Issue 15: 2008
The Australian Antarctic Magazine seeks to inform the Australian and international Antarctic community about the activities of the Australian Antarctic program. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent the position of the Australian Government. The Australian Antarctic Magazine is produced twice a year in hard copy and made available online. All text and images published in the magazine are copyright of the Commonwealth of Australia, unless otherwise stated. Editorial enquiries, including requests to reproduce material, or contributions, should be addressed to the Editor at magazine@aad.gov.au.
Full PDF version Australian Antarctic Magazine Issue 15, 2008
50 years of cooperation
Cooperation and collaboration are the cornerstones of working in Antarctica; from the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty, to our international Antarctic field projects and the recent evacuation of an injured Australian expeditioner, aided by the United States Antarctic Program.
Ocean acidification
Scientists from national and international research and government institutions met earlier this year to discuss the current knowledge of ocean acidification and its effects on ocean chemistry and the marine biota of Australian waters. This article introduces the following six articles, which look at research presented at the meeting.
Developing ocean acidification policy
What are the challenges faced by scientists, policy-makers and governments when developing ocean acidification-related policy?
Krill business unusual under 'business as usual'
Ocean acidification could have a devastating impact on Antarctic krill according to a pilot study conducted by the Australian Antarctic Division.
The ocean in a high CO2world
At an international conference in Monaco this year scientists agreed that reducing carbon emissions was the only effective way of stabilising or reversing ocean acidification and that it would cost less than 1.5% of global gross domestic product.
Carbon dioxide raises the dead zone
Marine organisms that build shells or skeletons from aragonite could disappear from parts of the Southern Ocean within 50 years if carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase.
Coral reef history books
Massive corals are an archive of information on environmental change.
The acid test: responses of benthic invertebrates to climate change
Ocean acidification is just one of many stressors marine creatures face in the future. Understanding how these stressors interact is critical to predicting and managing future change.
Krill mix up the ocean
Krill can contribute to turbulence in the ocean - a process important in regulating the global ocean circulation and the movement of gases and nutrients between the surface and deeper waters.
Next step for CAML
The Census of Antarctic Marine Life recently completed the fieldwork for the biggest ever biodiversity survey in Antarctica.
Young emperor penguins: where do they go?
Satellite tracking of fledgling emperor penguins from Auster Rookery found that they disperse over nearly a quarter of the Southern Ocean in their first six months at sea.
A virus amongst the penguins
Scientists have been investigating the origin, spread and nature of a common poultry virus in emperor penguins at Auster Rookery.
Whale research and conservation becomes cooperative
The Australian Marine Mammal Centre will establish the first International Whaling Commission conservation management plan, and a Southern Ocean non-lethal whale research partnership.
Blue genes
Genetic technology is helping scientists identify Australian blue whale populations and differentiate blue whale sub-species.
Evolution of the Antarctic cryosphere
The 'ICECAP' project is exploring the vast Aurora and Wilkes subglacial basins to uncover information critical to ice sheet modelling and an understanding of the role of the East Antarctic ice sheet in global climate and sea level rise.
Mysterious mountains under scrutiny
A mysterious mountain range, hidden in the heart of Antarctica, hold clues to the origin and evolution of Antarctica and the Earth's current climate.
Australian Antarctic science season 2008–2009
A multitude of science projects will be conducted at or near each Antarctic station and Macquarie Island this season.
Vulnerable marine ecosystems in Antarctica
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources has protected two biodiverse areas of the Southern Ocean by declaring them 'Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems'.
Scientifc meeting focuses on the International Polar Year
Find out what happened at the third Open Science Conference of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
Celebrating 50 years of cooperation
2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, which instituted the spirit of peace and cooperation between nations in Antarctica that exists today.
Treaty parties meet in Ukraine
Biological prospecting, the Census of Antarctic Marine Life and site guidelines for visitors to Antarctica were among the many issues discussed at the 31st Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting this year.
Planning for protection
The 11th meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection considered a range of environmental issues, including the environmental aspects of China's draft plans for a new Antarctic research station, and a new classification system for Antarctic regions.
Pie and pees – life in Antarctic feld huts
Memories are made in Antarctic field huts, as expeditioner, Phil Tucak, discovered.
From Wilkes to Casey
Construction of the original Casey station in the 1960s had its share of highs and lows, as former plumber, Rod Mackenzie, recalls.
Mawson toons
As official cartoonist on station, Mawson carpenter, Nick Cartwright, captured the mundane, the unusual and the dramatic moments of station life in humorous weekly sketches.
Runway ends with Antarctic Medal
After 12 years working in remote and tropical environments, former diesel mechanic, Matt Filipowski, never suspected he would end up involved in ice runway construction in Antarctica.
In brief
As the Australian Antarctic Division Director and Chief Scientist leave the Division, new expeditioners and station leaders are heading south.
Freeze frame
Meteorology technician, Todor Iolovski, provides this issue's image of a snow petrel in flight.
