Scientific Station Research Articles

The Neotropical genera Oxycrepis Reiche and Stolonis Motschulsky: a taxonomic review, key to the described species and description of new Stolonis species from Ecuador (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Loxandrini)

Five species of Stolonis (Carabidae: Loxandrini) are newly described: S. yasuni Will, sp. n., S. spinosus Will, sp. n., S. catenarius Will, sp. n., S. tapiai Will, sp. n. from Yasuni Scientific Station, Orellana Province (previously part of Napo Province), Ecuador and S. scortensis Will, sp. n. with its type locality Reserva Faunistica Cuyabeno, Sucumbios Province, Ecuador. A key to adults of Stolonis and Oxycrepis species is provided. Generic concepts for these taxa are briefly reviewed.

Costa Recta beach, Deception Island, West Antarctica: a retreated scarp of a submarine fault?

Deception Island (South Shetlands, Antarctica) is one of the most active volcanoes in Antarctica, having erupted recently in 1967, 1969 and 1970, damaging scientific stations on the island. It is also seismically very active. The island has attracted the attention of many researchers as it constitutes an undisturbed natural laboratory to study seismo-volcanic events and how they affect landscape modelling and evolution. One of the most remarkable geological and geomorphological features on Deception Island is the linearity of its easternmost coastal landform, the origin of which remains unknown. Some answers, based on presence of strike-slip fault or on the ice cap and beach geomorphological dynamics, have been reported in the literature. Our new work provides several indications of the existence of a dip-slip submarine fault, parallel to the coast (NNW–SSE), which suggests a tectonic origin for this morphological feature. Uplifted marine terraces, incision of a fluvial network over the ice cap, normal faulting parallel to the coast in the north and south rock heads bounding the beach and sharp shelf-break with rather constant slope, constitute some of this evidence. Terrace uplift and fluvial channel incision decreasing southward from Macaroni Point, indicates possible tilt movement across this inferred fault plane.

Monitoring trace elements in selected organs of Antarctic penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae) by plasma-based techniques

A study was undertaken to evaluate the content and distribution of eight key elements, namely, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Se in liver, kidney and muscle of chick individuals of Adélie penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae). Samples were collected during the 2002/2003 austral summer season campaign around Jubany Station (Argentine scientific station), Potter Cove, King George Island. Solutions of organs were prepared by acid-assisted microwave (MW) digestion by employing HNO 3 and H 20 2. Instrumental techniques selected to analyze the different tissues were inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A wide range of elements retention capacity among the different organs was observed and the ranges ascertained are as follows (in μg g − 1): As, 0.5 (liver)–0.8 (muscle); Cd, < 0.07 (muscle)–3.4 (kidney); Co, 0.07 (liver)–0.7 (muscle); Cu, 0.6 (muscle)–18 (liver); Hg, 0.2 (kidney)–2.7 (liver); Mn, 1.5 (muscle)–10 (liver); Pb, 0.1 (muscle)–2.0 (liver); Se, 3.0 (muscle)–8.4 (liver). The observed trend in metal accumulation in the three organs of chick penguins was in the order Cu > Mn > Se ≫ As > Co > Pb ≫ Cd > Hg. Levels of metals and metalloids were, in general terms, higher in liver that is a specific target organ for metal accumulation. This study aimed at contributing to the establishment of base-line data on potential pollutants of ecotoxicological interest in the Antarctic ecosystem.

Evolution of a dozen non-CO2 greenhouse gases above central Europe since the mid-1980s

High-resolution infrared solar observations have been conducted consistently since the mid-1980s at the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, by the GIRPAS-ULg team (Groupe Infra-Rouge de Physique Atmosphérique et Solaire-University of Liège), and by colleagues from the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy and from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels. These observations were performed with state-of-the-art Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, revealing specific absorption features of over 20 atmospheric gases in the middle-infrared. Related spectrometric analyses have allowed the derivation of their burdens, seasonal and inter-annual variability, as well as their long-term evolution. In addition to updates of long-term changes for CCl2F2, CHClF2, CH4, N2O, SF6, CO, C2H6 and C2H2 already dealt with at previous Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases (NCGG) symposia, this paper further reports temporal evolutions observed during the past two decades for a series of other source gases, namely OCS, HCN, CCl3F and CCl4, which also have direct or indirect effects on the radiation balance of the troposphere and on the stratospheric ozone layer.

Origin of dimethylsulfide, non‐sea‐salt sulfate, and methanesulfonic acid in eastern Antarctica

Ignoring the origin of atmospheric chemicals is often a strong limitation to the full interpretation of their measurement. In this article, this question is addressed in the case of the sulfur species in Antarctica, with an original method of retrotransport of tracers. The retrotransport model is derived from the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique Zoom‐Tracers (LMD‐ZT) atmospheric general circulation model, optimized for polar climate and expanded to simulate atmospheric sulfur chemistry. For two East Antarctic scientific stations (Dumont d'Urville and Vostok) the effects of transport and chemistry and the influence of oceanic, volcanic, and anthropogenic sources on dimethylsulfide (DMS), non‐sea‐salt (nss) sulfate, and methanesulfonic acid (MSA) concentrations are evaluated in summer and winter. The oceanic source largely dominates, but other sources can episodically be significant. The meridional origin and the age of DMS, MSA, and biogenic nss sulfate are also estimated. The latitudes of origin of MSA and nss sulfate are similar in summer, but they differ markedly in winter. This is a signature of their different chemical production scheme. Also, the interannual variability of the origin of the sulfur species at Vostok is weak compared to that at Dumont d'Urville. Acknowledging that the DMS concentrations in the ocean have no interannual variability in the model, this result suggests unsurprisingly that inland Antarctic stations may be better observation sites to monitor large‐scale DMS bioproductivity variability than coastal sites are. The combination of slower chemistry and more intense atmospheric circulation in winter leads to unexpected results, such as a younger DMS in winter than in summer at Vostok.

Notes on spiders of the genus Scytodes Latreille (Arachnida, Araneae, Scytodidae) from the Ferreira Penna Scientific Station, Pará, Brazil

Two new species of spiders of the genus Scytodes, Scytodes piyampisi and S. cotopitoka (Araneae, Scytodidae), are described from the Ferreira Penna Scientific Station, FLONA Caxiuanã, Melgaço, Pará, Brazil. The majority of the specimens were collected during structured inventories and natural history remarks on both new species are presented.

Ground-based water vapour soundings by microwave radiometry and Raman lidar on Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps)

Abstract. Water vapour has been measured from the International Scientific Station Jungfraujoch (ISSJ, 47° N, 7° E, 3580m above sea level) during the winters of 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 by microwave radiometry and Raman lidar. The abundance of atmospheric water vapour between the planetary boundary layer and the upper stratosphere varies over more than three orders of magnitude. The currently used measurement techniques are only suited to determine the abundance of water vapour in different atmospheric regimes. None can resolve the vertical distribution profile from ground level to the top of the stratosphere by itself. We present such a water vapour profile where simultaneous measurements from a Raman lidar and a microwave radiometer were combined to cover both the troposphere and the stratosphere, respectively. We also present a study of the stratospheric and tropospheric water vapour variability for the two consecutive winters.

A new anthophilic species of Drosophila Fallén belonging to the bromeliae group of species (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

Drosophila speciosa sp. nov. from: Belém, Pará, Brazil, is described and morphologically compared to a closely related species, D. aguape Val &amp; Marques, 1996. Adult specimens of D. speciosa sp. nov. were collected while visiting T. speciosum Willd. ex Spreng. flowers in EMBRAPA's Theobroma Linnaeus germoplasm collections (113 individuals) in Belém and in Caxiuanã Scientific Station, in Melgaço, Pará, Brazil (four individuals). Emergent were obtained from T. speciosum flowers in both localities being four adults in Caxiuanã and 532 in EMBRAPA. Other eight emergencies were registered from Passiflora edulis Sims flowers in Curuçá, Pará, Brazil.

Experimental evidence of giant electron–gamma bursts generated by extensive atmospheric showers in thunderclouds

The existence of a new phenomena— giant electron–gamma bursts is established. The bursts are generated in thunderclouds as a result of the combined action of runaway breakdown and extensive atmosphere showers (RB–EAS). The experiments were fulfilled at the Tien Shan Mountain Scientific Station using EAS-radio installation. This specially constructed installation consists of a wide spread EAS trigger array and a high time resolution radiointerferometer.

The international geophysical year in Antarctica: Uncommon collaborations, unprecedented results

When 1 July 1957 “dawned” in the dark of the south polar night, Americans at seven scientific stations scattered across Antarctica officially began systematic, synoptic observations of the air above and ice below. Joining scientists from 11 other countries on the polar continent, they were part of the International Geophysical Year, an 18-month worldwide effort to understand the earth and its environment. The Navy and other military services provided the transportation, construction, and maintenance to make life and work possible on the ice. The scientific success and value of the IGY inspired a mechanism—the Antarctic Treaty of 1959—for a peaceful future focused on the cooperative pursuit of scientific knowledge. While imperfect and fragile, the treaty is still in force and, with continuing military and civilian support, scientific research in Antarctica prospers. All this was achieved in a remarkably short time, by disparate, thinly acquainted, mutually wary cultures—military, scientific, and diplomatic. All the more astonishing is that it happened within the tense context of the Cold War, as statesmen and warriors were wise enough to allow “apolitical” scientists to lead where they could not.

Total arsenic content of nine species of Antarctic macro algae as determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Total arsenic in nine species Antarctic macro algae has been measured, by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using a Pd/Mg(NO3)2 matrix modifier, to determine their capacity to accumulate the element. Macro algae were collected in February during the 2000 austral summer season at Jubany Station (Argentinean scientific station) around Potter Cove, King George Island. An optimized two-step microwave (MW) program was used to digest the samples. Dried samples were treated with HNO3, H2O2, and HF, left overnight, then subjected to the first MW cycle. After cooling HNO3 and HClO4 were added and samples were subjected to the second MW cycle of digestion treatment. The effect of power and time on As recovery was examined. The analytical features of the method were: detection limit, 0.24 microg g(-1) (dry mass); precision (RSD), 4.2-5.7%; recovery 91-105%. A wide range of As-retention capacity (41.0-447 microg g(-1) dry mass) was observed among the different species. The highest levels of As were found in Phaeurus antarcticus (447 microg g(-1) dry mass). This organism satisfies several prerequisites to be considered for consideration as a biomonitor in future studies.

Contribution of alien and indigenous species to plant-community assemblages near penguin rookeries at Crozet archipelago

The influence of seabird colonies on a remote insular flora was investigated through the analysis of plant community patterns at the boundaries of three colonies of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on the subantarctic Ile de la Possession. This study revealed that the physical and chemical impacts of these seabirds greatly influence plant assemblages (community composition, alien and native species abundance and richness). Plant richness appears to be maximum for a moderate disturbance intensity, on areas slightly influenced by penguin activities. The abundance of alien species near penguin rookeries may be due to their ability to withstand animal-induced disturbances and to efficiently colonise the stripped areas. In addition, the diversity and abundance of alien species recorded in study plots depend on the location of the colony. The closer the colony is to the permanent scientific station, the higher the number and abundance of aliens recorded.

The epidemiology of knee and ankle injuries on Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island is a small, rugged sub-Antarctic island with a scientific research station and a considerable reputation for knee and ankle injuries amongst the Australian Antarctic Division expeditioner population. In order to examine the accuracy of this reputation, a 10-year retrospective analysis of all knee and ankle injuries recorded by the Macquarie Island Medical Officer in the medical logs was undertaken. Knee and ankle injuries comprised 13% of the 2,678 recorded medical consultations. The majority of initial injuries occurred in the field and almost a third occurred during work related activities. Ankle ligament sprains were the most commonly recorded injury (17%), followed by achilles tendonitis (14%), enthesopathy of the knee (16%), and chondromalacia patellae (10%). Meniscal tears and collateral ligament of the knee sprains contributed a further 11 and 9%, respectively. While there were few significant knee and ankle injuries during this period, around a third of the expeditioners represented to the Medical Officer with recurrent difficulties.

Initial in-orbit results from a low-cost atmospheric ozone monitor operating on board the FASat-Bravo microsatellite.

In 1994, a collaborative programme was set up between the University of Surrey and the Chilean Air Force to design and build a low-cost 50 kg microsatellite with instrumentation capable of monitoring the distribution and concentration of stratospheric ozone, particularly over Chilean territory. This resulted in the joint design and development of the ozone-layer monitoring experiment (OLME), which was flown on board the resultant FASat-Bravo microsatellite, launched in July 1998 into an 820 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit. The nadir-pointing OLME measures the solar ultraviolet light backscattered from the atmosphere in four spectral bands. From these raw radiometric data, total column ozone concentrations can be deduced. Since the launch, a series of high-spatial-resolution measurements have been made over Chilean scientific stations, while continuous low-spatial-resolution measurements have been used to provide global coverage. To date, the University of Surrey has concentrated on these global measurements, and has used a simplified ozone retrieval algorithm to check the results qualitatively against ozone maps produced by NASA's Earth Probe Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) payload. These initial results look promising, with apparently good correlation between the two datasets. A novel, more-complex retrieval algorithm has been applied to the high-resolution data, and early results have shown agreement with the TOMS.

Natural attenuation of diesel-oil contamination in a subantarctic soil (Crozet Island)

An accidental contamination occurred in subantarctic Crozet Island between July and November 1997 near the "Alfred Faure" scientific station (51°51′E–46°25′S). More than 20,000 l of diesel fuel was spilled in the soil in the vicinity of the power station. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the expected bioattenuation process, the contaminated area was sampled in December 1999 for bacterial and chemical analysis. All samples were analysed for total bacteria, heterotrophic viable assemblages and hydrocarbon-utilising microflora. The results of this first analytical survey clearly show a significant response of subantarctic microbial soil communities to the hydrocarbon contamination. Significant increases of total, heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-utilising micro-organisms occurred in the more contaminated zone (from less than 5×104 MPN g–1 wet soil to more than 108 MPN g–1 wet soil for hydrocarbon-degrading micro-organisms). The very high numbers of hydrocarbon-degrading micro-organisms present in the more contaminated zone are clearly linked to early bioattenuation activities. Chemical results provided some clear indications that spilled fuel was still well preserved from chemical and biological weathering 1 year after the spill, as light aliphatics and aromatics were present in all oiled samples and little differences were usually observed between samples.

Tourism in the Antarctic: opportunities, constraints, and future prospects

Contents * Foreword * Acknowledgments * Abbreviations and Acronyms * Chapter 1. Introduction * Tourism and the Environment * Background to Antarctic Tourism * Limitations * Definitions * Chapter Outlines * Concluding Comments * Chapter 2. Tourism Operations and Management in Remote Areas: The Galapagos Islands, Arctic Region, and Sub-Antarctic Islands * Introduction * Galapagos Islands * Arctic Region * Sub-Antarctic Island * Concluding Comments * Chapter 3. Antarctica: The Resource and the Industry * Introduction: The Resource * Antarctica Defined * The Natural Environment: Geography, Wildlife, and Flora * Human Involvement in Antarctica * Antarctica in the Context of International Law * Conventions, Protocols, and Recommendations Under the Antarctic Treaty System * Antarctic Resource Use * Scientific Stations * Concluding Comments * Chapter 4. Antarctic Tourism: Development, Operation, and Management * Introduction * Tourism Definitions * Antarctic Tourists * The Antarctic Tour Cycle * Tourist Attractions * Antarctic Tourist Sites * History of Antarctic Tourism * Antarctic Tourism Products * Ship-Based Tourism * Aviation * Land-Based Tourism * Private Expeditions * Management and Regulation of Commercial Antarctic Tourism * Concluding Comment * Chapter 5. The Impacts of Commercial Antarctic Tourism * Antarctic Tourism Activities in Perspective * Environmental Impacts of Antarctic Tourism in the Academic Literature * Environmental Impacts of Antarctic Tourism in the Popular Press * Observations of the Impact of Antarctic Tourism Activities * Concluding Comments * Chapter 6. Antarctic Tourists: Motivations, Expectations, and Images of Antarctica As a Tourist Destination * Visitor Profiles in the Literature * Background of the Visitor Surveys * Analysis of Shipborne Tourist Responses Prior to Landing in Antarctica * Analysis of Shipborne Antarctic Tourist Responses After Visiting the Antarctic * Characteristics of Overflight Passengers and Their Images and Attitudes Toward Antarctica As a Tourist Destination * Comparative Perceptual Images of Antarctic Visitors * Concluding Comments * Chapter 7. The Future of Antarctic Tourism * Background to the Delphi Method * The Delphi Technique Applied to Tourism * Method and Panel Selection * Legitimacy and Preferred Present Types of Tourism in the Antarctic * The Future of Commercial Tourism in Antarctica and Its Impacts * Other Types of Future Tourism Activities in Antarctica * Future Developments in Antarctic Tourism * Concluding Comments * Chapter 8. Observations on the Operation of Tourism in Antarctica * Sea-Borne Tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula * Sea-Borne Tourism in the Ross Sea * Operational Issues * Observation of Antarctic Overflights * Conclusion * Opportunities for Future Research * Bibliography * Index * Reference Notes Included

Cementing mechanism of algal crusts from desert area

34-, 17-, 4-, 1.5-year old natural algal crusts were collected from Shapotou Scientific Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-day old field and greenhouse artificial algal crusts were in situ developed in the same sandy soil and the same place (37°27′N, 104°57′E). Their different cohesions both against wind force and pressure were measured respectively by a sandy wind-tunnel experiment and a penetrometer. On the basis of these algal crusts, the cementing mechanism was revealed from many subjects and different levels. The results showed that in the indoor artificial crusts with the weakest cohesion bunchy algal filaments were distributed in the surface of the crusts, produced few extracellular polymers (EPS), the binding capacity of the crusts just accomplished by mechanical bundle of algal filaments. For field crusts, most filaments grew toward the deeper layers of algal crusts, secreted much more EPS, and when organic matter content was more than 2.4 times of chlorophyll a, overmuch organic matter (primarily is EPS) began to gather onto the surface of the crusts and formed an organic layer in the relatively lower micro-area, and this made the crust cohesion increase 2.5 times. When the organic layer adsorbed and intercepted amounts of dusts, soil particles and sand grains scattered down from wind, it changed gradually into an inorganic layer in which inorganic matter dominated, and this made the crusts cohesion further enhanced 2–6 times. For crust-building species Microcoleus vaginatus, 88.5% of EPS were the acidic components, 78% were the acidic proteglycan of 380 kD. The uronic acid content accounted for 8% of proteglycan, and their free carboxyls were important sites of binding with metal cations from surrounding matrix.

At the ends of the earth: a history of the polar regions

For thousands of years the Earth's polar regions have been sources of intrigue and fascination; though of the artic has been home to human groups for centuries and the Antartic host to scientific stations for decades.

Studies of sea-ice conditions north of Greenland: results from a pilot GRASP initiative on the extension of territorial limits into the Arctic Ocean

The continental shelf and Arctic Ocean north of Greenland are located in one of the least investigated regions of the Arctic. Even basic data on bathymetry are known only in rudimentary form from historical expeditions, a few scientific ice-floe stations and icebreaker traverses, and from rare United States and Russian map compilations. No official Danish nautical charts of the region exist, and it is only within the last 20 years that the coastline of North Greenland facing the Arctic Ocean has been precisely mapped. Interest in the region has increased in recent years through major international efforts such as scientific submarine expeditions (SCICEX), major airborne geophysical surveys and the release and compilation of formerly classified oceanographic, hydrographic and climate-related data. Analyses of data from the submarine cruises have indicated a thinning of the polar seaice cover (Rothrock et al. 1999).

Monitoring the concentration of N2O in the Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica

Gases in the marine boundary layer in Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica were sampled and analyzed for the first time. Sampling sites included areas covered by moss and lichen growth, penguin colonies and an area where scientific research stations are located. A total of 211 samples were analyzed for N2O concentrations, with an average of (321.33±3.07) nL/L. This is above the global average value of 314 nL/L. It is found that the N2O concentrations evidently increase during the summer months. Concentrations around the research stations are higher than at remote areas, indicating a potential source from human activities on the island. N2O concentrations at a large penguin colony on Barton Peninsula are the highest among the sampled areas. This may explain why N2O concentrations in Fildes Peninsula are higher than the global average. Our preliminary conclusions are that human activities and emissions from penguin dropping-amended soil and vegetation soil constitute the major sources of N2O in the maritime Antarctic atmosphere.