Location: Ice Station Belgica
Latitude: 70° 03′ S Longitude: 93° 59′ W Air temperature: -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) Wind chill: -24.1 °C (-11.4 °F) Wind speed: 13 – 15 knots Barometric pressure: 964.3 mBar
Antarctic trivia (answer at the end of this journal entry): Ice fish, a unique group of Antarctic fish, have an interesting physiological adaptation. What is it?
Our last two days at Ice Station Belgica were a whirlwind of activity as everyone wrapped up work and prepared for transit. The geophysics group finished final surveys of our three study areas while the Belgian-Canadian group finished their last round of data collection. We also ran overnight CTD and trace metal casts for our water-thirsty physical oceanographers. We sent a round of our decorated Styrofoam cups down with the CTD…here is what they looked like after going on a journey to the bottom of the sea (approximately 4000 meters in our location). We have another CTD in the next couple of days, and more decorated cups will take the plunge!
Styrofoam cups after their CTD journey (plain, "unsquished” cup for size comparison).*
Our weather has improved; the winds shifted direction helping keep the ship at the edge of the ice floe and allowing easy access to the ice. The wind was still quite strong, especially on the 23rd, and the temperature came up close to zero. Warmer temperatures and strong winds mean lots of blowing snow that melts quickly on you and your gear. It’s actually better to work when the temperature is a little lower as gloves and gear get pretty soggy when it’s only minus 2!
Penny, John, and I went out to the igloo we built to collect a little data for some lesson plans I’m working on. It was quite an adventure walking the short distance from the ship in the strong wind and very soft snow. We had to shovel out a good portion of the igloo as snow had blown in through the entrance and cracks between our bricks. To our amazement we found what we called "snow stalactites” hanging from the ceiling of the igloo.
Snow "stalactites” hanging from the ceiling of the igloo.
After the Belgian-Canadian group finished on the ice the 23rd all of our outside gear was loaded on the ship. The winds were still in the 30 knot range; it was interesting watching the crane operator lift the snowmobiles off the ice and maneuver them onto the ship in that wind. Despite the wind, everything was successfully loaded off the ice into the ship. Of course, just as the last few flags were being removed from our work sites the sky cleared and winds dropped to a very mild 10 knots. Nothing seems to be easy for us! The weather on the whole has been good while at the ice station. We lost more than two days at the beginning due to the hurricane-strength blizzard, and the last few days were a bit inconvenient due to the wind direction, but we can’t complain. Temperatures ranged from -21 to -1, not too bad for our location in early spring.
Only a few items remain behind, we are leaving two pieces of equipment that will continue to send back data until the ice melts or the batteries die, whichever comes first. The lithium batteries have a life of approximately 16 months, so it’s more likely that the buoys will meet their demise when the floe breaks apart and/or melts. It is hoped that we’ll get data for several months at least, perhaps longer.
This Adelie seems to be saying to the others "he went that-a-way!”
The geophysics group had a visit from a friendly group of Adelie penguins on Monday. Their personalities are so different from the emperors. They are quite energetic and lively compared to the more serene and dignified emperors. Captain Scott compares the Adelies to teenagers…having spent a number of years teaching junior high and high school students I think I agree!
Tomorrow we leave Ice Station Belgica. We are headed to the ice edge via Peter I Island to get a look at the wildlife there. On the way we’re scheduled to deploy more XBTs, have another CTD cast, deploy a drift buoy, and potentially do some quick stops for seal observations. We are scheduled to be back in Punta Arenas in time for trick-or-treating on the 31st!
Answer to today’s Antarctic trivia question: Ice fish, a unique group of Antarctic fish, have an interesting physiological adaptation. What is it?
Ice fish do not have the proteins hemoglobin or myoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood and myoglobin carries oxygen in muscle tissue, so how do they live without these proteins? Cold Antarctic waters are oxygen rich (the colder the water the more dissolved gas it can hold). The blood of these fish is clear and their gills are cream colored instead of red as in most fish.
Marine mammals and seabirds spotted by Brent: Crabeater seal Leopard seal Emperor penguin Adelie penguin Snow petrel Giant petrel