lankton in these waters, and its role in the carbon cycle. Two
subsequent cruises will track carbon over the season, and investigate
how trace metals, especially iron, affect plant production.
Deicing Dynamics of Sea Life
The growth and retreat of sea ice around Antarctica is one of the
world's great seasonal events, yet little is known about how ice
dynamics affect zooplankton and other animals in the ocean's topmost
waters (the upper 100 meters). Three cruises in the Weddell Sea and
associated studies, under a project led by Kenneth Smith of the
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, will track the ecology of tiny
animals -- zooplankton (floating) and micronekton (swimming) -- over
one year, to capture how dramatic changes in sea-ice cover affect the
animal populations. The project will develop an instrument to monitor
populations at different depths, and will launch a remotely-operated
vehicle to sample and observe animals beneath the sea ice.
The Rougher It Is, The Better They Like It
Biologists now agree that archea, or archeobacteria, are one of
the three major branches of life, in addition to bacteria and
eukaryotes (the latter embracing plants, animals, and humans). Archea
seem to like environments that are very hot, or very salty, or
strictly lacking in oxygen -- places where no other life can endure.
Recent studies, however, reveal a surprise: archea comprise more
than 30 percent of biomass in waters off Palmer Station, Antarctica --
the highest rates measured in the ocean. A team led by Edward DeLong
of the University of California-Santa Barbara will sample archea in
the region this season, illuminating the ecology and biology of these
mysterious organisms.
Hot and Ultraviolet
The greater amount of ultraviolet light (called UV-B) let in by
the ozone hole reduces the productivity of marine phytoplankton, but
how does UV-B affect Antarctica's t
'"/>
Contact: Lynn Simarski
lsimarsk@nsf.gov
703-306-1070
National Science Foundation
31-Oct-1996
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Related biology news :1.
Dispute over life in Antarctic lake2.
Design competition for new Antarctic Research Station3.
The Hunters Breath tells a story of adventure and discovery in Antarctica4.
Antarctic fish study may aid cardiac research5.
A lost world: Two previously unknown dinosaurs discovered in Antarctica6.
Abandoned penguin colonies may help refine Antarctic climate studies7.
British Antarctic Survey wins environment award8.
Explanation offered for Antarcticas blood falls9.
Antarctic penguins thrive in ocean oases10.
Huge iceberg wreaks havoc on Antarctic marine ecosystem, study finds11.
Huge Antarctic iceberg makes a big splash on sea life