Galindez Island Research Articles

New data on the occurrence of Acanthocephala in Antarctic Amphipoda

AbstractIn total, 6401 amphipods, including 5707 Cheirimedon femoratus, caught at the Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, Western Antarctica) were examined for the presence of cystacanths and advanced acanthellae of Acanthocephala. Two parasite species, Corynosoma pseudohamanni Zdzitowiecki, 1984 and Metacanthocephalus johnstoni Zdzitowiecki, 1983, were found in the haemocoeloma of C. femoratus. Total prevalence was 1.19%, that of C. pseudohamanni 0.68% and of M. johnstoni 0.51%. Additionally, 8 of 1416 C. femoratus caught in the Admiralty Bay (South Shetland Islands) were found to be infected with C. pseudohamanni and free of M. johnstoni. The representative of the genus Metacanthocephalus was found in the intermediate host for the first time. C. pseudohamanni was more abundant at the Galindez Island (prevalence 0.68%) than in the Admiralty Bay (prevalence 0.42% in previous investigations and 0.56% in present ones). Amphipods harboured usually one or rarely two acanthocephalans of one species. Both parasites were more abundant in amphipods caught in the polluted water closely to the Vernadsky Station than in the Mick Channel, farther from the station (prevalence 0.77% vs. 0.51% for C. pseudohamanni and 0.64% vs. 0.26% for M. johnstoni).

Влияние региональных изменений климата и атмосферной циркуляции на баланс массы ледника о. Галиндез

Влияние региональных изменений климата и атмосферной циркуляции на баланс массы ледника о. Галиндез

The complex studying of Antarctic biota

Results of five year period of Argentina islands region Antarctic biota complex investigations are described. There were described 41 algae new for the Galindez island biogeografical polygon territory. Check-list of terrestrial algae now consists of 57 species belongs to 3 phyla. 12 species from Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta were described for snow and cryophilic communities from Uruguay and Galindez islands. The preliminary analysis of different chord animals' groups' phenological peculiarities were carry-out. 9 fish, 14 birds and 8 mammals' species were analyzed. Complex phenological investigations of terrestrial animals from bryophytic and soil substrata were carry-out for the first time. Virus antigens were detected in samples of Deschampcia antarctica and bryophytes from Barbilophozia and Polytrichum genera. This viruses belongs to different taxonomical groups such as Tobacco mosaic virus(Tobamovirus), Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (Tobamovirus), Cucumber mosaic virus (Bromoviridae, Cucumovirus), Tomato spotted wilt virus (Bunyaviridae, Tospovirus). Deschampsia antarctica photosynthetic tissues samples investigations revealed high level of antioxidant systems on example of superoxide dismutase. Such activity shows Deschampsia antarctica high plasticity. Such peculiar properties of photosynthetic membranes of lipid-protein-pigment complexes structural and functional components are demonstration of active adaptive strategies to Antarctic limitative factors. Identified similarities lipid metabolism of various species may be indicative of the existence of a common ancestral form, but some differences in levels of lipid metabolism – on the next stages of evolutionary divergence in relation to the formation of a unique set of adaptations to the harsh Antarctic conditions. These data, together with the data of morphological, anatomical, physiological, molecular studies may be useful in assessing the evolutionary relationship of various species of Antarctic fish.

Algae of marine littoral and inland water bodies of Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, Antarctic)

Algae of marine littoral and inland water bodies of Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, Antarctic)

Методы и результаты измерений мощности ледников Малый Уиггэнс (Антарктический полуостров) и Домашний (остров Галиндез)

У роботі викладено результати вимірювань льодової потужності льодовика Домашній, що розташований на острові Галіндез, та льодовиків Малий Уіггенс і Великий Уіггенс – на Антарктичному півострові, виконаних методами радіолокації й електрорезонансного зондування.

Visualized photosynthetic characteristics of the lichen Xanthoria elegans related to daily courses of light, temperature and hydration: a field study from Galindez Island, maritime Antarctica

Diurnal courses of photosystem II (PS II) activity of Xanthoria elegans were continuously monitored using a novel technique of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging in the field (maritime Antarctica) over a period of 7 days. The lichen specimens grew on rock surfaces in a north-facing coastal area of Galindez Island (Argentine Islands). A portable fluorometer FluorCam equipped with a CCD camera and image analysis software was placed over a thallus so that false colour images of FV/FM and quantum yield of photochemical processes in PS II (ΦII) distribution over the thallus could be taken over the course of a day. Simultaneously, microclimatic parameters of the habitat were recorded: air and thallus temperatures, relative air humidity, PPFR (photosynthetic photon fluence rate) and global radiation. Photosynthetic processes in X. elegans were activated by rainfall or water from melting snow. After thallus hydration, FV/FM and ΦII gradually decreased from their maximum values due to evaporation and progressive loss of water from the thallus. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging showed that the thallus dehydration started from the margins and moved towards the central thicker thallus zones. These zones exhibited higher activity of PS II than the margins throughout the day. The rate of inhibition of photosynthetic processes in PS II was faster at the margins than in the centre of the thallus. Dependence of ΦII on thallus water potential (WP) was investigated during gradual dehydration under laboratory conditions. After a decrease in WP from zero to −7 MPa, X. elegans exhibited only a 13·8% decrease in ΦII from its maximal value. Within the range of WP of from −8 to −20 MPa, the ΦII decrease was more rapid reaching the critical point (ΦII=0) at WP of approximately −25 MPa. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and WP measurements showed that X. elegans is capable of maintaining detectable photosynthetic activity even at extremely low WP. Based on our microclimatological data, X. elegans may be photosynthetically active under field conditions for several hours after being wetted by rain or snowfall. It is suggested that chlorophyll fluorescence imaging is a powerful technique, transferable to field conditions and capable of visualizing heterogeneity of photosyntetic processes over a lichen thallus subjected to periodic dehydration.

Источники Cl-,Br-и I-содержащих атмосферных примесей в составе ледника о. Галиндез, Академик Вернадский

Источники Cl-,Br-и I-содержащих атмосферных примесей в составе ледника о. Галиндез, Академик Вернадский

Источники пропилена и серосодержащих летучих атмосферных примесей в составе ледника о. Галиндез, Академик Вернадский

Источники пропилена и серосодержащих летучих атмосферных примесей в составе ледника о. Галиндез, Академик Вернадский

Анализ летучих атмосферных примесей в составе ледника о. Галиндез, Академик Вернадский

Анализ летучих атмосферных примесей в составе ледника о. Галиндез, Академик Вернадский

Determination of the Galindez Island ice cap thickness by the vertical electric-resonace sounding method

Determination of the Galindez Island ice cap thickness by the vertical electric-resonace sounding method

Natural discharge of the Galindez Island fresh lake (Antarctic Peninsular) as a regional climate changes result

The analysis of meteorological data, weather conditions and ice situation indicates a clear trend to climate warming in the Antarctic Peninsula region. Climatic changes might be the reason for hydrometeorological anomalies seen in the Argentina Islands region. One such abnormal hydrometeorological manifestation is the full emptying of the freshwater lake near the Akademik Vernadskiy Station on the Marina Point (65° 15’ S, 64° 15’ W).

The fate in the marine environment of a minor diesel fuel spill from an Antarctic Research Station

Monitoring was undertaken of the fate in the marine environment of an accidental spill of diesel fuel (1000 litres) from Faraday Research Station, Galindez Island, Antarctica in March 1992. On the day after the incident concentrations in seawater reached a maximum of 540 µg 1-1 for n-alkanes and 222 µg 1-1 for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). However, concentrations returned to local background levels within one week. The fuel had an immediate toxic effect on intertidal limpets in the local station area, and 100 animals were found dead the day after the spill. Surviving animals had elevated concentrations of both n-alkanes and PAH for over a month after the spill, reaching a maximum of 9960 µg kg-1 for n-alkanes and 90 µg kg-1 for PAH 30 days after the spill occurred. This was the result of accumulation from a residue of the diesel being flushed by rainwater into the littoral zone. Seven months after the spill concentrations of both n-alkanes and PAH in limpets living close to the station were still an order of magnitude greater than those found in animals at an uncontaminated control site. This is because limpets living in the littoral zone were continually exposed to chronic but low-level hydrocarbon contamination from station activities. The diesel spill itself had a very minor, localised and short-term impact on the Antarctic marine environment.