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The Biochemistry, Ecology and Organic Geochemistry of Phaeocystis pouchetii communities of Davis Base, Antarctica

Entry ID: ASAC_113

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Summary

Abstract: This metadata record covers ASAC projects 113, 191 and 625. (ASAC_113, ASAC_191, ASAC_625).

The total lipid, fatty acid, sterol and pigment composition of water column particulates collected near the Australian Antarctic Base, Davis Station, were analysed over five summer seasons (1988-93) using capillary GC, GC-MS, TLC-FID and HPLC. Polar lipids were the dominant lipid class. ... Maximum lipid concentrations usually occurred in samples collected in December and January and corresponded with increased algal biomass. Both lipid profiles and microscopic observations showed significant variation in algal biomass and community structure in the water column during each season and on an interannual basis. During the period of diatom blooms (predominantly Nitzschia species) the dominant sterol and fatty acid were trans-22-dehydrocholesterol and 20:5w3, accompanied by a high 16:1w7 to 16:0 ratio. Very high polyunsaturated fatty acid and total lipid concentrations were associated with diatom blooms in the area. Bacterial markers increased late in all seasons after the summer algal blooms. Long chain C30 sterols also increased during the latter half of all seasons. Fjord samples collected in the area reflected greater biomass and diversity in algal and bacterial makers than coastal sites. Signature lipids for the alga Phaeocystis pouchetii, thought to be a major alga in Antarctic waters, were identified in field samples over the five summer seasons studied.

Methods
Study site

Davis Base is situated on the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica and incorporates numerous lakes and fjords (Fig. 1). Samples of water column particulate matter were collected during five summer seasons (1988-93), 500 meters off-shore from Magnetic Island, situated 5 km NW of Davis.
Three other sampling areas were situated in the fjords of the Vestfold hills and include two sites in Ellis Fjord, one midway along Ellis Fjord and one near Ellis Fjord mouth and one sample midway along Long Fjord (Fig. 1). These fjords are protected from the marine environment, but are both marine fjords.

Davis Station and Magnetic Island were used for the weekly sample sites. The mouth of Long Fjord, the mouth of Ellis Fjord, midway down Long Fjord, the deep basin in Ellis Fjord, O'Gorman Rocks and Hawker island (ocean side) were used for monthly samples.

Field collection
There was an initial pilot season in 1988-89, which was followed by two more detailed studies in the summers of 1989-90 and 1990-91. Four samples was also analysed from the 1991-92 and five from the 1992-93 summer seasons. During the initial pilot study at Magnetic Island in the 1988-89 summer, three water column particle samples were taken for lipid analyses. The 1989-90 and 1990-91 summer field seasons incorporated weekly sampling of the water column particulates at Magnetic Island. The phytoplankton in the fjords were studied during the summers of 1989-90 and 1990-91. The three sites that were chosen were all sampled three times in each season. Samples were also collected during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons from the Magnetic Island and Fjord site s for pigment analyses. Three and five samples were collected respectively in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. Samples were also taken for microscopic analyses.
For lipid analyses 30-40 liter water column particulate samples were collected at a depth of 10 m. A Seastar or INFILTREX water sampler was used in situ to filter the water through a 14.2 cm Schleicher and Schuell glass fibre filter over a three to four hour period. All filters used during sampling were preheated in a muffle furnace at 500 degrees C overnight to minimise contamination.
For pigment analyses 2 to 4 litres were filtered through glass fibre filters
(4.7 cm GF/F, nominal pore size 0.7 micro meters). The samples were frozen at -20 degrees C until extraction.

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Description: Public information for ASAC project 113

Geographic Coverage

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Spatial coordinates

	N: -68.5	S: -68.58	E: 77.99	W: 77.8

Min Depth: 10 M

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1988-02-02

Stop Date: 1989-02-14

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > TENNESSEE

Science Keywords

ATMOSPHERE > AIR QUALITY > CARBON MONOXIDE

ATMOSPHERE > AIR QUALITY > NITROGEN OXIDES > NOY

ISO Topic Category

CLIMATOLOGY/METEOROLOGY/ATMOSPHERE

ENVIRONMENT

Platform

GROUND STATIONS

GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS

Project

SOS > Southern Oxidants Study

Ancillary Keywords

NO2

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

TVA/ETC

Data Center

Environmental Research Center, Tennessee Valley Authority

Data Center URL: http://www.tva.gov/orgs/erc.htm

Data Center Personnel
Name: KENNETH J. OLSZYNA Phone: 205-386-3647 Fax: 205-386-2499 Email: kjolszyna at tva.gov Contact Address: TVA-Environmental Research Center P.O. Box 1010 City: Muscle Shoals Province or State: AL Postal Code: 35662-1010 Country: USA

Personnel

GENE R. MAJOR

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Email: gsfc-gcmduso at mail.nasa.gov

KENNETH J. OLSZYNA

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Phone: 205-386-3647

Fax: 205-386-2499

Email: kjolszyna at tva.gov

Contact Address:

TVA-Environmental Research Center

P.O. Box 1010

City: Muscle Shoals

Province or State: AL

Postal Code: 35662-1010

Country: USA

ROD G. ZIKA

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Phone: 305-361-4922

Fax: 305-361-4689

Email: rzika at rsmas.miami.edu

Contact Address:

Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

Marine Science and Atmospheric Chemistry

4600 Rickenbacker Causeway

University of Miami

City: Miami

Province or State: FL

Postal Code: 33149-1098

Country: USA

Publications/References

Tennessee Valley Authority. 1996. 1995 Nashville/Middle Tennessee Ozone
Study Data Base Description Document, Tenneessee Valley Authority,
Environmental Research Center.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 1997-04-02

Last DIF Revision Date: 2001-06-07

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