Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 102 See the link below for public details on this project. From the abstracts of some of the referenced papers: Six species of marine microalgae, namely Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher, Isochrysis galbana Parke, Porphyridium purpureum (Bory) Ross, Chroomonas sp., and Oscillatoria woronichinii Anis., have been examined with respect to their gas exchange characteristics and the inorganic carbon species taken up by the cells from the bulk medium. All species showed a high affinity, in photosynthesis, for inorganic carbon and low CO2 compensation concentrations. Such data are suggestive of operation of a 'CO2-concentrating mechanism' in these microalgae. Direct measurements of internal organic carbon pools in four of the species studied confirm this (O. woronichinii and Chroomonas were not tested). By comparison of achieved photosynthetic rates with calculated rates of CO2 supply from the dehydration of bicarbonate, it was shown that Phaeodactylum, Porphyridium and Dunaliella could utilise the bicarbonate present in the medium. Data for the other species were inconclusive although the pH dependence of K 1/2CO2 for photosynthesis by Oscillatoria indicated that this species too could utilise bicarbonate. Such observations could, however, not be used as evidence that, at least in the eucaryotic algae examined, bicarbonate was the inorganic carbon species crossing the plasmalemma as Phaeodactylum, Porphyridium and Dunaliella, and Isochrysis all showed the presence of carbonic anhydrase activity in intact cells as well as in crude extracts. 'External' carbonic anhydrase activity represented from 1/4 to 1/2 of the total activity in the cells of these algae. It is concluded that, as a consequence of a CO2-concentrating mechanism, photorespiration was suppressed in the marine microalgae examined although the data obtained did not allow any firm conclusions to be drawn regarding the species of inorganic carbon transported into the cell. Analysis of the age composition of a given species within a community is fundamental to any study of population dynamics and to the subsequent analyses of community interactions such as competition, succession and productivity. A problem exists in that calendar age often provides little information on the role played by any given individual plant within a population. For many populations the most useful definition of population structure is obtained from an analysis of both the functional age and the vitality of the component plants. Data from such studies on populations of marine macroalgae are lacking mainly because of the lack of suitable methods. This paper provides a review of the methods which have ben applied to such analyses in both terrestrial and marine communities, discusses these methods in the context of marine algae and presents the results of a case study on the analysis of population structure in the large brown alga Durvillaea potatorum. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of sexual reproduction including plasmogamy and meiosis, events previously undescribed in the life history of Ascoseira mirabilis. Ascoseira is monoecious. Gametangia are formed in chains within conceptacles. Synaptonemal complexes, structures concerned with chromosome pairing in meiosis, have been observed in the nucleus of gametangial initials. Mature male and female gametes have the same size and appearance, and resemble typical brown algal zoids. Sexual interaction begins after the female gamete settles down, and both zygotes and unfused gametes develop into sporophytes. It is concluded that Ascoseira has the same basic pattern of life history that characterises the order Fucales, and it is argued that this is probably the result of convergent evolution rather than being indicative of close phylogenetic relationship. Life histories are of central importance in understanding evolution and phylogeny of brown algae. Like other hereditary traits, life history characteristics evolve by processes of natural selection, but because they are important determinants of biological fitness they have special evolutionary significance. Concepts of life history, as traditionally applied to brown algae, do not adequately reflect this, and they need to be broadened to include consideration of additional characteristics such as longevity and reproductive span. Life histories can be interpreted as adaptive strategies. Experimental evidence indicates that heteromorphic life histories probably evolved in response to seasonal change. Isomorphic life histories are possible adapted to stale environments, although some may also possess certain features which are adaptations to seasonal change. Life histories that lack an independent gametophyte generation may have evolved through reduction of heteromorphic life histories. It is argued that a significant increase in the longevity of sporophytes may have ben critical for the evolution of life histories lacking a free-living gametophyte, and also for the evolution of oogamy, phenomena which have occurred in several brown algal evolutionary lines. The common absence of asexual reproduction in advanced taxa probably indicates that its accessory ecological role in maintaining population size has become redundant, as well as reflecting the advantage of sexual over asexual reproduction. However, there is good evidence that sexual reproduction has been lost in a few species of brown algae, and the possible mechanisms and adaptive significance of this are discussed. Studies on Durvillaea antarctica on Macquarie Island, in the subantarctic, were conducted throughout the 1984 and in the summers of 1983 and 1985. Thereafter the annual sequence of conceptacle initiation, development, maturation and senescence was examined, using light and electron microscopy. Durvillaea antarctica on Macquarie Island releases mature ova and spermatozooids from February to Ausgust, with early stages of conceptacle development being observed during November, December and January, and senescent conceptacles from September to December. Both intertidal and subtidal forms of Durvillaea antarctica are found on Macquarie Island, the subtidal form lacking air cavities. In the light of mating experiments which resulted in successful cross-fertilisation, the two forms are considered to be conspecific.

From the abstract of some of the papers: It has been suggested that increased springtime UVB radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion is likely to reduce primary production and induce changes in the species composition of Antarctic marine phytoplankton. Experiments conducted at Arthur Harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula revealed a reduction in primary productivity at both ambient and increased levels of UVB. Laboratory studies have shown that most species in culture are sensitive to high UVB levels, although the level at which either growth or photosynthesis is inhibited is variable. Stratospheric ozone depletion, with resultant increased springtime UVB irradiance, has been occurring with increasing severity since the late 1970's. Thus the phytoplankton community has already experienced about 20 years' exposure to increasing levels of UVB radiation. Here we present analyses of diatom assemblages from high-resolution stratigraphic sequences from anoxic basins in fjords of the Vestfold HIlls, Antarctica. We find that compositional changes in the diatom component of the phytoplankton community over the past 20 years cannot be distinguished from long-term natural variability, although there is some indication of a decline in the production of some sea-ice diatoms. We anticipate that our results are applicable to other Antarctic coastal regions, where thick ice cover and the timing of the phytoplankton bloom protect the phytoplankton from the effects of increased UVB radiation. Growth rate, survival, and stimulation of the production of UV-B (280 to 320 nm) absorbing compounds were investigated in cultures of five commonly occurring Antarctic marine diatoms exposed to a range of UV-B irradiances. Experimental UV-B exposures ranged from 20 to 650% of the measured peak surface irradiance at an Antarctic coastal site (0.533 J per square metre per second). The five diatom species (Nitzschia lecointei, Proboscia alata, P. inermis, Thalassiosira tumida and Stellarima microtrias) appear capable of surviving two to four times this irradiance. In contrast to Phaeocystis cf. pouchetti, another major component of the Antarctic phytoplankton, the concentrations of pigments with discrete UV absorption peaks in diatoms were low and did not change significantly under increasing UV-B irradiance. Absorbance of UV-B by cells from which pigments had been extracted commonly exceeded that of the pigments themselves. Most of this absorbance was due to oxidisable cell contents, with the frustule providing the remainder. Survival of diatoms did not correlate with absorption by either pigments, frustules or oxidisable cell contents, indicating that their survival under elevated UV-B irradiances results from processes other than screening mechanisms. Springtime UV-B levels have been increasing in Antarctic marine ecosystems since the 1970's. Effects on natural phytoplankton and sea-ice algal communities, however, remain unresolved. At the Marginal Ice Edge Zone, enhanced springtime UV-B levels coincide with a shallow, stratified water column and a major phytoplankton bloom. In these areas it is possible that phytoplankton growth and survival is adversely impacted by enhanced UV-B. In coastal areas, however, the sea ice, which attenuates most of the UV-B before it reaches the water column, remains until December/January, by which time UV-B levels have returned to long-term seasonal averages. Phytoplankton from these areas are unlikely to show long-term changes resulting from the hole in the ozone layer. Fjords of the Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica, have anoxic basins which contain high-resolution, unbioturbated sedimentary sequences. Diatom assemblages from these sequences reflect the diatom component of the phytoplankton and sea-ice algal assemblages at the time of deposition. Twenty-year records from these sequences show no consistent record of change in species composition, diversity or species richness. Six-hundred-year records from the same area also show changes in species abundance greater than those seen in the last 20 years. From these records it can be seen that recent changes in diatom abundances generally fall within the limits of natural variability and there is little evidence of recent changes that might be associated with UV-B-induced change.

This bibliography is a selected list of scientific papers collected by scientists in the ACE-CRC's Antarctic Marine Ecosystem research programme.

Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 2792 See the link below for public details on this project. Australia's Census of Antarctic Marine Life project. This project is a part of the international "Census of Antarctic Marine Life" (CAML) which is to be conducted during the International Polar Year. It is a collaborative contribution by Australia and France to understand the biodiversity of the oceans surrounding Antarctica, with particular emphasis on the fishes of the eastern part of the Australian Antarctic Territory. The biodiversity data, when added to that obtained by all other nations participating in the CAML, will serve as a robust reference for future examinations of the health of the Southern Ocean, and assist in the conservation and management of the region. 2007/2008 Season A. Plankton 1. The impact of climate change on the plankton. The pelagic ecosystem in the Southern Ocean has taken the brunt of human impact in the region and there is evidence that it is already responding to the effects of global climate change. Plankton is particularly sensitive to climate change and change in their biodiversity is expected to have serious ramifications through the rest of the ecosystem including the survival of higher predators. Some species are adapted to cold waters of Antarctic where some are supposedly cosmopolitan. Which will survive global warming? For how long will there be an Antarctic marine ecosystem? 2. Consequences of environmental change driven by past and current exploitation of living resources in the region, e.g. current scale fish and krill fisheries, fishery by-catch species, recovery of whales and seals. 3. "Ecosystem services" - The role of Southern Ocean plankton as source of human food (krill fishery or other) carbon draw down/mediation, bio-climate feedback though dimethyl sulphide production, bioproducts, sensitive indicators of ocean health, and foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem - no plankton, no ecosystem. B. Fish 1. What is the composition of the epipelagic, mesopelagic and benthic ichthyofaunas between the Antarctic Divergence and the coast at Dumont d'Urville? 2. How does the physical and biological structure of the water column, conditions of ice-cover and bottom topography influence the composition and distribution of these ichthyofaunas? 3. What changes in the community structure of the benthic ichthyofauna as a result from the passage of large icebergs? C. Benthos 1. What are the ecological and historical factors affecting benthic diversity? 2. How will benthic communities respond to change? We do not know how sensitive the Antarctic benthic communities are to global climate change, or to localised environmental change as seen in the Antarctic peninsula area, or to the impacts of increased trawling. We have no benchmark to compare the effects of change, although the effects of iceberg scouring and rate of recovery/re-colonisation will serve as a useful analogy for trawling perturbation. 3. What are the links between Antarctic and other faunas? This includes benthic-pelagic coupling, the benthos as a foraging zone for higher predators, and through the Antarctic Circumpolar Current - connections with other southern continents. Field sampling for this project was undertaken in the 2007/08 season, commencing in December and finishing in February 2008. Consequently, sample processing has only been underway for one or two months for plankton and pelagic fish samples. The demersal fish and benthic samples have only recently arrived at the National Natural History Museum (MNHN) in Paris ready for distribution to taxonomists and analysts. However, key CEAMARC collaborators who attended the recent post-field season CEAMARC workshop, Calvi April 2008, agreed that the use of three vessels for the field programme, instead of one ship as originally proposed, more than met expectations should sufficiently address all the objectives. Specifically, we have collected a substantial number of samples with sufficient sampling intensity and resolution to set the required benchmark of biodiversity in the survey for the pelagic, mesobathypelagic and benthic environments. This biodiversity benchmark will allow us to: - Compare changes in biodiversity with future CAML surveys and also with past surveys - Define legacy sites in the survey area for future CAML surveys and interim annual or biennial monitoring programmes to continuing the effects of climate change - Which species are most likely to be affected by climate change and those most likely to survive - Contribute to models looking at long term changes in species composition, ecosystem structure and function, survivorship of key species, effects of global warming, ocean acidification, and impacts on ecosystem service - Studies of the impact of trawling and iceberg scouring on the benthic and demersal communities - Compare pelagic, demersal and benthic communities in the survey area with those in the other CAML survey areas around Antarctica Sufficient samples of plankton, fish and benthos were also collected for genetic and molecular analyses to improve our taxonomic knowledge and address the CAML objective on understanding species radiation. Taken from the 2008-2009 Progress Report: Public summary of the season progress: This project is a part of the international "Census of Antarctic Marine Life" (CAML) conducted during International Polar Year. It is a collaborative contribution by Australia, France, Japan and Belgium to understand the biodiversity of Antarctic waters, with particular emphasis on plankton, fish and benthos of eastern Antarctica. In 2007/08, three ships surveyed this area with a range of traditional and modern sampling gear. The biodiversity data from this survey will be added to other CAML projects to serve as a robust reference for future examinations of the health of the Southern Ocean, and assist in its conservation and management.

From the abstract of one of the papers: Oxygen microelectrodes were used to measure the photosynthetic rates of Antarctic fast ice algal mats. Using the oxygen flux across the diffusive boundary layer below the fast ice at Davis, a productivity range of 0-1.78mg C per square metre per hour was measured. This is at the lower end of fast ice productivity estimates and suggests that conventional carbon 14 techniques may overestimate sea ice algal mat productivity. Photosynthetic capacity (P max) approached 0.05 mg per C.(mg chlorophyl a) per hr. Onset of photosynthesis saturation, E k, was found at about 14 micromol photons per square metre per second. The irradiance of photoinhibition onset, E inh, was about 20 micromol photons per square metre per second and the irradiance at the compensation point, E c, was 4 micromol photons per square metre per second.

Sea ice covers up to 20 million km2 of the Southern Ocean. When present it supports a vigorous ecosystem that provides energy and food for all other marine organisms. Using the latest micro sensor technology, we are examining the factors that effect the productivity of this vital link in the Antarctic marine food web. New data were added to this metadata record in January 2011. These data included FRRF data collected on the CEAMARC, CASO, SIPEX and SAZ-SENSE voyages. A word document in the download file provides details about these datasets, plus those collected on Voyage 1 2009-2010, and voyage 2 2008-2009. The download file also contains a folder labelled "Older data". This data is described below: An explanation of the excel spreadsheet in the download file is as follows: Worksheet 1 is the chlorophyll data Worksheet 3 is the location data CHLOROPHYLL DATA Column A is sample name, the first letter refers to the location data in worksheet 3, the second to the ice flow number and the third to the replicate number Section refers to depth in ice core, measured from the bottom Ignore C Column D is the total volume of melted ice Column E is the volume of D that was filtered Column G is the Fluorometer reading before the addition dilute HCl Column H is the fluorometer reading after the addition of acid Column I is the calculation of chlorophyl concentration in the sample Column K is areal chlorophyll estimate Column L is the mean for the core Column N is the mean for the site Column O is the standard deviation LOCATION DATA Lat, longs and times of each sampling. The first set (B-G) refers to the time sampling started, the second (H-M) to when it finished Project objectives: - Determine the net photosynthesis and primary productivity of the phytoplankton and major sea ice algal communities of the Eastern Antarctic Sea Ice Zone (SIZ). Estimate seasonal and annual algal production and inter annual variability - Obtain data on biomass distribution and variability to establish regional relationships between ice thickness, snow cover, and biomass - Determine the effects of a) Light b) Nutrients (principally nitrate and iron) c) Temperature on photosynthesis and primary production - Determine whether the biomass and productivity of the phytoplankton and sea ice algae in winter and spring limits the biomass or growth of krill - Estimate the effects of climate change on Sea ice Zone primary production Taken from the 2008-2009 Progress Report: Progress against objectives: This project used V2, a spring voyage, to collect underway data to determine surface biomass and primary production. Biomass samples (chlorophyll a) were taken every 3 hours. Productivity estimates by PAM were also made every 3 hours. Productivity measurements by FRRF were made every 1 minute. Nutrient samples were taken at the same time as the biomass samples. Analysis of the biomass samples is complete. Preliminary analysis of the productivity data has commenced. This data is being used for a Masters project (Rob Johnson, IASOS). An iron addition experiment accompanied this monitoring. Iron was added to samples taken every 3 hours and the change in photosynthesis (maximum quantum yield) measured with a PAM. The rate of recovery from iron stress was the principal focus. Most of this data has been submitted as metadata. Using The PAM and FRRF simultaneously also enabled a comparison to be made between these different ways of measuring photosynthesis. Progress was also made on the analysis of FRRF productivity and biomass data collected over several years on the L'Astrolabe transect. Analysis involves quantitative manipulation of FRRF data and correlation with chlorophyll, nutrients, temperature and other biological parameters. A publication arising from this work will be submitted this year. Taken from the 2009-2010 Progress Report: Progress against objectives: We participated in V1 of the Aurora Australis, spring 2009. The objective of this project was to measure surface primary production off East Antarctica. Photosynthetic parameters of phytoplankton under actinic light (L) as well as in darkness (D) were measured using a fast repetition rate fluorometer (FRRF). The parameters included the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/FmL,D), the functional absorption cross section of photosystem II (sPSII,L,D) and a turnover time of electron transfer (tL,D). Chlorophyll a concentration was measured by using Turner fluorometer. The photosynthetic parameters, irradiance and chlorophyll a concentration will then be used to estimate primary production of phytoplankton. This field program particularly focussed on the first of the listed objectives, ie 'Determine the net photosynthesis and primary productivity of the phytoplankton and major sea ice algal communities of the Eastern Antarctic Sea Ice Zone (SIZ). Estimate seasonal and annual algal production and inter annual variability'. We have been collecting FRRF-based primary production data from each season and the 2009 data provides the late spring data to supplement data from autumn, winter and summer, collected in previous seasons. We have now built up a comprehensive assessment of season variability which will enable a reliable estimate of annual primary production. These analyses will also provide a detailed snap shot of primary production with which to compare future changes. Preliminary analysis shows clear patterns of variation in Fv/Fm, a parameter that is particularly sensitive to low iron concentration. This data is shown on an accompanying diagram. Productivity analysis is still underway. Much of the work for this project forms part of the PhD project of Cheah Wee.Wee is expected to finish his PhD by December 2010 and it is anticipated that all data analysis for the project will have been completed and the finished manuscripts submitted for publication. He has already had one manuscript form this project accepted (Cheah et al, 2010).

A bibliography of references relating to the outcomes of the RiSCC project (Regional Sensitivity to Climate Change in Antarctic Terrestrial Ecosystems) from the Antarctic and subantarctic regions, dating from 1994 to 2006. The bibliography was compiled by Dana Bergstrom, and contains 162 references.

A bibliography of references relating to the research support of the RiSCC project (Regional Sensitivity to Climate Change in Antarctic Terrestrial Ecosystems) from the Antarctic and subantarctic regions, dating from 1875 to 2004. The bibliography was compiled by Dana Bergstrom, and contains 76 references.

1. In situ chlorophyll fluorescence measurements using pulse amplitude technique (PAM) of macroalga Desmarestia menziesii, assessing adaptation to high light exposure after sea ice breakout, and impact of Thala Valley tip wastes. 2. In situ chlorophyll fluorescence measurements using pulse amplitude technique (PAM) of sediment diatom material assessing adaptation to high light exposure after sea ice breakout, and impact of Thala Valley tip wastes. 3. In situ chlorophyll fluorescence measurements using pulse amplitude technique (PAM) of sponge Latrunculia decipiens assessing adaptation to high light exposure after sea ice breakout. 4. Ecotoxicological experiments where Desmarestia menziesii was exposed to copper in indoor aquaria, aim to determine EC50, NOEC, LOEC for copper. 5. Field collections of various macroalgae for stable isotope analysis: for determination of physiological mechanisms. 6. Field collections of sponge and diatom material for pigment analysis.

Ellis Fjord is a small, fjord-like marine embayment in the vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica. Modern sediment input is dominated by a biogenic diatom rain, although aeolian, fluvial, ice-rafted, slumped and tidal sediments also make a minor contribution. In areas where bioturbation is significant relict glaciogenic sediments are reworked into the fine-grained diatomaceous sediments to produce poorly sorted fine sands and silts. Where the bottom waters are anoxic, sediments remain unbioturbated and have a high biogenic silica component. Three depositional and non-depositional facies can be recognised in the fjord: an area of non-deposition around the shoreline; a relict morainal facies in areas of low sedimentation and high bioturbation; and a basinal facies in the deeper areas of the fjord.