U.S. Antarctic Research Program, 1975-1976

Planned field research projects

Below are summaries of U.S. science projects that were scheduled to take place in the Antarctic during 1975-1976. Project titles (in boldface) are followed by names of principal investigators and their institutions (in italics).

Antarctic Peninsula March 1976). Feeding habits, digestion rates, and food consumption of selected fishes and echinoderms will also be studied to extend knowledgç Scotia Arc-Antarctic Peninsula tectonics proj- of the anatomy, taxonomy, and zoogeography of ect, 1975-1976. Ian W. D. Daiziel, Lamont-Doherty antarctic fishes, echinoderms, and certain coelen- Geological Observatory of Columbia University. Work terates. will continue this field season to determine the structure and tectonic history of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Scotia Arc, and farsouthern South Metabolic studies of antarctic invertebrat America as part of the Scotia Arc-Antarctic Penin- fauna. Mary Alice McWhinnie, DePaul University. sula tectonics project. The ultimate goals are to (1) Our research during the 1975-1976 austral sum understand the past interrelationships of Antarc- mer is divided into two categories: (1) initia tica with adjacent continents and ocean basins, (2) studies of the biology and population dynamics o understand the development of the Antarctic Euphausia superba, the predominant krill specie Peninsula and the Scotia Arc, and (3) evaluate this in Bransfield Strait, and (2) further studies of the region for mineral resources, especially copper. metabolic pathways of krill and other pelagic an selected benthic invertebrates. The first category will be undertaken from aboard WV Hero, and the Cenozoic biostratigraphy of Seymour Island. second will concentrate in the Palmer Station David H. Elliot, The Ohio State University. The geol- vicinity. ogy, stratigraphy, and paleontology of exposed raised continental shelf sediments on the Antarc- tic Peninsula, in the Scotia Arc, and in far southern Crustaceous conglomerates. Robert H. Dott, South America will be investigated this austral University of Wisconsin, Madison. Crutaceous con- summer. The ultimate goal is to evaluate the Ant- glomerates will be investigated this austral summer arctic Peninsula areas potential for petroleum and to provide evidence about the beginnings of up- natural gas deposits. heaval in the Andes Mountains.

Abundance, diversity, and trophic dynamics of Charadriiform bird adaptations to the Antarc- antarctic benthic fishes and invertebrates. Hugh tic. David F. Parmelee, University of Minnesota, Min- DeWitt, University of Maine, Orono. The abundance, neapolis. At Palmer Station in 1974, many breeding biomass, and structure of antarctic benthic fish adult and young skuas and terns, and also many populations will be determined in selected areas young gulls, were banded and color-coded. Empha- during WV Hero cruise 76-1 (mid-January to mid- sis this season is on banding adult gulls and the 276 ANTARCTIC JOURNAL remainder of the skua and tern populations. Ob- a continuing, year-round investigation of the mag- servations of the ecology and breeding behavior netospheres response to very low frequency (VLF) of these marked birds will continue. Their move- waves injected by the Siple Station transmitter. ments in the Palmer area are being monitored year- Specific areas of study include: wave-particle inter- round by graduate students. Depending on the actions in the premidnight sector and their relation availability of K/V Hero, periodic observations will to substorm activity, dependence of wave growth be made in the Joubin Islands. Visited briefly and emission generation on transmitter power, dis- during January 1974, the Joubin Islands have a tribution in longitude and latitude of transmitter number of interesting bird populations within 25 signal paths, use of the transmitter for study of kilometers of Palmer. In addition to heretofore magnetosphere direct lifetimes, and study of the unreported tern colonies, several penguin colonies effects of magnetic impulses on the transmitter —including three penguin species that breed side- signals. Passive VLF techniques will be used to study by-side—are present in the Joubin Islands. magnetospheric thermal plasma dynamics with emphasis on space-station measurements organized as cooperative components of the International Mag- Cardiovascular dynamics of antarctic homeo- netospheric Study (IMs). Initial direction-finding therms. David E. Murrish, Case Western Reserve measurements will be made as part of the multi- University. Nesting antarctic birds often are ex- station IMS studies near L=4. Further correlative posed to long periods of direct solar radiation that studies of coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere may place great demands on their thermoregula- processes near the plasmapause will be made with tory mechanisms. Adult pygoscelid penguins, blue- the special objective of identifying precipitation eyed shags, and giant petrels occasionally pant, phenomena associated with controlled and natural and their young pant vigorously when subjected VLF waves. to heat loads. Panting during heat stress has been shown to result in marked hypocapnia and alka- losis in bird blood. The acid-base balance of adults Conjugate micropulsation observations. and young of these species during normothermic Laurence J. Cahill, Jr., University of Minnesota, and hyperthermic conditions will be investigated. Minneapolis. High-permeability metal core search Oxygen capacity, oxygen dissociation curves, and coil magnetometers will continue to collect year- Bohr effect will also be determined. round digital data on magnetic tape at Siple Sta- tion, at Roberval, Quebec (Canada), and aboard the Explorer 45 satellite. The data are being used Austral spring pack ice studies of antarctic to describe the state, the location, and the dynamics seals. Donald B. SinjL University of Minnesota, Saint of the plasmapause region of the magnetosphere Paul. WV Hero will be used during the early austral during magnetic storms, and to examine the rela- spring to study breeding behavior, local move- tionship of micropulsations in the 10- to 10-hertz ments, and activity and distribution patterns of frequency range to polar substorms. The high leopard and crabeater seals in unconsolidated pack sampling rate (with resultant high resolution) and ice near Palmer Station. A few seals will be tem- signal polarization measurements are used to study porarily immobilized for weighing, measuring, propagation characteristics. Time differences and tagging, and then will be released. Sonic and between signal arrival at conjugate points are used radio-frequency tags will be used to track seals in conjunction with polarization measurements to through the pack ice and to provide continuous deduce where and how signals originate and how data on activity patterns. the energy is dissipated. Simultaneous measurements at the conjugate points are analyzed to learn about the seasonal effect on micropulsation Transfer of organochiorine pollutants to ant- propagation, and signals recorded at either ground arctic ecosystems. Robert W. Risebrough, Univer- station are compared with similar measurements sity of California. Concentrations of organochlorine made aboard Explorer 45 to examine the effect of compounds in surface seawater will be determined propagation along the field line. Analysis tech- during WV Hero cruise 75-6 in October and niques include the use of power spectra, dynamic November 1975. power spectra, and polarization hodograms in data interpretation. Siple Station Conjugate magnetic studies. Louis J. Lanzerotti, Active and passive probing of the magnetos- Bell Telephone Laboratories. A three-component flux- phere. R. A. Helliwell, Stanford University. This is gate magnetometer will acquire year-round data at September/October 1975 277 Siple Station during 1975-1976. These data will be 1976 austral winter at the South Pole were gath- used in correlation with data from four similar ered before they left for Antarctica. Radioactive magnetometers spaced in a latitudinal array in the material (tritium) will be used in these studies. northern conjugate area at L=4.4, 4.0, 3.5, and 3.2, and with a fifth station mobile in longitude in the vicinity ofL=3.5. The data will be used in extensive Meteorological observations at the South Pole. studies of seasonal effects of geomagnetic conju- Werner Schwerdtfeger, University of Wisconsin, Madi- gacy, of seasonal effects of the ionosphere on the son. Assistance will be provided to the N.Z. Na- transmission of ultra low frequency waves from the tional Weather Service, which during the 1975- magnetosphere to the ground, and of changes in 1976 austral summer will replace the U.S. National conjugacy with magnetic disturbance conditions. Weather Service (National Oceanic and Atmos- pheric Administration) in conducting year-round surface and upper-air weather observations at High-latitude ionospheric absorption. Hugh Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. J. A. Chivers, University of California, San Diego. During the 1975-1976 field season, 50-megahertz riometers and associated antennas will be installed Size distribution of background aerosols deter- at McMurdo, Siple, and South Pole Stations. These mined from multispectral measurements of at- instruments, which are in addition to the 30-mega- mospheric transparency. Glenn E. Shaw, University hertz riometers already in place at each location, of Alaska, Fairbanks. Physical and radiative proper- will be used to measure ionospheric absorption ties of suspended particulates over Amundsen- caused by solar activity at different latitudes. Scott South Pole Station were studied during the Measurements also will be made at a conjugate austral summer of 1974-1975. Aerosols over the location in Canada. South Pole are distributed by size according to a J unge power law distribution function with a power law exponent equal to about 3.2. The albedo of Very high frequency auroral radar. Ben B. single scattering is roughly 0.8, and the columnar Balsley, Environmental Research Laboratories, National mass loading during the clearest conditions is 0.02 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A 50-mega- grams per square meter. Calculations indicate that hertz aurora backscatter radar unit capable of semi- the aerosols result in a net heating of the earth- automatic operation will be installed at Siple Station atmosphere system of 0.1°C. These values are this austral summer to enhance magnetosphere- thought to be typical of intervolcanic periods, and ionosphere measurements being made at Siple and probably represent the minimum aerosol loading at its geomagnetic conjugate, Roberval, Quebec on the planet. (Canada). This is the first time such equipment has been operated in this mode. After successful test- ing, the system will be used to obtain amplitude Antarctic aerosols. Austin Hogan, State University and spectral characteristics of the radar aurora in of New York, Albany. During the 1975-1976 field the southern auroral region. season we will continue to study the climatology of surface aerosol concentrations. A more sensitive detector, which will allow more accurate determi- Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station nations of the size and charge of aerosol concen- Human adaptation to south polar stresses. trations, will be incorporated in this seasons Harold G. Muchmore, M.D., Oklahoma Medical Re- measuring system. Earlier experiments have shown search Foundation. Dr. Muchmore and six assistants that near-surface antarctic air is generally isolated will continue year-round studies of immunologic from air only a few meters aloft; this is created by changes in people who winter at Amundsen-Scott a strong near-surface thermal inversion. Attempts South Pole Station. Cellular immunity studies will will be made to determine aerosol concentration be carried out on live leukocytes derived from peri- variations across this inversion by using tethered pheral blood. Lymphocytes will be processed for balloons. The layer above the surface inversion is transformation studies, and T and B enumeration almost always saturated with ice, but ice crystals and neutrophil functions also will be studied. Speci- do not always precipitate. Several seeding experi- mens for immunoglobulins will be collected, and ments are planned to continue studies of ice- specimens for virus isolation will be obtained to nucleating mechanisms in this layer. isolate and identify the respiratory virus respon- sible for postpolar infections. These viruses will be Analysis of antarctic halocarbons. R. A. Ras- utilized as reagents in the assay of immunity mussen, Washington State University, Pullman. En- changes during isolation. Baseline data in these riched concentrations of halocarbons and other parameters from persons scheduled to spend the trace gases in snow will be quantified this austral 278 ANTARCTIC JOURNAL ummer field season at the South Pole to help es- results will be used to determine the heights at ablish a polar halocarbon concentration profile. which crystals form, the vertical structure of the ypes of halocarbons present, which are being "crystal cloud," and the dependence of these emoved, and the rate of removal also will be quantities on environmental conditions. etermined. Air samples will also be collected. A primary question related to this research is how Geophysical monitoring for climatic change. I polar atmosphere removes trace gases, espe- Kirby Hanson, Air Resources Laboratory, National The princi- ially chlorofluorocarbons, from the global atmos- Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. phere. Current theories indicate that these trace pal objectives of geophysical monitoring for clima- gases may be depleting earths protective ozone tic change are to determine background levels of shield. trace gases and aerosol particles in the atmosphere, to record their rate of change, and to assess the Atmospheric trace metals and halogens. William effects these constituents may have on climate. Zoller, University of Maryland, College Park. An aero- These long-term measurements will continue at sol chemistry sampling program will continue this Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as one of six austral summer at Amundsen-Scott South Pole planned clean air monitoring observatories of the Station. The program includes collection and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chemical analysis of atmospheric ice crystals and (N0AA). Measurements will be made of carbon bulk particulate matter. Surface ice and snow dioxide levels (to determine the rate of increase samples also will be collected for chemical analysis resulting from combustion of fossil fuels, biotic and comparison with atmospheric samples to uptake, etc.), surface and total ozone (to study evaluate the importance of the polar ice cap as a short-term variations in climate as reflected in thermal trap for particulate and gaseous materials. year-to-year shifts in the maximum and minimum A clean air facility will be established about 5 kilo- concentrations of these gases), Aitken nuclei and meters east of South Pole Station. A temporary other aerosols (to establish baseline values for structure also will be assembled to provide more turbidity and global pollution), and solar radiation (to obtain irradiance data in several broad bands). space for field experiments. Fluorocarbon flask samples will be taken and compared with other on-station monitoring systems. Ice crystal precipitation in the antarctic atmos- On-site personnel will assist in making measure- phere. Takeshi Ohtake, University ofAlaska, Fairbanks. ments for other NOAA- and National Science Study of ice crystals precipitating from a cloudless Foundation-funded programs. atmosphere at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station will continue. This research includes (1) observa- Atmospheric processes and energy transfers at tion of ice crystal precipitation, such as vertical the South Pole. John J. Carroll, III, and Kinsell Coul- differences in concentration, size, and shape of ice son, University of California, Davis. This projects crystals as compared to other meteorological fac- primary objective is to determine the energy tors, (2) study of formation mechanisms such as balance of the Antarctic and its effect on large- nucleation and moisture, and (3) assessment of the scale atmospheric circulation in the Southern effect of ice crystal precipitation on climate. Pres- Hemisphere. The South Pole region, where our sure, temperature, and humidity in the lowest present work is concentrated, is representative of 1,000 meters will be measured using an instrument a large portion of the continents interior; energy package lifted by a tethered balloon and a kite. balance measurements (radiation, sensible and Observations of ice crystal formation in the Arctic latent heat, storage in the snow pack, etc.) at this will be compared with those at the South Pole to location are similarly representative of the energy clarify ice crystal precipitation mechanisms. regime of a wide area. We anticipate that these data from the interior, in combination with future Origin of atmospheric ice crystals. Vernon N. data from coastal areas and from satellite measure- Smiley, University of Nevada, Reno. Ice crystals in the ments of radiation, will provide a reasonably re- atmosphere above Amundsen-Scott South Pole liable assessment of the overall energy balance in Station will be measured this austral summer field high southern latitudes and will help to under- season. This research will involve Lidar measure- stand global weather and climate. A second ob- ments to obtain vertical profiles of backscatter in- jective is to use measurements of light polarization tensity, and concurrent surface observations with and intensity in a sunlit sky as indicators of dust, a replicator to measure crystal size and size distri- haze, and other particles in the antarctic atmos- bution, and crystal habits. The measurements will phere. Not only do such particulates influence the be integrated with radiosonde data for such factors systems radiative energy balance, but they also are as temperature and humidity versus altitude. The an index of airmass history in the recent past. September/October 1975 279 Atmospheric acoustic echo-sounding. Freeman and another tracking facility at McMurdo Statior Hall, Environmental Research Laboratories, National serve as master translocators for roving backpad Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. An acoustic satellite tracking receivers called geoceivers. Geo- echo-sounder used during the 1974-1975 season ceivers are used to obtain accurate positioning data will be modified this season by adding a passive for mapping projects, for traverse activities, and receiving antenna for bistatic investigations of the for glaciological studies. planetary boundary layer. The combined mono- Geoceivers will be used this season to establish static and bistatic system will provide independent accurate positions of study sites that were estab- measurements of temperature and velocity struc- lished on the Ross Ice Shelf during the 1974-1975 ture functions to heights of 600 meters. A data- field season. Geoceivers will also be used in a co- averaging and logging interface will record digital operative program with the British Antarctic Sur- data on a computerized magnetic tape system for vey to establish accurate controls for positioning later evaluation. Facsimile records also will be satellite (ERTS/LANDSAT) imagery of the Ellsworth made for both backscatter and bistatic acoustic Mountains. Plans are to establish refined doppler- returns to provide high spatial and temporal derived positions on preselected points that can be resolution of turbulent structure in the planetary identified on the satellite imagery. Logistics sup- boundary layer. These data will lead to a better port for the Ellsworth Mountains effort will be understanding of the origin and maintenance of provided by a British Antarctic Survey Twin Otter the turbulent, surface-based inversion over the airplane. antarctic plateau. The two-person winter U.S. Geological Survey team at South Pole Station also will operate A study of midday auroras. Syun-Ichi Akasofu, University ofAlaska, College. telemetry equipment for the National Aeronautics During the 1976 austral and Space Administrations Dual Air Density Ex- winter, a 35-millimeter all-sky camera will be plorer satellite program, and will assist in a seis- operated at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, and a 16-millimeter all-sky camera will be operated mological monitoring program of the Office of Earthquake Studies, U.S. Geological Survey. at Siple Station. The data will be searched for correlations of auroral substorm activity and inter- Earth tides and earths free vibrations at the planetary magnetic field variations and substorm South Pole. Louis B. Slichter, University of Cal[ornia, precurser clues. The South Pole is a unique loca- Los Angeles. Long-period tides, and earths free tion from which to observe dayside aurora; its vibrations excited by large earthquakes (should location also enables visual detection of auroras ones of sufficient energy, magnitude 8 or more, over periods of several days when the sky is cloud- occur), will continue to be observed year-round at less, which is a normal condition. In concert with Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The near- simultaneous isis satellite data, past observations absence of daily and semidaily tides at the South from the South Pole have shown that midday Pole makes this a unique site from which to observe auroras occur directly under the cusp precipitation weak gravity signals with precision. Highest pre- region. The Siple instrument is providing visual cision is needed for observations of two quantities information about ionosphere dynamics at sub- not yet measured: (1) phase lag and Q of the fort- auroral zone latitudes. In conjunction with simul- nightly tide, and (2) period of the solid-body vibra- taneous magnetospheric research at Siple, our tion of earths inner core, if and when it is displaced data will be used to investigate how the magnetos- from its central position by a large earthquake or phere and ionosphere interact and how energy is by random motions of the outer core fluid. transferred from the magnetosphere to the ionos- Dual Air Density Explorer satellite program. phere in its transit from the sun to the earth. An Kenneth McDonald, Goddard Space Flight Center, Na- attempt will be made to relate the behavior of mid- tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. day and midnight auroras and to delineate the dif- Three persons will install a command and data acquisition ferent responses of midday and midnight auroras facility at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station this to changes in the interplanetary magnetic field. field season for the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) Dual Air Density twin Doppler research in Antarctica. William R. satellite experiment. Two Explorer satellites will MacDonald, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. be launched by a single Scout rocket late in 1975, This program continues several years of work to and are expected to remain in about the same orbit obtain data on (a) ionospheric and tropospheric throughout the 2-year mission. Each satellite is effects of radio propagation, (b) ice sheet move- drag sensitive and uses a mass spectrometer as part ments, and (c) polar motion and earths spin axis. of a unique system that is insensitive to orientation, A fixed satellite tracking facility is maintained year- is highly sensitive to the upper atmosphere, and round at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station; this is capable of in-flight calibration. Comparison of 280 ANTARCTIC JOURNAL measurements from the two satellites should reveal work since 1957 suggests that the Ross Sea, and the atmospheres vertical structure on a global probably the Weddell Sea, were filled to a large ex- scale from altitudes of 350 to 1,500 kilometers. tent with grounded glacial ice at the maximum of Comparisons then can be made between satellite the last glaciation. This sheet represented an ex- measurements and coordinated vertical probe tention of west antarctic ice, fed also by outlet measurements from various launch sites. glaciers from East Antarctica, onto adjacent conti- mental shelves. Carbon-14 dates indicate that ice Ross Ice Shelf recession began before 10,000 years ago and has continued even through the last several thousand Surface glaciology of the Ross Ice Shelf. R. H. years, leading to speculation about the possibility Thomas, The University of Nebraska, Lincoln. This of continued recession and concordant changes in projects objectives are to estimate the mass balance sea level. This season we will (1) obtain carbon-14 of the Ross Ice Shelf, to deduce bottom melting dates on raised marine sediments in the McMurdo and freezing rates, to investigate shelf dynamics, region, (2) map glacial deposits in Ferrar Valley and to calculate particle paths for any flow line and elsewhere in the McMurdo region, and (3) through the shelf. Strain networks planted on the examine nunataks behind Taylor and Wright Ross Ice Shelf during the 1974-1975 field season valleys. will be remeasured this field season to give ice strain rates at 50-kilometer intervals. Geoceiver Freshwater and terrestrial ecosystem modeling positioning will be provided by the U.S. Geologi- at Lake Bonney. Bruce C. Parker, Virginia Poly- cal Survey. technic Institute and State University. Last years effort will be extended this austral summer, with Shallow ice core drilling. Chester C. Langway, special emphasis on specific needs for the Lake Jr., State University of New York, Buffalo. We will Bonney model. Carbon-14 primary productivity retrieve 100-meter ice cores this field season from measurements will be used to identify limiting and Roosevelt Island and from Siple Station. The cores toxic factors in the lake. Organic matter concen- later will be subjected to physical and chemical trations will be identified, and photo respiration analyses for climatic studies. Pit samples for chemi- studies will be done. cal and accumulation data will be obtained adjacent to drill sites. Dry Valley Drilling Project, 1975-1976. Lyle D. McGinnis, Northern Illinois University, DeKaib. A late- Quantitative paleoclimatic analysis of Ross Sea winter breakout of the McMurdo Sound sea ice in continental shelf sediments. Thomas B. Kellogg, 1974 forced postponement of Dry Valley Drilling University of Maine, Orono. Recent studies of the Ross Project (DVDP) plans to retrieve core from beneath Sea in West Antarctica have produced evidence the sound itself. Using the McMurdo Sound ice as suggesting that the Ross Ice Sheet is inherently a platform for the drill rig and associated equip- unstable. To test this and other hypotheses, a study ment, this final DVDP objective will be attempted of the dynamic history of the Ross Ice Sheet will be once again in the 1975-1976 field season. Drill per- made by quantitative sedimentologic and micro- sonnel and most other technical assistants will be paleontologic analyses of core material from the provided by New Zealand. Primary logistics sup- Ross Sea. Ross Ice Shelf Project, Dry Valley Drilling port and housing at McMurdo will be furnished by Project, and Deep Sea Drilling Project drill core the United States, with Japan participating in material will be used. Our goals are (1) to deter- various DvDP-related investigations at McMurdo mine the chronology, the duration, and the extent Stations Thiel Earth Sciences Laboratory. Core of past fluctuations of the Ross Ice Sheet/Shelf sys- retrieved late in the 1974-1975 field season, plus tem; (2) to provide a stratigraphic link between that from the current season, will be shipped to sediments of the subantarctic southern ocean and the United States for continuing analysis at home the glacial stratigraphy of the Transantarctic institutions. Electrical and gamma logging of DVDP Mountains; (3) to determine the relationship be- areas and drill holes also will be done this season. tween documented glacial events in the Antarctic and climatic events documented for the rest of the Borehole geology and volcanic petrology of world. the McMurdo area. Samuel B. Treves, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. During the 1975-1976 austral Southern Victoria Land summer, Dry Valley Drilling Project (DVDP) cores will be logged, and any volcanic or basement rocks Late Cenozoic glacial history of East Antarctica. will be studied petrographically to investigate se- George H. Denton, University of Maine, Orono. Field quential relations. The DVDP cores are important September/October 1975 281 in understanding the geologic history of the Dry Valley Drilling Project environmenta McMurdo area and the Southern Hemisphere. monitoring. Bruce C. Parker, Virginia Polytechni Study of the ash layers in the Erebus Ice Tongue Institute and State University. This final austral sum and other outlet glaciers will continue, as will mer of monitoring will include a predrilling exami surveillance of Mount Erebus volcanic activity. nation of the drill site, inspection during drillin operations, and a postdrilling audit. Late Cenozoic biostratigraphy of Antarctica. Peter Webb, Northern Illinois University, DeKaib. On- site curation and logging of Dry Valley Drilling Cape Crozier, Ross Island Project (DvDP) sedimentary cores will be done this austral summer. Micropaleontological control also Adélie penguin behavior. David G. Ainley, Poin will be maintained during drilling and retrieval of Reyes Bird Observatory. This study of Adélie penguir cores. All materials will be prepared for cold stor- population biology is nearing completion. Ground- age and shipping to Florida State University, Talla- work was laid at Cape Crozier through the band- hassee. ing of 5,000 chicks annually from 1961-196 through 1969-1970. During the 1968-1969, 1969- Geothermal studies in the dry valleys. Edward 1970, and 1974-1975 seasons, many data were col- R. Decker, The University of Wyoming, Laramie. Sub- lected on these known-age birds. During the 1975- surface temperatures will be measured this austral 1976 field season at Cape Crozier, gaps in the data summer in previous and new holes drilled by the will be filled by concentrating efforts and observa- Dry Valley Drilling Project. These measurements tions on the oldest individuals: the 9- through 14- will use cables and electrical-resistance ther- year-olds. We will be especially interested in the mometers during and after drilling. Other field incidence of breeding in the oldest birds, and in work will include collecting core samples for radio- determining what mortality occurred among older activity measurements (uranium, thorium, and individuals during the past austral winter. Final potassium), and the thermal properties of the rocks analysis will provide a description of the longevity, penetrated. Radioactivity and other thermal productivity, mortality, and other demographic measurements will be made at the University of factors for the ecologically important Adélie pen- Wyoming. These studies will provide new data on guin. permafrost thickness, recent climate changes, heat How, and very deep subsurface temperatures near McMurdo Station and the dry valleys of southern McMurdo Station and vicinity Victoria Land. More knowledge of these phenomena may lead to thermal explanations for glacia- Status and population dynamics of antarctic seals. Donald B. SinJb University of Minnesota, Saint tion and other aspects (young volcanism, and Paul. uplift) of this portion of Antarcticas geologic We will concentrate our efforts this austral history. summer in the Ross Island area: at Hutton Cliffs and at a remote colony approximately 8 kilometers Suprapermafrost groundwater flow systems in off the coast. We also will continue the census and ice-free valleys of the McMurdo Sound region. tagging efforts of the past 5 years. Pupping success Keros Cartwright, Illinois State Geological Survey. will be monitored, and we will continue to collect Hydrogeologic investigations during the past two data on the pupping history of individual females austral summers will continue this field season at Hutton Cliffs and to measure and weigh indi- with work in Wright and Taylor valleys, southern viduals at Hutton Cliffs to correlate female condi- Victoria Land. Particular emphasis will be placed tion with pup growth rate and reproductive success. on studying groundwater above frozen ground. At remote colonies we will study female response Detailed investigations are planned for Wright to density manipulation, and an attempt will be Valley, from Lake Vanda west to the Labyrinth. made to interpret effects of density on growth and Suprapermafrost groundwater samples will be reproductive history. Work at the remote colonies chemically analyzed, and their physical properties will primarily replicate that of the 1974-1975 field will be measured. This information, combined season. We also hope to study vocalization patterns. with a concurrent study of the characteristics of Thermo- and osmoregulatory responses in surface materials in the area, should lead to an Adélie penguins. H. T. Hammel, Scripps Institution understanding of the mass balance and chemical of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. characteristics of lake, pond, and soil waters. Water About 80 Adélie and 20 emperor penguins will be sampling at Don Juan and Don Quixote ponds and collected from the McMurdo Sound ice edge this monitoring of piezometer nets established there austral summer. If possible, 15 Adélie breeding in 1974-1975 will continue, as will detailed down- pairs will be taken from Cape Bird. The penguins hole studies in Dry Valley Drilling Project hole 13. will be sent to Sea World, San Diego, California, 282 ANTARCTIC JOURNAL to serve as a stock colony. Experimental penguins kilograms in weight), from which glycoproteins will be drawn from the stock colony to be kept in will be purified. We will study how and where these a small penguinarium in the Physiological Research glycoproteins are synthesized, and how they pre- Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography. vent ice from propagating across the body wall. These birds will be implanted with thermodes The latter experiment will be done by transfusing and osmodes astraddle the rostral brainstem. the black cod, Notothenia angustata, with antifreeze Increased oxygen consumption by shivering, and determining the effect on its survival. This evaporative water loss by panting, water intake, black cod, which belongs to the antarctic cod family, and salt gland secretion will be investigated in is one of few members that lacks antifreeze com- response to thermal and osmotic stimulation of pounds. For comparative purposes, Notothenia fish the rostral brainstem. Brainstem heating and will be collected from aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cooling also will be conducted in conjunction with icebreaker in the Balleny and Scott Islands area spinal cord heating and cooling by a thermode in (this is the only place where these fish are found). the spinal canal and by heating and cooling the Charles R. body core with a gastric thermode. Physiological Antarctic, atmospheric infrasound. Wilson, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Observations research will not be conducted at McMurdo Station. of auroral infrasonic waves (AIw) from subauroral Benthic communities of McMurdo Sound. Paul zone (65°) stations indicate that AIW result only K. Dayton, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Uni- from poleward—not from equatorward—motion versity of California, San Diego. During the 1974-1975 of auroral forms. To understand which AIW theory austral summer, this project will expand on several is most nearly correct, measurements will be made ongoing studies. The following will be investigated: to determine whether this asymmetry is a source (1) benthic primary productivity, using carbon-14 effect or a propagation effect. To do this, it is analysis; (2) competitive dominance of the sponge necessary to determine how convection in the polar Mycale acerata; (3) feeding selectivity of the asteroid cap ionosphere affects AIW propagation; this de- Perknaster fuscus antarcticus; (4) reproductive, termination can only be made from observations growth, and defense strategies of selected sponges; within a polar cap. A three-microphone array (5) settling ecology, habitat selectivity, and behavior (which later will be increased to four, enclosing of invertebrate larvae; (6) Odontaster validus hypo- a 40-square-kilometer area to provide redundancy) thesized key role in community organization; (7) will be established at Windless Bight, near Scott dynamics and interactions in a community en- Base (New Zealand). This is an excellent site for crusted on cages along a rocky underwater cliff; observing AIW, since it is a high geomagnetic lati- (8) population increases in Homaxinella sp.; (9) tude (A= 79S), and it is free of katabatic winds soft-bottom community in New Harbor; (10) that can conceal an AIW signal in the wind "noise." ophiuroid soft-bottom foraging; (11) decomposi- Data from the microphones will be stored in digital tion and benthic implications of large pieces of form at Scott Base on Estraline-Angus chart re- carrion. We also will continue to monitor the 60 corders and on slow-speed magnetic tape. Data will cages and controls established in McMurdo Sound be correlated with riometer, magnetometer, and when the project began in 1967. Soft-bottom sedi- all-sky camera data. ments will be collected from aboard a U.S. Coast Cosmic ray intensity measurements. Martin A. Guard icebreaker in the Pennell Bank area and Pomerantz, Bartol Research Foundation of the Franklin along the eastern part of the Ross Ice Shelf. Institute. Cosmic ray observations at McMurdo Sta- Role of glycoprotein antifreezes in the survival tion are essential to continuing investigations of of fishes inhabiting ice-laden seawater. Arthur L. electromagnetic conditions in interplanetary space DeVries, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Univer- and of solar phenomena. In these studies of space sity of Cal[ornia, San Diego. McMurdo Sound waters "weather," utilizing cosmic rays as diagnostic tools, are near freezing and are laden with ice for most earth serves as a spin-stabilized "spacecraft" with of the year. Most of the worlds fishes would quickly multiple sensors for observing cosmic ray intensity freeze to death in this environment. Antarctic fishes modulations and anisotropies. A new 10-metric- live in this icy environment and apparently do not ton cosmic ray detector with statistical precision freeze. Their body fluids are fortified with glyco- exceeding that of any on earth will be shipped on proteins that possess antifreeze properties. This USNS Towle to McMurdo this austral summer. It austral summer seasons activities will center on will be installed at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Sta- how these antifreezes afford protection to the tion a year later, just before the maximum period various fishes of McMurdo Sound. Blood samples of the current sunspot cycle when events of special will be collected from the large antarctic cod, interest, particularly the production of solar cosmic Dissostichus mawsoni (160 centimeters long and 45 rays, will occur in profusion. 283 September/October 1975 Submicron particulates in the antarctic stratos- fresne cruise 8 is expected to complete the circuni phere. David J. Hofmann, University of Wyoming, antarctic biological survey begun by Laramie. USNS Eltani Four balloon-borne soundings to measure in 1962. Biological productivity of the southeri aerosol particles and gas samples in the polar ocean, from Madagascar to the Crozet Plateai stratosphere will be made in January 1,976 from south to the antarctic pack ice, will be assessed McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott South Pole sta- nutrient chemistry of the water column will als tions. Gas samples will be retrieved from two be studied in conjunction with phytoplanktor flights at McMurdo, and particulates will be studies. counted in two flights at the South Pole. Follow- ing recovery, gas samples will be analyzed by the Stock assessment of antarctic Minke whales National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra - Robert L. Brownell, Jr., National Museum of Natura tion. These measurements are aimed at studying History, Smithsonian Institution. This collaborativ( how chlorine atoms.may possibly reduce earths and cooperative study by Argentina, Brazil, Ca stratospheric ozone shield by catalytic destruction nada, Japan, and the United States took place ir of ozone molecules. September 1975. RJV Hero was used to collect dat on the distribution, stock identification and stocl< Geodetic and upper atmosphere satellite size of Minke whales in the western South Atlantic. studies. Arnold J. Tucker, The University of Texas, Austin. These data are needed to formulate rational inter- Satellite tracking station 019, McMurdo national conservation and management regulations Station, is part of the year-round National Geodetic for Minke whale stocks in the South Atlantic as Satellite Program. This station is equipped to well as for other antarctic Minke whale stocks. measure the doppler shift of continuous wave Minke whales in the Southern Hemisphere repre- signals transmitted from artificial earth satellites. sent the last important, renewable whale resource Data collected at this station are used to determine in the Antarctic still at or near its initial population a set of orbital parameters that describe satellite size. Full-scale pelagic catches, however, have be- motions. Earths gravitational field and atmos- gun in the Antarctic, totaling approximately 20,000 pheric drag affect satellite motion and make it deviate from the trajectory described by this set between 1972 and 1975. Shore whaling from Bra- zil between 1966 and 1973 has taken another 5,000. of orbital parameters. Tracking satellites in this There is need, therefore, to obtain population data manner may lead to a better understanding of before the stocks are further perturbed by whaling. earths gravitational field and ionospheric effects. Artist program. Eliot Porter, Santa Fe, New Mexico. International cooperation A project begun in the 1974-1975 season will be completed. Flora, fauna, and other features of Antarctica will be photographed and documented. In addition to the Dry Valley Drilling Project and several other projects described above, six 1975-1976 antarctic programs will involve U.S.-foreign nation Remote projects interactions in personnel and support services. Projects Weddell Sea oceanographic investigation. Theo- in this category, most receiving U.S. logistics support, dore D. Foster, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, are listed below. University of California, San Diego. As a continuation of the International Weddell Sea Oceanographic International Antarctic Glaciological Project Expedition, a physical oceanographic investigation (McMurdo Station). Jean Vaugelade, Expeditions of the western Weddell Sea will be carried out this Polaires Francaises. field season. Hydrographic casts and continuous Glaciological and geomorphological studies measurements of salinity, temperature, and depth in the dry valleys of southern Victoria Land will be made. Three current meters moored in the (McMurdo Station). Sergei Miagkov, Moscow State northern Weddell Sea in February 1975 will be University. retrieved. This work is to further our understanding of the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water. Japan visiting science program (McMurdo Sta- tion). Takeshi Nagata, Japan Institute of Polar Re- Circumantarctic biological survey. Sayed Z. El- search. Sayed, Texas A&M University. This austral summer we plan to investigate the biology of the south- British Antarctic Survey doppler project (Pal- western Indian Ocean in collaboration with French mer Station). W. R. Piggott, British Antarctic Survey. scientists aboard Marion Dufresne cruise 8, which Meteorological observations (Amundsen-Scott is under the auspices of the Territoire des Terres South Pole Station). John DeLisle, N. Z. National Australes et Antarctiques Francaises. Marion Du- Weather Service. 284 ANTARCTIC JOURNAL