29 October, 1996
Subject: Re: Journal 29 October 1996
Live from the Polar Duke at King George Island
Location: 62.10S X 58.23W Wind Speed: 11.2 m/sec
Boat Speed: 3.0 knots Wind Direction: 25.3 degrees
Boat Heading: 295 degrees Barometer: 997.48 mb
Humidity: 79 % Air Temp.: 2.7 C
General Weather Conditions: Somewhat cloudy and overcast. It seems
warmer, but looking at the temperature, it must be wishful thinking.
Pretty smooth sailing so far, although some people have been disappearing
to their cabins.
I recieved a bunch of new questions from Mrs McWeeny's e-mailers at Oak
Hill Elementary in Virginia:
1. We recieved your mail about the killer wale sightings. Did they
splash anybody? Did any of them have babies? Do whales ever get
rabies? Did any of them jump high out of the water?
The killer whales that we saw were pretty far away. They swam in close
formation and didn't display any Sea World heroics. As far as we could
tell there were no babies. I have no idea if whales get rabies, they
probably could, just like other mammals. I don't believe that rabies
has been introduced into the marine environment.
2. Did you see any leopard seals?
Most of the seals that we saw were crab eaters, they are the most common
species of seal in the Southern Ocean. I think that leopard seals are
more likely to be seen around penguin rookeries. The majority of our
time was spent in the middle of the Gerlache Strait, which is not very
close to any rookeries.
3. Have you seen any penguins, and if so, what types?
We saw three species of penguin in Antarctica. The adelie, gentoo and
chinstrap. These three species are the most common penguins found around
the Antarctic Penninsula.
4. What is the funniest thing you have observed with penguins or other
animals?
The gentoo penguins that we saw at Deception island were amusing. I
enjoyed their utter disregard for our presence and their incrediable
swimming abilities.
5. What is the warmest temperature that you have had so far?
One day the temperature rose above 0 C. It was a calm day, no wind and
clear sunny skies so it felt much warmer.
6. Are you getting good results from your project? We want to know if
the ozone is affecting the plankton? How large are the plankton that you
are working with?
Most of the data will be analyzed in labs back in the states. We won't
really be able to see our results until then. Although, some of the
experiments that we analyzed on board showed that full exposure to UVB
radiation on days with lower than normal ozone levels killed or damaged
bacterial cells. The plankton that we are working with are called
bacterioplankton. They range in size from 0.8 microns to 0.2 microns.
7. Do you get any fun foods?
We have cookies on board that are not very good. A few times some of us
have done some baking after our work hours. We have enjoyed homemade
brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Margaret Brumsted
NSF Teacher in Antarctica
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