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The last of our round trip projects has been completed. The objectives of this projecter were to collect and isolate open ocean and sea ice phytoplankton (microscopic algae) species and collect Southern Ocean water for laboratory analysis. Concentrated seawater samples were collected along Southbound and Northbound legs of the voyage. Phytoplankton in these samples were identified and individual species of phytoplankton separated out. There were also ice cores collected at Davis and the algae in them separated out.
100 litres of Southern Ocean seawater was filtered and is being returned to Australia to study the formation of sea ice in artificial ice tanks. Sea ice algal photosynthesis and productivity is simultaneously affected by factors such as light, nutrients, micro nutrients (eg iron), salinity and temperature. The combined effect of several co-stressors during ice formation and ice melting will be examined using lab based artificial sea ice tanks.
AAD issued Antarctic clothing & boots was collected today ready for discharge on our arrival back in Hobart. It will then be laundered and ready to kit out another group of expeditioners.
Cheers Leanne and Mick
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.