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Biology & Medicine
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Dr. Polly Penhale
Program Manager
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B-015-M
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NSF/OPP Award 02-16043
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Station:
McMurdo Station
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RPSC POC:
Patricia Jackson
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Research Site(s):
Explorers Cove, Lake Hoare
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Dates in Antarctica:
Early October to late January
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Remotely operable micro environmental observatory for antarctic marine biology research
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Photo not available.
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Deploying Team Members:
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Jeffrey R. Blair
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Samuel S. Bowser
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Douglas Coons
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Dennis Duling
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Anthony D. Hansen
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Henry Kaiser
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Bruce Koci
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Karen Henrichs Sterling
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Research Objectives:
Field research over the past two decades has yielded important insights into the ecological importance of giant (larger than 1 mm) foraminifera in McMurdo Sound. Unfortunately, the in situ behavior of these single-celled organisms and their interactions within the food web can be observed only in snapshotsduring summer dives, when algal production is at a maximum under 24-hour light. Much would be learned by observing foraminifera over extended periods, studying the organisms' mobility, response to food availability, and other directed behaviors. It is similarly important to extend observations to the winter months, studying these organisms in the dark, with no algal production, and to experimentally manipulate in situ conditions and observe the behavioral response.
Research diving requires costly support and cannot provide extended observation of individual organisms. Moreover, the logistical requirements, costs, complexities, and risks of winter diving at remote locations in Antarctica are prohibitive. However, human diving is not required to make long-term in situ observations. With modern technology and communications, it is feasible and practical to install video macro- and microview cameras in a submersible enclosure, transmitting both live and sequential time-lapse images over the Internet to a remote observer throughout the year. Such an instrumentation platform could also be used for experimental manipulation of the environment.
This project has developed a submersible, remotely operable underwater observatory for the study of foraminifera and associated benthic fauna. The observatory will be connected to onshore equipment by fiberoptic cable and linked by radio to the Internet for year-round access. The design and operation of this observatory is a technology template that will meet other year-round antarctic research requirements by means of telescience rather than personnel deployment.
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