To: ALSUTHER@nsf.gov, KERB@nsf.gov, holikji@asa.org
From: rossro@lmg.polar.org (Robin Ross)
Subject: LMG99-01 weekly sit rep Jan 2-10
Cc: mo-sciweekly@asa.org, kozlowwe@lmg.polar.org, lmgmpc@lmg.polar.org,
        tupaslo@lmg.polar.org, duleype@lmg.polar.org, patterka@lmg.polar.org,
        shawca@lmg.polar.org

Dear Colleagues,

The goals of the 1999 annual summer cruise of the Palmer LTER (Long-Term
Ecological Research project) include: (1) to document spatial and temporal
variability in the study region (the shelf and slope between Anvers and
Adelaide Islands) in order to distinguish among trends, cycles and natural
variability in the ecosystem; (2) to investigate linkages between the
Adelie penguins nesting near Palmer Station and the marine resources within
their foraging range; (3) to continue a study of the factors that determine
the spatial patterns observed in the ecosystem, and whether those factors
vary over the study region; and (4) to conduct experiments to understand
the mechanisms underlying the structure and function of the ecosystem.

The LM Gould departed Punta Arenas at 1800 on the 2nd of January.  Although
several major problems surfaced as we set up in port, ASA personnel
(particularly those on board) were able to help.  First, several essential
items (nets, filters) had not yet arrived.  ASA personnel were able to
locate the missing items stateside and get them to the ship on time.
Second, during the setup of the CTD in port one of the T-C ducts necessary
for the requested dual temperature (T) and conductivity (C) sensor system
was missing.  Given the holiday weekend and the difficulty in reaching
people, we sailed without the second T-C duct.  In order to achieve the
precision required for the hydrographic data, Marc Pomeroy of ASA will run
salinity samples until Jan 22 when the second T-C duct will be delivered to
Palmer Station.  During the crossing we ran two test CTD casts and one test
xbt.  ASA personnel on board were very capable of resolving the issues that
surfaced during the tests so when we started real data collection we had no
down time due to CTD operations.  The call at Palmer Station to offload
supplies and PAX and onload science supplies and equipment, and scientists
for the cruise was very efficient.  We were able to leave the dock at 1530
8th January.

Our first 3 days of sampling were 8-10 January.  Our first science stations
continued the on-going seasonal sampling within the nearshore sampling area
of the Palmer LTER:  two water column stations and two transects to measure
acoustic biomass.  That evening we steamed for LTER stations in the
Grandidier  and the inner shelf stations of the 500.* line which runs from
Renaud I. seaward for 200 km.  Each station consists of a PRR/PUV cast to
measure downwelling and upwelling radiation in UV and visible wavelengths,
a shallow CTD cast with a HydroScat to measure backscattering in 6 visible
wavelengths, a core CTD cast with full bottle sampling to characterize the
gasses, nutrients and living microorganisms, including primary producers,
in the water column, 2 net tows with simultaneous bioacoustic transects,
and seabird observations.  Between stations we will continuously collect
data or samples on a subset of the parameters measured at stations.  During
days 2 and 3 we completed 5 stations.  Although most samples have not been
analyzed, lower CO2 values, well fed krill and humpback whales were found
at inner shelf stations.

Our only major problems have been with the winch system, both the dush 4
and the dush 5.  On several occasions during the first two days we had to
stop operations so the ET could diagnose and fix the problem(s).  So far
the outstanding support we are receiving from the ASA personnel on board
the time lost has been minimized.  Captain Sanamo and his crew have also
been accommodating and supportive as we workout the details of instrument
deployment and scheduling.