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Nearly in Antarctic waters. We should cross 60 degrees South in the next few hours. It’s still a bit dark at night this far South so we are now slowing down in the short hours of darkness due to the possible presence of icebergs. It’s also still murky outside but lots to see on the ship with water sampling and science happening around the clock. The studies being undertaken with constant sampling include investigations into areas such as the effects of climate change on microbial communities, the processes regulating carbon uptake and primary production along with the distribution and abundance of microscopic biomass in the Southern Ocean. The labs are busy and the efforts of the crew and the science support team to make it all happen are producing great results. A talk by our resident historian, Tom Griffiths, last night had many of us enthralled as he read excerpts from the diaries of expeditioners 100 years ago on the AAE. They were amazing people. Keen, tough and committed. With forecast blizzards at Mawson’s Huts for the next few days we are now heading for a marine science station off the Mertz Glacier to do some valuable sampling, before heading for Commonwealth Bay later in the week in the hope of better weather.
REGARDS: Robb, Steve, Barb and Nisha
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.