof and enhancedenvironmental protection. Duringthe cooperation onAntarctic science,operations, policy The meetingsignalledadesire tostrengthen Ocean Collaboration. Joint CommitteeonAntarctic andSouthern (Tasmania) inFebruary, forthefirst meetingofthe Australian andChineseofficialsmetinHobart Australia-China talks • • • • • • www.antarctica.gov.au/news/antarctic-insider. Antarctic Insider. activities inAntarctica withouronlinenewsletter Keep uptodatewiththelatestnews, eventsand Newsletter Meeting. (GlennJacobson) delegation fortheChina-Australia JointCommittee State OceanicAdministration andheadoftheChinese Mr LianzengChen,DeputyAdministrator ofChina’s Australian Antarctic DivisionDirector DrNickGales with operations. officials andscholars onpolicy, scienceand Antar committing tosupporteachother’s national envir advancing policydiscussionsonenhanced gateway; incr on collaborative sciencein2017; holding ajointEastAntar agr establishing pr support agreement aheadofeachseason; eeing afocusforfuture scientificcooperation; easing theuseofHobartasanAntarctic onmental protection andotherkeyareas; ctic programs through anannuallogistics ofessional exchangesofscientists, ctic/Ross SeaWorkshop Tributes flowforhelicopter pilot strengthen theAntarctic Treaty system. protected areas inEastAntarctica andtheRossSearegion; andjointeffortsto to betterprotect Antarctica’s uniqueenvironment, includingbyestablishingmarine Antarctic dialogue;enhancedscientificandlogisticalcooperation; closercooperation Antarctic prioritiesoverthenextfiveyears. Commitmentsinclude:anannual While theshipwasinHobart,Australia andtheUnitedKingdomagreed toshared adhered tothestrictlicensingregulations inthearea. and NewZealandspecialists, inspectedanumberoffishingvesselstoensure they During thepatrol HMSProtector, withthesupportofsixembarkedAustralian from illegalfishingactivities. Ocean andAntarctic ecosystem protect theuniqueSouthern Antarctic Treaty systemandto the conservationrulesof Living Resources inupholding Conservation ofAntarctic Marine work oftheConventionfor The patrol aimedtosupportthe Antarctic andRossSea. of afiveweekpatrol totheEast in December(2015) atthestart HMS Protector visitedHobart The RoyalNavy’s IcePatrol ship Protectorvisit HMS sincere condolencestoMr Wood’s family. On behalfoftheAustralian Antarctic Division,Director DrNickGalesexpresses his in Western Australia, andworkinginboththeAntarctic andArctic. which includedbattlingforest fires inthe Yukon, flyingtechnical crews tolighthouses many intheAustralian Antarctic program. Hehadmore than30years’ experience, Mr Wood isremembered asaskilledpilotandrespected colleagueandfriendto station atthetimeofhisdeath. Helicopter Resources andwasworkingwiththeAustralian Antarctic program atDavis Mr Wood, 62,wasadualCanadian-Australian citizenwho wasemployedby after afalldowncrevasse ontheWest IceShelf inJanuary. Tributes flowedforpopularhelicopterpilot,David Wood, who tragically losthislife were presented. King Davis’book, High Latitude,however, confirmsthatonlytwobottles presented theexpeditionwiththree bottlesofPortugese Madeira. John the Australasian Antarctic Expedition), weindicatedthatMrJohn Buchanan In thesamestory(page26,Issue29; aboutabottleetchedandsignedby is L-R:Harrison,Jones, Watson, Moyes, Dovers, Hoadley, WildandKennedy. of mentheWestern Basepartyreferenced inphoto3.Thecorrect order Expedition (1911–14) pointedoutanerror inIssue29,page27,theorder Adam Pedler, grandson ofAlexanderKennedy oftheAustralasian Antarctic Correcting theRecord (UK MoDCrown ©2016) TheRoyalNavy’s IcePatrol ship,HMSProtector. (James Moloney) helicopter inAntarctica. David Wood flyinga

This photo was taken on the first trial flight of the Royal Australian Air Force C17-A Globemaster to Freeze Frame Wilkins Aerodrome in November 2015. I had flown down on the Australian Antarctic Division’s A319 Glenn Jacobson has worked in the Australian Antarctic Division’s multimedia section as a production earlier in the day to capture video and still footage of the landing, and was well positioned part-way coordinator since 1984. He produces video and still images for the Antarctic Division’s website, down the runway when it arrived. It was exciting to see such a large aircraft land on the ice and the various publications and news media. jets kicked up huge amounts of snow. I filmed and photographed the historic event for the Antarctic Division’s multimedia library and was lucky enough to fly home on the aircraft. It was a little less comfortable than the A319, but roomy enough to play indoor soccer (not that we did)! I used a GLENN JACOBSON Nikon D800 at 1/800 sec, f14, ISO 250. ANTARCTICA valued, protected and understood

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