INCT-APA

A n n u a l Ac t i v i t y R e p o r t 2 013 Expedient Editors

Production Proofreader

Photograph Courtesy

Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin – IB/UFRJ Adriana Galindo Dalto – IB/UFRJ Helena Passeri Lavrado – IB/UFRJ Editora Cubo Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin – IB/UFRJ Adriana Galindo Dalto – IB/UFRJ Eduardo de Almeida Xavier – IB/UFRJ Adriana Galindo Dalto (Backgrounds: Summary, Thematic Area 2, Facts and Figures) Eduardo de Almeida Xavier (Backgrounds: Introduction) Filipe de Carvalho Victoria (Backgrounds: Expedient, Education and Outreach Activities) Jonathan Henrique Silveira Barros (Backgrounds: Publications) Juliano de Carvalho Cury (Backgrounds: Thematic Area 1, Innovation, E-mails) Luíz Fernando Würdig Roesch (Backgrounds: Thematic Area 4) Márcio Murilo Barboza Tenório (Backgrounds: Presentation, Thematic Area 3) Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque (Backgrounds: capa)

The editors express their gratitude to the INCT-APA colleagues that contribute to this edition.

This document was prepared as an account of work done by INCT-APA users and staff. Whilst the document is believed to contain correct information, neither INCT-APA nor any of its employees make any warranty, expresses, implies or assumes any legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed within. As well, the use of this material does not infringe any privately owned copyrights.

Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais (INCT-APA) INCT-APA Headquarters

Telephone/ Fax E-mail Home Page

Instituto de Biologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Sala A1-94 - Bloco A Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária - CEP: 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil +55 21 3938-6322 / +55 21 3938-6302 yocie@biologia.ufrj.br/ inctapa@gmail.com www.biologia.ufrj.br/inct-antartico

Management Committee General Coordinator Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin – IB/UFRJ Vice-coordinator Rosalinda Carmela Montone – IO/USP Thematic Area 1 (Antarctic Atmosphere) Neusa Maria Paes Leme – INPE (Team Leader) Emília Corrêa – Mackenzie/INPE (Vice-team Leader)

Education and Outreach Activities – Team Leader Déia Maria Ferreira – IB/UFRJ International Scientific Assessor Eduardo Resende Secchi – FURG

Thematic Area 2 (Antarctic Terrestrial Environment) Antonio Batista Pereira – UNIPAMPA (Team Leader) Maria Virgínia Petry – UNISINOS (Vice-team Leader)

Project Manager Assessor Adriana Galindo Dalto – IB/UFRJ

Thematic Area 3 (Antarctic Marine Environment) Helena Passeri Lavrado – IB/UFRJ (Team Leader) Edson Rodrigues – UNITAU (Vice-team Leader)

Executive Office Carla Maria da Silva Balthar – IB/UFRJ

Thematic Area 4 (Environmental Management) Cristina Engel de Alvarez – UFES (Team Leader) Alexandre de Avila Leripio – UNIVALI (Vice-team Leader)

Finance Technical Support Maria Helena Amaral da Silva – IBCCF/UFRJ Marta de Oliveira Farias – IBCCF/UFRJ

Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais (INCT-APA) Instituto de Biologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Sala A1-94 • Bloco A Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária - CEP: 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro- RJ, Brazil +55 21 3938-6322 / +55 21 3938-6302 yocie@biologia.ufrj.br/ inctapa@gmail.com www.biologia.ufrj.br/inct-antartico

Production

National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research

Cataloguing Card I59a Annual Activity Report 2013 / Annual Activity Report of National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais (INCT-APA). – 2013. – São Carlos: Editora Cubo, 2014.

157 p.

ISSN 2177-918X 1. Environmental research. 2. Antarctica. I. Title.

CDD 363.7

SUMMARY 4 Presentation 10 Introduction 12 Science Highlights 132 Education and Outreach Activities 140 Innovation 144 Facts and Figures 146 Publications 150 E-mails

PRESENTATION National Institute of Science and Technology – Antarctic Environmental Research Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia – Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais (INCT-APA) The importance of Antarctic Research Antarctica is the most preserved region of the planet and one of the most vulnerable to global environmental changes.

Alterations in the Antarctic environment, natural or caused by human activities, have the potential to provoke biological,

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environmental and socio-economic impacts, which can affect the terrestrial system as a whole. For this reason, the scientific research in Polar Regions is of great environmental and economic importance, since it contributes to the comprehension of climatic and environmental changes observed in these regions, offering support to policy makers.

The protection of the Antarctic environment is one of highest priorities of all the nations that operate on the continent. For this reason the region should continue to be the most preserved of the planet, harmonizing the presence of man and the attendance of mankind’s needs related to the mitigation of environmental impact of an ecosystem which is highly fragile. In 1991, the concerns over the consequences of human activity in the Antarctic environment became a reality through the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991).

This protocol established directives and procedures, which should be adopted in the undertaking of activities in Antarctica. The monitoring of the environmental impact of Brazilian activities in Antarctica is a commitment assumed by the Brazilian Government through the ratification of the Madrid Protocol (1994).

The position of Brazil as consultative member of the Antarctica Treaty demands an active scientific role at the Brazilian Antarctic Program, which is undertaken by means of: • Consolidation of Brazilian research groups in Antarctic science; • The undertaking of Applied and Basic research on Antarctica for understanding the structure and the function of Antarctic ecosystems. Hence, this knowledge

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contributes to management and preservation of this ecosystem; Formation of human resources for higher education and for scientific and technological development; Incentive for an interdisciplinary approach to scientific questions involving Antarctic systems, at the most diverse levels; Generation of knowledge through Antarctic ecosystems and transfer of this knowledge to Society; Consolidate the results obtained by the INCT-APA scientific research and, communicate it to policy makers to contribute to define policies guided towards conservation and management of Antarctic region.

Some of the Benefits to Society: • Improvement of the climate analysis and forecasts for the whole Brazilian Territory (improvement of the national climatic models and the weather forecasting system); • Application of knowledge of physical processes in the upper atmosphere and in the ionosphere, interactions with solar radiation (prevention of telecommunication incidents); • Investigation concerning radiation variations as a result of global atmosphere changes and their impacts (monitoring of the ozone layer, UV-B radiation, consequences to human population, e.g. cancer and glaucoma); • The development of investigative studies concerning the possible impacts of global changes in Antarctica (global warming, natural disasters, ice-melt, and preventative and corrective initiatives of impacts of these kinds of occurrences); • Production of knowledge and critical mass to support decisions and policy recommendations concerning biological diversity (sustainable use of live resources); • Integration of geophysical, geological and biological investigations related to the Austral Ocean (support for

interdisciplinary research and full knowledge of the Antarctic region); • Implementation of a social programme for educational and outreach activities (creation of public awareness on Antarctic Research and the importance of this continent for the planet).

What is the INCT – Antarctic Environmental Research?

The National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (abbreviated as INCT in Brazilian Portuguese used in this document as INCTAPA hitherto) was created by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministério de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação -MCTI) in search of excellence in scientific activities at an international level in strategic areas defined by the Action Plan 2007-2010 of the Science Programme, Technology and Innovation for Antarctica, by means of programmes and instruments made operational

by CNPq and by FAPERJ (Research support Foundations at different levels). The referred initiative has the view to

implement a network of atmospheric, terrestrial and marine monitoring in the Antarctic region.

Who are we?

INCT-APA consists of more than 70 researchers who, in an integrated manner, evaluate the local and global environmental impacts in the atmospheric, terrestrial and marine areas of Maritime Antarctica systems and, in addition, are involved in the related educational and scientific outreach of their activities. The research developed

by INCT-APA will contribute to influence initiatives concerning biological diversity and environmental protection of Antarctica, principally in the scope of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of the Environment. Furthermore, it assists in educational processes with the purpose of divulging Antarctic research to the public in general.

See more at: http://www.biologia.ufrj.br/inct-antartico/ Contact: inctapa@gmail.com yocie@biologia.ufrj.br

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Mission To valorise the region of Antarctica as an opportunity for development of transdisciplinary scientific investigations, promoting environmental management and conservation of Antarctic region.

INCT- Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT- Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais) INCT-APA is based at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro -UFRJ), under the coordination of Professor Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin, Botany Department – Institute of Biology/ UFRJ). The research team consists of approximately

Aims • To develop scientific investigations and long-time survey in marine, terrestrial and atmospheric environments in the Antarctic region; • To structure and operate a local environmental management system in King George Island and adjacent areas; and • To promote education and outreach activities for diffusion of the Brazilian Antarctic researches.

200 people, amongst them PhD researchers, technical assistants, undergraduate and graduate students, belonging to 21 universities and other research institutes from eight Brazilian states: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The Research of INCT-APA is organized into four thematic areas described below:

INCT-APA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE GENERAL COORDINATION Y Y V Prof. Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin (IB/UFRJ) General Coordenator of INCT T – APA P

Prof. Rosalinda Carmela Montone (IO/USP) Vice-coordenator of INCT – APA

THEMATIC AREA TEAM LEADERS Dr. Neusa Paes Leme (INPE) Thematic Area 1 - Team Leader

Prof. Helena Passeri Lavrado (IB/UFRJ) Thematic Area 3 - Team Leader

Prof. Antonio Batista Pereira (UNIPAMPA) Thematic Area 2 - Team Leader

Prof. Cristina Engel de Alvarez (UFES) Thematic Area 4 - Team Leader

ASSESSORS Prof. Dr. Eduardo Resende Secchi (FURG) International Relations for Antarctic Research

Prof. Déia Maria Ferreira (IB/UFRJ) Outreach and Education

Dr. Adriana Galindo Dalto (IB/UFRJ) Project Manager

THEMATIC AREA 1

THEMATIC AREA 2

THEMATIC AREA 3

THEMATIC AREA 4

UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE

LNCC

LNCC

LNCC FURG LNCC

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Thematic Research Areas Adriana G. Dalto

Adriana G. Dalto

Thematic Area 1

Thematic Area 2

Antarctic Atmosphere and Environmental Impacts in South America

Impact of Global Changes on the Antarctic Terrestrial Environment

Operated through the knowledge and monitoring of Antarctic atmosphere and its environmental impacts on South America

Operated through the study and monitoring of the impact of global, natural and anthropogenic origins in the Antarctic terrestrial environment.

Objectives of the Area:

Objectives of the Area:

1. To monitor and evaluate: • The regions of movement of Antarctic Cold Fronts as far as South America, especially Brazil; • The greenhouse effect perceived in Antarctica; • The chemical changes of the atmosphere and their influence on the climate, involving: the interaction Sun Earth, the temperature of the mesosphere and the hole in the ozone layer; 2. To offer supporting information to numerical models of climate and weather forecasting.

1. To investigate the effect of glacier retraction and its implications on biogeochemical cycles; 2. To measure the alterations in vegetation cover and in diversity of plant communities; 3. To evaluate the fluctuation and distribution of bird populations; 4. To identify the presence of exotic species and define possible endemic species.

Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque

Andre M. Lanna

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Andre M. Lanna

Adriana G. Dalto

Andre M. Lanna

Thematic Area 3

Thematic Area 4

Impact of Human Activities on the Antarctic Marine Environment Operate in the study and monitoring of the impact of global, natural and anthropogenic origins in the Antarctic marine environment.

Objectives of the Area: 1. To study the marine ecosystem processes, and their effects of natural and anthropogenic impacts on the environments, using long time series surveys; 2. To supplement the processes and environmental management tools, following the example of Admiralty Bay Management Plan, with information acquired from studies described in objective 1 of this thematic area.

3. Identify the presence of exotic marine species and define possible endemic species.

Andre M. Lanna

Adriana Dalto

Environmental Management Acts in the development of measures with the purpose of optimizing the functioning of buildings of the Brazilian Antarctic Station and its shelters.

Objectives of the area: 1. To evaluate and monitor the impact of the presence of research buildings and their shelters on the landscape of the Antarctic region; 2. To study the use of technologies and structures that can minimize the impact caused by human presence in the Antarctic region, as well as optimize the conditions of comfort and security for the users;

Andre M. Lanna

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intRODUctiOn Scientific Contributions of INCT – Antarctic Environmental Research Dra. Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin (IB/UFRJ) – General Coordinator of the National Institute of Science and Technology – Antarctic Environmental Research, INCT-APA yocie@biologia.ufrj.br; yocievalentin@gmail.com the inct environmental Antarctic research is grounded on a study of the complexity of the Antarctic ecosystem aiming to develop long time series studies in ecology biodiversity of Antarctic communities and to investigate the essential role of Antarctic continent in the planet climate. At the same time, the inct-ApA develops since 2012 a database constituted by observational and experimental data. This database contributes for statistical analysis and also allows the building of models of the ecological systems from the georeferenced data. continuous inct-ApA’s environmental investigations reached an established science level, consolidating a national multidisciplinary research network. from 2009 until the present day, despite the fire that burned the comandante ferraz Antarctic station (eAcf) on 25 february 2012, around 90% of original proposed goals were completed. As a quantitative indicator of production 92 publications were made in indexed international journals, 36 publications in indexed national journals, and the creation of this journal: Annual Activity Report of INCT-APA (printed-issn: 2177918X, e-issn: 2358-3398), which comprises scientific articles with digital identifier (doi) and recorded in crossref, one of the most complete international database for articles published electronically. until the present date, 142 scientific articles, concerning the research activities of the inct-ApA, were published in this Report, and more than 25 articles are accepted for publication in the next volume to be published later in 2015. it is also noteworthy the important contribution of the components of inct-ApA, from the UNIPAMPA, which implemented in 2012 the Biological sciences postgraduate program (msc level). concerning human resources formation, during the last five years researchers from inct-ApA have been

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responsible for the formation of 36 masters and 15 doctors in several postgraduate programs from different universities.

Amongst the most relevant scientific contributions in international networks, stand out: 1) A weather radar was installed in the Keller peninsula, in 2010, enabling a better characterization of gravity waves and generating unprecedented studies on the behaviour of winds and the dynamic of large-scale waves over King george island and adjacent areas; 2) continuous observations of the components of the radiation balance have been performed in Keller peninsula since 2011. the maintenance of these measures is important to promote prognostic and diagnostic studies applied to numerical weather predictions; 3) The opening of the Biological collection “Professor Edmundo Nonato” from iousp, contemplating a representative number of benthic fauna from Admiralty Bay, with more than 10 thousand records from collections made since the first Brazilian Antarctic expedition to date; 4) identification of habitat use patterns of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeanglie), therefore reviewing the geographical boundaries and stock management of populations established by the international Whaling commission (iWc). such information is extremely relevant for management strategies and conservation of humpback whale populations; 5) scientific contribution of inct-ApA reviewing the “management plan for the Admiralty Bay”, document required by madrid protocol, in partnership with the Brazilian ministry of environment.

The knowledge acquired is available and transmitted to society and the scientific community through the following actions: 1) periodic conduction of lectures to students of elementary and high school in public and private schools as well as for undergraduate students and the general public; 2) Assiduous participation of inct-ApA’s researchers and students in science fairs held throughout the country, especially those conducted by the ministry of science, technology and innovation, and the national science and technology Week, the Annual meeting of the Brazilian society for progress (sBpc) and annual fairs of carlos chagas filho foundation for research support of the state of rio de Janeiro (fAperJ). in these events, the inct- ApA holds exhibitions, thematic workshops and lectures on Antarctica, always in line with the themes determined by mcti, cnpq and fAperJ, in colloquial language; 3) periodic dissemination of the scientific and educational activities of the inct-ApA on the web page of the institute which is housed at the portal of the institute

of Biology of the ufrJ (http://www.biologia.ufrj.br/ inct-antartico/); 4) production of scientific divulgation articles published in newspapers and popular magazines, or divulged by digital media either by universities members of inctApA or other partners projects; 5) periodic publication of the results obtained in national and international journals; 6) production of short courses: • Training for elementary and high school teachers: several subjects about the Antarctic environment using brochures, videos and educational games developed by of inct- ApA; • Undergraduation: Oceanographic equipments training (e.g. multi-tubes and spi - sediment profile imaging); rov handling; seabirds sightings; instrumentation observation of the ozone layer and uv radiation training; stratospheric balloon launch; gps and radio transmitters training. these are the inct-ApA's contributions. We hope to continue our research in the coming next years to understand a little bit more about this frozen and distant continent.

Introduction |

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science highlights 14 Thematic Area 1

Antarctic Atmosphere and Environmental Impacts in South America

28 Thematic Area 2

ANTARCTIC ATMOSPHERE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN SOUTH AMERICA

72 Thematic Area 3

Impact of Human Activities on the Antarctic Marine Environment

118 Thematic Area 4

Environmental Management

THEMATIC AREA 1

AntARctic AtMOsPheRe AnD enViROnMentAl iMPActs in sOUth AMeRicA

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Correia, E., Paz, A. J. Preliminary Study of the Ionosphere Response to the Geomagnetic Storm Occurred on September 26, 2011

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Peres. L. V., Shuch, A. P., Anabor, V., Pinheiro, D. K., Shuch, N. S., Leme, n. M. P., Weather Condition Associated with Influence of the Antarctic Ozone Hole Over South of Brazil on October, 21th, 2011

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Team Leader

drª. neusa maria paes leme – crn/inpe Vice-Team Leader

drª. emília correia – inpe/crAAm

The monitoring of the Antarctic atmosphere and ocean and their influence on south America is being built on a solid basis with continuous studies being undertaken by Brazilian researchers in the Antarctic region for decades.

The intention is to give continuity to these studies, which require long-term series, for a better understanding of global changes, and to use the data in numerical models of climate and weather forecasting to enable more trustworthy forecasts. such projects, throughout the decades, were put in doubt, since they were not considered as monitoring activities, and were always threatened with discontinuity as a result. more than two decades of continuous studies on the ozone layer hole and on the influence of Antarctic cold fronts on our climate, besides other highly relevant studies, must, therefore, have their continuity guaranteed. furthermore it is essential that these activities are associated to a long term monitoring program. Antarctica plays an essential role in the thermal equilibrium of the planet. in relation to south America this factor is especially relevant. The climate of the southern hemisphere is essentially controlled by air masses originated from the frozen continent. it is well known that the energy which comes from the sun is not constant and can cause variation in the earth’s climate, on global meteorology, and on the environment. recent studies have shown that solar radiation can alter the physical-chemical properties of the atmosphere and can influence the wind regime and the amount of uv radiation that reaches the earth’s surface, as well as the cloud coverage and precipitation. the understanding of the interaction between the chemistry of the atmosphere and climate change is a new and instigating research area. The connection between atmosphere and solar radiation, especially uv, which triggers the chemical reactions and these, in their turn, depend on the temperature, atmospheric circulation

and climate, are now being studied in an integrated and systematic manner. new questions are arising as a result of the observed changes in the atmospheric temperature profile, especially with the increase in the troposphere (near surface) as a result of the green house gases and the decrease in the lower stratosphere (between 15 and 20 Km), because of the destruction of the ozone hole, and on the mesosphere (between 80 and 90 Km) due to the increase of green house gases. the main questions are: What are the chemical changes that are occurring in the different layers of the atmosphere with the increase of uv radiation and changes in temperature? What are the consequences for the dynamic, circulation and equilibrium between the atmospheric layers? observationally quantifying the interaction between the surface and the atmosphere is one of the most challenging tasks ever. it evolves estimating the exchange of energy, mass and momentum, simultaneously, at different places, facing heterogeneities inherent to the surface of the earth at different meteorological levels. Among all ecosystems the one represented by Antarctica is the most challenging yet, given the extreme prevailing weather conditions during most of the time. These difficulties worsen in the case of Brazilian Antarctic station comandante ferraz because it is located on the shoreline region of King george island that is characterized by highly complex topography. in addition, there are temporal and spatial distributions of precipitation changes which occur continuously over the land. The main goal of the etA (“estudo da turbulencia na Antartica”“Antarctica turbulence study”) project is to estimate the energy fluxes of sensible and latent heat at the surface at the Brazilian Antarctic station comandante ferraz using slow and fast response sensors.

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 1 |

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Objectives Monitor and Evaluate: changes in chemistry and atmospheric dynamics and its influence on climate, involving: the interaction between sun – earth, the temperature in the mesosphere, gravity waves, planetary waves and atmospheric tides, the ozone hole, trace gases associated with the chemistry of the ozone layer, greenhouse effect emissions, greenhouse gases caused by human activity in the area of the Brazilian Antarctic station comandante ferraz and the impacts of uv radiation in the ecosystem.

Activities Developed The activities of Thematic Area 1 are divided into five themes: 1. sun-earth relationship; 2. dynamics of upper Atmosphere (mesosphere and lower Thermosphere); 3. climatology of ozone and uv radiation; 4. meteorology; 5. greenhouse gases and aerosols; one of the most important properties of the atmosphere is its ability to withstand wave motion. gravity waves are well known to play an important role in the atmosphere, e.g. its influence on the thermal state and the atmospheric circulation. The observations of gravity waves have been conducted on a large scale in regions of low and midlatitudes. however, at high latitudes, such as in Antarctica, these observations were sparse and little until the past 5 years, but it is increasing due to efforts of several countries and international scientific programs on this field. studies on gravity waves started at comandante ferraz Antarctic station (62°s, 58°W) through a full winter campaign conducted in 2007 (Bageston et al., 2009). in 2010 these studies were established with continuous observations of gravity waves and winds through an all-sky airglow imager and meteor radar, respectively, besides mesospheric temperature observations that have been conducted since 2003 by airglow photometer. The studies of gravity waves, planetary waves, atmospheric tides and temperature changes allow us to identify and better understand the dynamics of the neutral upper atmosphere, especially the

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mesosphere, and its interaction with the other atmospheric layers, mainly due to effects of waves with different scales and temperature inversion layers in the upper atmosphere dynamics (Bageston et al., 2011a,b; fritts et al., 2012). search for gravity wave sources at different atmospheric layers and the connections between the troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere is currently the subject of great interest in the Antarctica atmospheric community. investigations to understand this puzzle, that is the origin of the mesospheric gravity waves, have been undertaken (Bageston et al., 2011c), and efforts in this direction is being continued. observation of atmospheric waves from Antarctica to the equator is very important for the identification of the various transport processes, the dynamic connections, including wave sources, and how they affect the atmosphere.

The variability observed in the ozone layer and in the ground intensity of the uv-A and uv-B radiation, in the last few years, was accompanied by changes in the ionized layer of our atmosphere, the ionosphere. A detailed study of ionosphere behavior has been undertaken in the Brazilian Antarctic station in the last decade. The long term ionosphere behavior has shown clearly that it is controlled by solar radiation, presenting a close association with the slow variation associated with the decreasing activity of the 23rd solar cycle and the evolution of the 24th (correia, 2011; correia et al., 2011, 2013 a,b). furthermore, during the local wintertime (April to october in the southern hemisphere), the ionosphere was strongly affected by meteorological processes from below in all the years. The dynamic processes of the lower atmospheric levels are associated with the generation of waves, particularly the gravity waves (periods running from minutes to hours) and planetary waves (period of days), among others. studies have shown that during the wintertime the planetary waves can strongly affect the lower ionosphere (correia, 2011; correia et al., 2011, 2013b), evidencing the coupling between the atmospheric layers from troposphere up to ionosphere. in addition to the effect of the planetary waves in the lower ionosphere, the studies also suggest an interannual variation, which has been observed in the stratospheric temperature at 60-70km, and it is attributed to the interaction between the atmospheric waves and winds, as well as to the interhemispheric coupling (correia et al., 2013b). in addition,

the ionosphere is also disturbed during geomagnetic storms produced in the magnetosphere. These storms occur when bubbles of ionized gas (solar wind) originated in the sun reach the earth, allowing the entrance of the solar energetic particles into the magnetosphere, which precipitate in the polar region and affect the earth’s magnetic field (fernandez & correia, 2013). The effects of the geomagnetic storms are detected as ionospheric ionization density increases during the main phase of storms occurred in the local afternoon time, and they are more intense at middle latitudes. The impact of solar wind during geomagnetic storms also disturbs the ionosphere over the south America magnetic Anomaly, as evidenced from measurements of cosmic noise absorption done at rio grande do sul (Brazil) (moro et al.

2012 a,b). measurements of ozone concentration obtained by Brazilian researchers since 1990 to date have shown a large annual variability over the Keller peninsula region (King george island, Antarctica), ranging from 70% in 2006 to 55% in 2010 compared to the normal concentration, before 1980, when it was observed for the first time that this layer was decreasing over the south pole. recovery time also changed the layer which still showed reductions in december due to high temperatures, hence the atmosphere already presents a scenario of normalizing the destruction. The ozone hole occurs only in very cold atmosphere (characteristic of the south pole) and every year when summer arrives in Antarctica the hole recovers in december, but not to the same level as in 1980, which is the benchmark for what we consider normal. one consequence of this decreased concentration of ozone layer is increased uv radiation. This increase in radiation is confirmed by extreme events over Antarctica and south America, including southern Brazil where in 2010 it was possible to observe a 25% reduction in the concentration of ozone. The southern region of Brazil is subject to reductions of ozone during the months of october and november, which may be called side effects of the Antarctic ozone hole. This shows that there is still a large amount of chlorofluorocarbon (cfc) in the Antarctic atmosphere, and its annual variability is a consequence of temperature in the stratosphere (the region between 1550 km altitudes) in the Antarctic winter. The monitoring of the ozone layer has also shown that the decrease of the same causes change in temperature of the stratosphere. in turn,

affects the chemical makeup of some greenhouse gases such as co2 and ozone surface forming a line to rio grande do sul excessively increasing the incidence of uv-B radiation.

The latter contributes to the increased number of cases of glaucoma, skin cancer and deterioration of the dnA in this region of the country as well as damage to chlorophyll molecules of algae and plants. in large urban areas the increase of the uv radiation changes the atmospheric photochemical components and potentiates the effect of pollutant gases at ground level. An extremely persistent ozone hole overpass was observed from ground-based instruments at rio gallegos, Argentina, in november 2009.

This was the first time that an extreme event of this duration was observed from the ground at a subpolar station with a lidar instrument. record low ozone (o3) column densities (with a minimum of 212 du) persisted over three weeks at the rıo gallegos ndAcc station in november 2009.

The statistical analysis of 30 years of satellite data from the multi sensor reanalysis (msr) database for rıo gallegos revealed that such a long-lasting, low-ozone episode is a rare occurrence. This statistical analysis reveals that 3% of events only correspond to 4 or more consecutive days with total ozone column below two standard deviations of the daily climatological mean (Wolfram et al., 2012). episodes of very low surface ozone in the south shetland islands (63ºs, 58ºW) and their stratospheric polar origin (setzer & Kichhoff, 2012) were also observed. The Antarctic ozone hole is a cyclical phenomenon which occurs over the Antarctic region from August to december each year.

The polar vortex turns it into a restricted characteristic dynamics for this region. however, when the polar vortex begins to weaken in september, air masses with low ozone concentration can escape and reach regions of lower latitudes. inct-ApA studies the influence of the Antarctic ozone hole over south America, including the south of Brazil. to verify the events of influence, data of ozone total column was used from the Brewer spectrophotometer installed at the southern regional center of national institute for space research – crn/inpe located in the campus of the federal university of santa maria – ufsm, in santa maria, south of Brazil. to confirm the origin of the air mass with lower ozone content, potential vorticity maps were analyzed using grAds (grid Analysis and display system) generated with the ncep data reprocessed, and

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 1 |

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backward trajectories of air masses, using the hYsplit model of noAA (pinheiro et al., 2011; peres et al., 2012).

The average area covered by the Antarctic ozone hole this year was the second smallest in the last 20 years, according to data from nAsA and national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noAA) satellites. scientists attribute the change to warmer temperatures in the Antarctic lower stratosphere. The ozone hole reached its maximum size sept. 22, covering 21.2 million square kilometers, or the area of the united states, canada and mexico combined.

The average size of the 2012 ozone hole was 17.9 million square kilometers. The sept. 6, 2000 ozone hole was the largest on record at 29.9 million square kilometers (http:// www.nasa. gov/topics/earth/features/ozone-hole-2012. html). The Antarctic ozone hole (Aoh) in 2012 showed moderate activity, becoming noticeable after the second half of August. on september 22 the Aoh reached its maximum size of around 22 million km2, and from the late 80s has remained at a maximum dimension ~20 million km2. The minimum column ozone measured in this season was on october 1st and was 124 du (dobson units), minimum value of this order not been seen since the 80s, with the exception of 2002. The activity of the Antarctic ozone hole continued until the first week of november, which marked the beginning of this seasonal phenomenon. in the town of punta Arenas in 2012, 4000 km away from the south pole and 1250 km from King george island, also influenced by the AoA, there were relatively few ozone depletion events.

The minimum measured in punta Arenas was 269 du on november 23, measured with spectrophotometer #180 at the university of magallanes; this event is occasioned during the passage of air masses, poor in ozone (stratosphere), in the process of extinction of Aoh (casiccia, 2013). recommendations arising from the The 9th Meeting of the Ozone Research Managers of the Vienna Convention in the 2014, May, were discussed under four topics. for each topic, the selected discussion leaders made a short introductory presentation, followed by discussion by all the participants.

Overarching goals 1. Recognition that the issues of changes in climate and in the stratospheric ozone layer are intimately coupled: The

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montreal protocol was instituted to protect the earth’s surface from the harmful uv radiation increases that could arise from the depletion of the ozone layer by ozone depleting substances. over the decades, research has clearly shown that ozone layer depletion, and its projected recovery, and changes in climate are intricately linked. Therefore, it is essential to encompass changes in climate in efforts to protect the ozone layer.

2. Existing observation capabilities for climate and ozone layer variables need to be maintained and enhanced. given the strong coupling between ozone layer depletion and changes in climate, the observations of climate and ozone layer variables should be carried out and analyzed together whenever possible.

3. Continue, enhance, and target the Vienna Convention Trust Fund for Research and Systematic Observation to better support the above goals: in line with the above two goals, it is essential to continue and significantly enhance the vienna convention trust fund for monitoring and research to make it more effective in addressing some of the issues that arise from above. it is also essential to develop a strategic plan for the fund and to request that the unep/ozone secretariat and Wmo set up a small working group to assist them in setting priorities and ensuring implementation.

4. Dedicate to build capacity to meet the above goals: given the above, it is very important to carry out capacity building activities in the montreal protocol Article 5. “ over the past 65 years, average annual temperatures of the air in Admiralty Bay show an average warming of +0.23°c. however, one must consider that this region’s climatological measurement was standardized only in the last 30 years and the data from this period does not indicate a warming climate. over the past 14 years, average annual temperatures recorded in air eAcf showed a downward trend (≈ - 0.6°c / decade).

According to the researcher team weather observations, the winters of 2007 and 2009 were very severe, freezing the two lakes that feed eAcf and the extent of ice covering Admiralty Bay peaked with frozen sea to the vicinity of the polish station, near the entrance to the Bay. January and february 2010 were the coldest summers in eAcf recorded in the 37 years (mean air temperature +1.0°c in January and +0.2°c in february (Justino et al., 2010).

References Bageston, J. V., Wrasse, C. M., Gobbi, D., Tahakashi, H., & Souza, P. B. (2009). Observation of Mesospheric Gravity Waves at Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz (62°S), Antarctica. Annales Geophysicae, 27, 2593-2598. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/ angeo-27-2593-2009 Bageston, J. V., Wrasse, C. M., Hibbins, R. E., Batista, P. P., Gobbi, D., Takahashi, H., Fritts, D. C., Andrioli, V. F., Fechine, J., & Denardini, C. M. (2011a). Case study of a Mesospheric Wall Event over Ferraz Station, Antarctica (62°S). Annales Geophysicae, 29, 209-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/angeo-29-209-2011 Bageston, J. V., Wrasse, C. M., Batista, P. P., Hibbins R. E., Fritts, D. C., Gobbi, D., & Andrioli, V. F. (2011b). Observation of a mesospheric front in a thermal-doppler duct over King George Island, Antarctica. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11, 12137-12147. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12137-2011 Bageston, J. V., Wrasse, C. M., Batista, P. P., Gobbi D., Hibbins, R. E., & Fritts, D. C. (2011c). Investigation of Gravity Wave Sources in the Antarctic Peninsula by using the Reverse Ray Tracing Technique. In Anais do XXV IUGG General Assembly, Melbourne.

Casiccia, C., Leme, N. P., & Zamorano, F. (2013). Total Ozone Observations at Punta Arenas, Chile (53.2°S; 70.9°W). Annual Activity Report INCT-APA, 3, 32-34. http://doi.editoracubo.com.br/10.4322/apa.2014.090 Correia, E. (2011). Study of Antarctic-South America connectivity from ionospheric radio soundings. Oecologia Australis, 15, 10-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2011.1501.03 Correia, E., Kaufmann, P., Raulin, J. P., Bertoni, F. C. & Gavilán, H. R. (2011). Analysis of daytime ionosphere behavior between 2004 and 2008 in Antarctica. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 73, 2272-2278. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. jastp.2011.06.008 Correia, E., Paz, A. J., & Gende M. A. (2013a). Characterization of GPS-TEC in Antarctica from 2004 to 2011. Annals of Geophysics, 56(2), R0217.

Correia, E., Raulin, J. P., Kaufmann, P., Bertoni, F. C., & Quevedo, M.T. (2013b). Inter-hemispheric analysis of daytime low ionosphere behavior from 2007 to 2011. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 92, 51-58. http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.jastp.2012.09.006 Fernandez, J. H., & Correia, E. (2013). Electron precipitation events in the lower ionosphere and the geospace conditions.

Annals of Geophysics, 56(2), R0218.

Fritts, D. C., Janches, D., Iimura, H., Hocking, W. K., Bageston, J. V., & Leme, N. M. P. (2012). Drake Antarctic Agile Meteor Radar first results: Configuration and comparison of mean and tidal wind and gravity wave momentum flux measurements with Southern Argentina Agile Meteor Radar. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, D02105. http://dx.doi. org/10.1029/2011JD016651.

Justino, F., Setzer, A., Bracegirdle, T. J., Mendes, D., Griimm, A., Dechiche, G. et al. (2010). Harmonic analysis of climatological temperature over Antarctica: present day and greenhouse warming perspectives. International Journal of Climatology, 31(4), 514-530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.2090 Moro, J., Denardini, C. M., Abdu, M. A., Correia, E., Schuch, N. J., & Makita, K. (2012a). Correlation between the cosmic noise absorption calculated from the SARINET data and the energetic particles measured by MEPED: Simultaneous observations over SAMA region. Advances in Space Research, 51, 1692-1700. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2012.11.030 Moro, J., Denardini, C. M., Abdu, M. A., Correia, E., Schuch, N. J., & Makita, K. (2012b). Latitudinal dependence of cosmic noise absorption in the ionosphere over the SAMA region during the September 2008 magnetic storm. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, A06331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2011JA017405 Pinheiro, D. K., Leme, N. P., Peres, L. V. & Kall, E. 2011. Influence of the antarctic ozone hole over South of Brazil in 2008 and 2009. Annual Activity Report INCT-APA, v. 1, p. 33-37.

Peres, L. V., Crespo, N. M., Da Silva, O. K., Hupfer, N., Anabor, V., Pinheiro, D. K., Schuch, N. J. & Leme, N.P. 2012. Synoptic weather sistem associate with influence of the antarctic ozone hole over South of Brazil at October, 13th, 2010. Annual Activity Report INCT-APA, v. 1, p. 30-33.

Wolfram, E., Salvador, J., Orte, F., D’Elia, R., Quel, E., Casiccia, C. et al. (2012). Systematic Ozone and Solar Uv Measurements In the Observatorio Atmosférico de la Patagonia Austral, Argentina. Annual Activity Report INCT-APA, 3, 24-29. http://doi. editoracubo.com.br/10.4322/apa.2014.089

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1 PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE IONOSPHERE RESPONSE TO THE GEOMAGNETIC STORM OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 Emília Correia1,2,* & Amanda Junqueira Paz2 1 Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil Centro de Rádio Astronomia e Astrofísica Mackenzie, Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Rua da Consolação 930, Ed. Modesto Carvalhosa 7º andar, CEP 01302-907, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

2

*e-mail: ecorreia@craam.mackenzie.br

Abstract: Geomagnetic storms generate disturbances in the ionosphere due to the incidence of energetic particles, which can disturb communication and navigation systems. To understand the phenomena we analyzed ionosonde and GPS data obtained at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station (62.1°S, 58.4°W) and studied the effect produced by a geomagnetic storm that occurred on 26th September 2011. The analysis covers the period of 24-30 September when the effect of the moderate geomagnetic storm produced an electron density increase in the ionospheric F region.

Keywords: Ionosphere; Ionosonde; GPS; Geomagnetic Storm

Introduction Geomagnetic storms are produced when Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) reach the Earth’s magnetosphere in association with magnetic field reconnection. During geomagnetic storms energetic particles penetrate the magnetosphere, follow the magnetic field lines and precipitate in the polar region. This particle precipitation increases the electron density in the ionosphere and can be detected as ionospheric perturbations by radio sounding techniques such as ionosonde and GPS. Here we present the ionospheric disturbance produced by the geomagnetic storm that occurred on September 26, 2011. The preliminary results are discussed in continuity, considering the VTEC variations and foF2 and h’F parameters, which are compared with the geomagnetic index Dst.

Materials and Methods To analyze the effect of geomagnetic storm on the ionosphere, we used different types of data: • The Total Electron Content (TEC) of the ionosphere was obtained using a dual frequency GPS receiver operating

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at EACF. By the delay between the two frequencies of radio wave reception coming from the satellite to the receiver it is possible estimate the total electron content (TEC). The TEC was obtained every second using the routine La Plata Ionospheric Model (LPIM) developed at the University of La Plata (Brunini et al., 2008). The analysis considers the vertical TEC (VTEC), which is the TEC correct by the zenithal angle at about 300 km high.

(TECU is TEC unit = 1016 electron/m2 column density).

• The parameters foF2 and h’F were obtained using a CADI ionosonde operating at EACF. The parameter foF2 refers to the F2-layer vertical incidence critical frequency (MHz) and h’F (km) is the F layer bottom height. They were obtained from ionograms performed every 5 minutes. The software used for data reduction is the UNIVAP Ionosonde Digital Data Analysis (UDIDA), developed at the University of the Vale do Paraíba (Fagundes et al., 2005).

• The DST (disturbance storm time) is the geomagnetic index that measures the equatorial surface magnetic field variations and gives information about the intensity of the geomagnetic storm. This data was obtained at the site

of the World Data Centre for Geomagnetism (WDC-C2) (http://wdc.kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dstae/index.html)

Results The analysis of ionosphere parameters variations associated with the moderated geomagnetic storm (~- 100 nT) ocurred on September 26 were evaluated during the period of 2430 September, considering September 23 as the quiet day.

Figure 1 shows that foF2 increased about 40% above the quiet conditions during the main phase of the geomagnetic

storm. This density increase was accompanied by ~50 km increase in height of the F2 layer (h’F). Both parameters returned to the quiet level during the geomagnetic recovery phase.

The VTEC (Figure 2) also shows a strong increase of almost three times above the quiet level during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm, practically returning to quiet level during next day time, but suggesting depletion in the two next nights during the recovery phase.

Figure 1. foF2 and h’F ionosphere parameter variations compared with DST index from 24 to 30 September 2011.

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Figure 2. VTEC and differential variation between 24 and 30 September 2011 compared with Dst index.

Discussion The evaluation of a moderate geomagnetic storm (-100 nT) impact in the ionosphere at mid-latitude (EACF) was studied considering VTEC (GPS), foF2 and h’F (ionosonde) parameters, which give information about F-region ionosphere storm response.

The VTEC and foF2 show a positive ionospheric storm response during the main phase of the geomagnetic activity that occurred in the local afternoon sector, which means an increase of ionization density. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the height of the F2 layer as showed by the h’F parameter.

The positive ionospheric storm response has been reported as typical at middle latitudes (e.g. Mendillo, 2006; Prolss, 2008). The possible more important mechanisms to account this ionospheric behavior are the equatorward winds and eastward-directed electric fields (Cander, 2007; Prolss, 2008). In the case of equatorward winds, the field-

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aligned component of the frictional force between the ions and electrons will push the ionization up following the magnetic field lines. The particle motion results in the uplifting of the F2 layer, which increases the ionization density during daytime. In the case of electric field mechanism the height increase is caused by an E X B drift, which is followed by a poleward drift.

VTEC measurements show negative values in the next two nights after the main phase of the geomagnetic storm.

This behavior at mid-latitudes has been explained by changes in the neutral atmosphere as consequence of Joule heating in the auroral thermosphere, which expands the thermosphere and enhance the effective electron loss rate (e.g. Danilov & Lastovicka, 2001; Mendillo, 2006).

Conclusion The moderate geomagnetic storm that occurred on September 26, 2011 presented a sudden commencement

at around 12:00UT, and its main phase started at 14:00UT with minimum Dst of about -100 nT at 23:00 UT. The VTEC and foF2 show strong increase during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm, which was accompanied by an uplifting of the F2 layer in the ionosphere. The ionospheric ionization density increases have been reported as typical when main phase of geomagnetic storms occur in the local afternoon time at middle latitudes. This ionospheric behavior has been mostly explained considering equatorward winds as well as to eastward electric field mechanisms. But independently of the mechanism is operating there are still open questions about the origin of the winds and/or electric fields. Thus, the positive ionospheric storms at middle latitudes is a phenomenon not well understood yet, and deserves special attention from observations at different latitudes and longitudes.

Acknowledgments This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM). EC also thanks CNPq for individual research support (processes no.: 52.0186/06-0, 556872/2009-6, 163576/2012-2) and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE/MCTI).

References Brunini, C., Meza A., Gende, M., & Azpilicueta F. (2008). South American regional ionospheric maps computed by GESA: a pilot service in the framework of SIRGAS. Advances in Space Research, 42, 737-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2007.08.041 Cander, L. R. (2007). Spatial correlation of foF2 and vTEC under quiet and disturbed ionospheric conditions: case study.

Acta Geophysica, 55(3), 410-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11600-007-0011-9 Danilov, A. D., & Lastovicka, J. (2001). Effects of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere and atmosphere. International Journal of Geomagnetic Aeronomy, 2, 209-224.

Fagundes, P. R., Pillat, V. G., Bolzan, M. J. A., Sahai, Y., Becker-Guedes, F., Abalde, J. R. et al. (2005). Observations of F-layer electron density profiles modulated by pw type oscillations in the equatorial ionospheric anomaly region. Journal of Geophysical Research, 110(A12302), 1-8.

Mendillo, M. (2006). Storms in the ionosphere: Patterns and processes for total electron content. Reviews of Geophysics, 44(RG 4001), 1-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2005RG000193 Prolss, G. W. (2008). Ionospheric storms at mid-latitude: a short review. In P. M. Kintner, A. J. Coster, T. Fuller-Rowell, A. J. Mannucci, M. Mendillo & R. Heelis (Eds.), Midlatitude ionospheric dynamics and disturbances (Geophysical Monograph Series, Vol. 181, pp. 9-24). Washington: American Geophysical Union. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/181GM03

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2 WEATHER CONDITION ASSOCIATED WITH INFLUENCE OF THE ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE OVER SOUTH OF BRAZIL ON OCTOBER 21th, 2011 Lucas Vaz Peres1*, Andre Passaglia Shuch1, Vagner Anabor1, Damaris Kirsch Pinheiro1, Nelson Jorge Shuch2, Neusa Maria Paes Leme3 Universidade Federal de Santa Maria – UFSM, Av. Roraima N°1000, Camobi, CEP: 97105-900, Santa Maria, Brazil 2 Centro Regional Sul de Pesquisas Espaciais , Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Campus Universitário, CEP 97105-970, Santa Maria, Brazil 3 Centro Regional do Nordeste, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Rua Carlos Serrano, N° 2073, Lagoa Nova, CEP 59076-740, Natal, RN, Brazil

1

*e-mail: lucasvazperes@gmail.com

Abstract: An analysis of the weather condition is presented in this work, associated with the occurrence of the Influence of Antarctic Ozone Hole over southern Brazil on October 21th, 2011. In this date, there was a drop in ozone content of the 4.65% in relation to climatological average of the October at the data obtained through the Brewer Spectrophotometer MKIII 167 installed in South Space Observatory - OES/CRS/INPE – MCTI and instrument of satellite OMI of the NASA. The origin of the stratospheric polar air mass poor in ozone has been proven by the analysis of potential vorticity maps, retroactive trajectories and satellite images of the ozone content. The tropospheric weather condition in the South of Brazil, associated with the event was the occurrence of a wide area of atmospheric stability, without significant clouds, associated with the subtropical jet stream away from the Atlantic Ocean, superimposed by a wide area of the subsidence movement and occurrence of the an intense high-pressure post-front system.

Keywords: Stratospheric Ozone, Tropospheric Weather Condition

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Introduction

Material and Methods

The passage of air masses originating from the Antarctic ozone hole (Farman et al., 1985) on medium latitudes was first observed on the South of Brazil (29.4ºS; 53.8ºW) by Kirchhoff et al. (1996), being this type of phenomenon called ‘influence of the Antarctic ozone hole, which has been frequently observed over South America (Perez et al., 2000; Pinheiro et al., 2012).

Peres et al., 2012, observed that the event of the Influence of Antarctic Ozone Hole over southern Brazil on October 13th, 2010, occurred after the passage of a tropospheric frontal system.

This study aims to verify the weather condition of troposphere during the occurrence of of the Influence of Antarctic Ozone Hole over southern Brazil on October, 21th, 2011.

Events of influence of the Antarctic ozone hole over the South of Brazil are identified through observation of falls below the limit climatological average less 1.5 standard deviation in total column ozone data obtained through the Brewer Spectrophotometer MKIII #167 installed on South Space Observatory – OES/CRS/INPE – MCTI (29,4º S; 53,8º W; 488,7 m), in São Martinho da Serra and by the satellite instrument IMO of the NASA, which are also used his images ozone content. In these days, the stratospheric origin of ozone-poor air masses is verified through the analysis of Potential Vorticity (Semane et al., 2006) over isentropic surface of 620 K potential temperature, using daily parameters provided by NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, for the purpose of checking the dynamic pattern of the stratosphere. Retroactive trajectories of air masses were made by HYSPLIT model of the NOAA confirms the

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polar source of ozone-poor air mass and your passing by the polar region. The identification of the tropospheric weather condition is carried out through the analysis of wind fields at 250 hPa and Vertical speed Omega in 500 hPa, sea level pressure and thickness between 1000 and 500 hPa and GOES 12 satellite images enhanced infrared, in order to identify any connection between the stratosphere and the troposphere during the occurrence of this event.

Results The day October 21th, 2011, showed the value of total ozone column of 278.7 DU representing a decrease of 4.7% compared to the climatological average for the month of

a

c

October which is 292.3 Âą 9.9 DU. The stratospheric analysis shows, from the isentropic analysis, an increase of the values of absolute potential vorticity in the 620 K potential temperature level of day 21 (a) to day 22 (b) of the October, 2011, indicating that the origin of ozone-poor air mass that arrived southern Brazil was polar. Backward trajectory of air masses (c) and the satellite image IMO (d) complement the analysis, confirming the polar origin of the air mass and the existence of a connection between the polar region, where acted the Antarctic Ozone Hole and Southern Brazil, seen in Figure 1.

The tropospheric weather condition, seen in Figure 2, shows that over South of Brazil, acted a wide area of atmospheric stability, with the displacement of the

b

d

Figure 1. Potential Vorticity and Wind at 620K level for 20th (a) and 21th (b) of October, 2011. Air mass backward trajectory (c) and OMI image (d) for 22th and 19th, respectively.

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subtropical jet stream toward the Atlantic Ocean, and the performance of their region of polar input and center of positive values of Omega in the wind field in 250 hPa and Vertical speed Omega in 500 hPa over South of Brazil in October 20Th, 2011 (a), characteristic by subsidence and intrusion of stratospheric air into the troposphere.

The performance of a high pressure post frontal system in the field pressure at sea level and thickness between the levels of 1000 and 500 hPa in October 21 (b), characteristic by the divergence of the air at low levels, inhibit cloudiness formation, as observed in the satellite image of the infrared highlighted of GOES 12 to 15 UTC in October 21 (c) 2011.

This pattern of atmospheric circulation, with the displacement of the subtropical jet stream from medium to low latitudes, may have aided in its southern sector, in stratospheric air intrusion into the troposphere and in the transport of ozone-poor air mass from Antarctic region to the South of Brazil, showing evidence of a connection between the stratosphere and the troposphere.

Discussion Events of Influence of Antarctic Ozone Hole over middle latitudes is becoming more frequent (Kirchhoff et al., 1996;

20/10/2011 Jet 250mb (m/s) and Omega 500mb (m/s) 18S

21/10/2011 Sea level pressure (hpa) and Thickness(dam) 18S

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Figure 2. Field daily average at 250 hPa level and Omega at 500 hPa for October, 20th, 2011 (a), pressure at sea level and thickness between 1000 and 500 hPa (b), and enhance GOES 12 image satellite at 15:00 (c) for October, 21th, 2011.

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Perez et al., 2000; Pinheiro et al., 2012, Peres et al., 2012), as well as the identification of the existence of a connection between the transport of air masses in the stratosphere and the troposphere weather condition, mainly by the performance of the tropospheric jet stream, where its displacement influence the vertical distribution of ozone content (Bukin et al. 2011) and causes intrusion of stratospheric air into the troposphere (Stohl et al., 2003).

Moreover, on the South of Brazil, similar to the way the present study, this type of event has occurred after the passage of a frontal system (Peres et al., 2012).

Conclusion The occurrence of the event of influence of the Antarctic ozone hole over South of Brazil in October 21th, 2011 was confirmed by the drop in ozone content that reached 4.7 % relative the climatological average for the month of October and stratospheric isentropic analysis of potential vorticity, backward trajectory and ozone content of the satellite image showed that the ozone-poor air mass that arrived at South of Brazil was of polar origin at the Antarctic ozone hole.

The tropospheric weather condition shows that this event ocurred in conjunction with a wide area of atmospheric

stability over South of Brazil associated with a post front condition, without significant cloud cover, occasioned by shift at the Atlantic Ocean of the subtropical jet stream and acting of a post frontal high-pressure system, characterized by the subsidence of air masses, inhibition of formation of cloud cover which may have favored the transport of stratospheric ozone-poor air mass.

Acknowledgements

This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

Acknowledgements also to FAPEREGS/CAPES for fellowship, NASA/TOMS and NCEP/NCAR for the data, and NOAA for HYSPLIT model.

References Bukin, O. A., Suan A, N., Pavlov, A. N., Stolyarchuk, S. Y., & Shmirko, K. A. (2011). Effect that Jet Streams Have on the Vertical Ozone Distribution and Characteristics of Tropopause Inversion Layer, Izvestiya Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics, 47(5), 610-618. http://dx.doi.org/10.1134/S0001433811050021 Farman, J. C., Gardiner, B. G., & Shanklin, J. D. (1985) Large losses of total ozone in Antarctica reveal seasonal ClOx/NOx interaction. Nature, 315, 207-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/315207a0 Kirchhoff, V. W. J. H., Schuch, N. J., Pinheiro, D. K., & Harris, J. M. (1996) Evidence for an ozone hole perturbation at 30° south. Atmospheric Environment, 33(9), 1481-1488. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/1352-2310(95)00362-2 Peres, L. V., Crespo, N. M., Silva, O. K., Hupfer, N., Anabor, V., Pinheiro, D. K. et al. (2012). Sinoptic weather system associate with influence of the Antartic Ozone Hole over South of Brazil at October, 13th, 2010. Annual Active Report 2011, 1, 30-33, 2012.

Perez, A., Crino, E., De Carcer, I. A., Jaque, F. (2000). Low-ozone events and three-dimensional transport at midlatitudes of South America during springs of 1996 and 1997. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 105(D4), 4553-4561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/1999JD901040 Pinheiro, D. K., Peres, L. V., Crespo, N. M., Schuch, N. J., & Leme, N., P. (2012). Influence of the Antarctic ozone hole over South of Brazil in 2010 and 2011. Annual Active Report 2011, 1, 34-38.

Semane, N., Bencherif, H., Morel, B., Hauchecorne, A., & Diab, R. D. (2006) An unusual stratospheric ozone decrease in Southern Hemisphere subtropics linked to isentropic air-mass transport as observed over Irene (25.5º S, 28.1º E) in midMay 2002. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 6, 1927-1936. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-1927-2006 Stohl, A., Wernli, H., Bourqui, M., Forster, C., James, P., Liniger, M. A. et al. (2003). A new perspective of stratospheretroposphere exchange. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 84, 1565-1573. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/BAMS84-11-1565

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THEMATIC AREA 2

GLOBAL CHANGES ON TERRESTRIAL ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT

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Bezerra, A. L., Petersen, L. S., Petry, M. V., Diet of Southern Giant Petrel Chicks Inantarctica: A Description of Natural Preys

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Petersen, E. S., Petry, M. V., Durigon, E. Araújo, J., Influenza Detected in Macronectes giganteus in Two Islands of South Shetlands, Antarctica

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Valls, F. C. l., Petry, M. V., Niche Overlap of Spheniscidae on Elephant Island, Antarctica

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Werle, G. B., Santos, C. R., Petry, M. V., Morphometric Analysis of Shells of Nacella concinna Predated by Gull Larus dominicanus in Three Islands of the South Shetlands: King George, Penguin and Elephant – Antarctica

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Lindenmeyer-Sousa, L. A., Petersen, E. S., Petry, M. V. Occurrence and Mortality of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Seabirds Along the Southern Brazilian Coast

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Rossi, L. C., Petersen, E. S., Petry, M. V. Records of Vagrant Species in Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarctica

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Pinto, G. N., Albuquerque, M. P., Victoria, F. C., Pereira, A. B. Phytosociological Study in Ice-Free Areas of Arctowski Region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

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Alves, G. C., Alves, R. P., Albuquerque, M. P., Victoria, F. C., Pereira, A. B. Fungi Isolated from Plant Species Collected in the Arctowski Region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

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Alves, R. P., Pinto, G. N., Albuquerque, M. P., Victoria, F. C., Pereira, A. B., Phytosociological Approach of Lichens in the Ice-Free Areas Adjoining the Arctowski Region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

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Silva, J. F., Oliveira, M. A., Pereira, A. B., Pereira, C. P., Doliveira, C. B., Epilithic Freshwater Diatoms from Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica

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Ferrareze, P. A. G., Vailati, V. H., Petry, M. P., Brandelli, A., Medina, F. L. C., Characterization of Antarctic Keratinolytic Arthrobacter sp.

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Team Leader

Dr. Antônio Batista Pereira – UNIPAMPA Vice-Team Leader

Dr. Maria Virgínia Petry – UNISINOS

The terrestrial vegetation of Antarctica is limited to fewer

According to those impacts, the response of seabirds

groups of plant diversity, compared to the North Pole. The

to change is quick and may lead, in some cases, to the

native Antarctic flora is composed of: two Magnoliophyta

decline in their population size through the mortality of

species - Deschampsia antarctica Std. (Poaceae) and

adults and youngsters. Thus, one of the important factors

Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth.) Bart. (Caryophylaceae);

governing population dynamics is the availability of food

approximately 360 lichenized fungi species (Øvstedal &

(Lynnes et al. 2004; Forcada et al., 2006). In order to

Smith, 2001); 110 mosses and 22 liverworts were cited; one

evaluate one of these parameters the “Niche overlap of

macroscopic continental algae Prasiola crispa (Lightfoot)

Spheniscidae on Elephant Island, Antarctica” and the “Diet

Menegh. (Chlorophyta) occur mainly around penguin

of Southern Giant Petrel chicks in Antarctica a description

rookeries (Putzke & Pereira, 2001); for macroscopic fungi,

of natural preys” were analyzed. The latter through study

Putzke & Pereira (1996), reported five species and also made

of the diet of both Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin species

the first mention of a Myxomycetes occurrence in Antarctica

and the southern giant petrel’s chicks diet on Elephant

with Trichia varies (Pers.) Pers. (Putzke et al., 2004).

Island, besides the study “Morphometric analysis of shells

The study of the plants growing in Antarctic ice-free areas

of Nacella concinna predated gull Larus dominicanus in

offers a large potential to understanding global changes,

three of the South Shetland islands: King George, Penguin

since climate change will have a major impact on terrestrial

and Elephant – Antarctica”, which evaluated the size of the

biota. Studies suggest that increases in temperature and

Antarctic limpet N. concinna, considered the Kelp gull L.

higher rainfall could extend the pro-growth period,

dominicanus’ main prey.

enhancing the rates of development, reducing the period

In addition to these seabird ecological parameters, studies

of the life cycle, and changing the distribution of species

related to zoonosis can demonstrate the link between the

(Turner & Marshall, 2011).

seabird’s health with the integrity of its ecosystems as well as

At Stinker Point, Elephant Island, where anthropogenic

the health of the populations in general (Barbosa & Palacius,

impacts are minimal, since there is only a small shelter

2009). The study “Influenza A detection in Macronectes

occupied sporadically by researchers in the austral Summer,

giganteus in two Islands of South Shetlands, Antarctica” is

the studies on plant communities were initiated by Pereira

one of the studies which the group is developing in order to

& Putzke (1994). These studies have been conducted since

evaluate the seabird population integrity in South Shetlands

the Austral Summer 1995/1996 with a long term evaluation

Archipelago, in Antarctica. Although the integrity of the

objective. The first results of 23 years of research on lichen

Antarctic ecosystem is the main goal for breeding seabirds,

growth and evolution of plant populations will be submitted

it is also important to study the wintering areas, since

for publication in due course.

Antarctic seabirds are widely spread out and some species

Seabirds have been studied over the past few years, and

are considered long distance migratory, using areas of South

are classified as top predators, responding rapidly to any

America during the non-breeding season. During this period,

impact on their ecosystem, therefore they are considered

the seabirds can suffer with climate change and anthropogenic

sentinels and/or bioindicators of environmental quality

impacts causing the mortality of individuals (Petry & Fonseca,

(Croxall, 1984; Mallory et al., 2010; Petry et al., 2010).

2002). This information is evaluated through the study

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

29

“Occurrence and mortality of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds in southern Brazil”, which compares eleven years of seabird monitoring along the Brazilian coast.

Besides the effect of climate change on Antarctic seabirds, other migratory birds also respond to these environmental

changes (Woehler, 1992; Pütz et al. 2003). The study “Records of vagrant species in Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarctica” evaluates those records, since data about bird species that do not belong to Antarctic avifauna are observed in high latitudes.

References Barbosa, A., & Palacios, M. J. (2009). Health of Antarctic birds: a review of their parasites, pathogens and disease. Polar Biology, 32, 1095-1115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-009-0640-3 Croxall, J. P. (1984). Seabirds: Antarctic ecology. In R. M. Laws (Ed.), (Vol. 2, pp. 533-619). London: Academic Press.

Forcada, J., Trathan, P. N., Reid, K., Murphy, E. J., & Croxall, J. P. (2006). Contrasting population changes in sympatric penguin species in association with climate warming. Global Change Biology, 12, 411-423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.13652486.2006.01108.x Lynnes, A. S., Reid, K., & Croxall, J. P. (2004). Diet and reproductive success of Adélie and chinstrap penguins: linking response of predators to prey population dynamics. Polar Biology, 27, 544-554. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0617-1 Mallory, M. L., Robinson, S. A., Hebert, C. E., & Forbes, M. R. (2010) Seabirds as indicators of aquatic ecosystem conditions: a case for gathering multiple proxies of seabirds’ health. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60, 7-12. PMid:19767020. http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.08.024 Øvstedal, D. O., & Smith, R. I. L. (2001). Lichens of Antarctica and South Georgia: a guide to their identification and ecology.

Studies in Polar Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 411 p.

Pereira, A. B., & Putzke, J. (1994). Floristic composition of Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarctica. Korean Journal of Polar Research, 5(2), 37-47.

Petry, M. V., & Fonseca, V. S. (2002) Effects of human activities in the marine environment on seabirds along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Neotropical Ornithology, 13, 137-142.

Petry, M. V., Petersen, E. S., Scherer, J. F. M., Kruger, L., & Scherer, A. L. (2010) Nota sobre a ocorrência e dieta de Macronectes giganteus (Procellariiforme: Procellariidae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 18, 237-239.

Pütz, K., Smith, J. G., Ingham, R. J., & Luthi, B. H. (2003). Sattelite tracking of male rockhopper penguin Eudyptes chrysocome during the incubation period at the Falkland Islands. Journal of Avian Biology, 34, 139-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600048X.2003.03100.x Putzke, J., & Pereira, A. B. (1996). Macroscopic Fungi from The South Shetlands, Antarctica. Serie Cientifica INACH, 46, 31-39.

Putzke, J., & Pereira, A. B. (2001). The Antarctic Mosses: with special reference to the South Shetland Island. ULBRA. 196 p.

Putzke, J., Pereira, A. B., & Putzke, M. T. L. (2004) New Record of Myxomycetes to the Antarctica. In Actas del V Simposio Argentino y I Latinoamericano de Investigaciones Antarticas. 1-4.

Turner, J., & Marshall, G. J. (2011). Climate change in the Polar Regions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 434 p. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511975431 Woehler, T. D. (1992). Records of vagrant penguins from Tasmania. Marine Ornithology, 20, 61-73.

30

| Annual Activity Report 2013

1 DIET OF SOUTHERN GIANT PETREL CHICKS IN ANTARCTICA: A DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL PREYS Ana Lucia Bezerra*, Elisa de Souza Petersen & Maria Virgínia Petry Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos. Laboratório de Ornitologia e Animais Marinhos, Av. Unisinos, nº 950, Cristo Rei, 93022-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil *e-mail: anahbezerra@gmail.com

Abstract: This study aims to describe the food resource of Southern Giant Petrel during the chick-rearing period in Antarctica.

The study was conducted in Stinker Point, Elephant Island in the Austral Summer of 2012/2013. Samples were collected randomly from chicks by flushing methods. In the laboratory all the items were identified and the frequency of occurrence was calculated. We identified twelve different items in the diet of SGP chicks. The most frequent item was the remains of seabird species, followed by crustaceous and cephalopods. This study presents new ecological data on the species, since studies on Antarctic populations are scarce.

Keywords: Macronectes giganteus, Elephant Island, Crustaceous, Stomach Content

Introduction

chicks, however, only 26 samples were analyzed. All chicks were banded to avoid their recapture (Figure 1).

The samples were collected according to the flushing method (Copello et al., 2008). In laboratory, samples were drained and the solid components were removed and identified. The frequency of occurrence was calculated based on the formula FO = (Na × 100) / Nta; (FO = Frequency of occurrence; Na = the number of samples in which a particular item appeared; Nta = total number of samples).

Seabirds spend most of the time at sea, except during the breeding period, when they migrate to their reproductive sites in land (Harrison, 1983). The Southern Giant Petrel (SGP) is a pelagic Procellariiform (Quintana et al., 2005) and presents a circumpolar distribution in the Southern Hemisphere and Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions (Harrison, 1983; Patterson et al., 2008).

As most seabirds, SGP is a top predator and a marine environmental indicator. This species, like other seabirds, tend to respond quickly to environmental changes.

Therefore it is important to study their diet and to evaluate the ecological process they are part of. Data of adults and chicks diet are reported for South American populations (Copello et al., 2008; Copello et al., 2011), however, information about Antarctic populations is scarce.

Therefore, this study aims to describe the food resource of SGP during the chick-rearing period in Antarctica.

The SGP chicks diet analyzed showed several different types of preys. We identified twelve different items (Table 1) (Figure 2); the most frequent prey in the chick diet was the remains of other seabirds species (FO = 92.3%) and the second was the two species of crustaceous (FO = 53.84%).

Cephalopods beaks (two lower and one upper beak) were identified as two species and correspond to a FO = 7.69%.

Materials and Methods

Discussion

The study was conducted in Stinker Point, (61º13’20.5”S, 55º21’35”W), Elephant Island, between February and March 2013. A total of 30 samples were collected randomly from

It was observed that in the Antarctic region, the main preys of SGP are other seabird species, mainly penguins, followed by invertebrates, such as crustaceous and

Results

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

31

Figure 1. Southern Giant Petrel chick in Stinker Point, Elephant Island during the austral summer of 2012/2013. Photo: Elisa de Souza Petersen.

Table 1. Frequency occurrence of preys resource in chicks diet of SGP in Stinker Point between February and March 2013. (FO = Frequency of occurrence; Na = the number of samples in which a particular item appeared).

Groups

Na

Birds

FO (%)

Antarctic region, where SGP is considered a scavenger feeding on seabirds and pinniped carcasses (Copello et al., 2008). There are also registers of predation on eggs and

92,30

on hatching chicks from other species (Warham, 1962;

NI*

23

88,46

Le Bohec et al., 2003). In Elephant Island, Chinstrap and

Throat

1

3,84

Gentoo penguin colony areas are next to SGP breeding areas

Heart

4

15,38

(Petry, 1994), facilitating the predation of these species.

Liver

1

3,84

Penguin chicks are also the main prey of Skuas, another

Intestine

1

3,84

top predator seabird in Antarctic. These penguin chicks

Pygoscelis papua Tongue

5

19,23

are a relevant source of energy to the chicks of predators

Pygoscelis antarcticus Tongue

11

42,30

(Young, 1994), as SGP, since we found a higher frequency

Feathers

13

50,00

of this item in the samples.

Crustaceous

53,84

Besides penguins, the diet of Antarctic SGP chicks

Bovallia gigantea

11

42,30

is also based on crustaceous and cephalopods, in a

Pleoticus muelleri

3

11,53

smaller proportion, as well as observed in South America

7,69

(Quintana et al., 2005; Copello et al., 2008). The two crustaceous species identified, are known to be distributed

Cephalopod Chiroteuthis veranyi

1

3,84

Batoteuthis skolops

1

3,84

* NI: Identification was not possible due to the advanced stage of digestion of the items.

32

cephalopods. The same pattern was observed in the sub-

| Annual Activity Report 2013

in the South Atlantic Ocean. The two species of cephalopods are knowingly distributed in the Sub-Antarctic region. This information bears out the fact that SGP adults travel long

a

b

0 cm

1

2

3

4

5

0 cm

6

c

0 cm 1

1

2

3

4

5

6

d

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

0 cm 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Figure 2. Items identified in the Southern Giant Petrel chicks’ diet. (a) Represent a Pygoscelis antarcticus tongue, (b) Represent a Pygoscelis papua tongue, (c) Pleoticus muelleri and (d) Bovallia gigantea. Photos: Ana Lucia Bezerra.

distances during the breeding period in the search of food

ecology of this region, since data on this species is scarce

for their chicks. The same was observed by Petry & Krüger

in Antarctica.

(2011), in a tracking study of individuals in Antarctica with geolocators. The invertebrate species were also indentified in the diet of SGP breeding in South America and in other seabirds and marine mammals top predator’s diet (Xavier & Cherel, 2009).

Conclusion

Acknowledgements This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research

In this study it was possible to verify that SGPs diet in

Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ

Antarctica is similar to the diet of other SGP populations

n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the

breeding in different areas. It was also verified that SGP

support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology

Antarctic individuals forage long distances seeking for

and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-

food for their chicks. The data is relevant to studies on the

Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

33

References Copello, S., Quintana, F., & Perez, F. (2008). Diet of the Southern Giant Petrel in Patagonia: fishery-reated items and natural prey. Endangered Species Research, 6, 15-23.

Copello, S., Dogliotti, A. I., Gagliardini, D. A., & Quintana, F. (2011). Oceanographic and biological landscapes used by the Southern Giant Petrel during the breeding season at the Patagonian Shelf. Marine Biology, 158, 1247-1257.

Harrison, P. (1983). Seabirds: an identification guide. Beckenham: Croom Helm. 448 p.

Le Bohec, C., Gauthier-Clerc, M., Gendner, J. P., Chatelain, N., & Le Maho, Y. (2003). Nocturnal predation of king penguins by giant petrels on the Crozet Islands. Polar Biology, 26, 587-590.

Patterson, D. L., Woehler, E. J., Croxall, J. P., Cooper, J., Poncet, S., Peter, H. U. et al. (2008). Breeding distribution and population status of the northern giant petrel Macronectes halli and the southern giant petrel M. giganteus. Marine Ornithology, 36, 115-124.

Petry, M. V. (1994). Distribuição especial e aspectos populacionais da avifauna de Stinker Point, Ilha Elefante, Shetlands do Sul, Antártica (Dissertação de Mestrado). Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre. 234 p.

Petry, M. V., & Krüger, L. (2011). Foraging distribution of an Antarctic Southern Giant Petrel population. Annual Activity Report of National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research. São Carlos: Editora Cubo.

Quintana, F., Schiavini, A., & Copello, S. (2005). Estado poblacional, ecología y conservación del Petrel gigantes del sur (Macronectes giganteus) en Argentina. Hornero, 20, 25-34.

Warham, J. (1962). The biology of the Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus. Auk, 79, 139-160.

Xavier, J. C., & Cherel, Y. (2009). Cephalopod Beak Guide For The Southern Ocean. Cambridge: British Antarctic Survey. 129 p.

Young, E. (1994). Skua and penguin. London: Cambrigde University Press. 472 p.

34

| Annual Activity Report 2013

2 INFLUENZA DETECTED IN Macronectes giganteus IN TWO ISLANDS OF SOUTH SHETLANDS, ANTARCTICA Elisa de Souza Petersen1*, Maria Virginia Petry1, Édison Durigon2, Jansen Araújo2 1

Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISINOS, Laboratório de Ornitologia e Animais Marinhos, Av. Unisinos, nº 950, Cristo Rei, 93.022-000, São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil 2 Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Laboratório de Virologia Clínica e Molecular, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, 05508-900, 2º andar, São Paulo, Brazil *email: elisapetersen@yahoo.com.br

Abstract: Influenza A virus was detected in different species of birds and migratory aquatic birds. They are the main reservoir of the virus. In this research we detected the first Influenza A virus in Southern Giant Petrel in an Antarctic region. The results represent 0.33% of the samples collected in two breeding areas of the species. Some factors can explain the introduction of these pathogens and diseases in Antarctica, such as bird’s migratory behavior and the remains of the virus in cold waters.

Keywords: Southern Giant Petrel, Viruses, Elephant Island, King George Island

Introduction

review of main parasites and diseases detected in Antarctic

Influenza A has been detected in humans, pigs, horses, marine mammals and in different species of birds (Webster et al., 1992). Currently 105 species of wild birds have been detected with Influenza A and aquatic birds are the main reservoir of the virus (Olsen et al., 2006). The transmission is poorly understood (Alexander, 2007), however the easiest form of spreading of the virus is in water, remaining infective for 30 days in 0°C (Webster et al., 1978).

In Antarctica Sphenisciformes, Procellariiformes and Charadriiformes breed during the austral summer. Most are long-distance migratory species, excluding penguins, and are observed in diverse and dense colonies in ice free areas (Schreiber & Burger, 2002). However, these breeding areas are scarse hence the proximity of the colonies and the nests make the intra and interespecific transmission of the virus easier. The Southern Giant Petrel (SGP) (Macronectes giganteus) breeds in the Antarctic region and has a circumpolar distribution (Patterson et al., 2008) and with other species of seabirds became a potential disperser of several diseases. Barbosa & Palacius (2009) presented a

seabirds and associated different microorganism to SGP. Therefore, the migratory behavior and the presence of several diseases make the SGP an important species to research, not only for the species conservation but for the Antarctic ecosystem. The objective of this research is detecting the Influenza A virus in SGP in two regions in South Shetland Island.

Materials and Methods The data was collected at Stinker Point (Elephant Island) and Admiralty Bay (King George Island), South Shetlands Island, during three breeding seasons. Two tracheal and cloacal samples were collected from adults and chicks (Figure 1), all the animals were banded to avoid the recapture. The detection was conducted in Biossecurity level 3+ Laboratory. To RNA extraction we used NucliSENS® easyMAG® (Biomérieux) Kit. The viral detection was made

by RT-PCR with TaqMan® Avian Influenza Virus (AIV-M) Reagents.

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

35

Results

reported with some virus infection. Barbosa & Palacius

A major number of tracheal and cloacal samples were

(2009) presented a review about the health of Antarctic

collected in Elephant Island (Table 1). Influenza A virus

and sub-Antarctic seabirds describing nine species with

was detected in one individual, representing 0,33% of all

six different virus infection. These species are six penguins

individuals manipulated. All the samples of Admiralty Bay

(Aptenodytes patagonicus, A. forsteri, Pygoscelis papua, P.

were negative to virus Influenza A. The detection occurred

adeliae, P. antarctica, Eudyptes chrysolophus, E. schlegeli),

in a male in Elephant Island (Figure 2). This individual was

one petrel (Macronectes giganteus) and one species of

captured during the 2010/11 austral Summer, January 9 .

skua (Stercorarius maccormicki). However the research

th

results show the presence of viral antibody instead of the

Discussion

virus. In South Shetland Island, the same study area of this

Despite the SGP that was detected with Influenza A virus

research, antibody of H1, H3, H7 H9 of Influenza were

in Antarctica, different Antarctic seabirds species have been

detected in adults and chicks of P. antarctica, P. adeliae,

Figure 1. A. Southern Giant Petrel chick in Elephant Island.

Table 1. Samples collected during the three breeding seasons of Southern Giant Petrel in Elephant Island (EI) and King George Island (KG).

2009/10 EI

36

2010/11

Total

EI

KG

EI

KG

Males

36

7

30

4

77

Female

39

10

31

11

91

58

8

50

133

25

111

Chicks

15

Total

15

| Annual Activity Report 2013

KG

2011/12

0

131 15

299

Figure 2. Southern Giant Petrel adults in Elephant Islands.

P. papua, Stercorarius sp and M. giganteus. The data of this

involve migratory and resident species of different areas in

research is similar to preview information, showing that

Antarctica, like the Peninsula, the Continent and boundary

most individuals in the area are not infected. Nevertheless,

islands. The transmission of the virus may be facilitated

one individual representing 0.33% of the total sample was detected with Influenza A, emphasizing the importance of the research about Antarctic health.

Regardless of the Antarctic being considered as an isolated environment, this area is impacted by other environments in the planet, as well as by other organisms, like pathogens and diseases. Some factors can explain the introduction of these pathogens and diseases in Antarctica: bird’s migratory behavior (Krauss et al., 2007; Olsen et al., 2006) and the remains of the virus in cold waters

because of the proximity of the nests of the species during their breeding seasons and by the sharing of cold water areas, thus, lake sediments and water could also be analyzed. These breeding groups should be kept under monitoring to verify the permanence of virus in these seabirds.

Acknowledgements This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-

(Zhang et al., 2006).

APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the

Conclusion

process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research

Through this data it was possible to detect Influenza A virus in SGP in the Antarctic region. Despite the low number

National Council for Research and Development (CNPq Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the

of individuals contaminated, with only one positive result

support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology

for the virus among two study areas, it is suggested that

and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-

new research should be performed. This new data would

Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

37

References Alexander, D. J. (2007). An overview of the epidemiology of avian influenza. Vaccine, 25, 5637-5644. PMid:17126960. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.10.051 Barbosa, A., & Palacios, M. J. (2009). Health of Antarctic birds: a review of their parasites, pathogens and disease. Polar Biology, 32, 1095-1015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-009-0640-3 Krauss, S., Obert, C. A., Franks, J., Walker, D., Jones, K., Seiler, P. et al. (2007). Influenza im migratory birds and evidence of limited intercontinental virus exchange. Plos Pathogens, 3, 1684-1693. PMid:17997603 PMCid:PMC2065878. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.0030167 Olsen, B., Munster, V. J., Wallensten, A., Waldenstrom, J., Osterhaus, A. D. M. E., & Fouchier, R. A. (2006). Global patterns of Influenza A virus wild birds. Science, 312, 384-388. PMid:16627734. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1122438 Patterson, D. L., Woehler, E. J., Croxall, J. P., Cooper, J., Poncet, S., Peter, H. U. et al. (2008). Breeding distribution and population status of the northern giant petrel Macronectes halli and the southern giant petrel M. giganteus. Marine Ornithology, 36, 115-124.

Schreiber, E. A., & Burger. J. (2002). Biology of marine birds. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 219 p.

Webster, R. G., Yaknot, M., Hinshaw, V. S., Bean, W. J., & Murti, K. C. (1978). Intestinal Influenza: replication and characterization of influenza virus in ducks. Virology, 84, 268-278. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0042-6822(78)90247-7 Webster, R. G., Bean, W. J., Gorman, O. T., Chambers, T. M., & Kawaoka, Y. (1992). Evolution and Ecology of Influenza A viruses. Microbiological Reviews, 56, 152-179. PMid:1579108 PMCid:PMC372859 Zhang, G., Shoham, D., Gilichinsky, D., Davydov, S., Castello, J. D., & Rogers, S. O. (2006). Evidence of Influenza A virus RNA in Siberian Lake Ice. Journal of Virology, 80, 12229-12235. PMid:17035314 PMCid:PMC1676296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/ JVI.00986-06

38

| Annual Activity Report 2013

3 NICHE OVERLAP OF SPHENISCIDAE ON ELEPHANT ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Fernanda Caminha Leal Valls* & Maria Virginia Petry Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Laboratório de Ornitologia e Animais Marinhos, Av. Unisinos, 950, Cristo Rei, CEP 93.022-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil *e-mail: fernandaclvalls@gmail.com

Abstract: Stomach content samples were collected from Gentoo Penguin and Chinstrap Penguin in order to analyze the diet and the niche overlap on Elephant Island, Antarctica. A total of 56 Gentoo Penguin samples and 71 Chinstrap Penguin samples were collected, during the two austral breeding seasons, 2010/11 and 2011/12, on the Stinker Point region. E. superba was the most abundant prey, (69% FO and 98% FO) for Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin, respectively. Nine species of fish and one species of cephalopod, were identified by specific level. We observed a niche overlap of species, by the use of the same food resources, since these species occurs sympatrically in the same region. This study also demonstrated that the specific variation of trophic niches occupied by the species may be defined by the foraging behavior and by the selection of the food resources.

Keywords: Chinstrap Penguin, Ecological Niche, Elephant Island, Gentoo Penguin

Introduction The Antarctic breeding seabirds have been considered bioindicators of ecosystems variability in the region.

Individuals of Spheniscidae are considered one of the sentinel species for the study of environmental changes, composing about 90% of the total seabird’s biomass for the area. Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua and Chinstrap Penguin Pygoscelis antarcticus breed on the Antarctic Islands and Peninsula (Croxall et al., 2002). They have as their primary resource the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and share their breeding sites.

Some authors suggest that the seabird populations suffer fluctuations due to decrease of offspring. This reduction study indicates in response to low availability of food instead of adult mortality by predation or hunting (Reid & Croxall,

(Hinke et al., 2007; Miller et al., 2010; Lynch et al., 2012).

Antarctic krill is considered a fundamental key in the Antarctic ecosystem and serves as main part in the transfer of energy through the trophic web (Nicol, 2006; Miller & Trivelpiece, 2007). In this way, there is a particular interest in the study of the interrelation of krill with predators, since their populations have declined in recent years, due to loss of sea ice (Siegel et al., 2002). The diet and foraging ecology of species determine their location within a trophic network and define its role. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the feeding preference and assess the trophic niche overlap of P. papua and P. antarcticus, which reproduce sympatrically in the Stinker Point region on Elephant Island.

2001; Trivelpiece et al., 2011). According to Croxall (1984),

Materials and Methods

all species of penguins are the main consumers of marine

The field work was carried out on Stinker Point region, Elephant Island (61º13’20.5”S 55º21’35”W), during the austral summer 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. The stomach contents were collected from breeding adults following

resources, particularly the Antarctic krill. Thus, many studies have been made about predator-prey interaction, where the Antarctic krill is the prey of greater importance

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CCAMLR (2004). Discriminant analysis was used to analyze the differences in the use of food resources among the species. The niche overlap was applied through the EcoSim 7.0 software, using the total biomass of each resource item, varying between 0-1, (0) zero no overlap between species and (1) one, total overlap.

Results General diet composition A total of 56 stomach contents samples of Gentoo and 71 samples of Chinstrap were collected on Elephant Island. E. superba was the most abundant prey compared with other food items (69% FO for Gentoo and 98% FO for Chinstrap).

Besides E. superba, were also recorded two more species of krill, E. chrystallorophias (8% and 11% FO to Gentoo and Chinstrap, respectively), while E. frigida (4% FO), was only registered for Chinstrap Penguin. In addition to crustaceans, 21 cephalopods beaks were identified as Pareledone turqueti. Nototheniidae was the most frequent fish family recorded, with six identified species: Trematomus newnesi (1,78% FO), Lepidonotothen nudifrons (7,14% FO), Pleuragramma antarctica (5,36% FO), Lepidonotothen squamifrons (3,57% FO), Notothenia rossi (8,93% FO) and Pseudonotothen loennbergii (1,78% FO), while the family Myctophidae is represented by Electrona antarctica (1,78% FO), Harpagiferidae by Harpagifer antarcticus (14,28% FO) and the family Channichthyidae, represented

by Champsocephalus gunnari (14,28% FO) found in Gentoo Penguin.

Trophic niche overlap The Discriminant analyses resulted in 1 function, which explained the 100% of variation of data (Canonical Correlation = 0.631, p < 0.001) and is represented by the variables E. superba (-0.622), E. crystallorophias (-0.347), E frigida (-0.207), L. nudifrons (0.331), P. antarctica (0.405) and H. antarcticus (0.793) (Figure 1). The frequency distribution of scores resulted from the Discriminant analysis also shows that there is a slight overlap between species, which is corroborated by the niche overlap analysis.

The observed overlap index (0.48) was significantly

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(p < 0.001) higher than expected by simulation (0.084), in other words, if the use of items was random, the overlap between species would be close to zero.

Discussion The diet of the two penguin species studied was based on Antarctic krill E. superba (69% Gentoo Penguin and 98% Chinstrap Penguin), as well as in other Islands of South Shetlands Island’s Archipelago (Trivelpiece et al., 2003; Miller et al. 2010; Polito et al., 2011) and South Orkney (Rombolá et al., 2012). Besides Antarctic krill, the Pareledone octopose’s genera are endemic and distributed largely on the Antarctic Ocean (Allock & Piertney, 2002).

However, there are no records of prey P. turqueti in the penguin’s diet, probably due to the scarcity of studies and to recent discoveries to the genus Pareledone, on the Antarctic region (Allock et al., 2007), causing difficulty in identification. The Notothenidae species were the prey with greater representativity on the Gentoo Penguin’s diet, also can be found in the diet of other seabird species, such as Phalacrocorax atriceps (Casaux & Barrera-Oro, 1996; Casaux & Ramon, 2002).

The trophic niche overlap through interspecific competition predicts that a total overlap can lead to unsustainable competition, and as a result, one of the populations might fail (Hardin, 1960). However, the overlap at smaller levels allows the interspecific competition to be softened, so that there is a partition of resources by the species. Specifically, the Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin share the same habitat for building nests and consume mainly Antarctic krill (Trivelpiece et al., 2003; Miller et al., 2010). According to Miller et al. (2010), these features indicate, substantially, that there is an overlap in the ecological niche between these two species. It is therefore expected that there was an overlap of trophic niche of species, as these species occur sympatrically in the same region. Yet, the authors point out that the populations have been governed by environmental changes and, therefore, these species are suffering a distinct trajectory of realized niche (Miller et al., 2010).

E. superba

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L. nudifrons H. antarcticus E. frigida P. antarctica

Prey biomass

E. crystallorophias

10

1

1,000E-5 Gentoo Penguin

Chinstrap Penguin

Figure 1. Biomass (g) of the most frequent food resources in the diet of penguins on Elephant Island, Antarctica. Discriminant analysis with the average biomass of food items. The resulted centroides were 0.577 and -1.139 to Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin, respectively. Gentoo correlates positively with the variables L. nudifrons, P. antarctica and H. antarcticus (blue colours), while Chinstrap is positively correlated with E. superba and E. crystallorophias and E. frigida (orange colours).

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

This study demonstrates that the specific variation of trophic niches occupied by the species can be set by the foraging behavior and the selection of food resources of each species. The recommendation of these species as indicators of environmental quality is important, in addition to issues such as local variability, because the trophic niche can change over time as well as the amount and availability of prey can also change.

This work is sponsored by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n째 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n째 E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

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References Allock, A. L., Strugnell, J. M., Prodöhl, P., Piatkowski, U., & Vecchione, M. (2007). A new species of Pareledone (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) from Antarctic Peninsula Waters. Polar Biology, 30, 883-893. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0248-9 Allock, A. L., & Piertney, S. B. (2002). Evolutionary relationships of Southern Ocean Octopodidade (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) and a review diagnosis of Pareledone. Marine Biology, 140, 129-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002270100687 Casaux, R. J., & Barrera-Oro, E. (1996). WG-EMM-96/31: fish in the diet of the blue-eyed shag Phalacrocorax atriceps at the South Shetlands Islands: six years of monitoring studies. Australia: CCAMLR. PMid:8718266 Casaux, R. J., & Ramón, A. (2002). The diet of the South Georgia shag Phalacrocorax georgianus at the South Orkney Islands in five consecutive years. Polar Biology, 25, 557-561.

CCAMLR. CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program. (2004). Standard methods for monitoring parameters of predators species.

Hobart, Australia.

Croxall, J. P. (1984). Seabirds: Antarctic ecology. In R. M. Laws (Ed.), (Vol. 2, pp. 533-619). London: Academic Press.

Croxall, J. P., Trathan, P. N., & Murphy, E. J. (2002). Environmental change and Antarctic seabird populations. Science, 297, 1510-1514. PMid:12202819. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1071987 Hardin, G. (1960). The competitive exclusion principle. Science, 131, 1292-1297. PMid:14399717. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/ science.131.3409.1292 Hinke, J. T., Salwicka, K., Trivelpiece, S. G., Watters, G. M., & Trivelpiece, W. Z. (2007). Divergent responses of Pygoscelis penguins reveal common environmental driver. Oecologia, 153, 845-855. PMid:17566778. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ s00442-007-0781-4 Lynch, H. J., Ratcliffe, N., Passmore, J., Foster, E., & Trathan, P. N. (2012). Sensitivity analysis identifies high influence sites for estimates of penguin krill consumption on the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic Science, 25(1), 19-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ S0954102012000600 Miller, A. K., Kappes, M. A., Trivelpiece, S. G., & Trivelpiece, W. Z. (2010). Foraging-niche separation of breeding Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The Condor, 112(4), 683-695. http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/ cond.2010.090221 Miller, A. K., & Trivelpiece, W. Z. (2007). Cycles of Euphausia superba recruitment evident in the diet of Pygoscelid penguins and net trawls in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Polar Biology, 30, 1615-1623. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300007-0326-7 Nicol, S. (2006). Krill, currents, and sea ice: Euphausia superba and its Changing Environment. BioScience, 56(2), 111-120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2006)056[0111:KCASIE]2.0.CO;2 Polito, M. J., Trivelpiece, W. Z., Karnovsky, N. J., & Patterson, W. P. (2011). Integrating stomach content and stable isotope analyses to quantify the diets of pygoscelid penguins. PLoS One, 6(10), e26642. PMid:22053199 PMCid:PMC3203888. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026642 Reid, K., & Croxall, J. P. (2001). Environmental response of upper trophic-level predators reveals a system change in an Antarctic marine ecosystem. Proceedings of the Royal Society, 268, 377-384. PMid:11270434 PMCid:PMC1088617. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2000.1371 Rombolá, E. F., Marschoff, E., & Coria, N. (2012). Analysis of the sources of variance in the mean size of krill consumed

by Chinstrap and Adélie penguins at South Orkney Islands. Polar Biology, 35(10), 1601-1606. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ s00300-012-1201-8 Siegel, V., Bergstromz, B., Muhlenhardt-Siegel, U., & Thomassonz, M. (2002). Demography of krill in the Elephant Island area during summer 2001 and its significance for stocks recruitment. Antarctic Science, 14, 162-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ S095410200200072X Trivelpiece, W. Z., Salwicka, K., & Trivelpiece, S. G. (2003). WG-EMM-03/29: diets of sympatrically penguins from Admiralty Bay, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, 1981 to 2000. Hobart: CCAMLR. Trivelpiece, W. Z., Hinke, J. T., Miller, A. K., Reiss, C. S., Trivelpiece, S. G., & Watter, G.M. (2011). Variability in krill biomass links harvesting and climate warming to penguin population changes in Antarctica. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(18), 7625-7628. PMid:21482793 PMCid:PMC3088573 http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1016560108

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4 MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SHELLS OF Nacella concinna PREDATED BY GULL Larus dominicanus IN THREE ISLANDS OF THE SOUTH SHETLANDS: KING GEORGE, PENGUIN AND ELEPHANT – ANTARCTICA Gabriela Bandasz Werle*, Cesar Rodrigo dos Santos & Maria Virginia Petry Laboratório de Ornitologia e Animais Marinhos, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Av. Unisinos 950, Cristo Rei, São Leopoldo, CEP 93022-000, Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil *e-mail: gabriela_werle@hotmail.com

Abstract: The gastropod Nacella concinna is common in the littoral zone of the Antarctic Peninsula. This invertebrate has great importance in terms of biomass for the region, being a potential prey for the Kelp gull Larus dominicanus. They have a tendency to opportunism, but can select large shells when they are available. This study aims to evaluate Nacella concinna shells morphometry and access whether the length, width, height and the apex differ significantly between sampling sites. Shells were collected manually in three islands of the South Shetlands: Elephant, Penguin and King George, at Kelp gull breeding and feeding points. The shells measurements were made with a caliper at the laboratory. Shells morphometric variables were compared between the three islands through discriminant analysis, with the function generated by it, an ANOVA was made. There were significant differences (p < 0,001) among the samples measured. All shell measurements were higher for Elephant Island. The variation found in shells among the three islands may have been influenced by differences in environmental conditions.

Keywords: Gastropod, Morphometry, Prey, Discriminant Analysis

Introduction The mollusk of the class Gastropoda Nacella concinna is one of the most common invertebrates found in the coastal zone distribution from South Georgia to the Antarctic Peninsula (Picken, 1980; Davenport, 2001). For the region of the Antarctic Peninsula two morphotypes of

the differences between the morphometric variables of N. concinna are significant between areas of Antarctica (King George Island, Penguin and Elephant), where the collections were made from the shells predated by L. dominicanus and what factors may be contributing to such an occurrence.

this mollusk are recognized: one occurring on the coast and the other in subtidal zone (Aranzamendi et al., 2010). In the South Shetlands, the Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus is an important predator of the species in the mesolittoral zone (Shabica, 1976; Favero et al., 1997). About 90% of the bird’s diet consists of Antarctic N. concina (Favero et al., 1997; Barbieri, 2008). In the King George Islands, Penguin and Elephant, diverse gastropod shells are found in the feeding and nesting areas of Gull. This study aims to assess whether

Materials and Methods For the study, shells of N. concinna predated by L. dominicanus were collected manually on three islands of the South Shetlands: King George, Penguin and Elephant.

In each of the islands the sampling focused on the points of nesting and foraging of L. domincanus, between November 2009 to March 2010 and December 2010 to March 2011.

The shells collected were measured with a caliper, always

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by the same investigator. The variables evaluated in the

Results

shells were: length, width, height and apex. The choice of

A total of 1.781 shells were measured. From the

such measures followed four of the variables adopted in the

discriminant analysis two discriminant functions F1 and

study of Tablado & Gapa (2001). For data normalization

F2 were obtained that indicated how the variables are

measures of variables were log-transformed. Discriminant analysis was performed to study the differences between the samples (shells) of the three study groups. Afterwards an ANOVA was performed with a function generated by discriminant analysis, to see if the variables of each island differ significantly. We admitted the existence of a significant difference when p < 0.05. All statistical analyzes in this study were performed with the SPSS software 18.0.

correlated. The Wilksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lambda to the function F1 was 0.488 while for the function 2 was 0.960 both with p < 0.001. The eigenvalue of F1 was 0.968 and of F2 was 0.0429. This data indicates that proportionally analyzed the function F1 was able to discriminate the data 22.56 times more than the function F2 (Figure 1). The findings of the factorial ANOVA for the function F1 show a significant difference between the shells of the three islands with a p <0.001. The value of F for the analysis was 584.307 (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Graphical representation of the discriminant analysis performed with the variables measured in the shells of the islands: King George, Penguin and Elephant.

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Figure 2. Graphical representation of factorial ANOVA analysis performed for function 1.

Discussion Significant difference found between the morphometric variables of shells collected on the three islands can be attributed to some biotic and abiotic factors, among them we highlight the ecological conditions of each island as food availability, amount of calcium, temperature, salinity and pH. The existence of these factors in each study area has an influence on the development of N. concinna and may be different between the Islands: Elephant, Penguin and King George, which could explain the difference in sizes of shells due to an adaptation to the environment to which they are subjected. Another factor to be considered is the environmental contamination. Although the Antarctic continent is less susceptible to anthropogenic influences,

in the Antarctic Peninsula, the number of activities is increasing, such as scientific research vessel traffic, vehicles and tourism, which demands greater investment in logistics, therefore, the human presence modifies the natural characteristics of the local environment in the South Shetlands.

Some studies highlight the existence of traces of metal such as chromium, manganese, zinc, nickel and vanadium, on sediments at Penguin and King George islands (Guerra et al., 2011; Santos et al., 2005) and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Barroso, 2010).

These mollusks suffer more than other organisms from the action of environmental pollutants because they are filter feeders. Another factor to be considered is the availability

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of larger shells in places which have higher values for the morphometric variables evaluated. Favero et al. (1998) reported in their studies that L. dominicanus shows selectivity for large shells when they are available. Although considered generalist, a study analyzing the selectivity of shells of L. dominicanus in these three islands can reveal whether this difference can be explained by selection by birds or other factors characteristic of each environment.

The analysis of pollutants directly on samples taken from living shells of different sizes in the Gull breeding area would corroborate this study.

Conclusion We conclude that precisely in the islands with higher anthropogenic activity the Gull predated the smallest shells, and offered them to their chicks. On Elephant Island, where there is less human activity in relation to other islands,

was where the largest shells were preyed upon. The size difference of the shells between the three islands studied was significant.

Acknowledgements This work is supported by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Aranzamendi, M. C., Martínez, J. J., & Sahade, R. (2010). Shape differentiation and characterization in the two morphotypes of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna using Elliptic Fourier analysis of shells. Polar Biology, 33(9), 1163-1170. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-010-0803-2 Barbieri, E. (2008). Diversidade da dieta e do comportamento do Gaivotão Antártico (Larus dominicanus) na península Keller, Ilha Rei Jorge, Shetland do Sul. O Mundo da Saúde, 32(3), 302-307.

Barroso, H. (2010). Hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) em organismos marinhos da Baía do Almirantado, Península Antártica. (Tese de doutorado em Ciências). Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo. 160 p.

Davenport, J. (2001). Meltwater effects on intertidal sub-Antarctic limpets Nacella concinna. Marine Biology, 81, 643-649.

Favero, M., Silva, P., & Ferreira, G. (1997). Trophic relationships between the kelp gull and the Antartic limpet at King George Island (South Shetland Islands, Antartica) during the breeding season. Polar Biology, 17, 431-436. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ s003000050137 Favero, M., Silva, M. P., & Martinez, M. (1998). How important are pelagic preys for the kelp gull during chick: rearing at the South Shetland Islands? Polar Biology, 19, 32-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003000050213 Guerra, R., Fetter, E., Ceschim, L. M. M., & Martins, C. C. (2011). Trace metals in sediments cores from Deception and Penguim Island (South Shetlands Islands, Antarctica). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62, 2571-2575. PMid:21903228. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.08.012 Picken, G. B. (1980). The Distribution, Growth, and Reproduction the Antartic Limpet Nacella (Patinigera) concinna (Strebel, 1908). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 42(1), 71-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(80)90167-7 Santos, I. R., Silva-Filho, E. V., Schaefer, C. E., Albuquerque-Filho, M. R., & Campos, L. S. (2005). Heavy metal contamination in coastalsediments and soilsnear the Brasilian Antarctic Station, King George Island. Marine Polllution Bulletin, 50, 185-194.

PMid:15737360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.10.009 Shabica, S. V. (1976). The natural history of the Antarctic limpet Patinigera polaris (Hombron and Jaquinot). (PhD thesis). University of Oregon, Eugene.

Tablado, A., & Gappa, J. (2001). Morphometric diversity of the pulmonate limpet Siphonaria lessoni in different coastal environments. Scientia Marina, 65(1), 33-41.

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5 OCCURRENCE AND MORTALITY OF ANTARCTIC AND SUB-ANTARCTIC SEABIRDS ALONG THE SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN COAST Laura Andréa Lindenmeyer-Sousa*, Elisa de Souza Petersen & Maria Virginia Petry Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISINOS, Laboratório de Ornitologia e Animais Marinhos, Av. Unisinos, nº 950, Cristo Rei, CEP 93022-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil *e-mail: l.lindenmeyer@yahoo.com.br

Abstract: Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds are widely distributed and have a large migratory movement, usually using the South Atlantic region as a resting and foraging area. The aim of this study is to quantify the mortality of Antarctic and subAntarctic seabirds along the Brazilian Southern Coast and compare this data between two periods with an interval of eleven years. The census was conducted between Balneário Pinhal and Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul State. A total of 1183 carcasses were recorded in the two years of study: 1087 during the first year (1997-1998) and 96 in the second (2008-2009). 15 species were identified: Diomedeidae (n = 4) and Procellariidae (n = 11). The mortality of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds on the Southern Brazilian Coast can be a consequence of several factors: anthropogenic and climate phenomena. After eleven years, the significant decrease in the number of individuals indicate efficient mitigation measures contributing to a reduction in mortality of species of seabirds in the South coast of Brazil.

Keywords: Marine Birds, Procellariiformes, Rio Grande do Sul, Carcasses

Introduction Important components of the marine ecosystem,

mortality rate of these seabirds (Cury et al., 2008; Petry et al.,

seabirds are widely distributed and have large migratory

2012). Therefore, the aim of this study is to quantify the

movements (Péron et al., 2010). Some species are recorded

mortality of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds along the

using the South Atlantic region as a resting and foraging

Brazilian Southern Coast and compare this data between

area. Antarctic and sub-Antarctic birds are observed in the

two periods with an interval of eleven years.

region of Southern Brazil, mainly during the non-breeding period, because the region has high primary productivity.

The confluence of two large ocean currents, Brazil Current

Materials and Methods The censuses were conducted between Balneário

and Malvinas Current, provides large productivity in

Pinhal (30º 14’ 55.0” S, 50º 13’ 47 .8” W) and Mostardas

this area, increasing the food resource for these species

(31º 10’ 52.1” S, 50º 50’ 03” W), located in the mid coastal

(Borzone et al., 1999; Fernandes & Brandini, 1999).

area of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from July 1997

In the Southern Brazilian ocean, however, some threats

to June 1998. A second survey was carried out eleven years

caused by human activities and climatic phenomena can

later, from July 2008 to June 2009. A transect of 120 km was

affect seabirds, resulting in mass mortality of these species

covered monthly and all the seabird species were identified

(Petry & Fonseca, 2002; Costa et al., 2011). For example,

and recorded per kilometer. The species had their frequency

overexploitation of fishery in the region can interfere in the

of occurrence FO = (NMO * 100) / NTM calculated, where

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NMO = number of months in which the species were observed and NTM = total number of months of sampling.

Results A total of 1183 individuals were found dead in the two years of study: 1087 in the first year followed by 96 in the second year. 15 species were recorded: Diomedeidae (n = 4) and Procellariidae (n = 11). The most frequent species in the first sampling were Procellaria aequinoctialis (FO = 92.30%), Thalassarche melanophrys (FO = 84.61%) and Puffinus gravis (FO = 76.92%). The species with lower frequency were: T. chrysostoma, Pachyptila belcheri and P. desolata (FO = 7.69%). In the second year, the most frequent species were Thalassarche chlororhynchos, Puffinus gravis (FO = 61.54%) and Procellaria aequinoctialis (FO = 38.46%).

(Figures 1 and 2). Seven species were not recorded in the second year: Diomedea epomophora, Thalassarche chrysostoma, Fulmarus glacialoides, Pterodroma incerta, Pachyptila belcheri, Pachyptila desolata and Puffinus griseus (FO = 0%).

Discussion and Conclusion Different Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic species were observed along the Southern Brazilian Coast. Some

data about the mortality of some species like penguins, albatrosses and petrels had been recorded in this area (Petry & Fonseca 2002; Petry et al., 2012). The mortality of these seabirds recorded during the sampling can occur due to several factors: fishing activity, ocean pollution by oils and synthetic materials or climatic origin (Petry & Fonseca, 2002). The fishing activity contributes to seabird mortality through collision with trawlers (Watkins et al., 2008). The ingestion of the oil occurs when the individuals try to clean their feathers and the synthetic materials in the ocean can be ingested by seabirds because they confuse them with food (Burger, 1993; Petry et al., 2009; Petry et al., 2010).

Climate phenomena, such as El Niño, can cause the death of many individuals of seabirds species, switching their food resources (Pierotti & Annett, 1990).

Comparing the years of survey, the number of dead individuals along the Brazilian Southern Coast decreased during the eleven year interval. The National Action Plan for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels drawn up between the two years of study proposed several mitigation measures to reduce the mortality of these species, such as use of tori line and night setting (Neves, 2006). After eleven years, the field records indicated mitigating measures were indeed effective, showing a decrease of seabird species mortality along Southern Brazilian coast.

Figure 1. Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds recorded in Southern Brazil. Frequency of occurrence of these species on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul. The red and pink colored bars indicate, respectively, the two years of sampling.

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a

b

c

d

Figure 2. The most frequent species found dead along the Southern Brazilian coast were (a) Procellaria aequinoctialis and (b) Thalassarche melanophrys recorded with processed plastic around their necks, (c) Thalassarche chlororhynchos and (d) Puffinus gravis both individuals with oil stains. Photos: Victória Renata Fontoura Benemann (a, b, c) and Angelo Luís Scherer (d).

Acknowledgements This work is sponsored by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and

Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

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References Borzone, C. A., Pezzuto, P. R., & Marone, E. (1999). Oceanographic characteristics of a multi-specific fishing ground of the central south Brazil bight. Marine Ecology, 20(2), 132-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0485.1999.00070.x Burger, A. E. (1993). Estimating the mortality of seabirds following oil spills: effects of spill volume. Marine Pollution Bulleting, 26, 140-143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0025-326X(93)90123-2 Costa, E. S., Ayala L., Sul, J. A. I., Coria, N. R., Sánchez-Scaglioni, R. E., Alves, M. A. S. et al. (2011). Antarctic and SubAntarctic seabirds in South America: a review. Oecologia Brasiliensis, 15(1), 59-68.

Cury, P. M., Shin, Y. J., Planque, B., Durant, J. M., Fromentin, J. M., Kramer-Schadt, S. et al. (2008). Ecosystem oceanography for global change in fisheries. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 23(6), 338-346. PMid:18436333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. tree.2008.02.005 Fernandes, L. F., & Brandini, F.P. (1999). Microplankton communities in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean: biomass and distribution in November/1992. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 47(2), 189-205.

Neves, T., Olmos, F., Peppes, F. E., & Mohr, L. V. (2006, August 7). Plano de Ação Nacional Para Conservação de Albatrozes e Petreis. Brasília: IBAMA. Retrieved from http://www.icmbio.gov.br Péron, C., Authier, M., Barbraud, C., Delord, K., Besson, D., & Weimerskirch, H. (2010, August 5). Contrasting changes in at-sea distribution and abundance of subantarctic seabirds in the Southern Ocean. In Proceedings of the BOU Conference “Climate Change and Birds”. Retrieved from http://www.bou.org.uk/bouproc-net/ccb/peron-etal.pdf Petry, M. V., & Fonseca, V. S. (2002). Effects of human activities in the marine environment on seabirds along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Neotropical Ornithology, 13, 137-142.

Petry, M. V., Petersen, E. S., Scherer, J. F. M., Krüger, L., & Scherer, A. L. (2010). Nota sobre a ocorrência e dieta de Macronectes giganteus (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 18, 237-239.

Petry, M. V., Krüger, L., Fonseca, V. S. S., Brummelhaus, J., & Piuco, R. (2009). Diet ingestion of synthetics by Cory’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea off southern Brazil. Journal Ornithology, 150(3), 601-606. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-009-0373-7 Petry, M. V., Scherer, J. F. M., & Scherer, A. L. (2012). Ocorrência, alimentação e impactos antrópicos de aves marinhas nas praias do litoral do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 20, 65-70.

Pierotti, R., & Annett, C.A. (1990). Diet and reproductive performance in seabirds. Bioscience, 40(8), 568-574. http://dx.doi. org/10.2307/1311297 Watkins, B. P., Petersen, S. L., & Ryan, P. G. (2008). Interactions between seabirds and deep-water hake trawl gear: an assessment of impacts in South African waters. Animal Conservation, 11(4), 247-252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.14691795.2008.00192.x

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6 RECORDS OF VAGRANT SPECIES IN STINKER POINT, ELEPHANT ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Liana Chesini Rossi*, Elisa de Souza Petersen & Maria Virginia Petry Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISINOS, Laboratório de Ornitologia e Animais Marinhos, Av. Unisinos, nº 950, Cristo Rei, CEP 93022-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil *e-mail: lianachesinibio@gmail.com

Abstract: This paper presents all the vagrant species recorded in Stinker Point, Elephant Island during the austral summer. All the records were made during the years 1986 and 2013. A total of five vagrant species were recorded in the study area. White-rumped Sandpiper was the species with most individuals recorded followed by Cattle Egret. Most of species recorded in the area are long distance migrants and probably the presence of these species in Antarctica is influenced by different factors as winds, storms and climate changes.

Keywords: Species Distribution, Migratory Routes, Environmental Characteristics

Introduction Vagrant species habitually show migratory behavior and

species were compiled during the 80’s and 90’s decades with

are observed outside the migratory, winter and breeding

the present information collected among 2009 and 2013

routes (Newton, 2008). The vagrancy can occur through

austral summer. Birds were observed during the seabirds

the increase and expansion of the population or home

monitoring census in the Island that correspond their

range change caused by climate factors (Woehler, 1992;

breeding periods. The vagrants were recorded each five-day

Milius, 1999). Besides the climate factors, the species can

period when the Stinker Point area is totally monitored. To

modify their migratory routes due to natural factors, such

observe the vagrants direct observations were done with

as increasing home range and foraging areas trying to find

binoculars (10 × 42). All the birds were identified using

abundant resource areas. The records of vagrant species are

field guides (La Peña et al., 2001).

more evident when these are observed in high latitudes, away from the birds’ home range. (Raya Rey et al., 2007).

Elephant Island is the northern territory of South Shetland Islands, close to ice fields from the Weddell Sea and receives frequent cold fronts (O’Brian, 1974; Turner et al., 2005; Steig et al., 2009). It is considered an Important Bird Area according to the report “Important Bird Area in Antarctica” presented in IBA 072 (Harris et al., 2011). This research aims to report the vagrant species in Stinker Point, Elephant Island, during the austral summer.

Materials and Methods

Results A total of five vagrants species were observed in Elephant Island as one Sphenisciforme, one Procellariiformes, one Ciconiiformes and two Charadriiformes.

Eudyptes chrysocome (Rockhopper Penguin): Rockhopper penguin was observed among Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and Macaroni penguin colonies (Eudyptes chrysolophus) for two hours on January 8th, 2012.

This specie breeds in the Sub Antarctic region and this is the first record in Elephant Island (Figure 1).

Macronectes halli (Northern Giant Petrel): The first

Records were made in Stinker Point (61º13’20.5”S,

record was registered in 1986 followed in December 2009.

55º21’35”W), Elephant Island. Previous data of vagrant

On January 23th, 2011, two individuals of Northern Giant

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51

Petrel were registered. This is the giant petrel specie with its Northern distribution in South America. This specie breeds in South America and in Sub-Antarctic Islands.

Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret): This specie has a large home range. It is observed in all continents. In Stinker Point three carcasses, two adults and a young individual were observed in 1986 on the beach in the beginning of the Antarctic seabirds breeding season.

Bartramia longicauda (Upland Sandpiper): One individual was recorded foraging on three consecutive days, December 27th, 28th and 29th, 1987, near an Antarctic penguin colony for 32 hours. This specie is a boreal migrant that was observed in South America during the non- breeding period in coastal regions.

Calidris fuscicollis (White-rumped Sandpiper): Ten individuals were observed foraging during January, 1986 near a lake defrost. Two years later, one individual was registered in the same area. In 1989 five individuals were observed foraging in a lake close to the beach and in previously mentioned areas. Three individuals were recorded close to a defrosted lake in January 5th, 2013 (Figure 2). The White-rumped sandpiper is a boreal migrant, considered the greater distance migrant and during the migratory period; it was observed in South America.

Discussion Different factors can explain the records of vagrant species. Woehler (1992) proposed that storms, irregular ocean currents, climate change or navigator errors can elucidate why the birds are registered out of their home range. The marine currents and storms are the main causes of these new records (Pütz et al., 2003). In migratory routes the individuals may be lost and use different marine and wind currents (Raya Rey et al., 2007). Also, climate changes can modify the sea surface temperature resulting in a different distribution and abundance of prey; this can reflect the use of different areas with abundant resources of birds (Perón et al., 2012; Petry et al., 2013). In Antarctica, there are records of individuals, for example, C. fuscicollis that was registered in different islands of the South Shetlands, like Nelson and King George (Lupe & Weidinger, 2000; Korczak-Abshire et al., 2011). In 1986 this specie was recorded in Elephant Island, in the same area of this research (Sander et al., 1988). Currently, Pavel & Weidinger (2012) also registered the first recording of the specie in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Most of the recorded individuals are migrants and use the south of South America as a stopover during the winter period. The presence of these species in Antarctica suggests that they are susceptible to winds, storms, changes in surface temperature and to climate changes, suggesting the same factors that can influence the other species recorded as vagrant in the study area. Stinker Point is an ice-free area

Figure 1. Rockhopper penguin recorded among Macaroni and Chinstrap mixed colony in the South of Stinker Point.

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Figure 2. A White-rumped sandpiper observed in January 2013 close to a defrosted lake.

during the austral summer, and maybe this region can be

APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the

a safety area to vagrant birds. Also, Elephant Island is the

National Council for Research and Development (CNPq

first territory after the Drake Passage that presents a place

process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research

to rest and food supply.

Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the

Acknowledgements This work is sponsored by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-

support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Harris, C. M., Carr, R., Lorenz, K., & Jones, S. (2011). Important bird areas in Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands. Final report. Cambrige: Environmental Research & Assessment.

Korczak-Abshire, M., Angiel, P. J., & Wierzbicki, G. (2011). Records of white-rumped sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) on the South Shetland Islands. Polar Record, 47(242), 262-267. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0032247410000665 La Peña, M. R., Runboll, M., Carrizo, G., Chiappe, A. A., & Mata, J. R. (2001). Birds of Southern South America and Antarctica.

Princeton: Princeton University Press. 304 p.

Lupe, P., & Weidinger, K. (2000). Distribution, numbers and the breeding of birds at the northern ice free areas of Nelson Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, 1990-1992. Marine Ornithology, 28, 41-46.

Milius, N. (1999). The birds of Rothera, Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Marine Ornithology, 28, 63-67.

Newton, I. (2008). The migration of ecology of birds. London: Academic Press. 949 p.

O’Brian, R. M. G. (1974). Meterological observation on Elephant Island. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin, 39, 21-33.

Pavel, V., & Weidinger, K. (2012). First records of the white-rumped sandpiper and brown-hooded gull south-east of the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic Science, 25, 387-388. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102012001137 Perón, C., Weimerskirch, H., & Bost, C.A. (2012). Project poleward shift of king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) foraging range at the Crozet Island, Southern Indian Ocean. Proceeding of the Royal Society Bulletin, 279, 2515-2523. PMid:22378808 PMCid:PMC3350699. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.2705 Petry, M. V., Basler, A. B., Valls, F. C. L., & Krüger, L. (2013). New southernly breeding location of King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on Elephant Island (Maritime Antarctic). Polar Biology, 36, 603-606. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-0121277-1 Pütz, K., Smith, J. G., Ingham, R. J., & Luthi, B.H. (2003). Sattelite tracking of male rockhopper penguin Eudyptes chrysocome during the incubation period at the Falkland Islands. Journal of Avian Biology, 34, 139-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600048X.2003.03100.x Raya Rey, A., Trathan, P., Pütz, K., & Schiavini, A. (2007). Effect of oceanographic conditions on the winter movements of rockhopper penguins Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome from Staten Island, Argentina. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 330, 285-295. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps330285 Sander, M., Strieder, M. N., & Scherer-Neto, P. (1988). Registro de Calidris fuscicollis (Vieilott 1819) na Ilha Elefante, Shetlands do Sul, Antártica (Aves - Scolopacidae). Acta Biológica Leopoldensia, 9, 129-132.

Steig, E. J., Schneider, D. P., Rutherford, S. D., Mann, M. E., Comiso, J. C., & Shindell, D. T. (2009). Warming of the Antarctic ice-sheet surface since the 1957 international geo-physical year. Nature, 457, 459-463. PMid:19158794. http://dx.doi. org/10.1038/nature07669 Turner, J., Colwell, S. R., Marshall, G. J., Lachlan-Cope, T. A., Carleton, A. M., Jones, P. D. et al. (2005). Antarctic climate change during the last 50 years. International Journal Climatology, 25(3), 279-294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.1130 Woehler, T. D. (1992). Records of vagrant penguins from Tasmania. Marine Ornithology, 20, 61-73.

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7 PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL STUDY IN ICE-FREE AREAS OF ARCTOWSKI REGION, ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Gillian Nunes Pinto*, Margeli Pereira de Albuquerque, Filipe de Carvalho Victoria & Antônio Batista Pereira Universidade Federal do Pampa – UNIPAMPA, Campus São Gabriel, Av. Antônio Trilha, 1847, CEP 97300-000, São Gabriel, RS, Brasil *e-mail:gillianpinto@yahoo.com.br

Abstract: This study was undertaken in ice-free areas adjacent to the Polish Antarctic Station Henryk Arctowski, during the austral summer 2013/2014. Phytossociological surveys were made in vegetation patches in the region, where a total of 332 20x20cm quadrats were launched in 10m transects. The five most frequent species in the samples were selected and their data are presented in this work.

To check the most frequent species in the samples the index of ecological significance (IES) was used. The most important species were Deschampsia antarctica Desv. and Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl the only one angiosperms occurring in Antarctica.

Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske Politrichastrum alpinum (Hedw.) G.L.Sm. and Syntrichia magellanica (Mont.) R.H. Zander. were the most representative moss species. The data of ecological significance of these species were compared to previous results in order to evaluate the changes in the vegetation in 10 year long-time monitoring.

Keywords: Phytosociology, Arctowski, Index of Ecological Significance

Introduction The King George Island is located in the archipelago of the South Shetland Islands (61°50’-62º15’S and 57º30’59º00’W). Admiralty Bay is located in its southeastern side, a region with a protected microclimate, very different compared to other parts of the island, especially in relation to the winds (Pereira & Putzke 1994). The special geographical position and the uniqueness of the ecosystem in the Antarctic islands make the studies in these areas as vital for understanding the worldwide environmental changes. The plant communities in Antarctica are highly sensitive and dependent on several environmental factors; such studies of Antarctic species are indispensable. The plants in Antarctica have great potential as global change biomarkers. According to Lewis-Smith (2001), since 1940 there is evidence of global warming influence on plant development in the Maritime Antarctic, especially regarding the land cover changes. The index of ecological significance the index of ecological importance was applied (Lara & Mazimpaka, 1998), which combines the parameters of

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abundance (coverage and frequency). (IES), was used as an important tool for studying the fluctuations of plant communities in Antarctica (Victoria & Pereira, 2007). The aim of this study has been to evaluate the vegetation cover changes adjoining to Henryk Arctowski station.

Materials and Methods This present work was undertaken in the austral summer 2013/2014 during the activities of Brazilian Antarctic Program expedition XXXI, the index of ecological significance (IES). It is a study in Phytosociological vegetation patches in the Arctowski region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. A total of 332 20 × 20 quadrats in the plant communities found adjoining the Polish Antarctic Station Henryk Arctowski. Transects were launched in plant patches, measuring 10 m each, where the vegetation cover and diversity were evaluated, according to Braun-Blanquet (1932) with adaptations (Kanda, 1986)

(Figure 1b). To evaluate the composition of mosses and angiosperms in the area were the IES (Lara & Mazimpaka, 1998) was estimated following.

but in practice the values above 400 are very rare, but if it represents a taxon with domain almost absolute sampling (Lara & Mazinpaka, 1998). However, global values above 50 show an ecological significance in Antarctica.

Results From the data obtained from the phytosociological sampling, the vegetation was separated between mosses and angiosperms, in that five species were the most found in the quadrats sampled (Table 1). Dechampsia antarctica Desv. and Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl, are the most frequent species in this area. Among mosses, Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske, Polytrichastrum alpinum (Hedw.)

G.L.Sm.e Syntrichia magellanica (Mont.) R.H. Zander are the most commonly found moss species. The index of ecological significance (IES) (Table-1) ranges from 0 to 600,

The Deschampsia antarctica, Sanionia uncinata and Politrichastrum alpinum, was identified with IES >50 and are considered as the most important species in the area.

The grass species proved to be a high dominant species in this region (IES = 358.31), exceeding the other species in the samples.

This data was compared with phytosociological study conducted by Victoria et al. (2009) (Figure 1a), in the austral summer of 2003/2004. There have been some significant changes a priori in species coverage, such Polytrichastrum

Table 1. Four samples of the most representative species and their rates of ecological value and IES = Q = N 째 samples numbers were present during the two austral summers 2003/2004 and 2013/2014.

a

Species

N째Q 2003/2004

N째Q 2013/2014

IES 2003/2004

IES 2013/2014

Deschampsia antarctica

190

250

245.8

358.31

Sanionia uncinata

177

162

215.20

269.76

Politrichastrum alpinum

146

105

153.54

81.11

Syntrichia magellanica

21

49

22.96

20.96

b

Figure 1. a: Comparative data from the IES, austral summer 2003/2004 According to Victoria et al. (2009). And current study austral summer 2013/2014 Figure1: b: Braun-Blanquet phytosociology methods, adapted to Antarctic conditions.

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

55

alpinum and Dechampsia Antartica. Both species shows two- fold increases of IES values in ten 10 years.

Discussion From the data obtained in this study, we observed considerable changes in floristic composition of plant species. We know that the Polish Antarctic Station was one of the most impacted areas in the Admiralty Bay, mainly by human actions (Olech, 1996) this is possibly one of the factors that may be causing these changes. The ecological succession in Antarctica is another factor that may be occurring, since over the years the temperature in the area is increasing. The Dechampsia antarctica has been the most dominant species in this area, being represented in all plant communities sampled, being found in 250 of the 332 quadrats sampled, according of early studies (Victoria et al., 2009) this species show lower ratios IES=245.8. However further studies and analyzes in other areas of Maritime Antarctica should be conducted to monitor and track any responses that these plant communities are showing.

Conclusion This quantitative phytosociological study demonstrates how this method can be efficient to describe the plant communities in Antarctica. It also demonstrated how the phanerogamic flora should be better studied on the continent. A descriptive and quantitative database can collaborate for continuous monitoring of plant communities in Antarctica, contributing to the conservation of plant species in the area.

Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Brazilian Antarctic Program through the National Council for Research and Development – CNPq (process no. 574018/2008), Research Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro – FAPERJ (process E-26/170.023/2008), Ministry of Environment – MMA, Ministry of Science and Technology – MCT and Interministerial Commission for Sea Resources – CIRM, where the authors appreciate the financial support and logistic needed to undertake this work.

References Braun-Blanquet, J. 1932. Plant sociology: the study of plant communities. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Kanda, H. (1986). Moss communities in some ice-free areas along the Söya Coast, East Antarctica [Special Issue]. Memoirs of Natural Institute of Polar Research, 44, 229-240.

Lara, F., & Mazimpaka, V. (1998). Sucession of epiphytic bryophytes in Quercus pyrenaica forest from Spanish Central Range (Iberian Peninsula). Nova Hedwigia, 67, 125-138.

Lewis-Smith, R. I. 2001. Plant colonisation response to climate change in the Antarctic. Folia facultatis Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Purkynianae Brunensis, Geográfica, 25, 19-33.

Olech, M. (1996). Human impact on terrestrial ecosystems in west Antarctica. Proceedings of the NIPR Symposium on Polar Biology, 9, 299-306.

Pereira, A. B., & Putzke, J. (1994). Floristic composition of Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarc. Korean Journal of Polar Research, 5(2), 37-47.

Victoria, F. C., & Pereira, A. B. (2007). Índice de valor ecológico (IES) como ferramenta para estudos fitossociológicos e conservação das espécies de musgos na Baía do Almirantado, Ilha Rei George, Antártica Marítima. Oecologia Brasiliensis, 11(1), 50-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2007.1101.06 Victoria, F. C., Pereira, A. B., & Pinheiro-da-Costa, D. (2009). Composition and distribution of moss formations in the ice-free areas adjoining the Arctowski region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Iheringia, Série Botânica, 64(1), 81-91.

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8 FUNGI ISOLATED FROM PLANT SPECIES COLLECTED IN THE ARCTOWSKI REGION, ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Graciéle Cunha Alves*, Rodrigo Paidano Alves, Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque, Filipe de Carvalho Victoria & Antônio Batista Pereira Universidade Federal do Pampa – UNIPAMPA, Campus São Gabriel, Av. Antônio Trilha, 1847, CEP 97300-000, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil *e-mail: graciele.cunhaalves@hotmail.com

Abstract: The distribution of fungi in Antarctica is linked to the distribution of hosts such as birds, invertebrate populations and vegetation, consisting mainly of bryophyte and lichen communities. Light is a factor which influences the growth, reproduction and physiology of fungi due to the deleterious effects of radiation released. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of light on radial mycelial growth of two species of filamentous fungi found in Antarctica: Pseudogymnoascus pannorum (Link) Minnis & D.L. Lindner and an unidentified strain growing over angiosperm Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. and on the moss Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske, respectively. The collections of material for this study were conducted during the Brazilian Antarctic expedition XXXI (2012-2013). The strains were isolated in solid potato dextrose agar medium, with pH adjusted to 4 and incubated at 26±1°C. Statistical results show that the variable light influences the radial mycelial growth of these fungi.

Keywords: Antarctica; Filamentous Fungi; Ecology

Introduction The terrestrial flora of the Antarctica, is represented by only two species of Angiosperms, Deschampsia antarctica Desv., belonging to the family Poaceae and Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl belonging to the family Caryophillaceae (Juss.)

Rabeler & Bittrich. The bryophytes are represented by 22 species of liverworts and 60 species of mosses (Øvstedal & Smith, 2001). Colobanthus quitensis is represents the single dicotyledonous plant that has colonized the Antarctic ecosystem, and possesses interesting mechanisms to survive in hostile conditions (Lewis-Smith & Poncet, 1987). Due to these mechanisms C. quitensis has been studied the influence of temperature and light on their photosynthetic activities (Xiong et al. 1999; Perez-Torres et al., 2004), the effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on their growth (Xiong et al., 2002). The moss Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske is the most abundant moss species on King George Island in the maritime Antarctic (Nakatsubo, 2002). According to Bhattarai et al. (2008), this specie may be an important source of natural antioxidant agents for improved medicinal and cosmetic applications. Studies show which this moss functions as a suitable bioindicator of metal pollution in polar regions (Samecka-Cymerman et al., 2011).

Mycological studies have been conducted in the Antarctic Peninsula and investigated mainly by the presence of bacteria psichrophilic for biotechnological exploitation occasionally algae and more rarely, fungi (Ruisi et al., 2007).

The Pseudogymnoascus pannorum (Link) Minnis & D.L. Lindner species is able to tolerate and develop in extreme environments to environments with high salinity and poor in organic matter (Bergero et al., 1999). Not only has ecological importance as biotechnology because it has the ability to hydrolyze starch and produce extracellular lipase, chinase, and urease, which allow this species to consume and metabolize diverse food sources in the cold and low rate of nutrients (Fenice et al. 1998). P. pannorum grows in different substrates is commonly reported growing on mosses (Tosi et al., 2002), soils of cold regions (Mercantini et al., 1989) and leaves of C. quitensis (Rosa et al., 2010).

The light incidence influences physical, chemical and biological factors in the fungal cell, changes in light or UV may elicit mycelial differentiation, how hyphal differentiation into the fruiting structure, or sporulation in some fungi that produce airborne spores, or even cause cell mutagenesis (Webster & Weber, 2007). The aim of this study

Science Highlights - Thematic Area 2 |

57

was to evaluate and compare the radial mycelial growth of two species of Antarctic filamentous fungi on the incidence

has higher radial mycelial growth in the absence of light.

and absence of light.

species found verified that the species of fungi RGSRF001

When we compared the radial mycelial growth of the two (average radial mycelial growth rate 12.096 mm) had a

Materials and Methods

greater growth compared as species Pseudogymnoascus pannorum (average radial mycelial growth rate 6.494 mm).

Admiralty Bay is located in the central part of the King George Island and belongs to the archipelago of the South Shetland Islands, situated 130 km northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula (61°S 63° 30’S, 53° 55’W 62° 50’W) (Arigony Neto et al., 2002). The collections of material for the study were conducted in the Brazilian Antarctic Expedition XXXI (2012-2013) and were transported to Brazil in frozen zipper bags. We used two species of filamentous fungi: Pseudogymnoascus pannorum and an unidentified strain, named as RGSRF001, both isolated of angiosperm C. quitensis and of the moss S. uncinata, respectively. The lineage used were isolated in a Petri dish with medium culture potato dextrose agar, with the pH adjusted to 4 and incubated at a temperature of 26 ± 1ºC. This temperature was chosen because the lineage showed faster radial mycelial growth, when compared with other temperatures tested. Three replicates of each species were cultured under long-day conditions (16h light/8h dark) using the lamp Ligh Plus Day (F20W-T10-5000K).

Three other replicates were grown in total absence of light resources. Was utilized to analyze the radial mycelial growth, the inoculated plates were kept in an incubator chamber for 8 days. After this period, the plaques were removed for the measurement of colony diameter with a pachymeter every 24 hours, for 20 days for each treatment. The mean diameter of each replicate, for each treatment were calculated. The means were subjected to a test T (p < 0.05) for comparisons, using the Statistix 8.0 software.

This data shows that the incidence of the light interferes in the growth of these species of Antarctic fungi since both have higher growth in the absence of light (Table 1).

Discussion and Conclusion The mycelium growth of filamentous fungi is a combination of growth, division and cell differentiation (Esposito & Azevedo, 2004). But this growth is influenced by physical parameters influencing fungal physiology include radiation (light or UV may elicit mycelial differentiation and sporulation in some fungi that produce airborne spores), and a light can trigger the hypha to undergo differentiation into the fruiting structure (Kavanagh, 2005). From these results, it turns out that light influences the mycelial growth of RGSRF001 and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum since both had higher growth rates in the absence of light. The rapid growth and abundant production of mycelium are two important factors for the spread and survival of fungi in environmental conditions (Davey et al., 2009). Knowing the extrinsic factors, in the case the light, which favor or inhibit the growth of fungi are important to understand their development in different environments. Since in the Antarctica in the austral summer, the incidence of sunlight can reach 20 hours daily.

It is known that environmental factors influence the growth of the fungus (Esposito & Azevedo, 2004) and some species of fungi sustain biomass enlargement with light

Results

condition and others in the total absence. Comparing the

The results showed that the fungi RGSRF001 , that grows

growth in the absence and presence of light, of both species

on the moss S. uncinata and the fungi Pseudogymnoascus

filamentous fungi and based on the obtained data, it was

pannorum that grows on the angiosperm C. quitensis, both

concluded that variable light has direct influence on the

Table 1. Comparison of the average radial mycelial growth (mm) in absence and incidence of light, of two lineages of filamentous Antarctic fungi, incubated at 26º C ±1 during 20 days. Averages followed by the same letter in the same row do not statistical differ each other by Tukey test (p < 0,05).

58

Lineages

Incidence of light

Absence of light

RGSRF001

11.63 B

12.71 A

Pseudogymnoascus pannorum

6.22 B

6.73 A

| Annual Activity Report 2013

growth of these fungi. Probably, other abiotics conditions

from the National Council for Research and Development

are needed to be investigated to be able to draw conclusions

(CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5), Carlos Chagas Research

about the environmental proprieties that affect the fungi

Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ

growing in Antarctica.

n° E-16/170.023/2008) and Foundation for Research

Acknowledgements

Support of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS) for providing scholarship. The authors also acknowledge the

This work is sponsored by the National Institute of

support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology

Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research

and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-

(INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support

Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References

Arigony Neto, J., Simões, J. C., Bremer, U. F. & Dani, N. (2002). Perspectivas para o gerenciamento ambiental da Baía do Almirantado, Ilha Rei George, Antártica. Revista do Departamento de Geografia, 15: 91–99.

Bergero, R., Girlanda, M., Varese, G. C., Intili, D., & Luppi, A. M. (1999). Psychrooligotrophic fungi from Arctic soils of Franz Joseph Land. Polar Biology, 21, 361-368. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003000050374 Bhattarai, H. D., Paudel, B., Lee, H. S., Lee, Y. K., & Yim, J. H. (2008). Antioxidant activity of Sanionia uncinata, a polar moss species from King George Island, Antarctica. Phytotherapy Research, 22(12), 1635-1639. PMid:18803245. http://dx.doi. org/10.1002/ptr.2538 Davey, M. L., Tsuneda, A., & Currah, R. S. (2009). Pathogenesis of bryophyte hosts by the ascomycete Atradidymella muscivora.

American Journal of Botany, 96(7), 1274-1280. PMid:21628276. http://dx.doi.org/10.3732/ajb.0800239 Esposito, E., & Azevedo J. L. (2004). Fungos: uma introdução à biologia, bioquímica e biotecnologia. Caxias do Sul: Educs. 510 p.

Fenice, M., Selbmann, L., Di Giambattista, R., & Federici, F. (1998). Chitinolytic activity at low temperature of an Antarctic strain (A3) of Verticillium lecanii. Research Microbiology, 149, 289-300. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0923-2508(98)80304-5 Kavanagh, K. (2005). Fungi: biology and applications. Wiley & Sons. 384 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/0470015330 Lewis-Smith, R. I. & Poncet, S. (1987) Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis in the Terra Firma Islands. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin 74:31-35 Mercantini, R., Marsella, R., & Cervellati, M. C. (1989). Keratinophilic fungi isolated from Antarctic soil. Mycopathologia, 106, 47-52. PMid:2770838. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00436926 Nakatsubo, T. (2002). Predicting the impact of climatic warming on the carbon balance of the moss Sanionia uncinata on a maritime Antarctic island. Journal of Plant Research, 115, 99-106. PMid:12884132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s102650200014 Øvstedal, D. O., & Smith, R. I. L. (2001). Lichens of Antarctica and South Georgia: a guide to their identification and ecology (Studies in Polar Research). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 411 p.

Pérez-Torres, E., Dinamarca, J., Bravo, L. A., & Corcuera, L. J. (2004). Responses of Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. to high light and low temperature. Polar Biology, 27(3), 183-189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-003-0577-x Rosa, L. H., Gonçalves, V. N., Caligiorne, R. B., Alves, T. M. A., Rabello, A., Sales, P. A. et al. (2010). Leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, and cytotoxic activities of endophytic fungi associated with bioactive plants in Brazil. Brazilian Journal Microbiology, 41, 114-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-83822010000200024 Ruisi, S., Barreca, D., Selbmann, L., Zucconi, L., & Onofri, S. (2007). Fungi in Antarctica. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 6, 127-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11157-006-9107-y Samecka-Cymerman, A., Wojtun, B., Kolon, K. & Kempers, A. J. (2011). Sanionia Uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske as bioindicator of metal pollution in polar regions. Polar Bology 34: 381-388.

Tosi, S., Begonã, C., Gerdol, R., & Caretta, G. (2002). Fungi isolated from Antartic mosses. Polar Biology, 25, 262-268.

Webster, J., & Weber R. (2007). Introduction to fungi (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 855 p. http://dx.doi. org/10.1017/CBO9780511809026 Xiong, F. S., Ruhland, C. T., & Day, T. A. (1999). Photosynthetic temperature response of the Antarctic vascular plants Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica. Physiologia Plantarum, 106(3), 276-286. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.13993054.1999.106304.x Xiong, F. S., Ruhland, C. T., & Day, T. A. (2002). Effect of springtime solar ultraviolet B radiation on growth of Colobanthus quitensis at Palmer Station, Antarctica. Global Change Biology, 8(11), 1146-1155. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00539.x

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9 PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH OF LICHENS IN THE ICE-FREE AREAS ADJOINING THE ARCTOWSKI REGION, ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Rodrigo Paidano Alves*, Gillian Nunes Pinto, Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque, Filipe de Carvalho Victoria & Antônio Batista Pereira Universidade Federal do Pampa – UNIPAMPA, Campus São Gabriel, Av. Antônio Trilha, 1847, CEP 97300-000, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil *e-mail: alvez_rdg@hotmail.com

Abstract: The Antarctic lichens have been used as bioindicators in biomonitoring studies, having an important contribution to the floristic composition, and its existence is dependent on ice-free regions. The phytosociological data were obtained according to the Braun-Blanquet sampling method. This study compares the lichen formation of Arctowski region, using data collected during the Brazilian Antarctic Program expedition conducted in the austral summer of 2003/2004 and 2012/2013. According to data collected at the moment, increases of the lichens occurrences in the plant formations in the region were found. Studies indicate that abiotic factors, once linked to local factors can to affect the distribution of the communities in the environment. This essay suggests the fragility of lichen formation in the ice-free areas of Arctowski region. However, a long term evaluation as necessary to confirm this hypothesis. The phytosociological studies can contribute to the management of scientific activities involved with the Brazilian Antarctic Program.

Keywords: Antarctic Plant Communities; Lichenized Fungi; Bioindicators

Introduction Rocks and volcanic sediment compose the landscape of the Arctowski region (Holdgate, 1977), as well whale skeletons deposited as remains of the whaling activities during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Headland, 1990; Coleman, 1995). The Antarctic lichens have been used in studies of environmental monitoring, bioaccumulation and global warming (Sancho & Pintado, 2004). These species can withstand long periods of drought and resist freezing temperatures. These adaptations have implications for growth and survival particularly in response to climate change and human activities (Øvstedal & Lewis-Smith, 2001). Lichenized fungi have an important contribution to the floristic composition in these areas, and its existence is dependent on ice-free areas (Kappen & Schroeter, 1997).

The aim of this work is to compare the lichen formations in the ice-free areas of the Arctowski region, based on

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phytosociological date obtained in the Antarctic Expeditions of the Brazilian Antarctic Program, held during the austral summer of 2003/2004 and 2012/2013.

Materials and Methods During the austral summer of 2003/2004 and 2012/2013, members of the Antarctic Expedition of the Brazilian Antarctic Program studied the cryptogamic communities, adjoining the Polish H. Arctowski Station and the beach close to the Ecology Glacier (Figure 1).

The data was obtained from a survey using BraunBlanquet phytosociological method (Braun-Blanquet, 1964), adapted to Antarctic conditions (Kanda, 1986) (Figure 2). In order to illustrate the species in the total sampling, the Index of Ecological Importance – IES was applied (Lara & Mazimpaka, 1998).

Figure 1. Left: Location of the study area. Arctowski region. Right: Polish H. Arctowski Station and Ecology Glacier, Admiralty Bay, King George Island.

Discussion

Figure 2. The use of Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method in Arctowski region.

Results According to the data obtained, the specie Usnea aurantiacoatra (Jacq.) Bory showed the highest index of ecological importance, seven-fold increase in a period ten years (IES 15 to 101.12), outperforming the Usnea antarctica Du Rietz, previously had the highest value. The Cladonia spp. and Cornicularia sp. presented a lower value of IES, compared to the study conducted the austral summer of 2003/2004 (Figure 3).

Studies conducted in the austral summer of 2003/2004, reports the association of lichens with moss formations (Victoria et al., 2009). According to data collected in the 2012/2013 austral summer, an increase of lichens occurrences in the most common plant formations in the region were found.

The vegetation of continental Antarctic is limited by the availability of free water, and your distribution, depend on light incidence. Studies indicate that abiotic factors, once linked to local factors affecting the distribution of these communities in the environment (Kennedy, 1993; Pereira & Putzke, 1994; Seppelt et al., 2010).

The IES values found in the present approach suggests changes may be occurring, due to environmental effects, not yet known, however related to the increase in annual average temperatures in the region, since some lichens genus mentioned in this paper respond to this factor (Figueroa, 1985; Victoria & Pereira, 2007).

Conclusion This essay suggests the fragility of lichen formation in the ice-free areas of Arctowski region. However, a long term evaluation as necessary to confirm this hypothesis. The increase in the IES can be attributed to a better adaptation of these species to local environmental conditions that

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Figure 3. IES comparison of four species of Antarctic lichens between the austral summer of 2003/2004 and 2012/2013.

can be influenced by global warming, thus affecting the distribution of these communities in the environment. The phytosociological studies can contribute to the management of scientific activities involved with the Brazilian Antarctic Program.

Acknowledgements This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research

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(INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n째 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n째 E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Braun-Blanquet, J. (1964). Pflanzensociologie. Vienna: Wien, Springer Vienna. 865 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-70918110-2 Coleman, J. L. (1995). The American whale oil industry: a look back to the future of the American petroleum industry. Natural Resources Research, 4(3), 273-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02257579 Figueroa, J. R. (1985). Liquenes Antarticos. Santiago: Instituto Antartico Chileno. 175 p.

Headland, R. K. (1990). Chronological list of Antarctic expedition and related historical events: studies in polar research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 730 p. PMid:2210111 Holdgate, M. W. (1977). Terrestrial ecosystems in the Antarctic. Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society London, 279(963) 5-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1977.0068 Kanda, H. (1986). Moss communities in some ice-free areas along the Sôya Cost, East Antarctica [Special Issue]. Memories of Natural Institute of Polar Research, 44, 1229-1240.

Kappen, L. & Schroeter, B. (1997). Activity of lichens under the influence of snow and ice. Proceedings of the NIPR Symposium on Polar Biology, 10, 163-168.

Kennedy, A. D. (1993). Water as a limiting factor in the Antarctic terrestrial environment: a biogeographical sysnthesis. Arctic and Alpine Research, 25(4), 308-315. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1551914 Lara, F., & Mazimpaka, V. (1998). Sucession of epiphytic bryophytes in Quercus pyrenaica forest from Spanish Central Range (Iberian Peninsula). Nova Hedwigia, 67, 125-138. Øvstedal, D. O., & Lewis-Smith, R. I. (2001). Lichens of Antarctica and South Georgia: a guide to their identification and ecology (Studies in Polar Research). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 411 p.

Pereira, A. B., & Putzke, J. (1994). Floristic composition of Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarctica. Korean Journal of Polar Research, 5(2), 37-47.

Sancho, L. G., & Pintado, A. (2004). Evidence of high annual growth rate for lichens in the Maritime Antarctic. Polar Biology, 27, 312-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0594-4 Seppelt, R. D., Turk, R., Green, T. G. A., Moser, G., Pannewitz, S., Sancho, L. G. et al. (2010). Lichen and moss communities of Botany Bay, Granite Harbour, Ross Sea, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 22(6), 691-702. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ S0954102010000568 Victoria, F. C., & Pereira, A. B. (2007). Índice de valor ecológico (IES) como ferramenta para estudos fitossociológicos e conservação das espécies de musgos na Baía do Almirantado, Ilha Rei George, Antártica Marítima. Oecologia Brasiliensis, 11(1), 50-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2007.1101.06 Victoria, F. C., Pereira, A. B., & Pinheiro da Costa, D. (2009). Composition and distribution of moss formations in the ice-free areas adjoining the Arctowski region, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Iheringia, Série Botânica, 64(1), 81-91.

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10 EPILITHIC FRESHWATER DIATOMS FROM ELEPHANT ISLAND, SOUTH SHETLANDS, ANTARCTICA Juliana Ferreira da Silva1*, Maria Angélica Oliveira1, Antônio Batista Pereira2, Clarissa Kappel Pereira2 & Cristiane Barbosa D´Oliveira2 Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Antônio Trilha, 1847, CEP 97300-000, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil Universidade Federal do Pampa, Avenida Roraima, 1000, CEP 97105-900, Camobi Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

1

2

*email: jusferre@yahoo.com.br

Abstract: Epilithic diatom species from six sampling stations on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica, are presented in this paper. Samples were taken in the austral summer of 2011-2012 from submerged stones in two lakes and four streams. Species identification was carried out by light and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 19 species in 12 genera were determined. The most representative genera considering number of species were Gomphonema Ehr. and Pinnularia Ehr. Compared to species inventories on other islands of the South Shetlands archipelago, species richness on Elephant Island is low, and further investigation is needed in order to determine the causes, whether environmental or result of biotic interactions.

Keywords: Periphyton, Bacillariophyceae, Maritime Antarctica

Introduction

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One of the main archipelagos in the South Atlantic Ocean

conditions, trophic state and type of substrate available for

are the South Shetlands, a group of 11 mountainous islands,

colonization (chemical composition, roughness, etc.) as well

located 160 km North of the Antarctic Peninsula (Van de

as ecological preferences of the containing species (Charles

Vijver et al., 2009). Elephant Island is the northernmost

& Charles, 2003), information on diversity is crucial for a

of the islands, located at 885 km from Cape Horn, Chile.

better understanding of environment dynamics. The species

Studies carried out on the diversity of freshwater periphytic

diversity of diatoms of inland habitats in Antarctica is low

diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) in Antarctic freshwater habitats

compared to both temperate and Arctic regions, due, in

are scarce, even though a recent interest in this flora has

part, to physical isolation of the continent. The freshwater

arisen (Spaulding et al., 2010). Accounts of diatom floras

diatom flora of the Antarctic Islands is unique with several

on Elephant Island are limited to planktonic marine species

endemic species (Van de Vijver et al., 2001; 2002; 2004)

(Villafañe et al., 1993, 1995), with no published articles on

and some species which are restricted to only one island or

diversity of epilithic communities of lakes and temporary

group of islands, whereas others occur more widely in the

streams on the island. The periphytic community is

region (Van de Vijver et al., 2008). Also, diatoms are one of

composed of algae and other microorganisms attached to

the most abundant groups of freshwater algae in terrestrial

or associated with different substrates. Algae are the main

subantarctic habitats (Jones,1996).

producers in these communities and diatoms are of great

Due to the great ecological importance of periphytic

quantitative importance. In locations of melting ice, the

diatoms in these habitats, as well as the key role of

epilithic type of periphyton (developing on submerged stones

microalgae in the characterization of freshwater habitats,

and rocks) is the most abundant. Since species composition

this study aimed at describing the diatom flora in five

in the communities is determined by hydrological

shallow freshwater systems of Elephant Island.

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Materials and Methods Samples were taken in the austral summer of 20112012 during the 30º Brazilian Antarctic Operation (Operantar XXX). Six different freshwater systems were sampled on Elephant Island: station 1 (61º13’58.6’’S and 055º21’38.5’’W), station 2 (61º13’57.3’’S and 055º21’19.3’’W), station 4 (61º13’19.0’’S and 055º21’40.2’’W), and station 5 (61º13’21,5’’S and 055º21’42,4’’W) were melting ice streams (station 1 ran across a penguin breeding ground); station 3 (61º13’55.4’’S and 055º21’03.0’’W) was located on Endurance Lake and station 6 (61º13’18.5’’S and 055º21’48,0’’W) on Skua Lake.

Epilithic diatom samples were obtained from stones scrubbed with a toothbrush and rinsed with distilled water.

Each sample was bottled, fixed with 4% formaldehyde and transported to the Phycology Lab at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria at the end of the expedition. Samples were processed an cleaned by boiling with hydrogen peroxide

(H2O2) 1:1 solution for three hours, in order to remove any organic matter from the diatom frustules and organic content from the periphytic matrix. Permanent slides were mounted in Styrax (1,6 RI) for light microscopy analyses, which were carried out using a Leica DM750 light microscope. For scanning electron microscopy the oxidized samples were mounted on aluminum stubs after air-drying.

The stubs were sputter coated with 50 nm of Au and studied in a JEOL SEM at 10 kV. Species identification was carried out by population analysis, with measurements of length (C), width (L) and density of striae in 10 µm taken from at least 25 individuals of each species. All recorded individuals were photographed.

Results An average of 400 individuals was observed on each glass slide (each representing one sampling site). A total of 19 species in 12 genera were determined, listed in Table 1. The

Table 1. list of genera and species of epilithic diatoms recorded in six sampling stations on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, in the austral summer of 2011-2012.

Genus

Species

Achnanthidium

Achnanthidium delicatulum Kützing

Amphora

Amphora sp

Chamaepinnularia

Chamaepinnularia krookiiformis (Krammer) Lange-Bertalot & Krammer

Fragillaria

Fragillaria capucina Desmazieres Fragillaria capucina var voucheriae (Kütz) Lange-Bertalot

Geissleria

Geissleria subantarctica Van de Vijver & Le Cohu

Gomphonema

Gomphonema parvulum (Kütz) Kütz Gomphonema sp1 Gomphonema sp2

Luticola

Luticola multicopsis (Van Heurck) D.G. Mann

Mayamaea

Mayamaea atomus (Kützing) Lange-Bertalot

Navicula

Navicula gregaria Cholnoky

Nitzschia

Nitzschia gracilis Hantzsch Nitzschia homburguiensis Lange-Bertalot

Pinnularia

Pinnularia microstauron (Ehr.) Cleve Pinnullaria sp1 Pinnularia sp2 Pinnularia sp3

Psammonthidium

Psammonthidium papilio (D.E.Kellogg) Van de Vijver & Kopalová

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most representative genera considering number of species were Gomphonema Ehr. and Pinnularia Ehr.

Vijver et al., 2008). The most species rich genus on Elephant Island was Pinnularia Ehr., a common and diverse taxon in Antarctic freshwaters (Kellogg & Kellogg, 2002). Several

Discussion Despite the significant progress made in the past 15 years with respect to the diversity of non-marine diatom flora from the Antarctic islands (Van de Vijver et al., 2013), species inventories and community studies are still scarce, with the majority of the studies concentrating in taxonomic reviews of genera and families. Of the few existing references for the South Shetlands, Kawecka et al., (1998) observed 78 diatoms species in shallow water bodies in the vicinity of H. Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station, on King George Island.

Also on the same island, Lobo et al., (1998) identified 25 epilithic diatom species in nine genera from lakes around the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz, collected in 1989 and 1990. On James Ross Island, situated off the southeast side and near the northeastern extremity of the Antarctic Peninsula, Kopalová et al., (2012) listed 69 benthic diatom species in 26 genera from 34 samples collected between 2004 and 2009.

Despite the still limited number of studies, it is possible to say that the non-marine diatom flora of the Antarctic islands is currently under revision, with the description of several new species, previously believed to be cosmopolitan, but recently proven to be typical of Antarctic habitats (Van de

new species of this genus have recently been described (Van de Vijver et al., 2002; Van de Vijver et al., 2008) in Antarctica.

Conclusion When compared to numbers from other Antarctic islands, the species richness registered on Elephant Island is low, and further investigation is needed in order to determine the causes, whether environmental or resulting of biotic interactions.

Acknowledgements This work was supported by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Jones, V. J. (1996) the diversity, distribution and ecology of diatoms from Antarctic inland waters. Biodiversity and Conservation, 5(11), 1433-1449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00051986 Kawecka, B., Olech, M., & Nowogrodzka-Zago, M. (1998). Diatom communities in small water bodies at H. Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station (King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Polar Biology, 19(3), 183-192. http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s003000050233 Kellogg, T. B., & Kellogg, D. E. (2002). Non-marine and littoral diatoms from Antarctic and sub-Antarctic locations: distribution and updated taxonomy. Diatom Monographs, 1, 1-795.

Kopalová, K., Veselá, J., Elster, J., Nedbalová1, L., Komárek, J., & Van de Vijver, B. (2012). Benthic diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from seepages and streams on James Ross Island (NW Weddell Sea, Antarctica). Plant Ecology and Evolution, 145(2), 190-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2012.639 Lobo, E. A., Callegaro, V. L. M., & Oliveira, M. A. O. (1998). Diatoms from two lake sin Penninsula Keller, King George Island, Antarctica. Caderno de Pesquisa, Série Botânica, 10(1-2), 3-25.

Potapova, M., & Charles, D. F. (2003) Distribution of benthic diatoms in U.S. rivers in relation to conductivity and ionic composition. Freshwater Biology, 48, 1311-1328. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2427.2003.01080.x

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Spaulding, S. A., Vijver, B. V., Hodgson, D. A., Mcknight, D. M., Verleyen, E., & Stanish, L. (2010). Diatoms as indicators of environmental change in Antarctic and subantarctic freshwaters. In J. P. Smol & E. F. Stoermer. The diatoms: applications for the environmental and earth sciences (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 667 p.

Van de Vijver, B., Ledeganck, P., & Beyens, L. (2001) Habitat preference in freshwater diatom communities from sub-Antarctic fles Kerguelen. Antarctic Science. 13, 28-36.

Van de Vijver, B., Frenot, Y., & Beyens, L. (2002) Freshwater diatoms from Ile de la Possession (Crozet archipelago, Subantarctica). Bibliotheca Diatomologica, 46, 1412.

Van de Vijver, B., Beyens, L., Vincke, S., & Gremmen, N. J. M. (2004). Moss-inhabiting diatom communities from Heard island, sub-Antarctic. Polar Biology, 27(9), 532-543. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102001000050 Van de Vijver, B., Kelly, M., Blanco, S., Jarlman, A., & Ector, L. (2008). The unmasking of a sub-antarctic endemic: Psammothidium abundans (Manguin) Bukhtiyarova et Round in european rivers. Diatom Research. 23(l), 233-242. http://dx.doi.org/10.10 80/0269249X.2008.9705749 Van de Vijver, B., Agius, J. T., Gibson, J. A. E., & Quesada, A. (2009). An unusual spine-bearing pinnularia species from the antarctic livingston island (south shetland islands). Diatom Research, 24(2), 431-444. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026924 9X.2009.9705812 Van de Vijver, B., Cocquyt, C., Haan, M., Kopalová, K., & Zidarova, R. (2013). The genus Surirella (Bacillariophyta) in the subAntarctic and maritime Antarctic region. Diatom Research, 28(1), 92-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0269249X.2012.739975 Villafañe V. E., Helbling E. W., & Holm-Hansen, O. (1993). Phytoplankton around Elephant Island: distribution, biomass and composition. Polar Biology, 13, 183-191.

Villafañe, V. E., Helbling, E. W., Holm-Hansen, O., & Montes. M. (1995). AMLR program: horizontal and vertical distribution of phytoplankton biomass near Elephant Island during January, February, and March 1995. Antarctic Journal of the U.S., 30(5), 232-234

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11 CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTARCTIC KERATINOLYTIC Arthrobacter SP Patrícia Aline Gröhs Ferrareze1, Victor Hugo Vailati1, Maria Virginia Petry2, Adriano Brandelli3 & Luis Fernando da Costa Medina1* Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISNOS, Av. Unisinos, 950, CEP 93022-000, São Leopoldo, Brasil 2 Laboratório de Aves e Animais Marinhos, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISNOS, Av. Unisinos, 950, CEP 93022-000, São Leopoldo, Brasil 3 Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9000, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brasil 1

*e-mail: lfmedina@unisinos.br

Abstract: Keratin is one of most abundant polymers in nature and the main source are feathers. In the poultry industry and in soils, bacteria are responsible for secretion of enzymes that create feather degradation. The diversity of bacteria in Antarctic soils has been studied in the few last years, but the ecological roles of bacteria are poorly understood. In the present work we isolated a bacterium from ornithogenic soil and feather fragments with keratinolytic activity in low temperature (5 °C). Arthrobacter sp. strain PF1 was identified based on morphological and biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing. The bacterium presented optimum growth at 4 and 25 °C, but not at 37 °C. Proteolytic activity was observed at 4 and 25 °C in pH 7 and 10. Our results show a keratinolic bacterium that has feather degradation at low temperature and pH 10, suggesting the production alkaline protease.

Keywords: Ornithogenic Soil, Feather Degradation, Arthrobacter, Protease

Introduction Psychrophilic and psycrotolerant bacteria have the ability to grow and colonize environments where the temperature is close to the freezing point of water (Peeters et al., 2011). Temperature in Antarctic is permanently next to zero or below. The ornithogenics soils are rich in organic matter and many studies describe a wide variety of microorganisms when compared with other soils from Antarctica (Aislabie et al., 2009). However, there is no accumulation of the polymers, such as bird feathers. The degradation of polymers, like keratin, is carried out by microorganisms in the soil. In this process it is the secretion of enzymes that degrades keratin.

The aim of this study was to identify new psychrotolerant keratinolytic bacteria showing feather degradation at low temperature. This report describes the identification and keratinase production by Arthrobacter sp. strain PF01.

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Material and Methods Isolation and molecular identification The feather samples were collected of Elephant Island soil (61° 08’ S 55° 07’ O), South Shetland Islands during XIX Antarctic expedition. The feather fragments were seed in flour agar feather (20 g/L¹, agar 10 g/L¹) and incubated at 4 °C. The single colony were isolated and newly grown on flour agar feather at 4, 25, 37 and 42 °C. Genomic DNA was extracted of isolate PF01 and performed, according to the phenol-chloroform method. The sequence of the 16S rRNA gene (primers were 27f (5´-AAGGAGGTGATCCAGCC-3´) and 1525r (5´-AAGGAGGTGATCCAGCC-3´) was determined by PCR amplification and sequencing. The 1216-bp sequence was submitted to Genbank and the BLAST algorithm was used to search for homologous sequences.

Biochemical tests For morphological characterization was performed Gram coloration and microscopic observation of bacteria morphology. The biochemical tests used different verification methods for evaluation of metabolic routes: Catalase, Casein Peptone, Soy Peptone, Azida Dextrose, Triple Sugar Iron (Glucose, Lactose, Saccharose and H2S production), Methyl Red, Voges Proskauer, Indole, Motility, Phenylalanine, Simmons’ citrate and Mannitol.

Proteolytic tests Proteolytic activity was tested by Keratin and Casein hydrolysis. Means containing casein (yeast extract 3 g/L¹, meat peptone 5 g/L¹, skim milk 100 mL/L¹, agar 12 g/L¹) were seeded with colonies and grown during 7 days at 4, 25, 30 and 40 °C. The pH alteration was performed for acid and alkaline means. As positive control were used a Bacillus cereus ATCC strains.

test and morphological characteristics are compatible with this genre.

Keratinase activity of PF1 was observed after 1 hour at 4 °C, but more pronounced at 25 °C (Figure 1). After 24 hours PF1 strain increased its proteolytic activity. The effect of pH was determined and enzyme have more activity at pH 10 (Figure 2).

Table 1. Results of morphological and biochemical test of strain PF1.

Morphological characteristics Positive

Spore

Nos-sporulating

Cultural characteristics Feather meal agar colonies

Yellow color

Physiological characteristics Catalase

Positive

Citrate

Negative

Voges Proskauer test

Negative

Motility

Positive

Manitol

Negative

Glicose

Positive

Sacarose

Negative

Lactose

Negative

H2S

Negative

Results The PF1 keratinolytic bacteria isolated from decomposing feathers showed vigorous growth in agar feather meal at 4 and 25 °C, but not at 30 °C. The PF1 was not able grow at 37 °C. The results of taxonomic studies on isolated strain PF1 are summarized in Table 1. The genus determination based in phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA. The sequence of gene showed high similarity with Arthrobacter gangotriensis (99 %), and among sequences of isolates of the same species have been identified, 100%. The biochemical

Gram stain

Figure 1. Keratinolitic activity of PF1 after 1 hour at 4°C and 25°C, in different conditions of pH.

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Figure 2. Keratinolitic activity of PF1 after 24 hours at 4 °C and 25 °C, in different conditions of pH.

Discussion and Conclusion A feather-degrading bacterium was isolated from penguin feather collected on Elephant Island. Based on 16S rDNA sequence PF1 strain belongs to Arthrobacter.

The similarity with A. gangotriensis was 99 %. Arthrobacter species have been described in ornithogenic (Aislabie et al., 2009) and although not present, very high proteolytic activity was shown to have the ability to degrade keratin in low temperatures in pH alkaline. The main proteolytic activity of keratinases is normally associated with serine proteinase activity (Lin et al., 1995).

The new strain of Arthtobacter sp described here has keratinolytic activity and is effective in feather degradation

at low temperature, suggesting its potential use in biotechnological process involving protein hydrolysis.

Acknowledgements This work is supported by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Aislabie, J., Jordan, S., Ayrton, J., Klassen, G., Barker, G., & Turner, S. (2009). Bacterial diversity associated with ornithogenic soil of the Ross Sea region, Antarctic. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 55(1), 21-36. PMid:19190698. http://dx.doi. org/10.1139/W08-126 Lin, X., Kelemen, D. W., Miller, E. S., & Shih, J. C. H. (1995). Nucleotide sequence and expression of kerA, the gene encoding a keratnolytic protease of Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1. Applied Environmental Microbiology, 61, 1469-1474. PMid:7747965 PMCid:PMC167403 Peeters, K., Hodgson, D. A., Convey, P., & Willems, A. (2011). Culturable Diversity of Heterotrophic Bacteria in ForlidasPond (Pensacola Mountains) and Lundström Lake (Shackleton Range), Antarctica. Microbial Ecology, 62(2), 399-413.

PMid:21424822. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00248-011-9842-7

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THEMATIC AREA 3

iMPAct OF hUMAn ActiVities On the AntARctic MARine enViROnMent 75

Tenenbaum, D. R., Barrera-Alba, J. J., Tenório, M. M. B. Microplankton Community Structure of the Shallow Coastal Zone at Admiralty Bay, Antarctica: Comparison Between Two Consecutive Austral Summers

81

Tenório, M. M. B., Pinto, F. A. Z., Barrera-Alba, J. J., Neveux, J., Tenenbaum, D. R., Chlorophyll a Biomass and Accessory Chlorophyll Pigments in the Shallow Coastal Zone at Admiralty Bay, Antarctica: Comparison Between Two Consecutive Austral Summers

87

Absher, T. M., Córdova, M. M., Ferreira Junior, A. L., Kern, Y., Copepods: Main Zooplankters in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

92

Dauner, A. L. L., Hernández, E., MacCormack, W. P., Ruberto, L., Martins, C. C., Evaluation of Organic Contamination in Sediments from Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica, Using Molecular Markers

96

Mota, M. A. A., Nascimento, M. G., Martins, C. C., Temporal Variations in Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment Cores from Admiralty Bay and Deception Island, Antarctica

100 Feijó de Oliveira, M., Rodrigues Júnior, E., Vani, G. S., Suda, C. N. K., Donatti, L., Lavrado, H. P.,

Rodrigues, E., Effect of Diesel on the Antioxidant Defense of the Digestive Gland of the Antarctic Gastropod Nacella concinna (Strebel, 1908)

104 Gomes, V., Rocha, A. J. S., Passos, M. J. A. C. R., Botelho, M. T., Hasue, F. M., Vignardi, C. P.,

Ngan, P. V. Biomonitoring of Genotoxicity of Shallow Waters Around the Brazilian Antarctic Station “Comandant e Ferraz” (EACF), Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, Using Amphipod Crustaceans

109 Corbisier, T. N., Bícego, M. C., Bromberg, S., Dalto, A. G., Figueira, R. C. L., Gheller, P. F., Martins,

C. C., Montone, R. C., Nakayama, C. R., Pellizari, V. H., Petti, M. A. V., Taniguchi, S., Ujikawa, M. C. Y., Lavrado, H. P., Influence of Sediment Quality on the Benthic Communities of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

114 Zaleski, T., Forgati, M., Souza, B. A. S., Rios, F. S., Donatti, L., Characterisation of Antarctic Fish Otoliths SAGITTAE from the Notothenia rossii and Notothenia Coriiceps of Admiralty Bay

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Team Leader

dr. helena passeri lavrado – iB/ufrJ Vice-Team Leader

dr. edson rodrigues – unitAu

The joint studies related to the marine ecosystem of Admiralty Bay and adjacent areas, initiated in 2009 by inct-ApA, have the purpose of understanding the structure and function of the biological communities of this polar environment.they have generated results that support the selection of indicator organisms not only for natural environmental changes, but also for those resulted from the human activities in the region. in the pelagic environment, the microplankton results obtained in the period from 2009 to 2011, from the shallow coastal zone of Admiralty Bay (tenenbaum et al., in this report); suggest that the phytoplankton assemblages vary according to four distinct scenarios. Those scenarios depend on water temperature, the dissolved inorganic nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and silica) and the ratios of these nutrients (si:n, si:p and n:p), which determine not only the biomass, but also the density and species composition.

The estimates of chlorophyll biomass respond strongly to temperature, but the variation of the ratio chlorophyll c/chlorophyll a reveals the role of groups other than dinoflagellates and diatoms in primary production, such as cyanobacteria in the beginning of summer (tenório et al., in this report). The bay zooplancton has a typical composition of most marine environments, with the dominance of copepods even at the end of summer. But there are also species that occur in Bransfield strait waters, such as the copepod Metridia gerlachei (Absher et al., in this report), which can indicate an important influence of the oceanic water in the circulation of Admiralty Bay. The knowledge of the plankton dynamics and the factors that determine its spatial and temporal variations will soon allow the construction of more predictive ecological models for the region. generally, studies of environmental impact are preceded by ecological studies of the target species that will be monitored. The knowledge of population differences of a species is important in order to know the morphological,

physiological and genetic variability, and as a consequence, to determine the variability of contaminants effect in different regions. one of the studies which is being undertaken in Admiralty Bay is the analysis of the otoliths variability of Notothenia rossii and N. coriiceps, endemic fishes in Antarctica and which are abundant in the shallow coastal waters of the bay (Zaleski et al., in this report).

Besides the studies of evaluation of the impact of sewage and diesel oil on their physiology, which have been undertaken by inct-ApA, that study shows that the morphological variations of the species otoliths are also associated to differences in their habitats, confirming the benthic habitat of those fishes and the substrate complexity (a mixture of sediment and rock) present in the bay. in order to understand the effects of human activities on Admiralty Bay, contaminants like metals and petroleum hydrocarbons, and also indicators of the presence of domestic sewage have been monitored along the last decade, especially in martel inlet because of the presence of the Brazilian Antarctic station. in fact, there is an impact of the station activities on the marine environment, but it has been considered eventual and of small magnitude (montone et al., 2013). however, in other bays of the King george island, such as maxwell Bay, the concentrations of contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons and faecal sterols, in places close to the Argentine scientific station were considered lower than those found in Admiralty Bay near to eAcf (estação Antarctica comandante ferraz) (dauner et al., in this report). on the other hand, the historic data of the aliphatic hydrocarbons obtained from sediment corers of Admiralty Bay (King george island), as also of deception island, showed compatible levels with other areas of Antarctica (mota et al, in this report), and indicate a constant input of these substances even before the 80s, with the greatest values found in the 90s. This shows a concern with the effects of the increasing human activity in the Antarctic environment.

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in the marine biota, the benthic gastropod Nacella concinna has been used as a good sentinel organism for anthropic impact studies on the Antarctic coast. some of the physiological markers of this species which can be used for analysis of the effect of petroleum hydrocarbons (hpA) are the enzymes related to antioxidant defence. The study considering the effect of diesel on the antioxidant defence of N. concinna (feijó de oliveira et al., in this report) showed that the exposure of this animal to diesel oil (at 5%) was only capable of altering the levels of glutathione s-transferase (gst) and of the oxidative damage marker (lipid peroxidation lpo) in the digestive gland of the mollusc, but with no dose-response behaviour.

This indicates that other biomarkers or even organs/tissues should be investigated in the case of the evaluation of the effect of the diesel on this Antarctic organism, as well as the use of other marine species which could show different responses. Another way of monitoring these possible impacts is the analysis of the genotoxicity through comet assays. for example, the dnA damage caused to amphipods (Gondogeneia antarctica) obtained near eAcf oil tanks and from the sewage was significantly greater than that from amphipods captured in more distant areas (gomes et al., in this report). This shows that even with the advances in the sewage treatment system at eAcf since 2005-2006

(martins et al., 2012), the contaminants present in the sewage and diesel oil were still capable of causing changes in more sensitive organisms, such as peracarid crustaceans, at the beginning of 2012. the effects of contaminants on the populations of sensitive species can also occur along the marine trophic web of the bay. so, it is important to establish a baseline database in all the biological compartments of the trophic web and a long-term monitoring in order to detect possible impacts on the marine communities. As part of these objectives, the benthic fauna present in the shallow sublittoral sediments of the bay was sampled in four areas in 2010 (corbisier et al., in this report). Three areas were considered as reference sites and one was under the direct influence of human activities (in front of the Brazilian Antarctic station – eAcf). The results showed that the impact of eAcf is still present, being capable of altering the composition and abundance of the benthic macrofauna and being related mainly to organic pollution indicators of sewage (faecal sterols) and some heavy metals, such as zinc and nickel. As a result of the fire at the Antarctic station which occurred in february 2012, this data will serve as a baseline for future comparisons with data to be generated post-fire and reinforce the importance of the continuity of long term ecological studies in the region.

References Martins, C. C., Aguiar, S. N., Bícego, M. C., & Montone, R. C. (2012). Sewage organic markers in surface sediments around the Brazilian Antarctic Station: results from 2009/10 austral summer and historical tendencies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 64(12), 2867-2870.

Montone, R. C., Alvarez, C. E., Bícego, M. C., Braga, E. S., Brito, T. A. S., Campos, L. S., Fontes, R. F. C., Castro, B. M., Corbisier, T. N., Evangelista, H., Francelino, M., Gomes, V.,. Ito, R. G., Lavrado, H. P., Leme, N. M. P., Mahiques, M. M., Martins, C. C., Nakayama, C. R., Ngan, P. V., Pellizari, V. H., Pereira, A. B., Petti, M. A. V., Sander, M., Schaefer, C. E. G. R. & Weber, R. R. (2013). Environmental Assessment of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. In C. Verde & G. di Prisco (Orgs.), From Pole to Pole (Vol. 2, pp. 157-175). Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

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1 MICROPLANKTON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF THE SHALLOW COASTAL ZONE AT ADMIRALTY BAY, ANTARCTICA: COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO CONSECUTIVE AUSTRAL SUMMERS Denise Rivera Tenenbaum1*, José Juan Barrera-Alba1,2** & Márcio Murilo Barboza Tenório1*** Laboratório de Fitoplâncton Marinho, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS, sala A-61, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, CEP 21949-902, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brasil 2 Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, Universidade Federal de São Paulo – UNIFESP, Av. Saldanha da Gama, 89, Ponta da Praia, CEP 11030-400, Santos – SP, Brasil 1

e-mails:*deniser@biologia.ufrj.br, **barrera.alba@unifesp.br ***marcio.tenorio@biologia.ufrj.br

Abstract: The main objective of this work was to investigate interannual changes of phytoplankton structure as part of a long-term monitoring program in Admiralty Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Based on microscopic analysis, phytoplankton taxonomic composition and biomass are investigated since 2009. This report presents results from the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 summer surveys regarding the phytoplankton size-structure and biomass. Four scenarios were proposed in our study for environmental conditions and phytoplankton community: 1) 2009/2010 Early Summer; diatom growth was promoted by high Si:N, but inhibited by low N:P and low temperature, 2) 2009/2010 Late Summer; diatom growth was inhibited by low N:P and low Si:N, and high temperature and low N:P promoted dinoflagellates growth, due to their low optimum N:P ratios compared to diatoms; 3) 2010/2011 Early Summer; diatom growth was promoted by high N:P, high Si:N and high temperature and 4) 2010/2011 Late Summer; blooms of chain-forming diatoms (e.g. Thalassiosira spp.), favoured by high Si:N and high temperature, and it could explain the drastic reduction both in nitrate and silicate. The microplankton community of Admiralty Bay presented a high variability during the studied period that was clearly dictated by environmental factors. The time window covered by this study gives us only a glimpse of the direction of long term changes that the Antarctic environment might be experiencing. A more complete picture of such trends relies heavily on the continuity of the long-term monitoring program.

Keywords: Microplankton Variability, Environmental Forcing, Nutrients Ratio

Introduction The effects of global climate changes on West Antarctic

These activities continued up to 2011. During this period

Peninsula (WAP) have received special attention during last

four surveys were conducted in the area, with samplings

decade (e.g. Marshall et al., 2002; Delille, 2004; Moline et al.,

in both early and late austral summer (Tenenbaum et al.,

2004; Montes-Hugo et al., 2009). In this context, a

2011a).

monitoring program to study the planktonic biodiversity in

Recent studies show that in Admiralty Bay, picoplankton

shallow waters (<30m) at Admiralty Bay was implemented in

and ultraplankton are the dominant groups, followed by

2002 by PROANTAR (Brazilian Antarctic Program) aiming

microplankton diatoms. Between 1990 and 2000, several

to study the effects of environmental impacts (natural

studies indicate a decline in the relative contribution of

and anthropogenic) on the microplanktonic community

diatoms to the total plankton (Kopczynska, 2008), when

structure, through the analysis of long-term time series.

compared to communities in the continental shelf region.

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These observations triggered implementations in the monitoring from 2009 onwards to include the analysis of size-fractioned pigments by spectrofluorometry (Tenório et al., 2011) and the estimates of cell density and biovolume for ultraplankton by epifluorescence microscopy, as well as a higher sampling frequency (Tenenbaum et al., 2011a). Additionally, the composition of microphytobenthos species has been carried out to study the effects of environmental changes on this community in the nearshore Antarctic ecosystem (Tenenbaum et al., 2011b).

The present study describes changes in plankton community structure at Admiralty Bay between two consecutive austral summers, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

Materials and Methods Study area and sampling Admiralty Bay (62° 03’–12’S, 58° 18’–38’W), located at King George Island, is a deep fjord-like embayment with 500 m maximum depth at its centre (RakusaSuszczewski et al., 1993). The waters from the bay mix with the deep oceanic waters from Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas at its southern opening, which connects to the Bransfield Strait (Rakusa-Suszczewski 1980). The maximum depth varies between 60 m along the shores and 500 m in the centre of the bay. Deep currents generated by tides, frequent upwellings, vertical mixing of the entire water column and current velocities of 30–100 cm s−1 in the 0–100 m surface stratum are characteristic of the bay (Rakusa-Suszczewski et al., 1993).

The analysis of microplankton community composition and chlorophyll concentration measurements were performed on aliquots of 5-L samples collected with Niskin bottles at the surface, middle water column and near the bottom (≈ 30m) at five sites in early (ES) and in late (LS) summer on 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 (n= 180 samples) (Tenório et al., 2011). Temperature was measured in situ while salinity and nutrients analyses are present on Cascaes et al. (2012).

Fixation and preparation of samples For microplankton (>10 µm), 1 L aliquots were fixed with buffered formaldehyde (2% f.c.) and kept in the dark immediately after sampling. In the laboratory, samples

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were analysed using the settling technique (Utermöhl, 1958) in an Olympus IX70® inverted microscope with 400x magnification. For total pigments analyses, 0,5-2L aliquots were filtered onto Whatman® GF/F discs for. The filters were folded, placed into 1.2 mL cryotubes and immediately quickfrozen in liquid nitrogen (−196°C) and stored at −80°C. Concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl.a) were assessed using a modified version of Neveux & Lantoine’s (1993) method, as described in Tenório et al. (2011).

In order to normalize distributions and eliminate zero values, the biological data was transformed using log10 (x+1). Pearson’s correlation factor was also calculated.

Results During the study period, salinity at Admiralty Bay showed low variability, both spatial and temporally, with mean values varying between 34.1 and 34.2 (Table 1). On the other hand, water temperature presented a high temporal variability, both during the summer period and in between years. Average water temperature during 2010/2011 summer was higher than those registered during 2009/2010, both at ES and LS periods (Table 1, Figure 2).

Concentrations of dissolved inorganic nutrients were high throughout this study. Nitrate (21.7 ± 3.1 µM) and silicate (71.1 ± 10.2 µM) concentrations were similar in ES and LS for the 2009/2010 survey, whereas in 2010/2011 ES these values were higher than LS (Table 1). Phosphate concentrations (~ 1.9 ± 0.4 µM) showed similar values for 2009/2010 ES and 2010/2011 LS. The two first factors of the principal component analysis explained ~70% of variability in the data, discriminating four conditions associated to environmental variables and biomass, density and composition of microplankton community (Figures 2 and 3): 1- Low temperature, low N:P, medium Si:N, low Chl.a, low microplankton density, dominance of diatoms (ES XXVIII); 2- Medium temperature, low N:P, low Si:N, low Chl.a, low density, co-dominance of diatoms and autotrophic dinoflagellates (2009/2010 LS); 3- Medium temperature, high N:P, high Si:N, medium Chl.a, medium density, dominance of diatoms (2010/2011 ES); 4- High temperature, low N:P, high Si:N, high Chl.a, high density, dominance of diatoms (2010/2011 LS).

Table 1. Physical and chemical variables and Chl.a for each sampling period at Admiralty Bay (ES – Early Summer; LS – Late Summer). Average ± standard deviation (minimum – maximum)

2009/2010 ES

LS

-0.18 ± 0.08 (-0.38 – 0.03)

0.85 ± 0.22 (0.43 –1.13)

34.2 ±0.1 (34.1 – 34.4)

Variables

2010/2011 ES

LS

Temperature (°C)

0.51 ± 0.26 (0.02 – 0.87)

1.62 ± 0.14 (1.39 – 1.92)

34.1 ± 0.2 (33.6 – 34.3)

Salinity

34.2 ± 0.1 (33.7 – 34.4)

34.1 ± 0.2 (33.4 – 34.3)

14.8 ± 2.4 (7.5 – 17.8)

16.5 ± 2,4 (9.6 – 21.3)

NO2+NO3 (µM)

21.7 ± 3.1 (14.0 – 26,7)

12.1 ± 3.7 (5.0 – 18.8)

1.9 ± 0.4 (1.3 - 2.8)

1.7 ± 0.6 (0.9 – 3.3)

PO4 (µM)

1.5 ± 0.4 (0.6 – 2.4)

1.8 ± 0.3 (1.4 – 2.9)

41.6 ± 1.0 (38.7 – 42.9)

41.2 ± 1.0 (38.1 – 42.3)

SiO4 (µM)

71.1 ± 10.2 (50.3 – 87.6)

37.8 ± 8.4 (19.6 – 56.6)

8.1 ± 2.0 (4.3 – 11.7)

10.4 ± 2.9 (5.6 – 17.6)

N:P

15.9 ± 5.0 (9.5 – 31.9)

6.9 ± 2.3 (2.8 – 13.3)

2.92 ± 0.79 (2.37 – 5.65)

2.57 ± 0.46 (1.95 – 4.25)

SiO4:NOx

3.37 ± 0.85 (2.03 – 6.10

3.35 ± 1.06 (1.96 – 6.77)

0.38 ± 0.04 (0.31 – 0.45)

0.53 ± 0.25 (0.18 – 0.92)

Chl.a (µg. L-1)

0.82 ± 0.61 (0.42 – 3.72

2.92 ± 1.70 (0.40 – 6.11)

Figure 1. Principal Component Analysis with physical, chemical and microplanktonic variables with sampling sites means for different periods at Admiralty Bay (ES – Early Summer; LS – Late Summer).

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Figure 2. Relationship between N:P ratio vs Temperature (a) and Silicate:Nitrate vs Temperature (b) scatter plots and microplankton biomass (diameter of sphere) and main groups composition (DIAT – diatom; DINO-AUT – autotrophic dinoflagellates; DINO-HET – heterotrophic dinoflagellates) for each sampling period at Admiralty Bay (ES – Early Summer; LS – Late Summer).

Discussion Microplankton communities in coastal waters of the

Si:N, but inhibited by low N:P and low temperature,

Western Antarctic Peninsula have become the focus of

• 2009/2010 LS; diatom growth was inhibited by low N:P

interest due to the possible effects that global climate changes

and low Si:N. High temperature and low N:P promoted

may have on them. Variation in both atmospheric and

dinoflagellates growth, due to their low optimum N:P

water temperature could have dramatic effects to the whole

ratios compared to diatoms, some dinoflagellate species

food web, trough e.g. melting of once-perennial sea ice and glaciers retreat (Turner et al., 2005), as well as ice mesh increasing. In the short term (monthy-interannual scale) and during spring and summer, variations in latitudinal gradients in phytoplankton biomass as a function of time have been associated with sea ice timing and extent (Garibotti et al, 2003). Our results demonstrate that Admiralty Bay experiments large water temperature changes both in monthly and interannual scales. The 2010/2011 summer registered positive water temperatures during the entire survey, being higher than those observed during the 2009/2010 survey that could affect ice-mesh processes, explaining the high nitrate and silicate concentrations at early 2010/2011 summer.

Although nitrate was always at relatively high concentrations, N:P ratios suggested N-limitation for diatoms (16:1, N:P,

78

• 2009/2010 ES; diatom growth was promoted by high

may be selected at low N:P ratios (Hodgkiss & Ho, 1997), • 2010/2011 ES; diatom growth was promoted by high N:P, high Si:N and high temperature, • 2010/2011 LS; blooms of chain-forming diatoms (e.g.

Thalassiosira spp.), favoured by high Si:N and high temperature, could explain the drastic reduction both in nitrate and silicate.

The dominance of diatoms over dinoflagellates in early summer 2010 is a characteristic of the microplankton community in the Admiralty Bay (Lange et al., 2007; Kopczynska, 2008). Microplankton cellular densities and chlorophyll biomass observed during 2010/2011 were low when compared to those registered for Admiralty Bay during the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, when densities of 105

Redfield, 1958) except for 2010/1011 ES. On the other hand,

cells L-1 were usually registered (i.e. Kopczynska, 2008).

Si:N ratio higher than 1:1 would promote diatom growth

However, average cell densities in this study were six times

(Brzezinski, 1985). Analyzing the four scenarios proposed

higher than those observed by Lange et al. (2007) during

in our studied we conclude that:

the austral summer 2002/2003.

| Annual Activity Report 2013

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

The microplankton community of Admiralty Bay presented a high variability during the studied period that was clearly dictated by environmental factors. The two-years study led to the identification of four scenarios dependent on water temperature, dissolved inorganic nutrients concentrations and ratios, which promoted different microplankton community responses, both in biomass, density and composition. The time window covered by this study gives us only a glimpse of the direction of long term changes that the Antarctic environment might be experiencing. A more complete picture of such trends relies heavily on the continuity of the long-term monitoring program.

This work contributes to the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receive scientific and financial supports of the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n째 574018/2008-5) and Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n째 E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Brzezinski, M. (1985). The Si:C:N ratio of marine diatoms: interspecific variability and the effect of some environmental variables. Journal of Phycology, 21(3), 347-357. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3646.1985.00347.x Delille, D. (2004). Abundance and function of bacteria in the Southern Ocean. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 50, 543-551.

PMid:15559971 Cascaes, M. J., Barbosa, A. C. R. A., Freitas, F. S., Calabuano, F. I., Silva, J., Patire, V. F. et al. (2012). Temperature, salinity, PH, dissolved oxygen and nutrient variations at five stations on the surface waters of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, during the summers from 2009 to 2012. Annual Activity Report INCT-APA, 96-100.

Garibotti, I. A., Vernet, M., Ferrario, M. E., Smith, R. C., Ross, R. M., & Quetin, L. B, (2003). Phytoplankton spatial distribution patterns along the western Antarctic Peninsula (Southern Ocean). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 261, 21-39. http://dx.doi. org/10.3354/meps261021 Hodgkiss I. J., & Ho, K. C. (1997). Are changes in N:P ratios in coastal waters the key to increased red tide blooms?

Hydrobiologia, 352(1-3), 141-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1003046516964 Kopczynska, E. E. (2008). Phytoplankton variability in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands: six years of monitoring. Polish Polar Research, 29(2), 117-139.

Lange, P. K., Tenenbaum, D. R., Braga, E. S. B., & Campos, L. S. (2007). Microphytoplankton assemblages in shallow waters at Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) during the summer 2002-2003. Polar Biology, 30, 1483-1492. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0309-8 Marshall, G. J., Lagun, V., & Lachlan-Cope, T. A. (2002). Changes in Antarctic Peninsula tropospheric temperatures from 1956 to 1999: a synthesis of observations and reanalysis data. International Journal of Climatology, 22, 291-310. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.758 Moline, M. A., Claustre, H., Frazer, T. K., Schofield, O., & Vernet, M. (2004). Alteration of the food web along the Antarctic Peninsula in response to a regional warming trend. Global Change Biology, 10, 1973-1980. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.13652486.2004.00825.x

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Montes-Hugo, M., Doney, S. C., Ducklow, H. W., Fraser, W., Martinson, D., Stammerjohn, S. E. et al. (2009). Recent changes in Phytoplankton communities associated with rapid regional climate change along the western Antarctic peninsula.

Science, 323(5920), 1470-1473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1164533 Neveux, J., & Lantoine, F. (1993). Spectrofluorometric assay of chlorophylls and phaeopigments using the least squares approximation technique. Deep-Sea Research I, 40(9), 1747-1765. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(93)90030-7 Rakusa-Suszczewski, S. (1980). Environmental conditions and the functioning of Admiralty Bay (South Shetland Islands) as part of the near shore Antarctic ecosystem. Polish Polar Research, 1(1), 11-27.

Rakusa-Suszczewski, S., Mietus, M., & Piasecki, J. (1993). Weather and climate. In S. Rakusa-Suszczewski (Ed.), The maritime coastal ecosystem of Admiralty Bay. Warsaw: Department of Antarctic Biology, Polish Academy of Science.

Tenenbaum, D. R., Barrera-Alba, J. J., Duarte, R. D., & Ten贸rio, M. B. (2011a). Plankton Structure of shallow coastal zone at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP): pico, nano and microplankton and chlorophyll biomass. Annual Activity Report 2010 INCT-APA, 2, 108-114.

Tenenbaum, D. R., Lange, P., Barrera-Alba, J. J., Fernandes, L. F., Calixto, M., & Garcia, V. M. T. (2011b). Plankton Structure of shallow coastal zone at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP): composition of phytoplankton and influence of benthic diatoms. Annual Activity Report 2010 INCT-APA, 2, 121-125.

Ten贸rio, M. M. B., Duarte, R. D., BarreraAlba, J. J., & Tenenbaum, D. R. (2011). Plankton Structure of shallow coastal zone at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP): chlorophyll biomass and size fractionated chlorophyll during austral summer 2009/2010. Annual Activity Report 2010 INCT-APA, 2, 115120.

Turner, J., Colwell, S. R., Gareth, J., Marshall, G. J., Tom, A., Lachlan-Cope, T. A. et al. (2005). Antarctic climate change during the last 50 years. International Journal of Climatology, 25(3), 279-294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.1130 Uterm枚hl, Z. H. (1958). Vervollkommung der quantitativen methodik. Mitteilungen der Internationale Vereinigung f眉r Teoretische und Angewandte Limnologie, 9, 1-38.

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2 CHLOROPHYLL a BIOMASS AND ACCESSORY CHLOROPHYLL PIGMENTS IN THE SHALLOW COASTAL ZONE AT ADMIRALTY BAY, ANTARCTICA: COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO CONSECUTIVE AUSTRAL SUMMERS Márcio Murilo Barboza Tenório1*, Fernanda de Alcântara Vaz Pinto1, José Juan Barrera-Alba1,2**, Jacques Neveux3*** & Denise Rivera Tenenbaum1# Laboratório de Fitoplâncton Marinho, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS, sala A-61, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, CEP 21949-902, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brasil 2 Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, Universidade Federal de São Paulo – UFRJ, Av. Saldanha da Gama, 89, Ponta da Praia, CEP 11030-400, Santos – SP, Brasil 3 UMR 7621, LOMIC – CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Laboratoire Arago, 66650 Banyuls-sur-mer, France 1

e-mails: *marcio.tenorio@biologia.ufrj.br, **juanalba@biologia.ufrj.br, ***neveux.jacques@orange.fr, #deniser@biologia.ufrj.br

Abstract: Chlorophyll a and accessory chlorophyll concentrations of the phytoplankton community were studied in Admiralty Bay in early and late summer of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, using spectrofluorometry. Chlorophyll a biomass increased from early to late summer and was higher in 2010/2011 than in 2009/2010. The ratios of accessory pigments to Chlorophyll a showed a greater presence of chlorophytes relative to chromophytes in 2009/2010 than in 2010/2011 summer. The variations observed in chlorophyll biomass and accessory pigments to Chlorophyll a ratios was associated to increase in water temperature during austral summer.

Keywords: Chlorophylls, Spectrofluorometry, Western Antarctic Peninsula, Admiralty Bay

Introduction The chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration is one of the most measured oceanographic variables to determine phytoplankton biomass and primary production in waters.

Although C/Chl a ratio shows important variations according to environmental changes, Chl a remains the best proxy of phytoplankton biomass for studying spatial and temporal variability of primary productivity (Huot et al., 2007).

Associated with Chl a in more specific phytoplankton taxa, accessory pigments (like chlorophyll b and chlorophyll c, amongst others) provides useful information concerning taxonomic composition, photoadaptability and the physiological status of the algal community (Neveux & De Billy, 1986). However, there is still no information about these variables in Admiralty Bay, King George Island.

The Chl a biomass is generally low in the Southern Ocean despite the presence of high macronutrient

concentration (Martin et al., 1991; Rose et al., 2009).

Research studies in Admiralty Bay since the 80’s reported Chl a concentrations during summer periods usually below 1 µg L-1 (Kopczynska, 1980; Lipski, 1987; Lange et al., 2007). Phytoplankton biomass in Antarctic Waters shows high variability at different time scales (weekly to interannual) that is driven by physical, chemical and biological forcing like water column stabilization which is affected by local wind stress, temperature, nutrients, light availability, grazing pressure, dynamics related to sea ice melt and glacial melt water, among others (Moline & Prézelin, 1996; Smith et al., 2008).

In this study we present the temporal and spatial variability of chlorophylls concentration in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 summers.

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Materials and methods

Spearman´s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to

Study area and sampling

physical and chemical variables.

measure the degree of association between pigments and

Admiralty Bay (62°03’ – 12’S, 58°18’ – 38’W), located at King George Island, has been the focus of a Brazilian National

Chlorophyll pigments

Monitoring Program from the National Institute of Science

Water filtration, sample storage and extraction of

and Technology - Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-

chlorophyll pigments were described in Tenório et al.

APA) since 2008. The sampling methodology follows the

(2011). Fluorescence properties of the acetonic extracts were

standard procedures for hydrological (Cascaes et al., 2012)

measured on a Varian Cary Eclipse® spectrofluorometer.

and plankton studies (Tenório et al., 2011; Tenenbaum et al.,

Concentrations of Chl a, b and c were assessed using a

2011). Measurements of Chl a were obtained from surface,

modified version of Neveux & Lantoine’s (1993) method

15 m and near the bottom (≈ 29 m) at five stations in early

as described by Tenório et al. (2005). The significance of

(ES) and late (LS) summers (2009/2010 and 2010/2011)

spectrofluorometric results is related both to the relative

during 12 surveys from Antarctic Operations (AO) XXIX

concentrations of the pigment in the extracts and to its

and XXIX (n = 180 samples). Temperature was measured

quantum yield in the solvent used. Only an accessory

in situ with a Seamon Mini sensor. Salinity and nutrients

chlorophyll concentration which represented at least 5%

chemical analyses was presented on Cascaes et al. (2012).

(weight to weight) of Chl a will be considered significant.

Table 1. Physical, chemical and biological variables at Admiralty Bay during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 surveys. Pigment ratios are weight to weight ratios.

Surveys

Periods

2009/2010

Early Summer

Late Summer

2010/2011

Early Summer

Late Summer

Min

Temperature (oC)

Salinity

Chl a (µg L-1)

Chl a (mg m-2)

Chl b/ Chl a

Chl c/ Chl a

-0.63

33.77

0.13

4.36

0.07

0.11

Max

1.16

34.43

0.67

17.70

0.19

0.20

Av

0.06

34.16

0.34

10.07

0.12

0.15

SD

0.40

0.14

0.11

3.24

0.03

0.02

n

60

60

60

60

60

60

Min

0.38

33.64

0.15

6.09

0.04

0.13

Max

1.35

34.30

0.92

24.50

0.12

0.26

Av

0.82

34.09

0.48

14.05

0.08

0.18

SD

0.23

0.17

0.24

6.81

0.02

0.03

n

45

45

45

45

45

45

Min

0.13

33.38

0.36

12.98

0.02

0.11

Max

1.49

34.87

3.72

45.27

0.10

0.18

Av

0.62

34.18

0.84

24.60

0.05

0.15

SD

0.28

0.23

0.51

8.81

0.02

0.01

n

45

45

45

45

45

45

Min

1.39

33.4

0.40

23.05

0.04

0.16

Max

1.92

34.31

6.11

166.56

0.11

0.19

Av

1.62

34.12

2.84

82.23

0.05

0.18

SD

0.14

0.21

1.73

48.65

0.02

0.01

n

30

30

30

30

30

30

minimum (Min), maximum (Max), average (Av) , standard deviation (SD) , sample numbers (n)

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This does not mean necessarily that Chl b or Chl c are absent,

Temperature (r = 0.51; p = 0.001) and SiO4 concentrations

but that the accuracy of its determination is poor below this

(r = -0.38; p = 0.02) were the variables that seemed to

threshold (Neveux et al., 2009).

have an influence on chlorophyll biomass variation. In 2010/2011, Chl a values were lower than 1 μg L-1 in 58%

Results

of the samples during ES and only 16% during LS. In

Due to the spatial and vertical homogeneity of thermohaline structure in shallow waters of Admiralty Bay, the environment variables and chlorophyll pigments concentrations are averaged (n = 15) for each survey (Figures 1 and 2).

The results showed a gradual increase of temperature in Admiralty Bay waters from the beginning of summer through its end (Figure 1a, Table 1). Moreover, a strong interannual thermal variation of averaged temperature was observed with values 2.5 times lower during the 2009/2010 summer (0.40 ± 0.47 oC) than during the 2010/2011 summer (1.02 ± 0.54 oC). The haline structure exhibited slight temporal variations (Figure 1, Table 1), and similar averaged values for both summers 2009/2010 (34.13 ±0.15) and 2010/2011 (34.16 ± 0.23).

2009/2010, integrated Chl a also increased but with an higher amplitude, approximately three times from ES to LS (24.60 ± 8.81 mg m-2 to 82.23 ± 48.65 mg m-2), and were six times higher than during 2009/2010 (Figure 2a; Table 1).

Similarly to that observed in the previous survey Chl a variations were influenced by water temperature (r = 0.86; p <0.001) and SiO4 (r = -0.53; p = 0.003). However, in this

case, NO3 concentrations also showed a significant influence (r = -0.47; p =0.01).

Accessory chlorophylls ratio: relative indices of eukaryotic components of phytoplankton communities.

During 2009/2010, the Chl b/Chl a ratio (Figure 2b; Table 1) decreased from ES (0.12 ± 0.03) to LS (0.08 ± 0.02).

However, in the last sampling of LS, the ratio increased to

Chlorophyll a, an indicator of overall phytoplankton abundance

an intermediate level between the last two ES samplings (Figure 2b; Table 1). On the other hand, Chl c/Chl a ratio

During 2009/2010 Chl a concentration was low

increased from 0.15 ± 0.02 (ES) to 0.18 ± 0.03 (LS). This

(0.48 ± 0.24 µg L ) showing values lower than 0.5 µg L in

ratio was higher than Chl b/Chl a, except at the beginning

93% of the samples during ES and 53% in LS. Integrated Chl a

of the sampling period. The two ratios showed a significant

(0-29m) increased ~ 28% from early (10.07 ± 3.24 mg m )

negative correlation (r = -0.43; p = 0.007). The Chl c/Chl a

to late summer (14.05 ± 6.81 mg m-2 ) (Figure 2a; Table 1).

ratio was positively correlated with Chl a (r = 0.51; p = 0.001)

-1

-1

-2

Figure 1. Temporal variation of water temperature (a) and salinity (b) in Admiralty Bay during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 surveys. ES – Early Summer, LS – Late Summer.

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83

showing that Chl a concentrations were rather associated to chromophytes. The variations of the Chl c/Chl a ratio seems to be influenced by temperature (r = 0.60; p < 0.001) and SiO4 concentrations (r = -0.48; p = 0.03) and suggests variations of the relative importance of diatoms in the communities.

The Chl b/Chl a ratio was negatively correlated to water temperature (r = -0.76; p < 0.001), suggesting a relative preference of chlorophytes for colder waters.

In the summer 2010/2011 Chl b concentrations were low and significant values were not observed in 60% of the samples (Figure 2b). Chl b content was found in significant quantities in the last ES sampling (Chl b/Chl a = 0.06), and at the LS start (Chl b/Chl a = 0.05) (Figure 2b). The Chl b/Chl a ratio was clearly lower in 2010/2011 than in 2009/2010 (Figure 2a; Table 1). The Chl c/Chl a ratio was at similar levels compared to 2009/2010. It was positively correlated with integrated Chl a concentrations (r = 0.57; p = 0.001) showing the importance of Chromophytes in chlorophyll biomass. Furthermore, water temperature (r = 0.60; p < 0.001) and SiO4 concentrations (r = -0.48; p = 0.004) also seemed to influence the variation of this group during this summer.

Discussion Temporal variation of thermohaline structure was similar to those reported in previous studies (Lipski, 1987; Lange et al., 2007). However, water temperatures recorded on December 2009 were lower to those usually reported, probably due to the influence of El Niño (National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA, EUA). In general, Chl a concentrations were low (1- 2 µg L-1) in spite of high dissolved inorganic nutrients concentrations (Cascaes et al., 2012), as commonly reported in Admiralty Bay (Lipski, 1987; Lange et al., 2007; Kopczynska, 2008). One of the explanations for this paradox is usually associated to the low micronutrient iron availability, which is considered as one of the main factors limiting phytoplankton growth under high macronutrients conditions (Martin et al., 1991; Rose et al., 2009). Studies developed on Antarctic phytoplankton cultures showed that both iron addition and increase in water temperature, lead to rise of chlorophyll biomass (Rose et al., 2009). In this way, the increase of biomass in LS was mainly conditioned by rise of temperature, which melts the ice providing the micronutrient iron to phytoplankton growth (Martin et al., 1991). So, the low water temperatures observed during the 2009/2010 atypical summer (three times lower than summer 2010/2011) could explain the Chl a concentrations six times lower than during the 2010/2011 summer.

The relatively high Chl b/Chl a ratio (0.10 ±0.03) in 2009/2010 survey pointed out a higher contribution of Chl b-containing classes of the green algal lineage associated to low water temperatures (0.40 ± 0.48 ºC). At much higher water temperatures (1.10 ± 0.56 ºC), as observed during 2010/2011 summer, the pigment ratios were lower (<0.05).

These results were coherent with those of Hashihama et al.

(2008), showing higher densities of chlorophytes associated to colder waters in the Antarctic marginal ice zone along

Figure 2. Temporal variation of Chlorophyll pigments: a) Chl a concentration, b) Chl b/ Chl a and Chl c/Chl a ratio in Admiralty Bay during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 surveys. ES – Early Summer, LS – Late Summer. Red line represents thresholds for significant values of Chl b and Chl c.

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the 140º E meridian. Relatively high Chl c/Chl a during 2009/2010 survey could be related to elevated densities of cryptophytes single-celled flagellated algae lower than 10 µm (Moline et al., 2004), identified at the same period in an adjacent region through HPLC analysis (Mendes et al., 2013). In this sense, the dominance of phytoplankton < 10 µm, which represented ~80% of biomass in this survey, had already been highlighted by Tenório et al.

(2011). Besides cryptophytes, other chromophytes, like microplanktonic dinoflagellates and diatoms present in Admiralty Bay (Tenenbaum et al., 2011), also contributed to the increase of Chl c/Chl a ratios during 2009/2010 summer.

Conclusion Temporal variation in water temperature, chlorophyll biomass and accessory chlorophyll/chlorophyll a ratios show important interannual variations. The increase in water temperature during the austral summer lead to enhance of chlorophyll biomass and to variation of accessory pigments to Chl a ratios, showing significant changes in the phytoplankton community structure. Nevertheless, similar Chl c/Chl a ratio between summers and higher Chl b/ Chl a in 2009/2010 possibly suggests: 1) higher contribution of other taxonomic groups on chlorophyll biomass (e.g. cyanobacteria) instead of chlorophytes in

the second survey 2) reduction in Chl c per cell during 2010/2011 summer due to variations in the composition of chromophytes or/and light availability.

Pigment concentrations studies in the Admiralty Bay proved to be a good tool for monitoring the effects of global changes both on phytoplankton biomass and on the relative proportions of chlorophyll b (chlorophytes) and chlorophyll c (chromophytes) containing eukaryotes.

Acknowledgments This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receive scientific and financial supports of the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008).

The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM) and Marine Organic Chemical Laboratory of the Oceanographic Institute of São Paulo University (LabQOM-IOUSP). M. M. B. Tenório thanks FAPERJ/CAPES for the post-doctoral fellowship under process no E-26/102.015/2009.

References Cascaes, M. J., Barbosa, A. C. R. A., Freitas, F. S., Calabuano, F. I., Silva, J., Patire, V. F. et al. (2012). Temperature, salinity, PH, dissolved oxygen and nutrient variations at five stations on the surface waters of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, during the summers from 2009 to 2012. Annual Activity Report INCT-APA, 96-100.

Hashihama, F., Hirawake, T., Kudoh, S., Kanda, J., & Furuya, K. (2008). Size fraction and class composition of phytoplankton in the Antarctic marginal ice zone along the 140° E meridian during February-March 2003. Polar Science, 2(2), 109-120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2008.05.001 Huot, Y., Babin, M., Bruyant, F., Grob, C., & Twardowski, M. S. (2007). Does chlorophyll a provide the best index of phytoplankton biomass for primary productivity studies? Biogeosciences Discussions, 4(2), 707-745. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bgd-4707-2007 Kopczynska, E. E. (1980). Small-scale vertical distribution of phytoplankton in Ezcurra Inlet, Admiralty Bay, South Shetland Islands. Polish Polar Research, 1, 77-96.

Kopczynska, E. E. (2008). Phytoplankton variability in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands: six years of monitoring. Polish Polar Research, 29(2), 117-139.

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Lange, P. K., Tenenbaum, D. R., Braga, E. S. B., & Campos, L. S. (2007). Microphytoplankton assemblages in shallow waters at Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) during the summer 2002-2003. Polar Biology, 30(11), 1483-1492. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0309-8 Lipski, M. (1987). Variations of physical conditions, nutrients and chlorophyll a contents in Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetland Islands). Polish Polar Research, 8, 307-332.

Martin, J. H., Gordon, R. M., & Fitzwater, S. E. (1991). The Case for iron. Limnology and Oceanography, 36(8), 1793-1802. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.1991.36.8.1793 Mendes, C. B. R., Tavano, V. M., Leal, M. C., Souza, M. S., Brotas, V., & Garcia, C. A. E. (2013). Shifts in the dominance between diatoms and cryptophytes during three late summers in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctic Peninsula). Polar Biology, 36(4), 537-547. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1282-4 Moline, M. A., & Prézelin, B. B. (1996). Long-term monitoring and analyses of physical factors regulating variability in coastal Antarctic phytoplankton biomass, in situ productivity and taxonomic composition over subseasonal, seasonal and interannual time scales. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 145, 143-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps145143 Moline, M. A., Claustre, H., Frazer, T. K., Schofield, O., & Vernet, M. (2004). Alteration of the food web along the Antarctic Peninsula in response to a regional warming trend. Global Change Biology, 10(12), 1973-1980. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ j.1365-2486.2004.00825.x Neveux, J., & De Billy, G. (1986). Spectrofluorometric determination of chlorophylls and pheophytins. Their distribution in the western part of the Indian Ocean (July to August 1979). Deep-Sea Research, 33(1), 1-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/01980149(86)90104-4 Neveux, J., & Lantoine, F. (1993). Spectrofluorometric assay of chlorophylls and phaeopigments using the least squares approximation technique. Deep-Sea Research I, 40(9), 1747-1765. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(93)90030-7 Neveux, J., Tenório M. M. B., Jacquet, S., Torréton, J. P., Douillet, P., Ouillon, S. et al. (2009). Chlorophylls and Phycoerythrins as Markers of Environmental Forcings Including Cyclone Erica effect (March 2003) on Phytoplankton in the Southwest Lagoon of New Caledonia and Oceanic Adjacent Area. International Journal of Oceanography, 2009, 1-19. Article ID 232513. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/232513 Rose, J. M., Feng, Y., DiTullio, G. R., Dunbar, R. B., Hare, C. E., Lee, P. A. et al. (2009). Synergistic effects of iron and temperature on Antarctic phytoplankton and microzooplankton assemblages. Biogeosciences, 6, 3131-3147. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/ bg-6-3131-2009 Smith, C. R., Mincks, S., & DeMaster, D. (2008). The FOODBANCS project: Introduction and sinking fluxes of organic carbon, chlorophyll-a and phytodetritus on the western Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf. Deep-Sea Research II, 55, 2404-2414. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2008.06.001 Tenenbaum, D. R., Barrera-Alba, J. J., Duarte, R. B., & Tenório, M. M. B. (2011). Plankton structure a in shallow coastal zone at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP): pico, nano and microplankton and chlorophyll biomass. Annual Activity Report 2011 INCT-APA, 108-114.

Tenório, M. M. B., Le Borgne R., Rodier M., & Neveux J. (2005). The impact of terrigeneous inputs on the Bay of Ouinné (New Caledonia) phytoplankton communities: a spectrofluorometric and microscopic approach. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 64, 531-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.02.030 Tenório, M. M. B., Duarte, R. B., Barrera-Alba, J. J., & Tenenbaum, D. R. (2011). Plankton Structure in shallow coastal zone at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP): chlorophyll biomass and size-fractionated chlorophyll during austral summer 2009/2010. Annual Activity Report 2010 INCT-APA, 115-120.

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3 COPEPODS: MAIN ZOOPLANKTERS IN ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Theresinha Monteiro Absher*, Marcella Mordaski Córdova, Augusto Luiz Ferreira Junior, Yargos Kern Centro de Estudos do Mar - Universidade Federal do Paraná. Av. Beira-Mar, s/n. C P 61, CEP 83255-971,Pontal do Sul, Pontal do Paraná-PR, Brazil. *e-mail: tmabsher@ufpr.br

Abstract: Copepods have a major role in zooplankton communities worldwide and are very important in Polar ecosystems; they form the base of the trophic web, contributing through accumulation of great energy reserves. For this work, fifty five samples were collected in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica during the summer of 2009. A total of 15,328 copepods were sorted, Rhincalanus gigas, Macrosetella gracilis, Clausocalanus sp. and another five taxa were identified.

Keywords: Zooplankton, Copepods, Admiralty Bay, Antarctica

Introduction Polar regions are of great scientific and economical importance due to the abundance of natural resources

#4 62˚09’12”S; 58˚29’06”W; #5 62˚09’23”S; 58˚27’56”W (Figure: 1).

and they contribute for understanding climatic and

Plankton samples were collected in three replicates in all

environmental changes. The stocks of zooplankton in polar

stations from five minutes oblique tows at 2 knots from the

oceans are mainly of herbivores copepods and euphausiids that form the base of the trophic web. They contribute to the balance of the pronounced primary production through accumulation of energy reserves (Kattner & Hagen, 1995).

Copepods dominate Antarctic marine zooplankton and may represent 90 to 97% of the biomass and are well documented (see Kittel, 2000) and specifically the dominance of Metridia gerlachei Giesbrecht, 1902 in waters around King George Island (Jażdżewski et al. 1982; Żmijewska, 1988). With the purpose of contributing to the monitoring program, INCT- APA - Thematic Module 3, this study aims to provide data on the density of copepods of the coastal environment of Admiralty Bay.

Materials and Methods The samples were collected from five shallow areas at

sea bottom (30m) to the water surface. A conical net with a 150 µm mesh size and 60 cm diameter equipped with a flowmeter was used. Samples were preserved in 4% buffered formaldehyde. Zooplankton organisms were identified in high taxonomic levels and copepods were separated for identification to species level when possible. The values have been corrected to a standard 100 m3.

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used at a significance level of p=0.05 to determine the statistical difference in the density among sampling days and stations When appropriate a log (x+1) transformation was employed.

Results Fifty five samples were collected and a total of 15,328 copepods were sorted. Copepods dominated in the majority of stations and dates. The average abundance varied from 19.5 to 3,305 organisms.100m-3. Density variation was higher

Admiralty Bay in 11, 15, 23 and 29 December 2009. Location

between dates (minimum of 3 on december 23th, maximum

of the sampling stations were: #1 62˚05’00”S; 58˚23’01”W;

of 4,733 organisms.100m-3 on 29th) than on stations (largest

#2 62˚05’46”S; 58˚19’58”W; #3 62˚05’22”S; 58˚28’11”W;

variation #4, from 16 to 143 organisms.100m-3). The mean

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Figure 1. Location of sampling stations in Admiralty Bay.

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numbers of copepods per station and date are shown in Figure 2. Copepods mean density was high in station #5 (29 Dec.) and # 4 (15 Dec.).

The following taxa were identified Pantenidae sp., Macrosetella gracilis, Clausocalanus sp., Phyllopodidae sp 1., Parvocalanus sp., Metridia gerlachei, Haloptilus sp. and Rhincalanus gigas (larger individual sampled Figure 3).

ANOVA results indicated significant difference among dates (p<0.05) and no significant difference among stations (p=0.56).

Discussion and Conclusion Copepods expressive abundance observed in this work during late summer may be associated to the great primary production registered in this period (Tenorio et al., 2010).

Metridia gerlachei is well known for its abundance in Antarctic regions (see Table 1) Jażdżewski et al. (1982) registered Metridia gerlachei in the Bransfield Strait, however Clausocalanus sp. were nearly absent in the Bransfield. Both species were registered in the present study at Admiralty Bay.

Figure 2. Copepods density per stations and date.

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89

Table 1. Copepod species, occurrence, and citation (AB: Admiralty Bay; BS: Brainsfield Strait; DP: Drake Passage; LS: Lazarev Sea; WS: Weddel; GS: Gerlache Strait; CP: Croker Passage).

Location

Metridia gerlachei

Clausocalanus sp.

AB

This paper; Siciński et al 1996.

This paper; Jażdżewski et al 1982

DP

Calbet & Irigoien 1997

Jażdżewski et al 1982

BS

Jażdżewski et al., 1982; Bonicelli et al., 2008;

BS

Żmijewska 1988;Calbet & Irigoien 1997

WS

Schnack-Schiel & Hagen, 1995; Kahle & Zauke 2003

LS

Froneman et al., 1996

GS

Calbet & Irigoien 1997

CP

Hopkins 1985

Park & Wormuth 1993

components of plankton, especially the copepods that find a favorable environment for reproduction and development.

The high densities observed near the entrance of the Bay (St # 4, 5) may be due to circulation patterns. The waters flowing into Admiralty Bay come from the western part of the Bransfield Strait (Madejski & Rakusa-Suszczewski, 1990). Those waters are responsible for supplying the ecosystem with zooplankton species, nutrients and organic matter.

Acknowledgements This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the Figure 3. Larger individual sampled (station # 5 female of Rhincalanus gigas).

support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and

One of the factors that may have influenced the abundance of copepods is inter-specific competition.

Admiralty Bay serves, in all likelihood, as a refuge for

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Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM). We also thank the Chemical Eng. Milan Cuéllar Pereyra for his advice in the design of the equipment.

References Bonicelli, P., López, P., Ochoa, L., & Shreeve, R. S. (2008). Estructura comunitaria del zooplancton asociada con el fitoplancton y las masas de agua del Estrecho de Bransfield y la Isla Elefante durante el verano austral del 2006. Ecología Aplicada, 7(1-2), 159-164.

Calbet, A., & Irigoien, X. (1997). Egg and faecal pellet production rates of the marine copepod Metridia gerlachei northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biology, 18(4): 273-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003000050188 Froneman, P. W., Pakhomov, E. A., Perissinotto, R., & McQuaid, C. D. (1996). Role of microplankton in the diet and daily ration of Antarctic zooplankton species during austral summer. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 143, 15-23. http://dx.doi. org/10.3354/meps143015 Hopkins, T. L. (1985). The zooplankton community ofCroker passage, Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biology, 4(3), 161-170. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00263879 Jażdżewski, K., Kittel, W., & Lotocki, K. (1982). Zooplankton studies in the southern Drake Passage and in the Bransfield Strait during the austral summer (BIOMASS-FIBEX, February- March 1981). Polish Polar Research, 3(3-4), 203-242.

Kahle, J., & Zauke, G. P. (2003) Trace metals in Antarctic copepods from the Weddell Sea (Antarctica). Chemosphere, 51, 409-417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00855-X Kattner, G., & Hagen, W. (1995). Polar herbivorous copepods: different pathways in lipid biosynthesis. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, 52, 329-335.

Kittel, W. (2000). Polish Antarctic bibliography: Zooplankton (1976-1999). Polish Polar Research, 21(3-4), 199-208.

Madejski, P., & Rakusa-Suszczewski, S. (1990). Icebergs as tracers of water movement in the Bransfield Strait. Antarctic Science, 2(3), 259-263. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102090000347 Park, C., & Wormuth, J. H. (1993). Distribution of Antarctic zooplankton around Elephant Island during the austral summers of 1988, 1989, and 1990. Polar Biology, 13(4), 215-225. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00238756 Schnack-Schiel, S. B., & Hagen, W. (1995). Life-cycle strategies of Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus, and Metridia gerlachei (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, 52, 541-548.

Siciński, J., Różycki, O., & Kittel, W. (1996). Zoobenthos and zooplankton of Herve Cove, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic. Polish Polar Research, 17(3-4), 221-238.

Tenório, M. M. B., Duarte, R. B., Barrera-Alba, J. J. & Tenenbaum, D. R. (2010). Plankton structure in a shallow coastal zone at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula: chlorophyll biomass and size-fractioned chlorophyll during the austral summer 2009/2010. Annual Activity Report 2010 INCT- APA, 115-120. http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/apa.2014.034 Żmijewska, M. I. (1988). Vertical distribution and population structure of Copepoda in a water column between King George Island and Elephant Island (BIOMASS III, October-November 1986). Polish Polar Research, 9(2-3), 283-304.

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4 EVALUATION OF ORGANIC CONTAMINATION IN SEDIMENTS FROM POTTER COVE, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA, USING MOLECULAR MARKERS Ana Lúcia Lindroth Dauner1*, Edgardo Hernández2, Walter Patricio MacCormack2, Lucas Ruberto2 & César de Castro Martins1** 1

Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Av. Beira-Mar, s/n, CEP 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil 2 Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junín 956 (C1113AAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina E-mails: *anadauner@gmail.com; **ccmart@ufpr.br

Abstract: Potter Cove (62°14’S, 58°39’W) is a small fjord on the southwest coast of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, and where the Argentine Carlini station is located. In order to evaluate a possible input of oil and/or sewage, related to anthropogenic activities, 12 sediment samples were collected to analyze different organic markers: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and fecal sterols. The concentrations of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were lower in comparison to marine sediments contaminated by oil hydrocarbons, indicating natural sources and little contribution from petrogenic and combustion sources of these compounds. The concentrations of sewage molecular markers were lower than levels found in contaminated areas and other Antarctic places. Despite the detection of organic compounds related to human activities, these results showed that the Potter Cove region may be considered less impacted by oil hydrocarbons and sewage input.

Keywords: Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Sewage, Carlini Station, Antarctica

Introduction Since 1950, research stations have been installed in

sterols that can be found in mammals feces (coprostanol)

Antarctica in order to study this unique ecosystem. Human

and is formed mainly during wastewater treatment and

occupation has been responsible for several environmental

sewage sludge digestion (epicoprostanol) (Mudge & Lintern,

changes, due to the direct oil input, the combustion of fossil

1999).

fuels and the sewage discharge in the marine environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of oil

(Tin et al., 2008). In order to avoid irreversible damage,

and sewage contamination on surficial sediments of Potter

monitoring studies have been done around scientific

Cove, using molecular organic markers as indicators of

stations.

environment conditions.

The use of molecular markers is important to study the origin and composition of sedimentary organic matter because it has specific sources (natural or anthropogenic), chemical stability and resistance to degradation

92

Material and Methods Study Area

(Colombo et al., 1989). The aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs)

Potter Cove is a fjord-like inlet located in the Maxwell

and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be

Bay, King George Island, (62°14´S; 58°40´W) (Figure 1).

used to indicate the presence of oil residues (AHs) and to

The Argentine research station, built in 1952, is located in

distinguish between pyrogenic or petrogenic sources (PAHs)

the Potter Peninsula, south of Potter Cove (Curtosi et al.,

(Bícego et al., 2009). Sewage input can be evaluated by fecal

2007). This station had a sewage system to treat the raw

| Annual Activity Report 2013

effluent before disposal, but due to technical problems its

compounds were determined by gas chromatography with

operation was interrupted in 2009.

flame ionization detector (GC-FID: AHs and sterols) and

Sampling and Analytical Procedure Sediments were collected in the austral summer of 20102011 with a Van-Veen sampler (250 cm²). Twelve samples were collected in Potter Cove, according to an increased distance gradient from the sewage outfall (Figure 1).

The laboratory procedure was based on methods described in detail by UNEP (1992) with modifications.

with a mass spectrometer (GC/MS: PAHs).

Results Concentrations of the organic compounds in the Potter Cove sediments are shown in Table 1.

Discussion

Around 15g of sediments from each site were Soxhlet

The concentrations of AHs and PAHs were lower

extracted. The extract was reduced by rotoevaporation and

than levels established as indicative of hydrocarbons

submitted to a clean-up procedure by chromatographic

contamination in marine sediments (Volkman et al., 1992;

column, using alumina and silica. The molecular markers

Notar et al., 2001). Despite the low levels, the majority

were eluted in three fractions (F1 – AHs; F2 – PAHs; F3 –

of sediments analysed presented PAHs from petrogenic

fecal sterols). Fractions 1 and 2 were concentrated to 1

source, due to the predominance of 2-3 rings and alkylated

mL in n-hexane. Fraction 3 was evaporated to dryness,

PAHs, which could be related to ships and boats. Sample

derivatized and diluted to 1 mL in n-hexane. The organic

#8 presented UCM and 4-6 rings PAHs, indicating the

Figure 1. Sampling points at Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica.

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93

presence of pyrogenic sources and degraded oil residuals.

is presented in Figure 2. The values obtained in Potter Cove

Coprostanol concentrations were below 0.5 µg.g , value

are lower than those found in Admiralty Bay, probably due

indicated by González-Oreja & Saiz-Salinas (1998) as

the small size of Carlini station and, consequently, less human

indicative for sewage contamination.

activities, and the local hydrodynamic, which favors the

-1

A comparison of molecular markers concentrations in

dispersion of the organic compounds. The anthropogenic

superficial sediments of Potter Cove and Admiralty Bay

input in Potter Cove was related to shipping traffic and the

(Bícego et al., 2009; Curtosi et al., 2009; Martins et al., 2012)

fossil fuels / biomass combustion (Curtosi et al., 2007).

Table 1. Concentration of AHs (in µg.g-1), PAHs of (in ng.g-1), and fecal sterols (in µg.g-1), and related parameters, in sediments collected at Potter Cove. UCM: Unresolved Complex Mixture; nd: not detected.

Parameters/ Sites

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Total AHs

1.39

1.10

1.15

1.52

1.71

1.37

1.69

3.23

1.18

1.10

1.20

1.43

n-alkanes

0.13

0.06

0.03

0.10

0.18

0.09

0.07

0.41

0.06

0.07

0.09

0.06

UCM

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

nd

2.17

nd

nd

nd

nd

Total PAHs

13.1

12.1

14.4

14.2

210.0

13.2

12.6

59.0

18.6

16.9

14.4

14.3

alkyl-PAHs

6.65

5.35

6.29

5.62

135.2

6.30

6.17

12.2

9.31

7.31

5.64

7.94

(2-3)/ (4-6)

14.0

18.4

23.5

5.14

3.06

18.4

13.6

0.49

10.6

20.1

6.11

21.3

coprostanol

0.04

0.06

0.04

0.03

0.06

0.03

0.03

0.07

0.08

0.04

0.04

0.02

epicoprostanol.

0.02

0.03

0.02

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.02

0.01

Figure 2. Comparison between the molecular markers (mean concentrations) in Potter Cove and Admiralty Bay.

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| Annual Activity Report 2013

Conclusion The concentrations of the petroleum hydrocarbons did not indicate contamination, and were basically originated from natural sources and/or the shipping traffic in Potter Cove. The values of the fecal sterols also were low. Comparing to concentrations found in the vicinity of Ferraz Station, Potter Cove seems to be a more pristine environment than Admiralty Bay. Despite low concentrations of sewage organic markers and oil related hydrocarbons, monitoring programs and the reactivation of sewage treatment are required to determine continuing trends and prevent the increase of anthropogenic impacts.

(CNPq 121444/2010-4), respectively. This work contributes to the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM). The data set of this work were also published in Science of the Total Environment, 2015, v. 502c, p.408-416.

Acknowledgements C.C. Martins and A.L.L. Dauner thanks for the PQ-2 Grant (CNPq 305763/2011-3) and the IC scholarship

References

Bícego, M. C., Zanardi-Lamardo, E., Taniguchi, S., Martins, C. C., Silva, D. A. M., Sasaki, S. T. et al. (2009). Results from a 15-year study on hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediment from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica.

Antarctic Science, 21(3), 209-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102009001734 Colombo, J. C., Pelletier, E., Brochu, C., & Khalll, M. (1989). Determination of hydrocarbon sources using n-alkane and polyaromatic hydrocarbon distribution indexes. Case study: Rio de La Plata Estuary, Argentina. Environmental Science & Technology, 23, 888-894. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es00065a019 Curtosi, A., Pelletier, E., Vodopivez, C. L., & MacCormack, W. P. (2007). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and surface marine sediment near Carlini Station (Antarctica). Role of permafrost as a low-permeability barrier. Science of the Total Environment, 383, 193-204. PMid:17570467. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.04.025 Curtosi, A., Pelletier, E., Vodopivez, C. L., & MacCormack, W. P. (2009). Distribution of PAHs in the water column, sediments and biota of Potter Cove, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 21, 329-339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ S0954102009002004 González-Oreja, J. A., & Saiz-Salinas, J. I. (1998). Short-term Spatio-temporal Changes in urban pollution by means of faecal sterols analysis. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 36, 868-875. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0025-326X(98)00037-X Martins, C. C., Aguiar, S. N., Bícego, M. C., & Montone, R. C. (2012). Sewage organic markers in surface sediments around the Brazilian Antarctic station: results from the 2009/10 austral summer and historical tendencies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 64, 2867-2870. PMid:22980774. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.08.019 Mudge, S. M., & Lintern, D. G. (1999). Comparison of Sterol Biomarkers for Sewage with other Measures in Victoria Harbour, B.C., Canada. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 48, 27-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1999.0406 Notar, M., Leskovsek, H., & Faganeli, J. (2001). Composition, distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 42, 36-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S0025-326X(00)00092-8 Tin, T., Fleming, Z. L., Hughes, K. A., Ainley, D. G., Convey, P., Moreno, C. A. et al. (2008). Impacts of local human activities on the Antarctic environment. Antarctic Science, 21(1), 3-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102009001722 UNEP. (1992). Determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments (Reference Methods for Marine Pollution Studies, no.

20). Burns.

Volkman, J. K., Holdsworth, D. G., Neill, G. P., & Bavor-Jr., H. J. (1992). Identification of natural, anthropogenic and petroleum hydrocarbons in aquatic sediments. Science of the Total Environment, 112(2-3), 203-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/00489697(92)90188-X

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5 TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS IN SEDIMENT CORES FROM ADMIRALTY BAY AND DECEPTION ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Michelle Alves de Abreu Mota, Mylene Giseli do Nascimento & César de Castro Martins* Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CP 61, CEP 83255- 976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil *e-mail: ccmart@ufpr.br

Abstract: The sub-Antarctic environment has been one of the most visited and densely populated areas of Antarctica, related to the presence of sealers and whalers during late-19th to early-20th century and, recently, tourists and research projects. The region has been subject to the risk of hydrocarbon contamination, since human activities in this region require the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. Temporal and spatial distribution on levels and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons were studied in dated sediment cores from Admiralty Bay and in Deception Island. Total aliphatic hydrocarbons ranged from 3.67 to 25.5 µg.g-1, similar to levels found in other Antarctic areas. Temporal distributions suggested a constant input of natural sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons in older sediments (before the early-80s) and some anthropogenic contribution may be presented in recent sediments, since the early-90s. Due to the presence of biogenic contribution, other organic markers such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may be used to confirm the history of hydrocarbon input in the sediments of Admiralty Bay and Deception Island.

Keywords: Organic Matter, Oil Contamination, South Shetland Islands

Introduction Antarctica is one of the last remaining areas of the world minimally impacted by anthropogenic activities. However, human activities have progressively changed the region in last five decades. The scientific activities and occupation of research stations require fossil fuel, which makes the region susceptible to localized oil contamination in areas of human activity (Martins et al., 2004).

Aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) are an important class of organic compounds related to petroleum and fossil fuels, and hence can be associated with human activities conducted in the Antarctic region. Around 90 million litres of oil are used every year to support the activities of research stations (Cripps & Shears, 1997). N-alkanes are important constituents of AHs, and are presented in petroleum and byproducts. It is also the predominant constituent of biogenic hydrocarbons and has been identified in many species of marine organisms, e.g. algae, diatoms and coccolithophorids (Matsueda & Handa, 1986).

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| Annual Activity Report 2013

The present study established the distribution of AHs in sediment cores from Admiralty Bay and Deception Island, in order to evaluate the temporal and local variations in the input and sources of these compounds during the last century.

Materials and Methods Study area Admiralty Bay (62°02’ S, 58°21’ W) is the largest bay in King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands (Figure 1).

The bay covers around 122 km2 and the mean depth is 199 m.

The bay hosts scientific stations operated by Brazil, Poland, Peru, United States of America and Ecuador.

Deception Island (62°59’ S, 60°34’ W) (Figure 1), located at the southwestern of Bransfield Strait, Antarctica, is a young active volcano of the Quaternary age. The volcano contains a ring-shaped volcanic caldera 8–10 km in diameter (Cooper et al., 1998), which has a maximum water depth

of about 160 m in its centre and exchanges water with the

mixture dichloromethane (DCM) and n-hexane (1:1)

Bransfield Strait. The island hosts two research stations

and the surrogates eicosene and hexadecene. This extract

operated by Spain and Argentina and is visited by a large

was reduced to c. 2 mL by rotoevaporation and purified

number of tourists every year.

by column chromatography using 3.2 g of silica and 1.8 g of alumina (5% deactivated), and eluted by 10 mL of

Sampling Sediment cores were collected using a box core sampler

n-hexane. Sample extracts were concentrated to 0.5 mL

during the austral summer of 2007/2008, at four sites:

and the internal standard tetradecene was added before gas

Thomas Point (THP), Refuge II (REF), Botany Point (BOT),

chromatographic analysis. The AHs were determined by the

in Admiralty Bay, and Deception Island (DCP) (Figure 1).

injection of 2 µL extract into a gas chromatograph equipped

The cores were sub-sampled into sections of 1 cm.

with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID).

The analytical procedure used is described in Martins

Results Figure 2 presents the levels of total AHs (ΣAHs) in the

et al. (2004). Briefly, 15 g of sediment were extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus for eight hours with 80 mL of a

sediment cores along the estimated dates for the sections.

-62.05´S

Analytical Procedure

Mackellar Inlet REF

-62.10´S

BTP

ait

THP

Str

ld

ie

sf

n ra

St

B -58.60´W

-58.50´W

it

ra

Ezcurra Inlet

-58.70´W

-62.20´S

Admiralty Bay

-58.40´W

6 Km

-58.30´W

-58.20´W

-62.25´S

n

Bra

ld

sfie

-62.15´S

Martel Inlet

DCP PORT FOSTER

Deception island 4 Km

Figure 1. Sampling stations. (THP): Thomas Point, (REF): Refuge II, (BTP): Botany Point in Admiralty Bay, and (DCP) Deception Island.

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97

Values of ΣAHs ranged from 3.18 (DCP, 4-5cm, 1980)

from 1989 to 1999 and then remained nearly constant. BTP

to 25.5 µg.g -1 (THP, 3-4cm, 1995). Range and mean

was the exception to this trend. The unresolved complex

concentration of total n-alkanes (Σn-alk), from n-C10 to

mixture (UCM), used as an indicative of biodegradation

n-C40, and ΣAHs, in µg g are given in Table 1.

(Brassell & Eglinton, 1980) corresponded to 54.2 to 95.4

-1

Values of Σn-alk ranged from 0.29 (DCP, 6-7 cm, 1968)

% of the ΣAHs, and tended to increase towards the bottom

to 9.90 µ.g (BTP, 0-1cm, 2005).

section.

Discussion and Conclusion

surficial sediments: 0.06 to 9.30 µg.g-1 (Cripps, 1992), 0.10

-1

Similar values were found previously in Antarctic marine The values of ΣAHs in the present study are close or

to 9.63 µg.g-1 (Martins et al., 2004), and 0.36 to 2.24 µg.g-1

slightly higher compared to concentrations found by

(Green & Nichols, 1995). The assessment of sedimentary

Martins et al. (2004) (0.15 to 13.3µg.g-1). Highest values

n-alkanes origin in the Antarctic environment is complex

were found in the section corresponding to the 90’s. In

because the distribution pattern of n-alkanes in the marine

general, the concentration decreased in direction of the

biota and anthropogenic sources are similar, e.g., no

bottom core, related to the older sediments. This trend is

predominance of odd/even n-alkane carbon number. The

compatible with a survey on hydrocarbon concentrations

distribution of short and long chain n-alkanes may be a

in Admiralty Bay over 15 years (Bícego et al., 2009), that

useful tool for the elucidation of the origin of hydrocarbons

found that n-alkanes concentrations generally decreased

and has been used to distinguish between hydrocarbons

THP 2008

0

REF

5 10 15 20 25 30

2008

0

BTP

5 10 15 20 25 30

2008

0

DCP

5 10 15 20 25 30

2008

2001

2001

2001

2001

1994

1994

1994

1994

1987

1987

1987

1987

1980

1980

1980

1980

1973

1973

1973

1973

1966

1966

1966

1966

1959

1959

1959

1959

1952

1952

1952

1952

1945

1945

1945

1945

1938

1938

1938

1938

0

5 10 15 20 25 30

Figure 2. Temporal distribution of total aliphatic hydrocarbons in the sediment cores (in µg.g-1 dry weight).

Table 1. Concentrations of ΣAHs and Σn-alk in µg.g-1 for the sediment cores.

THPa min - max

mean ± SD

n-alk

0.29 - 0.72

AHs

14.4 - 25.5

REFb

BTPc min - max

min – max

mean ± SD

0.49 ± 0.12

0.32 - 0.68

0.43 ± 0.12

0.42 - 9.89

1.54 ± 2.67

0.29 - 1.19

0.52 ± 0.25

19.4 ± 3.1

10.9 - 23.3

13.8 ± 3.6

3.89 - 22.4

8.25 ± 4.77

3.67 - 9.87

6.17 ± 1.80

n = 9; bn = 10; cn = 11; min = minimum; max = maximum; SD = standard deviation.

a

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| Annual Activity Report 2013

mean ± SD

DCPc min - max

mean ± SD

from oil and biogenic sources (Martins et al., 2004).

Only BTP presented high proportions of n-C27 to n-C31, suggesting some oil input.

In conclusion, this study presented ΣAHs levels similar to those previously reported for the region. Slightly higher concentrations were observed in sections corresponding to the 90’s, followed by a decrease towards more recent dates.

The exception was the sample BTP, which presented an increase in n-alkanes and resolved hydrocarbons towards the surface and higher proportions of nC27 to nC31. The trend observed in this study is compatible with a survey on hydrocarbons concentration in Admiralty bay undertaken over 15 years that found that n-alkane concentrations generally decreased from 1989 to 1999 and then remained nearly constant.

Acknowledgements This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM). C.C. Martins, M.G. Nascimento and M.A.A. Mota are sincerely thankful for the PQ-2 Grant (CNPq 305763/2011-3) and the DTI scholarship (CNPq), respectively. The authors also thank L.M.M Ceschim for the laboratory work.

References Bícego, M. C., Zanardi-Lamardo, E., Taniguchi, S., Martins, C. C., Da Silva, D. A. M., Sasaki, S. T., Albergaria-Barbosa, A. C. R., Paolo, F. S., Weber, R. R. & Montone, R. C. 2009. Results from a 15-year study on hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediment from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, v. 21, p. 209-220.

Brassell, S. C., & Eglinton, G. (1980). Environmental chemistry: an interdisciplinary subject. Natural and pollutant organic compounds in contemporary aquatic environments. In J. Albaiges. Analytical techniques in environmental chemistry. Oxford: Pergamon Press. 658 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-023809-8.50005-9 Cooper, A. P. R., Smellie, J. L., & Maylin, J. (1998). Evidence for shallowing and uplift for bathymetric records of Deception Island. Antarctic Science, 10(4), 455-561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102098000558 Cripps, G. C. (1992). Natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons in the Antarctic marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 25(9-12): 266-273. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0025-326X(92)90681-U Cripps, G. C., & Shears, J. (1997). The fate in the marine environment of a minor diesel fuel spill from an Antarctic research station. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 46(3), 221-232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005766302869 Green, G., & Nichols, P. D. (1995). Hydrocarbons and sterols in marine sediments and soils at Davis Station, Antarctica: a survey for human-derived contaminants. Antarctic Science, 7(2), 137-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102095000198 Martins, C. C., Bícego, M. C., Taniguchi, S., & Montone, R. C. (2004). Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 16(2), 117-122. http://dx.doi. org/10.1017/S0954102004001932 Matsueda, H., & Handa, N. (1986). Source of organic matter in the sinking particles collected from the Pacific Sector of the Antarctic Ocean by sediment trap experiment [Special issue]. Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research, 40, 364-379.

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6 EFFECT OF DIESEL ON THE ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE OF THE DIGESTIVE GLAND OF THE ANTARCTIC GASTROPOD Nacella concinna (STREBEL, 1908) Mariana Feijó de Oliveira1*, Edson Rodrigues Júnior1, Gannabathula Sree Vani2, Cecília Nahomi Kawagoe Suda2, Lucélia Donatti1, Helena Passeri Lavrado3 & Edson Rodrigues2 Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Centro Politécnico s/no, CEP 81990-970, Jd das Américas, Curitiba, PR, Brasil 2 Universidade de Taubaté, Instituto Básico de Biociências, Av. Tiradentes 500, Centro, CEP 12030-180, Taubaté, SP, Brasil 3 Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil 1

*e-mail: mari.feijo@bol.com.br

Abstract: Antarctica is considered the most pristine region in the world, but the increase in human activity has increased the risk of fossil fuel leakage. In this regard, studies with Nacella concinna have proposed this gastropod as sentinel for environmental monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diesel exposure on the antioxidant defense in the digestive gland of the gastropod Nacella concinna, and the possibility of using these responses as biomarkers of diesel exposure. The activity of the antioxidant defense enzymes glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, as oxidative damage markers, were determined. Among the enzymes analyzed, exposure to diesel significantly modulated only the levels of glutathione S-transferase. Although the oxidative damage marker lipid peroxidation increased in the animals exposed to diesel, protein carbonylation levels remained unchanged. The results suggest that the responses of the antioxidant defense in the digestive gland of the gastropod N. concinna may not be as good biomarkers of diesel exposure as expected.

Keywords: Antarctica, Nacella concinna, Diesel, ROS

Introduction The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty grew out of concern about human activity in the continent. In recent decades, navigation on Antarctic waters for fishing, tourism and logistics support to scientific stations has significantly increased the amount of diesel and lubricant oils released into the sea and deposited on the coast by marine currents (Michaud et al., 2004).

The Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (EACF) is located in King George Island, South Shetlands archipelago, along with scientific installations of 12 countries. The aircraft and ships needed for the logistics of scientific stations use fossil fuel. Martins et al. (2004) found sea sediments contaminated with hydrocarbons derived from fuel oil at the sublittoral near EACF. Studies of

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Antarctic organisms from the intertidal and subtidal zones of Marian Cove, on King George Island, also indicate fossil fuel combustion and oil spills as the main pollution sources in the region (Ahn et al., 2004). In this context, the study aim to evaluate the diesel exposure effect on the antioxidant defense in the digestive gland of the local gastropod N. concinna, and the possibility of using responses indicators as biomarkers of diesel exposure.

Materials and Methods Specimens of intertidal Nacella concinna of 30-40 mm shell length were manually removed from the rocks during low tide, between January to March of 2011, at Plaza Point, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Keller

Peninsula, Antarctica (62o05’28.8’’ S; 58o24’21.3’’ W) and taken to EACF labs. After three days of acclimatization at 0oC and salinity of 35psu, the limpets were randomly sorted in 3 groups of 10 animals each (control and diesel 1% and 5%). The experimental condition lasted eight days, the water was changed daily and diesel oil added for the experimental groups. The photoperiod was 12 hours without feeding. Only specimens that survived for eight days were dissected. For the biochemical analysis, the digestive gland was separated and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Environmental license for collection and experimentation of N. concinna was issued by the Ethical Animal Experimentation Committee of the Federal University of Paraná (nº 496).

The proportion of 1g of tissue to 5 mL of Tris-HCl buffer 50mM (pH 7.4) was homogenated, sonicated centrifuged at 12000xg for 10 minutes at 4oC. The supernatants were used for activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and for quantification of lipid peroxidation. All enzymatic analyses were conducted at 20oC. For the analyses of protein carboxylation, the nucleic acids were extracted by addition of streptomycin sulphate of the supernatants.

Total protein measurements were performed by the BCA method (bicinchoninic acid), using the QuantiPro BCA Kit, manufactured by Sigma, using bovine albumin as standard.

All assays were carried out as described by Feijó-Oliveira (2013).

Statistical analysis was done using Graphpad Prism 5.0. The results are presented as mean±SEM (standard error of the mean). Statistical comparison between treatment groups was done using a one way ANOVA, followed by the a posteriori multiple pair wise Tukey test.

Homogeneity of variance was checked using Bartlett’s test and a log-transformation (log10) was applied when required.

Differences were considered significant for p<0.05.

Results The GST levels underwent reduction (but not dose dependent) in exposure to diesel fuel 1%. However, diesel was unable to modulate significantly the GR, SOD, and CAT levels. The LPO levels were positively modulated, and this increase was most evident at 5% diesel. The levels of PCO were not significantly altered by diesel exposure. A

significant difference was observed between LPO levels of the specimens exposed to diesel 1% and 5%. The results are summarized in Figure 1.

Discussion Ansaldo et al. (2005) analyzing the effect of different concentrations of water accommodated fraction of diesel (0.05% and 0.1%) on the levels of antioxidant defense enzymes in the digestive gland of N. concinna, found that SOD and CAT levels remained unchanged in almost all experiments, increasing only at the higher concentration of diesel after 48 hours of exposure. The results of these authors are similar to the present study, where diesel did not significantly alter the levels of SOD and CAT in the digestive gland of N. concinna. However, in contrast to our results, they did not find any modulation in GST after exposure to diesel. This may be due to differences in the methodologies used in both studies.

Both LPO and PCO are used as markers of oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, respectively. In the present study, there was no increase of PCO in animals exposed to diesel, although LPO levels increased. In this case, the low levels of PCO may be due to rapid selective removal by proteolytic digestion, to which oxidized proteins are subjected. In cells under oxidative stress, selective degradation of oxidized proteins prevents the formation of large aggregates or potentially toxic fragments, protecting cells from deleterious effects (Shringarpure & Davies, 2002). Thus, the increase of LPO without a corresponding increase in PCO may be due to rapid degradation of protein carbonyls, and is not incompatible with the existence of oxidative stress in the digestive gland of N. concinna.

The induction of high levels of GST in bivalves has been associated with its induction as a result of exposure to petroleum. The induction of high levels of GST in Crassostrea braziliana, accompanied by reduced levels of LPO, has reinforced the protective role of GST in exposure to diesel (Lüchmann et al., 2011). Thus, elevated levels of LPO in digestive gland of N. concinna, exposed to diesel, are consistent with their inability to positively modulate the levels of GST. In this sense, the inability of N. concinna to raise levels of antioxidant defense enzymes (CAT, SOD, GST and GR) may have accelerated oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species.

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Figure 1. The effect of diesel on the enzymes of the antioxidant defense and non-enzymatic biomarkers of the oxidative stress of the digestive gland of Nacella concinna. Different letters indicate significant difference between treatments. The groups are divided into control (C), diesel 1% (Di 1%) and diesel 5% (Di 5%).

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Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Several studies indicate that the antioxidant defense enzymes of invertebrates are good biomarkers of pollution

by PAHs. However, in the present study, the levels of GST, GR, SOD and CAT of N. concinna were not good biomarkers of exposure to diesel. While exposure to diesel did not modulate the levels of GR, SOD and CAT of N. concinna, the levels of GST in the digestive gland were modulated by the exposure to diesel, but it was not in a dose-response way.

This work contributes to the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n째 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n째 E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

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References Ahn, I. Y., Chung, K. H., & Choi, H. J. (2004). Influence of glacial runoff on baseline metal accumulation in the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna from King George Island. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49(1-2), 119-127. PMid:15234881, http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.03.008 Ansaldo, M., Najle, R., & Luquet, C. M. (2005). Oxidative stress generated by diesel seawater contamination in the digestive gland of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna. Marine Environmental Research, 59(4), 381-390. PMid:15589988. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.06.003 Feijó-Oliveira, M. (2013). Resposta biológica do gastrópode antártico Nacella concinna (Strebel 1908) ao óleo diesel como possível biomarcador de impacto ambiental na zona entre marés. (Dissertação de mestrado em Biologia Celular e Molecular).

Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba. PMid:23748964 Lüchmann, K. H., Mattos, J. J., Siebert, M. N., Granucci, N., Dorrington, T. S., Bícego, M. C. et al. (2011). Biochemical biomarkers and hydrocarbons concentrations in the mangrove oyster Crassostrea brasiliana following exposure to diesel fuel water-accommodated fraction. Aquatic Toxicology, 105(3-4), 652-660. PMid:21963596. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. aquatox.2011.09.003 Martins, C. C., Bicego, M. C., Taniguchi, S., & Montone, R. C. (2004). Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 16(2), 117-122. http://dx.doi. org/10.1017/S0954102004001932 Michaud, L., Lo Giudice, A., Saitta, M., De Domenico, M., & Bruni, V. (2004). The biodegradation efficiency on diesel oil by two psychrotrophic Antarctic marine bacteria during a two-month-long experiment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49(5-6): 405409. PMid:15325208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.02.026 Shringarpure, R., & Davies, K. J. A. (2002). Protein turnover by the proteasome in aging and disease. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 32(11), 1084-1089. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(02)00824-9

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7 BIOMONITORING OF GENOTOXICITY OF SHALLOW WATERS AROUND THE BRAZILIAN ANTARCTIC STATION “COMANDANTE FERRAZ” (EACF), ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA, USING AMPHIPOD CRUSTACEANS Vicente Gomes*, Arthur José da Silva Rocha, Maria José de Arruda Campos Rocha Passos, Marina Tenório Botelho, Fabio Matsu Hasue, Caroline Patrício Vignardi & Phan Van Ngan Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, Butantã, CEP 05508-120, São Paulo, SP *email: vicgomes@usp.br

Abstract: The comet assay was applied to the biomonitoring of genotoxicity in shallow waters around the Brazilian Antarctic Station “Comandante Ferraz” (EACF). Mean values of DNA damage to animals captured from shallow waters nearby the Fuel Tanks (FT) and Sewage Treatment Outflow (STO) were significantly higher than the values of the controls captured from shallow waters of Punta Plaza (PPL) and Yellow Point (YP), naturally undisturbed places far from the EACF. Keywords: Polar Environment, Marine Pollution, Gondogeneia antarctica, DNA Damage.

Introduction The Antarctic region is one of the most preserved environments in the world, with around 79 near shore research stations. Environmental impacts resulting from human activities in Antarctica such as fishing, tourism and research are almost inevitable. Sewage outflow from those research stations as well as the use of fossil fuel for power supply are responsible for the contamination of coastal shallow waters (Martins et al., 2012). The Brazilian Antarctic Station “Comandante Ferraz” (EACF) is such an example, located at Keller Peninsula on Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland, whose the adjacent marine environment is inhabited from shallow waters to 500 m deep by different organisms. Antarctic marine ectotherms are animals usually with a short reproductive season, low larval dispersal, low fecundity as well as subjected to strong seasonal factors such as light intensity and food availability (King & Riddle, 2001). The evolutionary history of adaptation to the low temperature in a stable environment makes these animals sensitive to any disturbances on

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their natural lives, thus being also suitable bioindicators for environmental quality measurements. Gondogeneia antarctica, the species chosen for this study, is one of the amphipod crustacean abundant in intertidal region of the Antarctica coastal waters, with sedentary habits, feeding on the macroalgae and debris from the surf zone (Opalinski & Jazdzewski, 1978; Jazdzewski, 1993; Opalinski & Sicinski, 1995).

Environmental monitoring of Antarctic regions occupied by signatory countries is an objective of the Antarctic Treatise (Santos et al., 2006; Phan et al., 2007; Gomes et al., 2009, 2012). The Brazilian Antarctic Program has studied methods for environmental monitoring that assesses and mitigates impacts caused by the human presence to the environment and to the organisms that inhabit it (Martins et al., 2012). This study is aimed at the biomonitoring of marine shallow water of the Admiralty Bay around the EACF, by investigating the genotoxicity on G. antarctica through the comet assay.

Materials and methods Groups of Gondogeneia antarctica amphipods were captured by hand net from shallow waters of the Admiralty Bay, King George Island, in four different locations (Figure 1). Punta Plaza (PPL) and Yellow Point (YP) are more distant from the EACF and established as control places to be compared with the environmental influence of the Fuel Tanks (FT) and Sewage Treatment Outflow (STO) of the Station.

Environmental samplings were carried out weekly during February 2012 and designated as biomonitorings I, II, III and IV. Four species of G. antarctica of each place were selected for the DNA damage assessment by employing the alkaline comet assay described by Singh et al. (1988) with slight modifications. Briefly, a small drop of hemolymph was individually sampled and added to a mixture of 10 µL of cooled phosphate buffer solution (PBS - pH 7.4) and 90 µL of low melting point agarose (LMP - 37ºC) in PBS, spread on the surface of a glass slide previously covered with the normal melting point agarose (NMP - 60ºC).

The slides were then transferred to the electrophoretic chamber and an electrophoresis was performed at the pH 13 for 20 minutes. After electrophoresis, the slides were

silver stained (García et al., 2004) and cells were analyzed by visually scoring the comets as belonging to one of five classes, according to tail length and intensity. Each comet class is given a value between 0 (undamaged) and 4 (maximum damage) (Figure 2). One hundred comets were blind scored for each animal and the Index of Damage (ID) was calculated (García et al., 2004), ranging from 0 to 400 arbitrary units. Means (±SD) of the hemocyte DNA damages were calculated. Homogeneity of variances was checked through the Levene´s test and significant differences between groups were determined through the analysis of variance ANOVA, followed by the Newman Keuls test (α = 0.05).

Results The mean DNA Index of Damage (ID) of G. antarctica assessed at the four sampling places is presented in the Figure 3. Differences in the ID were not significant between sampling places for the biomonitorings I, II and III. The DNA damages of G. antarctica collected from water in front of fuel tanks and at the sewage outflow (FT and STO) increased significantly as compared to those animals from control sites (PPL and YP), in the biomonitoring IV. Neither

Figure 1. Map of the Keller Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctic, showing the sampling places: YP: Yellow Point; FT – Fuel Tanks; STO – Sewage Treatment Outflow; PPL – Punta Plaza.

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differences between PPL and YP, nor between FL and STO were significant. By comparing the biomonitorings, significant differences on the hemocytes DNA ID of G. antarctica sampled from PPL and YP were noted (Figure 4).

The mean ID of the biomonitorings III and IV decreased relative to those from the biomonitoring I and II at the PPL. For the YP site, the highest ID value was on the biomonitoring I.

that are in direct contact with pollutants may be suitable bioindicators (Rajaguru et al., 2003). DNA damage is a primary concern for the assessment of pollution-related stress in living organisms (Klobučar et al., 2003). Comet assay have been applied to assess the effects of genotoxicity in different forms of marine organisms (Hartl et al., 2007; Taban et al., 2004), including crustaceans (Rocha et al., 2012).

Discussion and Conclusion

In the present study, the comet assay was successfully

Biomonitoring studies require systems that quantitatively

applied to the biomonitoring of genotoxicity in shallow

and qualitatively describe the environment. Organisms

waters around the EACF. There was a general tendency

Figure 2. Classification of DNA damage of hemocytes of Gondogeneia antarctica: 0 – not damaged; 1 – weakly damaged; 2 – damaged; 3 – very damaged; 4 – severely damaged.

Figure 3. Mean (±SD) DNA Index of Damage of Gondogeneia antarctica in the four biomonitorings at the different sampling places. Different letters denote significant differences between places.

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Figure 4. Mean (±SD) DNA Index of Damage of Gondogeneia antarctica at the same sampling places at different biomonitorings. Different letters denote significant differences between the biomonitorings.

of increasing in the DNA damages of G. antarctica collected from FT and STO sites. However, results were significant only in the biomonitoring IV, comparative to PPL and YP control sites. Biomonitoring IV was carried out at the end of a period when the EACF research station operated with many people, resulting in an increase of contaminants discharge that caused the effect shown on Figure 4. Differences presented on Figure 4 demonstrate the high data variability that masked the significant results on the biomonitorings I to III. In spite of the proximity of the sample sites, the present results are related to the contamination process from distinct sources. Different hydrocarbon compounds have been found on the sea bed as well as in the water samples nearby the fuel tanks, as a result from the direct input by fuel leaking or from the combustion of fossil fuels (Bícego et al., 2009). Highest values of fecal sterols were found nearby the EACF sewage effluent outflow, although lower than those of the 2005-2006 measurements, when the improvements on the sewage treatment system started to operate (Martins et al., 2012).

Results presented so far, emphasizes the importance of biomonitoring the shallow waters in order to assess the

environmental impacts of the human presence on Antarctic ecosystems. The amphipod G. antarctica responded satisfactorily as a bioindicator of aquatic pollution, as well as the employment of the comet assay for the assessment of genotoxicity, through the DNA damage on their hemocytes.

Acknowledgements This work is supported by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

Our special thanks to Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo (IO-USP), and all the members of the INCT-APA.

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References

Bícego, M. C., Zanardi-Lamardo, E., Taniguchi, S., Martins, C. C., Silva, D. A. M., Sasaki, S. T. et al. (2009). Results from a 15-year study on hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediment from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica.

Antarctic Science, 21(3), 209-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102009001734 García, O., Mandina, T., Lamadrid, A. I., Diaz, A., Remigio, A., Gonzalez, A. et al. (2004). Sensitivity and variability of visual scoring in the comet assay: results of an inter-laboratory scoring exercise with the use of silver staining. Mutation Research, 556, 25-34. PMid:15491629 Gomes, V., Passos, M. J. A. C. R., Leme, N. M. P., Santos, T. C. A., Campos, D. Y. F., Hasue, F. M. et al. (2009). Photo-induced toxicity of anthracene in the Antarctic shallow water amphipod, Gondogeneia antarctica. Polar Biology, 32, 1009-1021. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-009-0600-y Gomes, V., Passos, M. J. A.C. R., Santos, T. C. A., Campos, D. Y. F., Ussami, K. A., Hasue, F. M. et al. (2012). DNA strand breaks in caged coastal fishes (Trematomus newnesi), following exposure to the waters in front of the Brazilian Antarctic Research Station “Comandante Ferraz”, King George Island. Pesquisa Antártica Brasileira, 5, 61-70.

Hartl, M. G. J., Kilemade, M., Sheehan, D., Mothersill, C., O’Halloran, J., O’Brien, N. M. et al. (2007). Hepatic biomarkers of sediment-associated pollution in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L. Marine Environmental Research, 64(2), 191-208.

PMid:17320945. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2007.01.002 Jazdzewski, K. (1993). Amphipoda. In S. Rakusa-Suszczewski, S. (Ed.), The maritime Antarctic coastal ecosystem of Admiralty Bay (pp. 108-116). Warsaw: Polish Academy of Sciences.

King, C. K., & Riddle, M. J. (2001). Effects of metal contaminants on the embryonic and larval development of the common Antarctic sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri (Meissner). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 215, 143-154. http://dx.doi. org/10.3354/meps215143 Klobučar, G. I. V., Pavlica, M., Erben, R., & Papes, D. (2003). Application of the micronucleus and comet assays to mussel Dreissena polymorpha haemocytes for genotoxicity monitoring of freshwater environments. Aquatic Toxicology, 64, 15-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0166-445X(03)00009-2 Martins, C. C., Aguiar, S. N., Bícego, M. C., & Montone, R. C. (2012). Sewage organic markers in surface sediments around the Brazilian Antarctic station: Results from the 2009/10 austral summer and historical tendencies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 64(12), 2867-2870. PMid:22980774. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.08.019 Opalinski, K. W., & Jazdzewiski, K. (1978). Respiration of some Antarctic amphipods. Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii, 25, 643-655.

Opalinski, K. W., & Sicinski, J. (1995). Oxygen consumption in Antarctic tidal zone amphipods. Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii, 42, 537-546.

Phan, V. N., Gomes, V., Passos, M. J. A. C. R., Ussami, K. A., Campos, D. Y. F., Rocha, A. J. S. et al. (2007). Biomonitoring of the genotoxic potential (micronucleus and erythrocyte abnormalities assay) of the Admiralty Bay water surrounding the Brazilian Antarctic Station “Comandante Ferraz”, King George Island. Polar Biology, 30, 209-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ s00300-006-0174-x Rajaguru, P., Suba, S., Palanivel, M., & Kalaiselvi, K. (2003). Genotoxicity of a polluted river system measured using the alkaline comet assay on fish and earthworm tissues. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 41(2), 85-91. PMid:12605376. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/em.10134 Rocha, A. J. S., Gomes, V., Passos, M. J. A. C. R., Hasue, F. M., Santos, T. C. A., Bícego, M. C. et al. (2012). EROD activity and genotoxicity in the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentrations. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 34(3), 995-1003. PMid:22974795. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2012.07.006 Santos, I. R., Silva-Filho, E. V., Schaefer, C., Sella, S. M., Silva, C. A., Gomes, V. et al. (2006). Baseline mercury and zinc concentrations in terrestrial and coastal organisms of Admiralty Bay, Antarctica. Environmental Pollution, 140, 305-311.

Singh, N. P., Mccoy, M. T., Tice, R. R., & Schneider, E. L. (1988). A simple technique for quantitation of low levels of DNA damage in individual cells. Experimental Cell Research, 175(1), 184-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0014-4827(88)90265-0 Taban, I. C., Bechmann, R. K., Torgrimsen, S., Baussant, T., & Sanni, S. (2004). Detection of DNA damage in mussels and sea urchins exposed to crude oil using comet assay. Marine Environmental Research, 58, 701-705. PMid:15178101. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.03.018

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8 INFLUENCE OF SEDIMENT QUALITY ON THE BENTHIC COMMUNITIES OF ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Thais Navajas Corbisier1*, Márcia Caruso Bícego1, Sandra Bromberg1, Adriana Galindo Dalto2, Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira1, Paula Foltran Gheller1, Cesar de Castro Martins3, Rosalinda Carmela Montone1, Cristina Rossi Nakayama4, Vivian Helena Pellizari1, Mônica Angélica Varella Petti1, Satie Taniguchi1, Maria Cláudia Yuri Ujikawa1 & Helena Passeri Lavrado2 Departamento de Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, CEP 05508-120, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 2 Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, CEP 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil 3 Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, CP 61, CEP 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil 4 Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Campus Diadema, Rua São Nicolau 210, CEP 09913-030, Diadema, SP, Brazil 1

*e-mail: tncorbis@usp.br

Abstract: Marine benthos is widely used in environmental impact studies, especially in coastal areas. A monitoring program of Admiralty Bay has been undertaken since 2008 (National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research INCT-APA) and, in the summer of 2010, three areas of Martel Inlet and one area of Mackellar Inlet were sampled in order to verify the environmental status of the area in front of the Ferraz Station (CF) in comparison to reference areas. Sediment was collected to analyse their characteristics and quality and to evaluate the meiofauna and macrofauna communities. Meiofauna densities were in the range of those found in previous studies in the bay and did not differ significantly between the sampling sites. Nematodes were the dominant group. On the other hand macrofauna densities were significantly higher in Mackellar Inlet, when comparing with some sites of Martel Inlet. Polychaetes, oligochaetes and bivalves were the dominant macrofauna taxa. Correlation analysis showed different sediment characteristics responsible to explain the abundance of the meiofauna or the macrofauna groups. A change in the meiobenthic and macrobenthic community structure was detected at the site under the sewage outfall influence (CF1: lower density of meiofauna and different taxa composition of macro and meiofauna), suggesting some impact of human activities on the benthic system in front of the Brazilian Station.

Keywords: Meiobenthos, Macrobenthos, Sediment Quality, Admiralty Bay

Introduction A joint project carried out some years ago (Weber & Montone, 2006) allowed a preliminary characterization of Admiralty Bay marine environment. The influence of sewage, aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was observed only in Martel Inlet near the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz station (EACF) sewage outfall within a distance of 200 m in the water column and of 400 m (faecal sterols) and 700 m (hydrocarbons) in the sediment.

Nonetheless, the dispersion of the sewage plume in the

shallow coastal zone of Martel Inlet is favoured by the hydrodynamics, especially influenced by the effect of tides.

As a result, the contamination in Admiralty Bay is assumed to be punctual and restricted to the proximities of the EACF, especially concerning the sewage outfall (Martins et al., 2005; Bícego et al., 2009).

Although the responses of different groups of organisms to certain types of impact might be expected to differ, there are few studies in which the impact of anthropogenic

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disturbance on more than one component of the biota has been examined directly (somerfield et al., 1995). The benthic fauna is a component of the marine biota widely used in environmental impact studies, especially in coastal areas.

A monitoring program has been established since 2008 by inct-ApA, and in the summer of 2010, the meiofauna and macrofauna communities, among other sediment variables, were sampled at three areas in martel inlet and at one area in mackellar inlet in order to verify the environmental status of the area in front of the Brazilian station (cf) in comparison to reference areas.

Material and Methods sampling was done at 20-30 m depth in four areas of Admiralty Bay, during february 2010 (figure 1). in each area, sediment of two sites (200 m distant) was collected with a 0.04 m2 mini box-corer in triplicate. from each box corer one meiofauna sample were obtained with a cylindrical corer (area of 4.9 cm²), sectioned into 2-cm layers up to 10 cm,

and formalin preserved. for macrofauna, three 0.021 m2 corers were obtained and were sectioned in three layers (0-2, 2-6 and 6-10 cm). in the laboratory, meiofauna samples were washed through 0.5-mm and 0.063-mm meshes and the animals between these sieves were sorted to higher taxonomic groups and counted. in the case of macrofauna, animals retained in 0.5 mm mesh were sorted into higher taxonomic groups. The first two layers of the sediment (0 to 2 cm) were sorted up to date for meiofauna and 0-10 cm for macrofauna. sediment samples for grain size, organic matter, phytopigments, linear alkylbenzenes (lABs), faecal sterols, total coliforms, hydrocarbons and metals analyses were also obtained from each box corer. The mean fauna density and standard-deviation of the replicates were calculated for each site. significant differences were calculated using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05) and the test a posteriori student-newman-Keuls. spearman rank was applied to search for correlation between fauna density and environmental variables.

Figure 1. Admiralty Bay and the sampling sites in Martel Inlet (CF, UP, BP) and Mackellar Inlet (RF2) (Google Earth, 2011). CF: Ferraz Station, UP: Ullmann Point, BP: Botany Point and RF2: Refuge 2.

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Table 1. Significant Spearman correlations (p < 0.05) between the abundance of the main groups of meiofauna (Nematoda) and macrofauna (Polychaeta and Oligochaeta) and sediment variables.

Coarse sand Nematoda

Organic matter

0,88

Zn

coprostanol

epicoprostanol

0,71

Oligochaeta Polychaeta

Ni

-0,71

-0,75

-0,74

-0,71

-0,72

Figure 2. Meio and macrofauna density (mean + standard deviation) at each sampling site. The lines indicate significant differences between the macrofauna densities of each site according the Kruskal-Wallis analysis and the test a posteriori.

Results

with more than 50% at all sites with the exception of CF1,

The meiofauna densities ranged from 1261.2±555.8 (mean± SD) at RF2-1 to 14097.2±9211.1 inds.10 cm-2 at UP2 (Figure 2). Mean densities were lower than 5000 ind. 10 cm at CF1, BP2, RF2-1 and RF2-2, but these were -2

not significantly different from those at the other four points (Kruskal-Wallis analysis, p = 0.06). The macrofauna densities ranged from 74.7±49.8 (BP1) to 1423.7±603.8 inds.0.021 m at RF2 (Figure 2). The densities of Mackellar

which also has a high contribution of bivalves. Abundance of nematodes was positively correlated to coarse sand and Zn and macrofauna main groups (polychaetes and oligochaetes) were negatively correlated to two faecal sterols (coprostanol and epicoprostanol). Polychaetes were also negatively correlated to organic matter while oligochaetes to Ni (Table 1).

-2

Inlet (RF2) were significantly higher than the densities of

Discussion and Conclusion

four sites at Martel Inlet (Kruskal-Wallis analysis, p=0.005).

Meiofauna and macrofauna densities were in the range

Nematodes were dominant, representing between

of those observed in previous studies in Admiralty Bay

76.2% and 98.7% of the total meiofauna (Figure 3). In

(Skowronski et al., 1998; Skowronski & Corbisier, 2002;

RF2, polychaetes, nauplii and copepods showed higher

Weber & Montone, 2006; Gheller, 2007; Filgueiras et al.,

representation than at the other points. CF1 presented the

2007). The differences between the sampling sites seem to

highest dominance of nematodes (98.7%) and the other

be more related to natural causes than pollution effects of

taxa were nearly absent. In relation to the macrofauna,

the Brazilian Station. A higher meiofauna mean density

the annelids (oligochaetes and polychaetes) contributed

was observed in UP2 (around 14000 ind.10 cm-2), in the

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Figure 3. Relative abundance (%) of meio and macrofauna taxa at each sampling site.

range of densities found in the beginning of the summer of 2004 in cf and Bp (gheller, 2007). cf1, Bp2, rf2-1 and rf2-2 had lower meiofauna densities (less than 5000 ind.

10 cm-2), especially cf1 and rf2-1 with mean densities of 1963 and 1261 ind.10 cm-2, respectively. regarding cf1, under the sewage outfall influence, previous mean densities (skowronski & corbisier, 2002; gheller, 2007) were two to four times higher than that found in the present study. on the other hand, at cf2, in front of the oil tanks, the mean density of meiofauna was high (around 10000 ind.

10 cm-2) and similar to that found in the summer of 2004 (gheller, 2007). for macrofauna, densities of bivalves (607 ind.0.021 m-2), polychaetes (70 ind.0.021 m-2) and oligochaetes (520 ind.0.021 m-2) at ferraz station (cf1) fell into the abundance range from previous studies (Weber & montone, 2006; filgueiras et al., 2007) but the relative abundance of bivalves in cf1 found by those authors was lower (ca. 25%) than present study (ca. 40%). the fact that a difference in the meiobenthic and macrobenthic community structure in cf1 (lower meiofauna density and distinct meio and macrofauna composition) and some relationship between benthic abundances and faecal sterols and metals were detected,

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suggests that some impact due to human activities at this site in front of the ferraz station is possible, although of small magnitude and range in the benthic system. it is important to emphasize that this is a preliminary analysis of the influence of the sediment quality on the meiofauna and macrofauna communities and that until that point we have only identified higher taxonomical groups.

The species identification will be extremely necessary to clarify some aspects of these results and will contribute to a better understanding of the real anthropogenic influence in the area.

Acknowledgements This work contributes to the national institute of science and technology Antarctic environmental research (inctApA) that receives scientific and financial support from the national council for research and development (cnpq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and carlos chagas research support foundation of the state of rio de Janeiro (fAperJ n° e-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian ministries of science, technology and innovation (mcti), of environment (mmA) and interministry commission for sea resources (cirm).

References Bícego, M. C., Zanardi-Lamardo, E., Taniguchi, S., Martins, C. C., Silva, D. A. M., Sasaki, S. T. et al. (2009). Results from a 15-year study on hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediment from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica.

Antarctic Science, 21(3), 209-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102009001734 Filgueiras, V. L., Campos, L. S., Lavrado, H. P., Frensel, R., & Pollery, R. C. G. (2007). Vertical distribution of macrobenthic infauna from the shallow sublittoral zone of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Polar Biology, 30, 1439-1447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0305-z Gheller, P. F. (2007). A meiofauna e os Nematoda da enseada Martel (Antártica) e seu uso em monitoramento ambiental.

(Dissertação de mestrado). Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo.

Google Earth. (2011). Version 6.0.3. Retrieved from http://www.google.com.br/intl/pt-BR/earth/index.html.

Martins, C. C., Montone, R. C., Gamba, R. C., & Pellizari, V. H. (2005). Sterols and fecal indicator microorganisms in sediments from Admiralty Bay, Antarctica. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 53(1-2), 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/ S1679-87592005000100001 Skowronski, R. S. P., Corbisier, T. N., & Robles, F. R. (1998). Meiofauna along a coastal transect in Admiralty Bay, King George Island (Antarctica). Pesquisa Antártica Brasileira, 3(1), 117-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003000100320 Skowronski, R. S. P. & Corbisier, T. N. (2002). Meiofauna distribution in Martel Inlet, King George Island (Antarctica): sediment features versus food availability. Polar Biology, 25(2), 126-134.

Somerfield, P. J., Rees, H. L., & Warwick, R. M. (1995). Interrelationships in community structure between shallow-water marine meiofauna and macrofauna in relation to dredgings disposal. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 127, 103-112. http:// dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps127103 Weber, R. R., & Montone, R. C. (2006). Rede-2: gerenciamento ambiental na Baía do Almirantado, Ilha Rei George, Antártica.

Brasília: Ministério do Meio Ambiente/CNPq/SeCIRM/Proantar. 255 p. Relatório final.

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9 CHARACTERISATION OF ANTARCTIC FISH OTOLITHS SAGITTAE FROM THE Notothenia rossii AND Notothenia coriiceps OF ADMIRALTY BAY Tânia Zaleski, Mariana Forgati, Bruna Aline dos Santos Souza, Flavia Sant’Anna Rios & Lucélia Donatti* Laboratório de Biologia Adaptativa – Departamento de Biologia Celular -Universidade Federal do Paraná. R. Cel. Francisco Heráclito dos Santos, 210, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba - PR, 81531-970, Brazil *e-mail: donatti@ufpr.br

Abstract: The aim of this study is to characterize the otoliths sagittae of notothenioid fishes Notothenia rossii and Notothenia coriiceps, identifying morphological aspects, important for understanding the biology of species and their conservation. The otoliths of both species exhibit oval shaped, toothed margins, being more remarkable in N. coriiceps, characteristic of groundfish species associated with rocky or soft substrate. The rostrum and anti-rostrum are very evident. The otoliths of N. rossii are larger and heavier than those of N. coriiceps. The relationships between the standard length and the total length of the otolith growth indicates allometric positive (b <1) in the two species, as observed for the perimeter to the area of the otoliths and the weight of the fish.

Keywords: Otolith Morphology, Notothenioids, Ecology

Introduction Otoliths are acellular, calcareous concretions, constituted

Nototheniidae, have had their morphology described and associated with ecomorphological aspects.

by calcium carbonate and other inorganic salts. Such structures develop on a protein matrix in the inner ear of vertebrates and teleost fish. Three pairs are to be found: sagittae, asterisci and lapilli. The sagitta is the most widely used bone structure for age and growth studies (Gaemers, 1984). These pair of otoliths consists of two concave elliptical bodies, constricted on the sides with its largest axis geared towards the anteroposterior direction of the animal, each sagitta is the mirror image of one another (Pannella, 1980).

The morphology and morphometry of this pair of otoliths are utilised in the majority of trophic studies as well as in the identification of populations and species (Yefanov & Khorevin, 1979). Thus, the morphological description of otoliths’ both macro and microstructure have been carried

Samples of Notothenia rossii and N. coriiceps were caught with hook and line in the Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands Archipelago, Commandant Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF) (61ºS and 63º30’S and 53º55’W and 62º50’W), After capture, fishes were measured in their total length (TL) and standard length (SL), weighed and sex determined.

Both right and left sagittae otoliths were removed, washed with distilled water and conserved in plastic tubes. Their shape, contour, form and position of the acoustic sulcus were available. The sagittae otoliths were measured in their

out in many Antarctic fishes (Radtke & Kellermann, 1991,

total length (TLO), width (WO), perimeter (PeO) and area

Ruzicka & Radtke, 1995, Avallone et al. 2003).

(HO) through the programme Image J. The comparisons

In this study, sagittae otoliths of Notothenia rossii and Notothenia coriiceps, both species of the family

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Materials and Methods

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between species and between the right and left otoliths were carried out using the test T de Student (p< 0.05).

Results In the study period, 160 otoliths from Notothenia rossii were extracted, with average length of 29.61 (20.5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 35.5 cm) and average weight of (100 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 585 g), and 146 otoliths from N. coriiceps with average length of 36.6 (22.5 - 47.0 cm) and average weight of 718 (150 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1580 g). For N. rossii, the growth of the right and left otoliths showed no significant difference (p= 0.07), as well as for N. coriiceps (p=0.19). Thus, the right otolith of both same was utilised in the following procedures of analysis and was substituted by the left when necessary.

The otoliths of the two species showed oval shape, the length greater than the height. The upper profile is slightly convex and is more marked in N. rossii. The dorsal margin in N. rossii shows gentle irregularities, whereas such irregularities are more remarkable in N. coriiceps, with a

quite jagged margin. The anterior margin is defined by the presence of the rostrum, which is more pointed in N. coriiceps and more rounded in N. rossii, which shows a more developed anterostrum. The acoustic sulcus in both analysed same is rectilinear regarding their orientation, different regarding their structure, being divided by the colo in the ostium and the tail. The ostium is opened in the anterior margin of the otolith in low relief, being the most concave portion of the acoustic sulcus (Figure 1).

The otoliths of the species N. coriiceps are bigger (p<0.001) and heavier (p<0.001) than those of the N. rossii. The ratio between the standard and total length of the otolith indicate a positive allometric growth (b<1) in the two species, as well as ratios between standard length and the area of the otolith, which are represented by the equation HO= 1.5 TL+1.41; r2= 0.32 in the N. coriiceps; and HO=1.5TL+0.25; r2= 0.43 in the N. rossii.

a

b

c

d

Figure 1. Sagittae otoliths (orientation posterior-anterior) of N. rossii (A and B) and N. coriiceps (C and D). A and C, dorsal view, B and D, ventral view.

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Discussion The otoliths with an oval-rounded shape observed in N. rossii and N. coriiceps are characteristic of species with benthic habits (Volpedo & Echeverría, 2003). The development of the rostrum may be associated with the type of substrate and the habitat of the organism. In the Admiralty Bay, the substrate is characterised by a complex topography and geomorphology (Siciński et al., 2011). It has a diverse coastal line, which provides for a vast variety of habitats, justifying the rostrum more pointed in N. coriiceps and more rounded in N. rossii observed in this work.

The absence of morphological descriptions of sagittae from the studied species makes it impossible to establish a comparison with populations from other regions. The diversity of shapes in the otoliths is firstly related to balance and orientation and secondly to hearing (Popper et al., 2005). Genetic and environmental factors, especially those concerning temperature, act in the formation of the otoliths’ shape (Campana, 2005). In order to determine the age from the rigid structure in teleosts, a yearly deposition of the calcified tissues were generally used (Schulz-Mirbach et al., 2011). However, the absence of a distinct periodicity of the hydrographical conditions in Antarctic waters difficult the determining of the age from the reading of disposition rings (Schulz-Mirbach et al., 2011). Thus, techniques, which combine chemical and structural analysis of otoliths

in Antarctic fishes will not only be able to generate more precise data on the influence of environmental parameters on the growth and status of the population, but also information on the hydrography and the nutritional state of the species.

Conclusion Otoliths of N. rossii and N. coriiceps show an ovalrounded shape characteristic of fishes with benthic habits.

The moderately developed rostrum is related to a variable substratum, which ranges from being soft to being rocky.

The ratios of the fish’s length and the area of the otolith indicate a positive allometric growth.

Acknowledgements This work was integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Avallone, B., Balassone, G., Balsamo, G., Di Giacomo, G., Marmo, E., Casciello, M. G. et al. (2003). The otoliths of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii: scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology Pathology, 35, 69-76. PMid:12762654 Campana, S. E. (2005). Otolith science entering the 12st century. Marine and Freshwater Research, 56, 753-762. http://dx.doi. org/10.1071/MF04147 Gaemers, P. (1984). Taxonomic position of the Cichlidae (Pisces, Perciformes) as demonstrated by the morphology of their otoliths. Netherlands Journal of Zoology, 34(4), 566-595. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/002829684X00290 Pannella, G. (1980). Growth patterns in fish sagittae. In D. C. Rhoads & R. A. Lutz (Eds.), Skeletal growth of aquatic organisms: biological records of environmental change (pp. 519-560). New York: Plenum Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-48994995-0_16 Popper, A. N., Ramcharitar, J., & Campana, S. E. (2005). Why otoliths? Insights from inner ear physiology and fisheries biology.

Marine and Freshwater Research, 56(5), 497-504. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF04267

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Radtke, R. L., & Kellermann, A. (1991). Microstructural analysis of growth patterns in the early life history of Antarctic fishes.

In G. DiPrisco, B. Maresca & B. Tota (Eds.), Biology of Antarctic fish (pp. 101-115). Berlin: Springer Verlag. http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/978-3-642-76217-8_7 Ruzicka, J. J., & Radtke, R. L. (1995). Estimating the age of Antarctic larval fish from otolith microstrucutre using light and electron microscopy. Polar Biology, 15(8), 587-592. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00239651 Siciński, J., Jażdżewski, K., Debroyer, C., Presler, P., Ligowski, R., Nonato, E. F. et al. (2011). Admiralty Bay Benthos diversity: a census of a complex polar ecosystem. Deep Sea Research II, 58(1-2), 30-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.09.005 Schulz-Mirbach, T., Riesch, R., García de Leon, F. J., & Plath, M. (2011). Effects of extreme habitat conditions on otolith morphology: a case study on extremophile live bearing fishes (Poecilia mexicana, P. sulphuraria). Zoology, 114(6), 321-334.

PMid:22000528. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2011.07.004 Volpedo, A., & Echeverria, D. D. (2003). Ecomorphological patterns of the sagitta in fish on the continental shelf off Argentine.

Fisheries Research, 60(2-3), 551-560. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0165-7836(02)00170-4 Yefanov, V. N., & Khorevin, L. O. (1979). Distinguishing populations of pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuxha, by the size of their otoliths. Journal of Ichthyology, 19, 142-145.

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THEMATIC AREA 4

enViROnMentAl MAnAgeMent 120 Alvarez, C. E., Martins, W. G. Building Performance Evaluation of the Emergency Antarctic Modules of Brazil Based on the Satisfaction of its Users

124 Alvarez, C. E., Fukai, F. M., Tomé M. S., Vargas, P. S. P. Antartica’s New Buildings: Searching for More Efficient Constructive Systems

128 Alvarez, C. E., Fukai, F. M., Tomé, M. S., Vargas, P. S. P. Antartica’s New Buildings: Wastewater and Energy Systems

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Team Leader

drª cristina engel de Alvarez – ufes Vice-Team Leader

dr. Alexandre de Ávila lerípio – univAli

The research on technology had its focus principally on Brazilian buildings in Antarctica. however, from february 2012, when the comandante ferraz Antarctic station was almost completely destroyed by fire, the group suffered irreparable losses to the continuation and completion of its research activity. since then and with the previously acquired knowledge, the research has been redirected to aid the development of solutions that could bring back the minimum conditions to continue those activities by Brazilian scientists in Keller peninsula.

The most important measure was to build the so called Antarctic emergency modules (mAes - acronym of módulos Antárticos emergenciais, in Brazilian-portuguese).

After a long and very rigorous bidding process, the canadian company Weatherhaven canada resources ltd. was selected to perform the task. this was supported by a detailed document called “terms of reference” prepared by the inct-ApA technology team together with professionals from the Brazilian inter-ministerial commission for resources of the sea. later a new object for study emerged for the technology team and the initial results of the studies were published in the article “Building performance evaluation of the emergency Antarctic modules of Brazil based on the satisfaction of its users.” in parallel to the construction of mAes, a new challenge was naturally taking shape: the search for solutions to the new permanent Brazilian buildings in Antarctica.

starting from the hypothesis that many solutions have been previously adopted in other Antarctic stations, the most recent stations built in the region were carefully selected and studied, especially those considered exemplary in construction techniques, performance in wastewater treatment and energy production systems.

The articles “Antarctica’s new buildings: wastewater and energy systems” and “Antarctica’s new buildings: searching for more efficient constructive systems” present a summary of the analyzes performed by adopting as models the stations Amundsen-scott south pole station (u.s.); Bharati Antarctic research station (india); halley vi research station (england); Juan carlos i Antarctic research station (spain); neumayer station iii (germany); and princess elisabeth Antarctica (Belgium). in this volume is also included the article “greenhouse gas emissions from the Brazilian Antarctic scientific station comandante ferraz” with results referring to the co2 emissions in the period 2010-2011, when eAcf was still in full operation.

The team that develops technology studies in Antarctica has worked with the Brazilian Antarctic program since 1987, and especially during the last five years has been linked to inct-ApA in fruitful joint activities.

This issue of the Activity report brings to a close the contribution of the technology team within inct-ApA due to the need to continue the activities specifically targeting the reconstruction of eAcf.

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1 BUILDING PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE EMERGENCY ANTARCTIC MODULES OF BRAZIL BASED ON THE SATISFACTION OF ITS USERS Cristina Engel de Alvarez* & Wagner Gomes Martins Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, CEMUNI I, sala 7, Vitória, 29075-910, Brazil *e-mail: cristina.engel@ufes.br

Abstract: The Emergency Antarctic Modules (MAE) were installed in the area of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF) in early 2013 to support the removal of the debris from the fire occurred in 2012 and for the continuation of the scientific activities undertaken at the site. The relevance of this work, further to generating key information for the technological improvement of Antarctic buildings, has contributed to the development of the building maintenance plan, which must ensure its best performance in the coming years. The method consisted in: I. Site visit and review of literature and documents; II. Definition of the aspects to be considered and the evaluation procedures to be adopted; III. Elaboration of a questionnaire applied to the current users; IV. Data collection and tabulation; V. Analysis of information and obtainment of results. The main results indicated that the MAE complex complies with its intended function and the overall performance is categorized as good and close to excellent. A few minor problems mainly related to tightness, thermal and acoustic comfort, equipment and privacy were identified. So it was concluded that due mainly to the speed with which the modules had to be installed, it was not possible to meet all the expectations, when compared with permanent buildings. However, as a temporary base – i.e. an advanced base camp – the MAE has qualities that allow people to stay in Antarctica with comfort and safety.

Keywords: Emergency Antarctic Modules (MAE), Building Performance, Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Methodology, Environmental Comfort

Introduction The Emergency Antarctic Modules (MAE, Figure 1) were installed in the area of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic

with the occurrences in a different location (Alvarez & Yoshimoto, 2004).

Station (EACF) in early 2013 to support the removal of the debris from the fire in 2012 and for the continuation of scientific activities undertaken at the site. The MAE has

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Materials and Methods The studied building recognition was conducted through

been in use since February 2013 and has a minimum service

site visits, in which possible aspects to be evaluated were

life of 5 (five) years with the possibility of dismantling and

identified, also creating an image database for posterior

relocation (Marinha do Brasil, 2012).

analysis and comparisons. For the theoretical basis a broad

This research was conducted to obtain information for

literature and documents review about the MAE and

the preparation of the MAE maintenance plan, which must

evaluation of buildings was made, in parallel with studies

ensure its best performance in the next years. It must be

of similar examples.

noted that studies of this nature are essential when dealing

Then the aspects to be evaluated were defined, taking

with buildings in extreme environments, where any possible

as basis the list of user requirements presented in the

imbalance can cause potentiated consequences, compared

Norm of Building Performance NBR 15575-1 (ABNT,

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Figure 1. Exterior view of the MAE. Source: Laboratório de Planejamento e Projetos – LPP/UFES – Photographs Collection.

2013), for those that were considered applicable. Also the evaluation procedures were defined, using as reference the methodology of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE, or APO in Portuguese) of the Built Environment (Manning, 1987; Ornstein & Roméro, 1992; Altaş & Özsoy, 1998), which considers that the efficiency of the building during its phase of use is measured by user satisfaction. The method had been employed at earlier EACF installations, showing it to be suitable to the specific conditions of the Antarctic environment (Alvarez et al., 2004).

A structured questionnaire was developed for the instrumentation and it was sent to users to be answered individually. This tool was chosen because of its widespread use and scope and also because it considers the user as a primary source of information (Ornstein & Roméro, 1992).

Values were established (-2 to +2) and different colors (from red to green) representing from the worst (very bad) to the best (excellent) performance level of the evaluated aspect, noting that in addition to the responses of multiple choice the methodology allowed the free manifestation of the respondent.

Results The questionnaire was answered by all the 15 military personnel that spend the winter in the MAE and their

responses of the multiple-choice questions are summarized in Table 1.

It can be observed that the overall average score of the evaluated aspects were close to the average score of user satisfaction, validating the approach criteria.

A few minor problems were identified, as shown in Chart 1.

Discussion and Conclusion The acquired information serve as a starting point for the definition of what must be included in the maintenance plan of the MAE and what should be done for the improvement of building installations. Furthermore, the generated feedback can also be used as a reference for similar cases, just as proposed by Ornstein & Roméro (1992).

Due mainly to the rapidity with which the modules had to be installed, it was not possible to meet all the expectations, when compared with permanent buildings. However, as a temporary base – i.e. an advanced base camp – the MAE has qualities that allow people to stay in Antarctica with comfort and safety. It is also important to note that the previous buildings of EACF possessed a superior level of comfort, when compared to other nearby stations, so that comparative evaluations are natural for those who have been in the Station earlier, which is the case of most respondents.

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Table 1. Evaluation of aspects related to the performance of the MAE buildings by the users.

Evaluated Aspects

Grades

Score

Thermal sensation

+1 +1 +2 +2 +1 +2 +1

0

+1 +2 +1 +2 +1

+2

+1 +1,3

Excellent

Sound isolation – exterior

+1

0

+1

0

+2

+1 +0,6

Good

-1

0

0

Sound isolation – between rooms +1 +1 +1

+1

0

0

-1

+1

+1 +1 +1

+1

0

+1

0

+1

+1

0

0

+0,4

Reg./Good

Sound quality – interior

+1 +1 +1 +2 +1

0

0

0

+2 +2 +2 +1 +2

0

0

+1,0

Good

Privacy

+1

+1

0

+1 +1

-1

0

0

+0,3

Regular

Natural lighting

+1 +1 +1

0

+1 +1

-1

0

0

0

0

0

0

-2

0

+1

+1 +1

-1

+1 +1

0

+2 +1

+1 +0,6

Good

Artificial lighting

+1 +1 +2 +1 +2 +2

+1 +2 +1 +2 +1 +1

+2

+1 +1,3

Excellent

Safety

+2 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +1 +1

+1

+1 +1,3

Excellent

Functionality of the building

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1

+1

+1 +1,0

Good

0

+1

0

+1 +2 +2 +1 +1

Layout of the building

+1 +1 +1

0

+1 +1

0

0

+1 +2 +2 +1 +1

+2

0

+0,9

Good

Flexibility of the rooms

+1 +2 +1

0

+1 +1

0

0

+1 +2 +2 +1 +1

+2

0

+1,0

Good

0

0

+1

+0,4

Reg./Good

Suitability of the equipment

+1 +1

Functionality of the equipment

+1 +1 +1

0

+1

0

+1

+1 +1

0

-1

0

+1

0

+1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +1 +1

0

0

0

+1 +0,9

0

Good

Tactile sensation of the materials

+1

0

+1

0

+1

+1

0

+2 +2 +2 +1 +1

+1

+1 +0,9

Good

External appearance

+1

0

+1

0

+1 +2 +1

0

+2 +2 +2 +1 +1

+2

+1 +1,1

Good

Internal appearance

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +1

Building and landscape

+1 +1 +1

0

+2 +2 +2 +2 +1

+2

+2 +1,4

Excellent

0

+1 +2 +1

0

+2 +1 +2 +2 +1

+2

+1 +1,2

Good/Exc.

0

+1 +2 +1

0

+1 +2 +2 +1 +1

General mean = +0,9 General satisfaction

0

+1 +1

+2

+1 +1,1

Good Good

Subtitle of the Grades +2 = Excellent; +1 = Good;

0 = Regular; -1 = Bad; -2 = Very bad

Subtitle of the Average Score -2 = extremely bad; -1,9 to -1,3 = very bad; -1,2 = very bad/bad; -1,1 to -0,5 = bad; -0,4 = bad/regular; -0,3 to +0,3 = regular; +0,4 = regular/good; +0,5 to +1,1 = good; +1,2 = good/excellent; +1,3 to +1,9 = excellent; +2 = absolutely excellent.

Chart 1. Summary of the reports of minor problems. The numbers of respondents are in parentheses and the total number of respondents is 15.

Minor Problems Comfort

• Eventual entry of water or undesirable air currents (13) through frames and thermal discomfort (11), especially in the compartments assembled from expandable containers; • Temperature difference inside rooms (9), especially in the lodgings, depending on the proximity to heaters, windows, doors and floors, and difficulty to control temperature due to controlling system.

• Occasional nuisance due to noise (11) from the heaters and generators, especially in the lodgings; • Entry of gases and particles (5) from the discharge of the generators, depending on the wind direction.

Equipment

• Certain equipment, facilities or furniture are inappropriate, damaged or malfunctioning (7): − Insufficient furniture in some rooms; − Unsatisfactory door components; − Repeated breakdowns of the Water and Sewage Treatment Stations and shortage of instructions regarding the use of the equipment.

Psychological

• Sporadic lack of privacy (4): showers and toilets closed by curtains; • Insufficient environments for socializing (4): small dining room and improvised living room.

• Eventual sensation of instability (4) due to shaking of the building caused by strong winds or by the vibration of laundry machines; • Possible risk of accidents (3): slippery floor under the helipad and vertical accesses, lack of emergency signage in the outdoor area; concern about fire.

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Acknowledgements This work integrates the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas

Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Altaş, N. E., & Özsoy, A. (1998). Spatial adaptability and flexibility as parameters of user satisfaction for quality housing.

Building and Environment, 33(5), 315-323. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1323(97)00050-4 Alvarez, C. E., Casagrande, B., & Woelffel, A. B. (2004). A adoção da metodologia de avaliação pós-ocupação enquanto instrumento de diagnóstico da Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz, Brasil: resultados preliminares. In Anais da XV Reunión de Administradores de Programas Antárticos Latinoamericanos – RAPAL, Guayaquil.

Alvarez, C. E., & Yoshimoto, M. (2004). Avaliação de impacto acústico na Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz: resultados preliminares. In Anais da XV Reunión de Administradores de Programas Antárticos Latinoamericanos – RAPAL, Guayaquil.

Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas - ABNT. (2013). NBR 15575: edificações habitacionais: desempenho. Parte 1: requisitos gerais. Rio de Janeiro.

Manning, P. (1987). Environmental evaluation. Building and Environment, 22(3), 201-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/03601323(87)90008-4 Marinha do Brasil. Secretaria da Comissão Interministerial para os Recursos do Mar. (2012). Solicitação de proposta de cotação: módulos Antárticos emergenciais. Brasília.

Ornstein, S. W., & Roméro, M. (1992). Avaliação pós-ocupação (APO) do ambiente construído. São Paulo: Studio Nobel. 223 p.

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2 ANTARTICA’S NEW BUILDINGS: SEARCHING FOR MORE EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTIVE SYSTEMS Cristina Engel de Alvarez*, Fernanda Mayumi Fukai, Marina Silva Tomé & Paulo Sérgio de Paula Vargas Laboratório de Planejamento e Projetos da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (LPP/UFES), Av. Fernando Ferrari n° 514, CEMUNI I sala 7, CEP 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brazil *e-mail: cristina.engel@ufes.br

Abstract: Taking into account the need for rebuilding the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station due to the destruction of its main building in February 2012, this research is aimed at identifying and analyzing the constructive techniques employed in reference to scientific stations, addressing potential replicability for new Brazilian buildings. The methodology adopted, in addition to the required literature review, established as timeframe for choosing referential buildings the maximum period of 10 years of construction. Six buildings were previously selected and analyzed according to the aspects of architecture and constructive systems. The information has been selected and systematized in the form of a summary table. The results pointed to recurring use of constructive systems based on metallic structures, designed in a modular way and protected by coatings isolating them from the direct action of the weather, with techniques developed in accordance with the logistical support available. Furthermore, the aerodynamic design of the buildings and the ground elevation were observed, as well as a marked concern for the use of proven efficient technologies without restricting aspects of innovation.

Keywords: Research Stations, Architecture, Constructive Systems, Sustainability

Introduction The historic interest of Brazil in the Antarctic continent can be justified for the strategic importance, the physic proximity, the exceptional conditions for scientific research in many areas of de knowledge and the influence of meteorological and oceanographic phenomena of Antarctica in Brazilian territory (Marinha do Brasil, 2013).

The latter led to the establishment of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF) in 1984, set up in order to provide support for Antarctic program and develop scientific-oriented research in the region. In this context of occupying the region, the study of architectural solutions and constructive materials employed in the implementation of research stations, based on analysis of environmental constraints and other aspects influencing their applicability and performance, become a relevant research topic (Bargagli, 2008; Alvarez, 1993). Considering the need for rebuilding the EACF due to destruction of its main building caused by a

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fire in February 2012, this research aimed at identifying and analyzing the constructive techniques adopted in scientific stations addressing the potential replicability of solutions in the new Brazilian buildings.

Materials and Methods The methodology used at the beginning of this work considered the need for carrying out a literature review and survey in the most relevant Antarctic Programs. As a time interval, the period maximum of 10 years of construction has been established, taking into account as additional criterion the availability of reliable information and duly highlighted as essential for the purposes of this research.

From the first time interval, six referential buildings have been previously selected and analyzed according to their architectural aspects and their constructive systems. After confirming the reliability of the source, the information was selected and systematized in a form of summary table.

Chart I. Features and structure of the referential buildings

Stations

Features

Structure

• Two U-shaped buildings connected, aligned symmetrically and 3 m high from the ground;

• Structure in steel with 36 columns of 15 mm in height supported on metal flat beams lattice placed on a bed of highly compressed snow 1.8 m thickness.

• The aerodynamic shape allows passage of the winds and to carry the snow; • Dimensions: 124m x 45m x 24m in height;

Amundsen-Scoot South Pole Station (United States) Area: 6.100m² Source: National Science Foundation (2013)

• Floors: basement (operational), Piloted, floors 1 and 2 (housing, food, recreation, administration, laboratories and communication).

• Single parallelepiped-shaped building lifted 2 m from the ground; • Aerodynamic shape allows the passage of the winds; • Dimensions: 50m x 30m x 12m in height; • Floors: upper (housing) and lower (laboratories e operational).

Bharati Antarctic Research Station (India) Area: 2.400 m² Source: BOF-Architecknen (2013)

• Note: the space between the external casing and the internal units creates an air pocket used to regulate the temperature inside and serve as access to maintenance and emergency exit.

• Hydraulic lifting system • Seals in panels composed of two sheets of OSB with kernels of expanded polystyrene (EPS).

• Structure in metal beams supported on steel columns of 2 m height associated with prefabricated containers; • Core with about 130 prefabricated containers with built-in insulation locks surrounded by a framework made in steel coated by special stainless steel with built-in thermal insulation shaping air pocket between them serving as a place for power cables, access to maintenance, thermal regulator and as escape route.

• Independent modules arranged in • Steel structure serving as basis of a linear way perpendicular to the the floor and support for beams and prevailing winds and lifted above the upper structure. ground.

• Seals with glass fiber-reinforced • Aerodynamic shape allows passage plastic (GRP) panels joined by a of the winds. silicon rubber joint. Internal isolation consisted in closed polysocianurate • Dimensions: peripheral modules = cell foam closed and encapsulated 2 152 m ; and central modules = inside the GRP panels.

2 467 m .

• Selection of materials with minimum Halley VI Research Station (United Kingdon) • Floors: peripheral modules = 1 impact was carefully considered in Area: 1.858 m² floor (housings, operational and every phase of the design. laboratories); central modules = 2 Source: Hugh Broughton Architects (2013) floors (social). Note: the beams are • Standardized components: supported on skis allowing shift of maximizing the exchange and the modules on the ice, carried by reducing the number of pieces in tracked vehicles, if necessary. storage in the place.

Source: Broughton (2013); Berte (2013); International Polar Foundation (2013); Alfred Wegener Institute (2013); British Antarctic Survey (2013) and Bof Architekten (2013), Brooks, W & Ferraro, J (2010).

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Chart I. Features and structure of the referential buildings

Stations

Features • Blocks interconnected to a central area and isolated units, lifted above the ground.

• The aerodynamic shape aids the passage of winds.

• Dimensions: 1,280m2.

• Floors: 3 housings blocks around a central core and isolated units of laboratories and operational.

Juan Carlos I Antartic Research Station (Spain) Area: 1280 m² Source: Hugh Broughton Architects (2013)

• Structure in monocoques modules rings of reinforced plastic fiber (single system of structure and envelopments); • The tubular geometry eliminates the need for steel, which reduces the weight of the building (the weight of each ring is about 2.5 to 3 tons); • Prefabricated concrete foundations and supported in moraines;

• Note: the station uses skylights • Rings joints with aluminum strip and glass areas that maximizing covering. the use of daylight, reducing the consumption of energy and allowing the researchers to keep visual contact with the surroundings.

• Single block mounted on a platform lifted 6 m above the ground.

• Aerodynamic shape aids the passage of winds.

• Dimensions of the support platform: 68m x 24m.

• Floors: basement (operational), piles, floors 1 and 2 (housings, social, laboratories).

Neumayer Station III (Germany) Area: 3.300 m² Source: Alfred Wegener Institute (2013)

Structure

• 32 hydraulic cylinders arranged in two groups that allows to lift the structures up to 1,2 meters.

• Total weight: 2,300 tons, distributed in 16 foundation slabs.

• Comprised of 99 containers arranged in two rows, on two levels, surrounded by a steel modular structure in trapezoidal prism shape coated with metallic panels, like a sandwich, filled with expanded polyurethane.

• Note: the general shape of the building complies and protector involucres which harbors juxtaposed • Partitions in panels composed of containers. magnesium and fiberglass reinforced plastic filled with mineral fiber.

• Octognal single block;

• Structure of glued laminated timber, covered with panels with external • Aerodynamic shape aids the stainless steel finish. Each side passage of winds. panel of 60cm of thickness is formed by seven layers and minimizes heat • Dimensions: 400m2 of living quarters loss through the walls; and 1500m2 for technical core.

• Floors: one.

Princess Elisabeth Antarctica (Belgium) Source: Internacional Polar Foundation (2013) Area: 700 m2

• Note: the geometry of te station allows it to benefit from both solar passsive and active gain.

• 34 supporting pillars firmly anchored at a depth of six meters on a granite base and tilted in various directions to withstand better the stresses caused by wind.

Source: Broughton (2013); Berte (2013); International Polar Foundation (2013); Alfred Wegener Institute (2013); British Antarctic Survey (2013) and Bof Architekten (2013), Brooks, W & Ferraro, J (2010).

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Results As a result, the obtained data was compiled and systematized in the chart below, which deals with the architectural and constructive aspects of the selected referential stations.

Discussion and Conclusion From the analysis of the information the recurring use of metallic structure-based constructive systems could be noted (with the exception of the Juan Carlos I station, which is made in monocoque), designed in a modular way and protected by coatings that isolate them from the direct action of the weather. The design of the constructive system involves special concern with the logistical aspect and agile solutions for the transport and assembly of buildings. For the aspect related to technologies for isolation of the internal environment, the use of different techniques and materials that both address efficiency in keeping the internal heat and minimizing the effects of condensation of steam, were identified. Another relevant aspect refers to the aerodynamic

design and elevation of the ground, both designed in order to increase the life cycle of the buildings, protecting them from the action of strong winds and using them to dissipate the snow accumulated under the buildings. It has been concluded that there is a marked concern about the use of technologies of proven efficiency that do not reduce any form of innovation, thereby establishing new levels of efficiency and durability in the Antarctic buildings.

Acknowledgements This work is sponsored by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCTAPA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n° E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and InterMinistry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References Alfred Wegener Institute (2013), Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany <http://www.awi.de/en/infrastructure/ stations/neumayer_station/> (access: 10th April 2013).

Alvarez, C. E. (1993). Residência de Verão. Revista Techne, 1(2):24 – 28.

Bargagli, R. (2008). Environmental contamination in Antarctic ecosystems. Science of The Total Environment. 400(1-3): 212-226 Bof Architekten (2013). Bof Architekten, Hamburg, Germany <http://bof-architekten.de/de/projekte/indische-polarstation/> (access: 10th April 2013).

British Antartic Survey (2013). British Antartic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom <http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_ working/research_stations/halley/> (access: 10th April 2013).

Brooks, W & Ferraro, J (2010). Sustainable Design Strategies for the Modernization of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Honolulu, Hawaii, (2013) viewed 30 March 2013, <http://www.ferrarochoi.com/Publications/SUST%20DESIGN%20 STRATEGIES/SUSTDESIGN%2001%20Abstract.html> (access: 30th March 2013).

Hugh Broughton Architects (2013). Hugh Broughton Architects, London, United Kingdom <www.hbarchitects.co.uk/projects. php?project-list=extreme&id=0> (access: 10th April 2013).

International Polar Foundation (2013). International Polar Foundation, Bruxelles, Belgic <www.antarcticstation.org/station/ construction> (access: 20th March 2013).

Marinha do Brasil (2013). Programa Antártico Brasileiro (PROANTAR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil <www. mar.mil.br/secirm/proantar. htm > (access: 16th March 2013).

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3 ANTARTICA’S NEW BUILDINGS: WASTEWATER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS Cristina Engel de Alvarez*, Fernanda Mayumi Fukai, Marina Silva Tomé & Paulo Sérgio de Paula Vargas Laboratório de Planejamento e Projetos da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (LPP/UFES), Av. Fernando Ferrari n° 514, CEMUNI I sala 7, CEP 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brazil *e-mail: cristina.engel@ufes.br

Abstract: After the historical period characterized by the search for constructive solutions that allow safe permanence in Antarctica, currently one observes a greater concern with environmental aspects and an explicit claim to undertake the occupation so as to cause minimal or no environmental impact at all. In this scenario, the technologies employed in energy systems and sewage treatment play an important role and contribute with the development of more efficient and sustainable buildings. The aim of this research was to identify and systematize the technologies adopted by referential buildings for energy systems and wastewater treatment plants. The adopted methodology started from the previous selection of six buildings located at sites environmentally differentiated and built in the last decade. As a result, summary charts were prepared with the main features of the systems adopted, being noticeable a trend for the reuse of grey water and adoption of energy from renewable sources concomitant to traditional systems with fossil fuel generators.

Keywords: Scientific Stations, Wastewater Treatment, Energy, Sustainability

Introduction Energy plays a key role in Antarctica, since it enables the permanence of the researchers and the operation of equipment in buildings. There are countries currently expanding efforts in area sources of energy, opting for systems based on renewable sources in order to promote greater efficiency and energy self-sufficiency in buildings (Tin et al., 2010; Pacheco et al., 2012). One of the main concerns in the context of environmental preservation is sewage, (Tarasenko, 2009), which has also received special attention because it is a risk factor to the preserved environment of Antarctica, (Ministério do Meio Ambiente, 1995). Thus, the aim of this research was to identify and systematize the technologies adopted by referential buildings concerning to energy systems and wastewater treatment plant.

considering the availability of reliable information as an additional criteria, the following stations were selected, classified as references for the subject of study: AmundsenScott South Pole Station (U.S.), Bharati Antarctic Research Station (India), Halley VI Research Station (England), Juan Carlos I Research Antarctic Station (Spain), Neumayer Station III (Germany) and Princess Elisabeth Antarctic (Belgium).

It is highlighted that the information, mainly related to the values of the works and construction areas, although from trusted sites, were not confirmed by official programs of the countries of origin. From the cut point, the six referential buildings were analyzed on aspects of wastewater treatment and energy systems. The information, after confirmation of the reliability of the source, were selected and systematized in the form of a summary chart.

Materials and Methods

Results

The methodology used in this work considered the need for a literature review and research of the most relevant Antarctic Programs. From a timeframe of 10 years, and

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The data surveyed were organized and summarized in Chart I, with general information, and Chart II, with sewage treatment systems and energy.

Chart I. General Information

Capacity

Station/Country

Inauguration

Localization

Area (m²)

Summer

Winter

Useful Life (Years)

Cost (US$)

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (U.S.)

2008

High Plateau

6,100

150

50

25

150 mi

Bharati Antarctic Research Station (INDIA)

2012

Larsemann Hills

2,400

40

15

25

42 mi

Halley VI Research Station (ENGLAND)

2010

Brunt Shelf

1,858

71

16

20

52 mi

Juan Carlos I Antarctic Research Station (SPAIN)

2013

Livingstone Island

1,280

24

no inf.

no inf.

16 mi

Neumayer Station III (GERMANY)

2009

Atka Bay Island

3,300

40

9

25-30

51 mi

Princess Elisabeth Antarctica (BELGIUM)

2007

Queen Maud Land

700

40

25

25

11 mi

Source: Hugh Broughton Architects (2013); Bof Architekten (2013); British Antarctic Survey (2013); Alfred Wegener Institute (2013); International Polar Foundation (2013) and Berte (2010)

Chart II. Sewage and energy

Wastewater

Energy

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (U.S) • No treatment; • Waste generated is packed and transported to McMurdo station, with the exception of domestic liquid waste, which is disposed in deep Wells in the ice.

• Diesel generators AN-8 + photovoltaic matrix (30 kW).

Bharati Antarctic Research Station (India) • Physics + Biology;

• Diesel generators + Wind;

• Adoption of MBR (Membrane Bio Reactor) bound to an aerobic biological reactor;

• CHP System (Combined Heat and Power).

• After treatment, the water is reused.

Halley VI Research Station (United Kingdon) Source: A3 Water Solutions GMBH (2013); Alfred Wegener Institute (2013); Berte (2010); Bof Architekten (2013); British Antarctic Survey (2013); Brooks & Ferraro, J (2010); Hugh Broughton Architects (2013); International Polar Foundation (2013); Japanese Inspection Report (2010); Tarasenko (2009); Metcalf & Eddy, Inc (2009)

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Chart II. Sewage and energy

Wastewater • Physics + Biology; • Microbac bioreactor with cleaning once a year;

Energy • Diesel generators + photovoltaic (summer).

• Treated wastewater dumped in the ice; • Treated sludge is incinerated and their ashes are removed from Antarctica

Juan Carlos I Antarctic Research Station (Spain) • Physics + Biology; • The principle of operation of the purification system used is the biological digestion of organic matter carried out by bacteria already present in the wastewater

• Diesel generators + Wind + Solar; • CHP System (Combined Heat and Power).

Neumayer Station III (Germany) • Physics + Biological + UV Sterilization; • Wastewater is clarified and sterilized by UV rays and pumped through a pipe to the dump in an ice shelf, located about 100 m from the station.

• Diesel generators (4 x 150 kW) + Wind (30 kW supplemental); • Heat generators used in the system of heating and snow melt; • CHP System (Combined Heat and Power).

Princess Elisabeth Antarctica (Belgium) • Physics + Biological + Disinfection; • • from the kitchen and showers treated with bioreactors, filtered and recycled for use;

• Wind + (9 x 54 kW) Photovoltaic (9 kW, 90m²) + Solar Panels (20 kW, 200m²); • Integrated Systems = nearzero emissions;

• Diesel generators (safety); • The processed water is normally • “Smart Grid” system of energy reused five times and later management. released in a crack in the ice.

Source: A3 Water Solutions GMBH (2013); Alfred Wegener Institute (2013); Berte (2010); Bof Architekten (2013); British Antarctic Survey (2013); Brooks & Ferraro, J (2010); Hugh Broughton Architects (2013); International Polar Foundation (2013); Japanese Inspection Report (2010); Tarasenko (2009); Metcalf & Eddy, Inc (2009)

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Discussion and Conclusion From the analysis of the information, it is observed that the types of sewage treatment systems used are varied, but usually based on systems of bioreactors coupled to membrane filter modules, which can also contemplate the use of sterilization of waste by UV rays, as in the case of the Princess Elisabeth station. Eventually, it also makes separate treatment of greywater for its re-use in secondary activities of the building.

In general, the power generation systems employ diesel generators and seek to match other sources of energy and heat such as photovoltaic panels and wind turbines associated with energy converters and systems of accumulation, especially in tanks of water. Contemporary stations, like Princess Elisabeth and Neumayer III, adopt the concept of smart grid, adjusting to the minimum the

consumption of the stations, addressing consumption demand management and choice of sources of energy with excellence.

Acknowledgements This work is sponsored by the National Institute of Science and Technology Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) that receives scientific and financial support from the National Council for Research and Development (CNPq process: n째 574018/2008-5) and Carlos Chagas Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ n째 E-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the support of the Brazilian Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), of Environment (MMA) and Inter-Ministry Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM).

References A3 Water Solutions GMBH (2013). Container System for wastewater treatment and drinking water purification, Gelsenkirchen, Gerrmany <www.a3-gmbh.com/NewsBASE/content_a3/frame_english.php?main_src_framereload=webpages_english/ water_treatment~001.php> (access: 5th April 2013).

Alfred Wegener Institute (2013). Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany <www.awi.de/en/infrastructure/stations/ neumayer_station/> (access: 10th April 2013).

Berte, J. (2010). The Princess Elisabeth Station, COMNAP Energy Management Workshop, International, International Polar Foundation <www.comnap.aq/Publications/Comnap%20Publications/The_Princess_Elisabeth_Station_(Berte).pdf> (access: 10th April 2013).

Bof Architekten (2013). Bof Architekten, Hamburg, Germany <http://bof-architekten.de/de/projekte/indische-polarstation/> (access: 10th April 2013).

British Antarctic Survey (2013). British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom <www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_ working/research_stations/halley/> (access: 10th April 2013).

Brooks, W & Ferraro, J (2010). Sustainable Design Strategies for the Modernization of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Honolulu, Hawaii <www.ferrarochoi.com/Publications/SUST%20DESIGN%20STRATEGIES/SUSTDESIGN%20 01%20Abstract.html> (access: 30th March 2013).

Hugh Broughton Architects (2013). Hugh Broughton Architects, London, United Kingdom <www.hbarchitects.co.uk/projects. php?project-list=extreme&id=0> (access: 10th April 2013).

International Polar Foundation (2013). International Polar Foundation, Bruxelles, Belgic <www.antarcticstation.org/station/ construction> (access: 20th March 2013).

Japanese Inspection Report (2010). Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, Buenos Aires, Argentina <www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ gaiko/kankyo/jyoyaku/pdfs/atcm11cep10.pdf> (access: 15th March 2013).

Metcalf & Eddy, Inc (2009). United States Antartic Program Master Permit Application, Virginia, United States <www.nsf.gov/ about/contracting/rfqs/support_ant/docs/permit_application_text_tagged.pdf> (access: 8th August 2013).

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Ministério do Meio Ambiente (1995). Protocolo ao Tratado da Antártida sobre proteção do Meio Ambiente (Protocolo de Madri). Secretaria de Biodiversidade e Florestas.

Pacheco, R.; Ordónez, J. & Martínez, G. (2012). Energy efficient design of building - A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 16: 3559–3573.

Tarasenko, S (2009) Wastewater Treatment in Antartica <http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz/documents/2008-09%20 projects%20GCAS/Tarasenko.pdf > (access: 16th March 2013).

Tin, T.; Sovacool, B. K.; Blake, D.; Magill, P.; El Naggar, S.; Lidstrom, S.; Ishizawa, K. & Berte, J. (2010). Energy efficiency and renewable energy under extreme conditions: Case studies from Antarctica. Renewable Energy 35: 1715–1723.

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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES SCIENTIFIC MATERIALS DEVELOPED FOR SCIENCE OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF THE BRAZILIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (INCT-APA) Deia Maria Ferreira1*, Benedita Aglai Oliveira da Silva1, Rômulo Loureiro Casciano2, Marcelle Santos de Araujo3, Francine Nascimento Quintão Rocha1, Jenifer Souza1, Tais Maria de Souza Campos4, Rafael Bendayan de Moura5, Camila dos Santos Freire1 & Dayane Secundino Porto1 Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco A, sala A2-102, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21.941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

2 Escola Municipal Santos Anjos Custódios, Cabo Frio, RJ, Brazil.

3 Escola Estadual Sargento Wolff e CIEP 375 Wilson Grey, Belford Roxo, RJ, Brazil.

4 Laboratório de Macroalgas Marinhas, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Brazil.

5 Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Recife, PE, Brazil. *e-mail: deia@biologia.ufrj.br

1

Abstract: Aiming the diffusion of the scientific research undertaken by the Brazilian National Institute of Antarctic Environmental (INCT-APA), educational materials were developed for display at the Brazilian National Science and Technology Week (SNCTBrazilian-Portuguese acronym), Science, Technology and Innovation FAPERJ Fair and for an exhibition in Santa Cruz do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul. These events have the purpose of mobilizing the population, especially children and youngsters, around the themes and activities of technology and science and take place every October. This article describes our activities on 2013. The initiative came about from the need to promote among students in primary education and to the general public, the results of research undertaken by researchers of the different institutions that make up INCT-APA. Learning by means of scientific experiments can occur in informal spaces, where the visitor builds up his or her own knowledge, having as objective the promotion and popularization of science. The methodology consists in transcribing scientific language of published articles to a language of easier comprehension for the student public and for all those visiting the exhibition in order to promote science. For these exhibitions, as principal background scenario, a banner was prepared, consisting of an Antarctic scene, with an iceberg, two penguins and the tail of a whale. To complete the set up, a banner with a researcher using appropriate cloths was prepared in such a way that the visitors could place themselves in the scenario and take photographs as if they were researchers. Furthermore for the exhibition, an atmospheric balloon, representing a meteorological balloon was mounted, as well as, an origami workshop, observation workshops of phytoplankton and benthic fauna were also set up; educational and informative materials related to the Antarctic ecosystem to paint on and to decipher enigmas, an interactive theatre, an activity using hats made from cut out foam and painted in the format of animals and phytoplankton were also part of the exhibition materials package. In addition an institutional video with information on INCT-APA was especially edited to offer continuous promotional and activity descriptive information and was played during the whole exhibition on the stand. There was also interactive media in which animals such as whales, seals and penguins not only promoted the research work undertaken in Antarctic ecosystems, but also presented the most important characteristics of these species. Finally, the set up was completed by means of an educational game using the interactive media. Short videos based on interviews made during these events were also produced for public online access through our official website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

Keywords: Antarctica, Science Outreach, Teaching of Science, Teaching of Ecology

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Introduction research institutes and universities, which generally concentrate a large parcel of researchers generating knowledge, are still isolated from society. promoting science can be understood as an initiative of social commitment and an act of citizenship by those who have the opportunity and privilege of being part of educational institutions and universities. As a rule, the approach of scientific articles is very specific and their understanding is undertaken by a restricted group of people. Then, how do we reach the general public the important findings published in scientific journals in a proper language? in this project, the diffusion and popularization of science integrates actions that have the purpose of improving the knowledge of the Antarctic region with all its peculiarities. furthermore integrates the activity of the researchers of inct-ApA and contributes to the process of making this knowledge reach primary education and the general public. The project is developed with undergraduate students of degree courses in Biological sciences and fine Arts, consisting the elaboration of a set of educational materials, activities and actions for planning, development and execution of exhibitions of science diffusion. to overcome the limitations for the wider public created by scientific language, it was decided to develop educational materials, which are already being used with success in the teaching and learning process in the several subject areas of knowledge, such as Biology, mathematics and chemistry (Alves, 2001; Barbosa, et al., 2004; Zanon, et al., 2008; melim, et al., 2009; rossetto, 2010; domingos & recena, 2010. Analysing didactic games, gomes e friedrich (2001) recognized the pedagogical value of educational games, as well as their efficient contribution to the teaching and learning process in the area of science and Biology. matos (2010) emphasize that they can help in important conceptual, attitudinal, behavioural processes which promote the assimilation of content, creating realities with rules, documents, circumstances and suppositions, leading the participants to communication, to collaboration and to emotional relationship with peers and with the object. furthermore, according to cunha (2007), the toys are agents of socialization. Through them, children interiorise values and beliefs, since a child that participates in lots of games and infant play, learns to work in a team and to accept the

rules of the game and for this reason will also have the knowledge to respect social norms.

Barbosa et al. (2004) pointed out the use of thematic booklets as pedagogical support material, especially for primary education. They also mention that the search for strategies and methodologies that stimulate the participation of the learner should merit special attention and concern of the educator.

Thus, educational materials and games were developed that already had been tested in scientific exhibitions for the wider public, as a means of overcoming the communication limitations of the specialist scientific language of the researchers of inct-ApA, to enable successful communication with the general public and especially with the young-infant student population.

Material and Methods The methodology consists in transcribing the language of scientific articles prepared by our researchers for their distinct areas of knowledge for the development of educational materials. pedagogical materials are thus prepared regarding the Antarctic ecosystems, pointing out the importance of the environments for the existing environmental conditions in south America, especially along the Brazilian coast and these and other materials are used in large exhibitions.

The production of materials for scientific publication related to the knowledge concerning the coastal ecosystems of the state of rio de Janeiro since 2010, and the book “Vivências em ecologia contribuições à prática docente” (Real life experiences with ecology, contributions for teaching purposes”, Bozelli et al., 2011) that brings a compilation of educational guides and practices, games and classroom dynamics served as a basis for materials developed related to Antarctica. prominent among these were the playful activities as facilitators of the teaching/learning process.

Thus, the transcription of language assumes here distinct forms, as follows: games, booklets, record cards, and materials for exhibitions and theatre, using these and other materials, as fixed specimens of Antarctic plants and animals.

The materials are used with the student public and the wider public in the snct (Brazilian-portuguese acronym

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for: the national Week of science and technology)

seven activities, each one manned by one or two mediators,

and science, technology and innovation fAperJ fair.

graduate students coursing Biological sciences and Art. The

The snct, coordinated by the ministry of science and

materials used to bring knowledge of the Antarctic continent

technology (figures 1), and fAperJ fair, coordinated by

and the research studies developed by the inct-ApA

carlos chagas filho foundation for research support, are

researchers are made available to teachers of government

both dedicated to scientific and technological research,

schools who use them in routine school activities and/or

universities, centres of research, and science and technology

extra-curricular activities, such as the science fair and for

museums, schools, scientific associations, apart from

exhibitions.

state and municipal governments (figures 2). The snct promotes and stimulates throughout the country activities for divulging and social appropriation of scientific and

Results

technological knowledge related to a specific theme. one

Educational and Science Outreach Materials

of the objectives of the snct is to create debate in schools,

1) interactive games: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting to Know Antarcticaâ&#x20AC;?.

universities, communities and public places, the several

the game consists of a row of houses. in some of

aspects of science, especially those involving peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily

the houses the player picks up a card corresponding

lives. The exhibition stand thus has 70 m2 and is divided into

to the item found in the house. These cards, apart

Figure 1. The National Week of Science and Technology (SNCT 2013) in Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

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Figure 2. The Science, Technology and Innovation FAPERJ Fair (2013) coordinated by Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ).

from establishing the direction of the game, contain

3) informative and interactive materials: are made

information and curiosities about interactions between

with cards with illustrations, stories and activities

marine organisms, birds and mammals and about the

concerning the Antarctic ecosystems and some of

frozen continent, apart from aspects of the relationship

their species specifically selected since they call more

of humans with the Antarctic environment. The players

attention and generate more interest of the student

are the pins themselves and the number of houses to be

public. As activities there are texts and illustrations

walked through is established by throwing a giant dice

to paint, games such as word search, crosswords,

which contains the numbers one to six. The purpose

cryptograms, connect the dots, through which the

of the game is make the children, adolescents and

readers can learn by play.

youngsters get to know a little about the ecosystems of this region in a fun and dynamic way (figure 3) .

4) origami workshop with Antarctic organisms: whale, penguin, and seal.

2) Antarctic food Web: developed on painted foam, it

5) photo panel: the children and/or the adolescent is

was used for theatrical ecological interactions between

intended to feel like researchers of inct-ApA, taking a

marine organisms: phytoplankton, krill, fish, and two

photograph as if wearing special clothing for the frozen

types of seal, skua, penguin, and whale.

continent.

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Figure 3. Interactive Games: “Getting to Know Antarctica”.

6) phytoplankton workshop: a table containing magnifying glasses and microscopes offer the public the opportunity to see Antarctic algae and phytoplankton.

7) Antarctic fauna workshop: table with benthonic and pelagic animals present the public a different fauna that exists on the frozen continent (figure 2).

8) video area: 6’ tv plays a continuous dvd with information on Antarctica, with images of its fauna and flora, showing the biodiversity of this continent, and the research activities of in the field.

9) illustrative panel with Antarctic landscape as background scenario for the snct stand.

10) t-shirts: for each exhibition t-shirts were made for identification of the team.

11) institutional folder: about inct-ApA research program.

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12) pen and notepad: a notepad containing information regarding inct-ApA and was distributed to teachers.

13) scenario: icebergs, penguins and whales all made of foam, a background panel with an Antarctic scene, stimulated visitors to get to know Antarctica and some of the types of research developed there.

After the event, our research team produced short videos in order to provide general information about project and document our education and outreach activities. professors and students described through interviews the main features of our stand and the activities carried out with the public. some visitors were also interviewed about their overall experience of attending the event. The videos can be viewed online through the official website of inct-ApA, facebook page, and Youtube channel.

Figure 4. Antarctic fauna workshop: benthonic and pelagic animals collection.

Figure 5. Video in order to provide general information about project and document our education and outreach activities. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OZHOvKrfezg

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Acknowledgements our team wishes to thank professor Yocie Yoneshigue valentin, Adriana galindo dalto, carla Balthar, the professors helena passeri lavrado, denise rivera tenebaum and lúcia de siqueira campos, maria helena Amaral da

silva, marta de oliveira farias and the national institute of science and technology Antarctic environmental research – cnpQ process nº 574018/2008-5 and fAperJ process no e-16/170.023/2008

References Alves, E. M. S. (2001). A ludicidade e o ensino de matemática: uma prática possível (Coleção Papirus Educação, 4. ed.).

Campinas: Papirus. 112 p.

Barbosa, P. M. M., Alonso, R. S., & Viana. F. E. C. (2004). Aprendendo ecologia através de cartilhas. In Anais do 7° Encontro de Extensão da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte.

Bozelli, R. L., Ferreira, D. M., Freire, L. M., & Rocha, M. A. P. M. (2011). Vivências em ecologia: contribuições à prática docente.

Rio de Janeiro. 38 p.

Gomes, R. R., & Friedrich, M. A. (2001). A contribuição dos jogos didáticos na aprendizagem de conteúdos de Ciências e Biologia (EREBIO). In I Encontro Regional de Biologia, Niteroi. p. 389-392.

Cunha, N. H. S. (2007). Brinquedoteca: um mergulho no brincar (4. ed). São Paulo: Aquariana. 128 p.

Domingos, D. C. A., & Recena, M. C. P. (2010). Elaboração de jogos didáticos no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de química: a construção do conhecimento. Ciências & Cognição, 15(1), 272-281.

Matos, S. A., Sabino, C. V. S., & Giusta, A. S. (2010). Jogo dos Quatis: uma proposta de uso do jogo no ensino de ecologia.

Ciência em Tela, 3(2), 1-15.

Melim, L. M. C. (2009). Cooperação ou competição? Avaliação de uma estratégia lúdica de ensino de Biologia para estudantes do ensino médio. (Tese de doutorado). Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro.

Rossetto, E. S. (2010). Jogo das organelas: o lúdico na Biologia para o ensino médio e superior. Iluminart: Revista Científica do Instituto Federal de São Paulo, 1(4), 118-123.

Zanon, D. A. V., Guerreiro, M. A. S., & Oliveira. R. C. (2008). Jogo didático Ludo Químico para o ensino de nomenclatura dos compostos orgânicos: projeto, produção, aplicação e avaliação. Ciências & Cognição, 13, 72-81.

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INNOVATION A PROPOSAL TO MANAGE DATA GENERATED BY INCT-APA Rocío Zorrilla*, Maira Poltosi, Luiz Gadelha, Fábio Porto & Ana Maria de Carvalho Moura Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Av. Getúlio Vargas, 333 - Quitandinha, Petrópolis, CEP 25651-075 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil *e-mail: romizc@gmail.com

Abstract: To evaluate how the anthropic activities and global climate changes affect the Antarctic environment and biodiversity, it is necessary analyze the large volume of data collected by the researchers of Brazilian National Institute for Science and Technology on Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA). In this context, BrISAntar, the Brazilian Information System on Antarctic Environmental Research was proposed to manage these data. This article describes the proposed architecture and data model, which are under development, and suggests functionalities to be incorporated in the future.

Keywords: Antarctic Environmental Research, Scientific Data Management

Introduction Humans have extensively changed global environments and this has effects in their biodiversity. Antarctica is no exception to this trend; it has seen increases in air temperature and reduction in its glaciers. To determine more precisely the extension and rate of biodiversity change it is essential to gather, archive, and analyze data on spatial and temporal distribution of species along with information about their surrounding environment (Hardisty & Roberts, 2013) (Michener et al., 2011). It is also important to use data integration techniques in order to make it discoverable and easier to query. This work describes BrISAntar (Brazilian Information System on Antarctic Environmental Research), an information system used to manage the data generated by the Brazilian National Institute for Science and Technology on Antarctic Environmental Research (INCT-APA) (Yoneshigue-Valentin et al., 2012) providing features for acquiring and storing these data and later provide it to queries and analysis.

The Login interface is responsible for the main access to the system. The Administration interface is used for user management. The Data Sample and Analysis interfaces generate the forms for data input corresponding to the data collected in the sample stage in every expedition (OPERANTAR). The Publication interface lists the scientific publications associated to the analysis results.

The Services layer is responsible for the production and submission of transactions related to the application domain, and is composed of five modules. The Administration module handles administrative tasks, such as user creation and role assignment. The Authentication module validates if the user is registered in the system. The Data Sample, Data Analysis and Publication modules have three common tasks, described as follows. For each request, these modules first verify if the user is authorized to perform that request. Then, the modules perform the validation of the data received from their respective interfaces. In order to store the data, each module is responsible for create, read, update and delete operations to make data persistent. For persistence,

BrISAntar Overview The architecture of BrISAntar is organized in layers, presented in Figure 1. The Application layer contains the logic for rendering the User Interface, in this case using HTML and JSP. This layer consists of five interface modules.

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a relational database is used in the Databases layer.

Figure 2 shows a simplified view of the proposed data model for the application. The OPERANTAR, represents the beginning of an annual expedition and generates several campaigns in the Antarctic region. Each of these campaigns

Figure 1. Layered view of the architecture of BrISAntar.

take place along several stations. the stations are in a geographical region with fixed points. in these fixed points, the sample collection for every thematic module is carried out. With these collected samples, diďŹ&#x20AC;erent types of analysis are performed and the results registered. These analysis use a determinate method of analysis and are classified according the thematic area. The results of these analyses are classified in two types: biotic or abiotic. The biotic results are stored following the structure of a known taxonomic database. The abiotic results are stored as a set of descriptors and values.

The results produced by an analysis may lead to a scientific publication. in that case, information about the publication, such as author(s), type of publication, title, etc., should be registered in the system. in addition, the data model includes constraints on some data values that have to be validated: a) format the geographic coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds; b) points should be contained in a determined region; c) date intervals related to a task should be contained within the date interval of the activity that includes the task and

d) the analysis timestamp must be after the timestamp of the sample collected. since the inct-ApA is divided in four thematic modules, the system has to be able to manage the users by module. The data that belongs to a module should only be manipulated (create, update and delete operations) by users in said module. This is implemented in the system using role-based access control (rBAc), which is based on three concepts: users, roles and permissions. A user can log-on into the system and perform operations, a role is the set of the operations that a user is authorized to perform. next, we describe some future work planned. data integration techniques are essential tools for discovering, querying and retrieving biodiversity and ecological data. currently, this is achieved mainly through metadata standards and data publishing tools. darwin core (dwc) (Wieczorek et al., 2012) is a data management standard that for describing spatio-temporal occurrence of a species.

The Ecological Metadata Language (eml) (fegraus et al., 2005) is used for describing ecological and environmental data. global data infrastructures have been implemented

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User

Region

Taxon

OPERANTAR

Campaign

Sea State

Locality

Station

Tide

Sample Instrument

Sample

Conservation

Analysis

Publication

Biotic

Publication Type

Thematic Area / Analysis Method / Descriptor / Meassurement Units

Abiotic

Descriptor / Meassurement Units

Descriptor

Author

Measurement Units

Thematic Area / Analysis Method

Thematic Area

Analysis Method

Figure 2. Simplified view of the proposed data model for BrISAntar.

to collect and disseminate biodiversity and ecological data.

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (gBif) (gBif, 2013), for instance, is given by a worldwide infrastructure serving biodiversity data using the dwc standard. one of its focus areas is the Antarctic region (griffiths et al., 2011). for ecological and environmental data the Data Observation Network for Earth (dataone) (dataone, 2013) is given by a federation of nodes that publish data about long-term ecological research initiatives using the eml standard. By adopting these standards, BrisAntar could participate in global data infrastructures without much effort. A more generic approach for data integration known as linked data (ld) has been proposed to enable data sharing and reuse on a massive scale (heath & Bizer, 2011). in the Web of data scenario, data publishers may contribute to

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making integration easier, by reusing terms from widely used vocabularies, publishing mappings between terms from different vocabularies, and by setting links pointing at related resources, as well as at identifiers used by other data sources to refer to the same real-world.

Biodiversity and ecological scientists usually perform their analyses using various statistical, computational modeling, and geospatial tools to synthesize data. scientific workflow management systems (davidson & freire, 2008) can provide a valuable tool for automating these routines.

Also, provenance information (davidson & freire, 2008) can support reproducing analyses, by recording data set derivation history. We plan to add to BrisAntar functionality for supporting scientific workflows and provenance information management.

Conclusions in its current state, BrisAntar allows for data acquisition,

module for enabling scientists to automate their analysis routines.

storage, and querying, providing a valuable tool to the Brazilian community on Antarctic envirornmental research. some additional functionality currently being developed include: a data visualization and analysis module, where data can be visualized in maps or through charts; data publication modules for exporting data using the darwin core (Wieczorek et al., 2012) and eml

Acknowledgements This work integrates the national institute of science and technology Antarctic environmental research (inctApA) that receives scientific and financial support from the national council for research and development (cnpq process: n° 574018/2008-5) and carlos chagas research

(michener & Jones, 2012) data standards in order to allow

support foundation of the state of rio de Janeiro (fAperJ

for integrating the data available in BrisAntar with data

n° e-16/170.023/2008). The authors also acknowledge the

available in global infrastructures such as gBif (gBif,

support of the Brazilian ministries of science, technology

2013) (and AntaBif (AntaBif, 2013) in particular) and

and innovation (mcti), of environment (mmA) and inter-

dataone (dataone, 2013); and a scientific workflow

ministry commission for sea resources (cirm).

References AntaBIF. (2013, August). Retrieved from http://www.biodiversity.aq DataONE. (2013, August). Retrieved from http://www.dataone.org Davidson, S., & Freire, J. (2008) Provenance and Scientific Workflows: Challenges and Opportunities. In Proceedings of the 2008 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data, 1345-1350. http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/1376616.1376772 Fegraus, E., Andelman, S., Jones, M., & Schildhauer, M. (2005). Maximizing the value of ecological data with structured metadata: An introduction to ecological metadata language (EML) and principles for metadata creation. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 86(3), 158-168.

GBIF. (2013, August). Retrieved from http://www.gbif.org Griffiths, H. J., Danis, B., & Clarke, A. (2011). Quantifying Antarctic marine biodiversity: the SCAR-MarBIN data portal. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 58(1-2), 18-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.10.008 Hardisty, A., & Roberts, D. (2013). A decadal view of biodiversity informatics: challenges and priorities. BMC Ecology, 13:16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6785-13-16 Heath, T., & Bizer, C. (2011). Linked Data: evolving the Web into a global data space. In Synthesis lectures on the semantic Web: theory and technology. Morgan & Claypool. p. 1-136.

Michener, W. K., Porter, J., Servilla, M., & Vanderbilt, K. (2011). Long term ecological research and information management.

Ecological Informatics, 6(1), 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2010.11.005 Michener, W. K., & Jones, M. B. (2012). Ecoinformatics: supporting ecology as a data-intensive science. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 27(2), 85-93. PMid:22240191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2011.11.016 Wieczorek, J., Bloom, D., Guralnick, R., Blum, S., Döring, M., Giovanni, R. et al. (2012). Darwin Core: an evolving communitydeveloped biodiversity data standard. PLoS One, 7(1), e29715. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029715 Yoneshigue-Valentin, Y., Dalto, A. G., & Lavrado, H. P. (Eds). (2012). INCT-APA Annual Activity Report 2011. São Carlos: Cubo.

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FActs AnD FigURes human resources: capacity Building the research activities of inct-ApA involved undergraduate and postgraduate students. The fellowships was focus especially at master of science, phd and postdoctoral fellows, but students of scientific initiation had also been engaged in the studies, as well as trained

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technical staďŹ&#x20AC;. The illustration below highlights the annual capacity of inct-ApA to develop human resources taking into account all the funding provided by cnpq, cApes, fAperJ and others regional institutions for scientific support.

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PUBlicAtiOns Papers Cipro, C. V. Z., Colabuono, F. I., Taniguchi, S., & Montone, R. C. (2013). Persistent organic pollutants in bird, fish and invertebrate samples from King George Island, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 25(4), 545-552. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954102012001149 Correia, E., Makhmutov, V. S., Raulin, J. P., & Makita, K. (2013). Mid- and low-latitude response of the lower ionosphere to solar proton events on January 2012. IOP Conference Series. Earth and Environmental Science, 409, 012186-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/17426596/409/1/012186 Correia, E., Paz, A. J., & Gende, M. A. (2013). Characterization of GPS-TEC in Antarctica from 2004 to 2011. Annals of Geophysics, 56, R0217-1-5.

Correia, E., Raulin, J. P., Kaufmann, P., Bertoni, F. C., & Quevedo, M.T. (2013). Inter-hemispheric analysis of daytime low ionosphere behavior from 2007 to 2011.

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 92, 51-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2012.09.006 Fernandez, J. H., & Correia, E. (2013). Electron precipitation events in the lower ionosphere and the geospace conditions. Annals of Geophysics, 56, R0218-1-10.

Ferreira, P. A. L., Ribeiro, A. P., Nascimento, M. G. N., Martins, C. C., Mahiques, M. M., Montone, R. C. et al.

(2013). 137Cs in marine sediments of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Science of the Total Environment, 443(15), 505-510. PMid:23220140. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.11.032 Garnero, A. Del V., Boccelli, M., Oliveira, J. C. P., Ledesma, M. A., Montalti, D., Coria, N. R. et al. (2013). Chromosomal characterization of four Antarctic Procellariiformes.

Marine Ornithology, 41, 63-68.

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Makhmutov, V. S., Raulin, J. P., De Mendonça, R. R. S., Bazilevskaya, G. A., Correia, E., Kaufmann, P. et al.

(2013). Analysis of cosmic ray variations observed by the CARPET in association with solar flares in 2011-2012.

Journal of Physics. Conference Series, 409, 1/012185-4.

Monteiro, G. S. C., Nonato, E. F., Petti, M. A. V., & Corbisier, T. N. (2013). A retrospective of Helicosiphon biscoeensis Gravier 1907 (Polychaeta: Serpulidae): morphological and ecological characteristics. Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 8(3), 204-208.

Pereira, A. B., & Putzke, J. (2013). The Brazilian research contribution to knowledge of the plant communities from Antarctic ice-free areas. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 85, 923-935. PMid:24068084. http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/S0001-37652013000300008 Pereira, T. T. C., Schaefer, C. E. G. R., Ker, J. C. ,Almeida, C. E. C., Almeida, I. C. C., & Pereira, A. B. (2013). Genesis, mineralogy and ecological significance of ornithogenic soils from a semi-desert polar landscape at Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Geoderma, 209-210, 98-109. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2013.06.012 Petry, M. V., Basler, A. B., Valls, F. C. L., & Krüger, L. (2013).

New southerly breeding location of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on Elephant Island (Maritime Antarctic). Polar Biology, 36, 603-606. http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s00300-012-1277-1 Petry, M. V., Rossi, L. C., Maciel, F. O., & Petersen, E. S. (2013). First record of the rockhopper penguin Eudyptes chrysocome at Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands.

Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 8, 147-151.

Gimenez de Castro, C. G., Cristiani, G. D., Simões, P. J. A., Mandrini, C., Correia, E., & Kaufmann, P. (2013). A burst with double radio spectrum observed up to 212 GHz. Solar Physics, 284, 541-558. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/ s11207-012-0173-8

Rodrigues Jr., E., Feijo-Oliveira, M., Vani, G. S., Suda, C. N. K., Carvalho, C. S., Donatti, L. et al. (2013).

Interaction of warm acclimation, low salinity, and trophic fluoride on plasmatic constituents of the Antarctic fish Notothenia rossii Richardson, 1844. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 39(6), 1591-1601. PMid:23748964. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10695-013-9811-9

Gomes, V., Passos, M. J. A. C. R., Rocha, A. J. S., Santos, T. C. A., Machado, A. S. D., & Phan, V. N. (2013). Metabolic rates of the antarctic amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica at different temperatures and salinities. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 61(4), 243-249. http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/S1679-87592013000400005

Rodrigues, N., Nunes, M., Silva, D. C., Zemolin, A., Meiners, D., Cruz, L. et al. (2013). Is the lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea a valuable model for evaluating mercury induced oxidative stress? Chemosphere, 92(9), 1177-1182. PMid:23466093. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. chemosphere.2013.01.084

| Annual Activity Report 2013

Spogli, L., Alfonsi, L., Cilliers, P., Correia, E., De Franceschi, G., Mitchell, C. N. et al. (2013). GPS scintillations and TEC climatology in the southern low, middle and high 2 latitude regions. Annals of Geophysics, 56, R0220-1-12.

Stefenon, V. M., Roesch, L. F. W., & Pereira, A. B. (2013).

Thirty years of Brazilian research in Antarctica: ups, downs and perspectives. Scientometrics, 95, 325-331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0809-3 Vanstreels, R. E. T., Miranda, F. R., Ruoppolo, V., Reis, A. O. A., Costa, E. S., Pessôa, A. R. L. et al. (2013).

Investigation of blood parasites of pygoscelid penguins at the King George and Elephant Islands, South Shetlands Archipelago, Antarctica. Polar Biology, 37(1), 135-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-013-1401-x Victoria, F. C., Albuquerque, M. P., Pereira, A. B., Simas, F. N. B., Spielmann, A. A., & Schefer, C. E. (2013).

Characterization and mapping of plant communities at Hennequin Point, King George Island, Antarctica. Polar Research, 32, 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar. v32i0.19261 Vieira, F. C. B., Pereira, A. B., Bayer, C., Schünemann, A. L., Victoria, F. C., Alabuquerque, M. P. et al. (2013). In situ methane and nitrous oxide fluxes in soil from a transect in Hennequin Point, King George Island, Antarctic.

Chemosphere, 90, 497-504. PMid:22980960. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.08.013

Book Chapter Campos, L. S., Barboza, C. A. M., Bassoi, M., Bernardes, M., Bromberg, S., Corbisier, T. N. et al. (2013).

Environamental Processes, Biodiversity and Changes in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. In C. Verde & G. di Prisco (Eds.), adaptation and evolution in marine environments, from pole to pole (Vol. 2, pp. 127156). Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.

Montone, R. C., Alvarez, C. E., Bícego, M. C., Braga, E. S., Brito, T. A. S., Campos, L. S. et al. (2013). Environmental Assessment of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. In C. Verde & G. di Prisco (Eds.), Adaptation

and evolution in marine environments, from pole to pole (Vol. 2, pp. 157-175). Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.

Petry, M.V., Krüger L & Petersen E.S. (2013). Migração de Procellariiformes no hemisfério sul e rotas de dispersão de Gripe Aviária. In M. Chame & N. Labarthe (Orgs.), Saúde silvestre e humana: experiências e perspectivas.

Rio de Janeiro: FIOCRUZ. 108 p.

Monographs Ferraz, N. S. Diretrizes para sinalização na Península Keller, Antártica. (Monografia de conclusão de curso em Desenho Industrial). Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 2013.

Grotto, B. W. (2013). Variação temporal de pequena escala de moluscos bivalves da zona costeira rasa da enseada Martel, baía do Almirantado, Antártica: verões 2007/2008 e 2008/2009. (Monografia de conclusão de curso em Oceanografia). Universidade de São Paulo.

Minoso, M. M. (2013). Análise morfológica e protocolo de desinfecção para cultura in vitro de Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske. (Monografia de conclusão de curso em Biológicas). Universidade Federal do Pampa.

Master of Science Dissertations Feijó-Oliveira, M. (2013). Resposta biológica do gastrópode antártico Nacella concinna (Strebel 1908) ao óleo diesel como possível biomarcador de impacto ambiental na zona entre marés. (Dissertação de mestrado em Biologia Celular e Molecular). Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba.

Sabchuk, N. (2013). Resposta metabólica do peixe antártico Notothenia coriiceps frente ao estresse térmico.

(Dissertação de mestrado em Biologia Celular e Molecular). Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba.

Valls, F. C. L. (2013). Ecologia alimentar de Sphenescidae na Ilha Elefante, Antártica. (Dissertação de mestrado em Biologia. Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre).

Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo.

Publications |

149

PhD Thesis Brumellhaus, J. (2013). Avaliação de parâmetros populacionais de Pygoscelis antarticus (Pinguim antártico) nas Ilhas Elefante e Rei George, Shetland do Sul, Antártica.

(Tese de doutorado em Biologia. Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre). Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo.

Petersen, E. S. (2013). Distribuição e monitoramento de Macronectes giganteus e detecção de vírus influenza na Antártica. (Tese de doutorado em Biologia. Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre). Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo.

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Piuco, R. C. (2013). Flutuação populacional, variação morfométrica e assimetria flutuante em Pygoscelis papua no Arquipélago das Shetlands do Sul, Antártica. (Tese de doutorado em Biologia. Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre). Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo.

Publications |

151

e-MAils

I N C T - A PA R E S E R A C H T E A M Thematic Area 1

ANTARCTIC ATMOSPHERE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN SOUTH AMERICA Dr. Neusa Maria Paes Leme (INPE) - Team Leader of Thematic Area 1 neusa_paesleme@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Emília Correia (INPE - CRAAM) - Vice-Team Leader of Thematic Area 1 ecorreia@craam.mackenzie.br

Dr. Admir Créso de Lima Targino (UTFPR)

Dr. Jacyra Ramos Soares (IAG/USP)

admirtargino@utfpr.edu.br

jacyra@usp.br

Dr. Amauri Pereira de Oliveira (IAG/USP)

Dr. José Henrique Fernandez (UFRN)

amauri@usp.br

jhenrix@gmail.com

Dr. Carlos Filipe da Silva Costa (CEA/INPE)

Dr. José Valentin Bageston (INPE)

filipe.dasilva@usp.br

bageston@gmail.com

Dr. Damaris Kirsch Pinheiro (UFSM) damariskp@gmail.com

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS AND STUDENTS

152

André Barros Cardoso da Silva (ITA) - PhD Student andrebcs@hotmail.com

Heber Reis Passos (CPTEC/INPE) - tecnologista heber.passos@cptec.inpe.br

Avicena Filho (ROEN/INPE) - Technologist avicena@roen.inpe.br

José Roberto Chagas (CCST/INPE) - Technologist chagas@dge.inpe.br

Caio Jorge Ruman (IAG/USP) - PhD Student caioruman@gmail.com

Letícia de Oliveira (UFSM) - MSc. Student deoliveiraaicitel@gmail.com

Edmilson Lopes da Silva (CRN/INPE) - Technologist edmilsonlopes@crn.inpe.br

Lucas Vaz Peres - (UFSM ) - PhD Student lucasvazperes@gmail.com

Edson Luis Bortolossi (INPE/MACk) - Technologist rfalsa@hotmail.com

Maria Thereza Quevedo - Física mtereque@estadao.com.br

Francisco de Paula Vitor Mesquita (DAE/INPE) - Technologist mesquita@dae.inpe.br

Marilene Alves da Silva (CPTEC/INPE) - Technologist marilene.alves@cptec.inpe.br

Francisco Raimundo da Silva (CRN/INPE) - Technologist fraimundo@crn.inpe.br

Marcelo Romão (CPTEC/INPE) - Technologist marcromao@hotmail.com

Franco Nadal Junqueira Villela - (INMET) PhD Student franco.villela@inmet.gov.br

Robinson Luiz Falsarella - (INPE/MACk) - Technologist rfalsa@hotmail.com

Georgia Codato (IAG/USP) - Technologist gecodato@usp.br

Wagner Sarjob Coura Borges - (CEA/INPE)- - Technologist wagner.inpe@gmail.com

| Annual Activity Report 2013

Thematic Area 2

IMPACT OF GLOBAL CHANGES ON THE ANTARCTIC TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT Dr. Antonio Batista Pereira (UNIPAMPA) - Team Leader of Thematic Area 2 - Vegetal communities antoniopereira@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Maria Virginia Petry (UNISINOS) - Vice-Team Leader of Thematic Area 2 - Marine seabirds communities vpetry@unisinos.br

Dr. Adriano Afonso Spielmann (USP) adrianospielmann@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Larissa Rosa de Oliveira (UNISINOS) larissaro@unisinos.br

MSc. Adriano Luis Shünnemam (UNIPAMPA) als@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Luis Fernando da Costa Medina (UNISINOS) lfmedina@unisinos.br

Dr. Alexandre Soares Rosado (IMPPG/UFRJ) arosado@globo.com

Dr. Luiz Fernando Würdig Roesch (UNIPAMPA) luizroesch@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Analía del Valle Garnero (UNIPAMPA) analiagarnero@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque (UNIPAMPA) margeli_albuquerque@hotmail.com

Dr. Cháriston André Dal Belo (UNIPAMPA) charistondb@gmail.com

Dr. Paulo Marcos Pinto (UNIPAMPA) paulopinto@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Elisa de Souza Petersen (UNISINOS) elisapetersen@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Raquel Silva Peixoto (IMPPG/UFRJ) r.s.peixoto@globo.com

Dr. Filipe de Carvalho Victória (UNIPAMPA) filipevictoria@gmail.com

Dr. Ricardo José Gunski (UNIPAMPA) rgunski@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Frederico Costa Beber Vieira (UNIPAMPA) fredericovieira@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Thais Posser (UNIPAMPA) thaisposser@hotmail.com

Dr. Jair Putzke (UNISC) jair@unisc.br

Dr. Valdir Marcos Stefenon (UNIPAMPA) valdirstefenon@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Jeferson Luis Franco (UNIPAMPA) jefersonfranco@unipampa.edu.br

Dr. Victor Hugo Valiati (UNISINOS) valiati@unisinos.br

Dr. Juliano de Carvalho Cury (UFSJ) jccury@hotmail.com

Dr. Uwe Schulz (UNISINOS) uwe@unisinos.br

Dr. Juliano Tomazzoni Boldo (UNIPAMPA) julianoboldo@unipampa.edu.br

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS AND STUDENTS MSc. Hugo Emiliano de Jesus (UFRJ) - PhD. student hugoemil@gmail.com

MSc. Lucas Krüger Garcia - PhD Student biokruger@gmail.com

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Thematic Area 3

IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ANTARCTIC MARINE ENVIRONMENT Dr. Helena Passeri Lavrado (IB/UFRJ) - Team Leader of Thematic Area 3 hpasseri@biologia.ufrj.br/ hplavrado@gmail.com

Dr. Edson Rodrigues (UNITAU) - Vice-Team Leader of Thematic Area 3 rodedson@gmail.com

Dr. Adriana Galindo Dalto (IB/UFRJ) agdalto@gmail.com

Dr. Luciano Dalla Rosa (FURG) l.dalla@furg.br

Dr. Ana Carolina Vieira Araujo (IOUSP) acvaraujo@gmail.com

Dr. Manuela Bassoi (IB/UFRJ) manu.bassoi@gamail.com

Dr. Andrea de Oliveira Ribeiro Junqueira (UFRJ) ajunq@biologia.ufrj.br

Dr. Marcelo Renato Lamour (UFPR–CEM) mlamour@ufpr.br

Dr. Andreza Portella Ribeiro (IOUSP) aportellar@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Márcia Caruso Bícego (IOUSP) marciacaruso@usp.br

Dr. Arthur José da Silva Rocha (IOUSP) arthur@usp.br

Dr. Márcio Murilo Barboza Tenório (IB/UFRJ) mbtenorio@hotmail.com

Dr. Cecilia Nahomi Kawagoe Suda (UNITAU) cnksuda@hotmail.com

Dr. Maurício Osvaldo Moura (UFPR) mauricio.moura@ufpr.br

Dr. César de Castro Martins (UFPR) ccmart@ufpr.br Dr. Cleoni dos Santos Carvalho (UFSCar) carvcleo@yahoo.com.br Dr. Cristina Rossi Nakayama (IOUSP) crnakayama@gmail.com Dr. Denise Rivera Tenenbaum (IB/UFRJ) deniser@biologia.ufrj.br Dr. Eduardo Resende Secchi (FURG) edu.secchi@furg.br Dr. Eric Muxagata (FURG) e.muxagata@gmail.com

154

Dr. Mônica Angélica Varella Petti (IOUSP) mapetti@usp.br Dr. Paula Foltran Gheller (IOUSP) paulafgheller@usp.br Dr. Rolf Roland Weber (IOUSP) rweber@usp.br Dr. Rosalinda Carmela Montone (IOUSP) - Vice–coordinator of INCT–APA rmontone@usp.br Dr. Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira (IOUSP) rfigueira@usp.br

Dr. Fernanda Imperatrice Colabuono (IOUSP) ferimp@hotmail.com

Dr. Rubens Duarte (IOUSP) rubensduarte13@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Flavia Sant’Anna Rios (UFPR) flaviasrios@ufpr.br

Dr. Sandra Bromberg (IOUSP) bromberg@usp.br

Dr. Gannabathula Sree Vani (UNITAU) srvani@hotmail.com

Dr. Satie Taniguchi (IOUSP) satie@usp.br

Dr. José Juan Barrera Alba (IB/UFRJ) juanalba@usp.br

Dr. Silvio Tarou Sasaki (IOUSP) ssasaki@usp.br

Dr. Lucélia Donatti (UFPR) donatti@ufpr.br

Dr. Susete Wambier Christo (UEPG) wambchristo@yahoo.com.br

Dr. Lúcia de Siqueira Campos (IB/UFRJ) campos-lucia@biologia.ufrj.br

Dr. Tânia Zaleski (UFPR) taniazaleski@gmail.com

| Annual Activity Report 2013

Dr. Thais Navajas Corbisier (IOUSP) tncorbis@usp.br

Dr. Vicente Gomes (IOUSP) vicgomes@usp.br

Dr. Theresinha Monteiro Absher (UFPR) tmabsher@ufpr.br

Dr. Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin (IB/UFRJ) - General Coordinator

Dr. Vivian Helena Pellizari (IOUSP) vivianp@usp.br

of INCT–APA yocie@biologia.ufrj.br/ yocievalentin@gmail.com

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS AND STUDENTS MSc. Ana Carolina Fortes Bastos carolfbastos@gmail.com

Mariana Feijó-Oliveira (UNITAU) - PhD Student mari.feijo@bol.com.br

Ana Lúcia Lindroth Dauner (UFPR) - MSc. Student anadauner@gmail.com

Mariana Vanzan (IB/UFRJ) mari_vanzan@hotmail.com

Andre Monnerat Lanna (IB/UFRJ) andrebioufrj@gmail.com

MSc. Michelle Alves de Abreu-Motta (UFPR) michelle.deabreu@gmail.com

MSc. Cintia Machado - PHD student cin_machado@yahoo.com.br

MSc. Mylene Giseli do Nascimento (UFPR) mylene.giseli@gmail.com

MSc. Claúdio Adriano Piechnik - PhD Student claudio.sapiens@gmail.com

B. Sc. Nazareth Cristina da Costa Araujo nazareth.bio@gamail.com

MSc. Edson Rodrigues Junior - PhD Student edsonrodj@gmail.com

MSc. Rafael Bendayan de Moura (UFPE) - PhD student lytechinusvariegatus@gmail.com

MSc. Eduardo de Almeida Xavier (IB/UFRJ) xavier.eduardo@gmail.com

MSc. Rafael Tostes Salazar (IB/UFRJ) rafael14th@hotmail.com

MSc. Filipe Alonso de Camargo Rouefski alonsodecamargo@gmail.com

MSc. Priscila Ikeda Ushimaro (IOUSP) priscobain@yahoo.com.br

MSc. Gabriel Sousa Conzo Monteiro (IOUSP) gabrielmonteiro@usp.br

Tais Maira de Souza Campos tmscampos@yahoo.com.br

Iza Veríssimo de Oliveira (IB/UFRJ) izaverissimo@yahoo.com.br

MSc. Yargos Kern (UFPR) ykern@cem.ufpr.br

MSc. Josilene da Silva (IOUSP) josilenehsilva@gmail.com

Thematic Area 4

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Dr. Cristina Engel de Alvarez (UFES) - Team Leader of Thematic Area 4 cristinaengel@pq.cnpq.br

Dr. Alexandre de Ávila Lerípio (UNIVALI) - Vice-Team Leader of Thematic Area 4 leripio@terra.com.br

Dr. Domingos Sávio Lyrio Simonetti (UFES) d.simonetti@ele.ufes.br

Dr. Jussara Farias Fardin (UFES) jussara@ele.ufes.br

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155

Dr. Neyval Costa Reis Junior (UFES) neyval@inf.ufes.br

Dr. Ricardo Franci Gonçalves (UFES) franci@fluir.eng.br

Dr. Paulo Sérgio de Paula Vargas (UFES) paulo.s.vargas@ufes.br

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS AND STUDENTS MSc. Erica Coelho Pagel (PhD student) erica.pagel@gmail.com

Arq. Dielly Christine Guedes Montarroyos (MSc student) diellyguedes@live.com

MSc.Anderson Buss Woelffel andersonbwarquiteto@gmail.com

Marina Silva Tomé (Undergraduate student) marina_tome@hotmail.com

Arq. Wagner Gomes Martins (MSc student) wgmartins.arq@gmail.com

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES MSc. Déia Maria Ferreira dos Santos (IB/UFRJ) deia@biologia.com.br

Dr. Benedita Aglai Oliveira da Silva (IB/UFRJ) aglai@biologia.com.br

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS AND STUDENTS MSc. Rafael Bendayan de Moura (UFPE) - PhD student lytechinusvariegatus@gmail.com

Tais Maira de Souza Campos tmscampos@yahoo.com.br

Rômulo Loureiro Casciano (IB/UFRJ) - Biologist rlcasciano@yahoo.com.br

EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS Thematic Module 1

ANTARCTIC ATMOSPHERE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN SOUTH AMERICA Dr. Alberto Waingort Setzer - Brazil (INPE/REDE CLIMA/ INCT para Mudanças Climáticas) alberto.setzer@cptec.inpe.br

Dr. Diego Janches - USA (National Aeronautic and Space Administration- NASA) dioego.janches@nasa.gov

Dr. Cláudio Cassicia R. Salgado - Chile (University of Magallanes - UMAG) claudio.casiccia@umag.cl

Dr. Eduardo J. Quel - Argentina (Argentine Armed Forces Scientific and Technical Research Institute - CITEFA) eduardojquel@gmail.com quel@citefa.gov.ar

Dr. Dave C. Frittz - USA (NorthWest Reseach Associates-NWRA) dave@cora.nwra.com

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| Annual Activity Report 2013

Dr. Elian Wolfram - Argentina (Argentine Armed Forces Scientific and Technical Research Institute - CITEFA)

Dr. Hiromasa Yamamoto - Japan (Rikkyo University) yamamoto@rikkyo.ac.jp

ewolfram@citefa.gov.ar

Dr. Jacobo Salvador - Argentina (Argentine Armed Forces Scientifi c and Technical Research Institute - CITEFA) jsalvador@citefa.gov.ar

Dr. Félix Zamorano - Chile (University of Magallanes - UMAG) felix.zamorano@umag.cl Dr. Francesco Zaratti - Bolivia (University of San Andrès) zaratti@entelnet.bo

Dr. Kazuo Makita - Japan (Takushoku University) kmakita@la.takushoku-u.ac.jp

Heber Passos (INPE/INCT REDE CLIMA) heber.passos@cptec.inpe.br

Dr. Luciano Marani - Brazil (INPE/REDE CLIMA/ INCT para Mudanças Climáticas) lmarani@dge.inpe.br

Dr. Heitor Evangelista da Silva - Brazil (UERJ/INCT–Criosfera) heitor@uerj.br/ evangelista.uerj@gmail.com

Dr. Plínio Carlos Alvalá - Brazil (INPE/REDE CLIMA/ INCT para Mudanças Climáticas) plinio@dge.inpe.br

Thematic Module 2

IMPACT OF GLOBAL CHANGES ON THE ANTARCTIC TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT Dr. Lubomir Kowacik - Slovakia (Comenius Univiversity) kovacik@fns.uniba.sk Dr. Gisela Dantas (UFMG) - Brazil dantasgpm@gmail.com

Dra. Guendalina Turcatto (PUCRS) -Brazil guendato@pucrs.br Dr. Maria Angélica Oliveira (UFSM) angelcure@gmail.com

Thematic Area 3

IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ANTARCTIC MARINE ENVIRONMENT Dr. Edgardo A. Hernández – Argentina Instituto Antártico Argentino ehernandez@ffyb.uba.ar Walter P. MacCormack – Argentina Instituto Antártico Argentino wmac@ffyb.uba.ar

E-mails |

157

A n n u a l Ac t i v i t y R e p o r t 2 013 Expedient Editors

Production Proofreader

Photograph Courtesy

Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin – IB/UFRJ Adriana Galindo Dalto – IB/UFRJ Helena Passeri Lavrado – IB/UFRJ Editora Cubo Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin – IB/UFRJ Adriana Galindo Dalto – IB/UFRJ Eduardo de Almeida Xavier – IB/UFRJ Adriana Galindo Dalto (Backgrounds: Summary, Thematic Area 2, Facts and Figures) Eduardo de Almeida Xavier (Backgrounds: Introduction) Filipe de Carvalho Victoria (Backgrounds: Expedient, Education and Outreach Activities) Jonathan Henrique Silveira Barros (Backgrounds: Publications) Juliano de Carvalho Cury (Backgrounds: Thematic Area 1, Innovation, E-mails) Luíz Fernando Würdig Roesch (Backgrounds: Thematic Area 4) Márcio Murilo Barboza Tenório (Backgrounds: Presentation, Thematic Area 3) Margéli Pereira de Albuquerque (Backgrounds: capa)

The editors express their gratitude to the INCT-APA colleagues that contribute to this edition.

This document was prepared as an account of work done by INCT-APA users and staff. Whilst the document is believed to contain correct information, neither INCT-APA nor any of its employees make any warranty, expresses, implies or assumes any legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed within. As well, the use of this material does not infringe any privately owned copyrights.

Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais (INCT-APA) INCT-APA Headquarters

Telephone/ Fax E-mail Home Page

Instituto de Biologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Sala A1-94 - Bloco A Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária - CEP: 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil +55 21 3938-6322 / +55 21 3938-6302 yocie@biologia.ufrj.br/ inctapa@gmail.com www.biologia.ufrj.br/inct-antartico

Management Committee General Coordinator Yocie Yoneshigue Valentin – IB/UFRJ Vice-coordinator Rosalinda Carmela Montone – IO/USP Thematic Area 1 (Antarctic Atmosphere) Neusa Maria Paes Leme – INPE (Team Leader) Emília Corrêa – Mackenzie/INPE (Vice-team Leader)

Education and Outreach Activities – Team Leader Déia Maria Ferreira – IB/UFRJ International Scientific Assessor Eduardo Resende Secchi – FURG

Thematic Area 2 (Antarctic Terrestrial Environment) Antonio Batista Pereira – UNIPAMPA (Team Leader) Maria Virgínia Petry – UNISINOS (Vice-team Leader)

Project Manager Assessor Adriana Galindo Dalto – IB/UFRJ

Thematic Area 3 (Antarctic Marine Environment) Helena Passeri Lavrado – IB/UFRJ (Team Leader) Edson Rodrigues – UNITAU (Vice-team Leader)

Executive Office Carla Maria da Silva Balthar – IB/UFRJ

Thematic Area 4 (Environmental Management) Cristina Engel de Alvarez – UFES (Team Leader) Alexandre de Avila Leripio – UNIVALI (Vice-team Leader)

Finance Technical Support Maria Helena Amaral da Silva – IBCCF/UFRJ Marta de Oliveira Farias – IBCCF/UFRJ

Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Antártico de Pesquisas Ambientais (INCT-APA) Instituto de Biologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Sala A1-94 • Bloco A Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária - CEP: 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro- RJ, Brazil +55 21 3938-6322 / +55 21 3938-6302 yocie@biologia.ufrj.br/ inctapa@gmail.com www.biologia.ufrj.br/inct-antartico

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