Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 10/21/2007 - 04:59
Forums
Antarctic Undersea ROV

Hi Project S.C.I.N.I.

 Sixth graders at Runkle School in Brookline, Massachusetts are starting to follow your adventure as part of our study of water on Earth.  We are amazed at the diversity of life in these cold waters!  Can Stacy tell yet whether she notices any changes in the types or numbers of life forms she is finding compared to her previous visits?

Thanks, and stay safe-

Ms. Hunter and Runkle School sixth grade science explorers 

Sun, 10/21/2007 - 17:38

Mindy Bell

Hi Ms. Hunter and science explorers,We are thrilled you wrote.  Stacy will get back to you soon with a response.  If you plan on being "regulars" you can e-mail "Ronnie@arcus.org" and get your own log-in for this site!  Then you won't show up as "guest" but will have your science explorer group name. 

Mon, 10/22/2007 - 00:17

Stacy Kim

Hello Science Explorers and Ms. Hunter!We have been recording changes in the seafloor community over the last couple of decades.  In areas that are many kilometers away from McMurdo Station, there has not been very much change; the same numbers and types of animals live there now that did in 1988.  The most abundant animals are polychaete worms and amphipods - which are kind of like shrimp.  There are a couple of interesting places where things have changed quite a bit over the last 20 years.  Right in front of McMurdo Station is a sewage outfall.  The pipe was put there in 1992, and almost immediately several different kinds of polychaete worms became dominant - they like the food!  From 1992 to 2003, the areas near the outfall had reduced diversity, and fewer amphipods, but more polychaetes.  Advanced sewage treatment started in 2003, and the animals nearby are very gradually shifting back to the normal mixed community of polychaetes and amphipods.  It's very nice to see the seafloor recovering, even though it is going slowly.  
Thanks for sending a great ecological question, and we're looking forward to hearing more questions from the Runkle School Sixth Graders!