9 November, 1999

McMurdo Station, Antarctica Tuesday

Another beautiful day in McMurdo! The winds had died down and the sun shone all day! We busied ourselves unloading boxes and crates and setting up the laboratory. We have one side of a very nice laboratory, a walk-in cold room that is kept at 4 degrees Celsius, and we will share laboratory facilities for gas chromatography and radioisotope work (I will explain these later).

We attended a lecture about waste management. It was explained to us that residents of McMurdo are required to place trash in specifically marked containers in the laboratory, the galley (where we eat), the dorm rooms, and in the outside trash dumpsters. This is in accordance with a U.S. law called The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. Some of the categories of trash include aluminum, clothing, construction debris, burnable waste, food waste, heavy metals, light metals, white paper, plastics, and wood. In a later journal I will talk about this in more detail.

I would like to write a few lines about McMurdo Station. The station was established in 1956. McMurdo is like a small town. It isn't very pretty to look at but it is functional! There are dormitories with names like Mammoth Mountain Inn and Hotel California, a galley, a post office, a hospital, a gymnasium, a smoke-free club (Gallagher's), a smoking club (Southern Exposure), a coffee house, a chapel, many communication centers, fuel tanks, a power plant, and other buildings used to store and distribute materials needed by the residents. There are also helicopter pads and, when the sea ice melts in December, resupply vessels can dock. For scientists, the most important building is Crary Laboratory. This is where we will spend much of our time.

Answer to the last question about dirt and soil: To a scientist, dirt and soil are different things. Outside dirt results from the weathering of rocks. This can occur when water in rock freezes and thaws and makes the rock break apart. In simple terms, soil results from the decay of once living material such as plant and animal remains. Most of Antarctica does not contain dirt or soil. Only about 2% of the continent is ice-free. Because Antarctica is so dry (remember that Antarctica is a desert), the remains of dead organisms do not decay. Look at the photo of the mummified seal.

Today's question: What kinds of seals do you find in Antarctica?

Sharon

JUST FOR KIDS!!!!! It was another beautiful day at McMurdo Station, Antarctica! The sun was shining and it was not very windy. We spent most of our day unloading crates and boxes and setting up our laboratory. We must have the laboratory ready before we collect our water samples.

I would like to tell you a little bit about McMurdo Station. The station began in 1956. It is like a very small village. People sleep in big buildings that have bedrooms and bathrooms. We eat in the galley. This is like the cafeteria at your school. There is a post office, a small hospital, a gymnasium, three buildings where people go to relax, play games, and talk. There is a church. The most important building to a scientist is Crary Laboratory. This is a big building with many individual laboratories. There are also helicopter pads and a dock for boats. The dock is only in operation when the sea ice is melted from December to February.

Answer to the last question about dirt and soil: To a scientist, dirt and soil are different things. Outside dirt is made from breaking up rocks. This happens when water inside the rock freezes and thaws and makes the rock break apart. Soil comes from the decay of dead plants and animals. Most of Antarctica does not contain dirt or soil. Only about 2% of the continent is ice-free. Because Antarctica is so dry (remember that Antarctica is a desert), the remains of dead plants and animals do not decay. Look at the photo of the mummified seal.

Today's question: What kinds of seals do you find in Antarctica?

Sharon

Mummified seal outside Discovery Hut, McMurdo Station.

Dormitories at McMurdo Station. The dumpsters in front of the dormitories are for recycling. Note the unpaved roads.