Skin-blubber biopsy samples and associated demographic data collected from cetaceans encountered along the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), 2010 - present. \n

Summary:
The collection of biopsy samples from cetaceans within the near-shore waters of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) has been led by Dr. Ari Friedlaender starting in 2010. The Friedlaender group just recently joined the Palmer LTER in 2015, but prior collection of samples was leveraged from previous National Science Foundation (NSF) support and existing collaborations with Antarctic tour operations. Collection methods have been kept consistent, as the research group attempts to sample every whale encountered. Our current data set consists of three targeted species for collection, the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Sample are kept frozen at -80Â°C until analysis following the completion of annual field work. Collection of these samples is still ongoing. The biopsy ID is the unique identifier for each collected sample and is used as the common field among the different analyses that are conducted on the sample to look at population and individual level demographic information. From these tissue samples, we can extract nuclear and mitochondrial DNA which provides us with information on the genetic sex, genotype (gene fingerprint), as well as haplotype of the individuals sampled. Additionally, from the blubber layer of the biopsy sample, our group can now successfully detect and quantify sex-steroid hormones, one of which is progesterone, that allows us to make inference on the pregnancy status of sampled individuals. Lastly, more recent work has begun to assess the microbial communities on the skin layer of the biopsy samples. Combined, these biological analyses provide an in depth understanding of the current population demographics and dynamics in these recovering marine species.     \n

cdm_data_type = Point
VARIABLES:
biopsy_id
species_code
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
sex
tag_id
photo_frames
haplotype
genotype
progresterone
microbiome


Sources of oceanic freshwater content along the western Antarctic Peninsula (PAL-LTER Study Region) determined by the stable isotope composition (d18O) of seawater.

Summary:
The oceanic distribution of d18O is determined largely by the same processes that control salinity. Surface d18O reflects the magnitude and spatial distribution of freshwater inputs, and it is a conservative tracer in the ocean interior. The great benefit of d18O is obtained from the circumstances under which it exhibits behavior different to that of salinity. One such circumstance derives from the salinity and d18O values in precipitation, with salinity being constant with latitude (typically zero), while in general d18O in precipitation becomes progressively isotopically lighter toward the poles. This results in glacial ice (which derives from high-latitude precipitation) being very isotopically light, enabling d18O to be a useful tracer of glacial discharge to the ocean (e.g., Schlosser et al. 1990; Weiss et al. 1979). Another difference occurs in regions influenced by sea ice, which greatly affects salinity during its formation/melt cycle but has only minimal impact on d18O. This decoupling of the two tracers allows them to be used in tandem to quantitatively separate freshwater inputs from sea ice melt and those from meteoric sources (precipitation plus glacial discharge). For this, a simple three-endmember mass balance can be used. For details please see Meredith, M. P., H. J. Venables, A. Clarke, H. W. Ducklow, M. Erickson, M. J. Leng, J. T. M. Lenaerts, and M. R. van den Broeke. 2013. The freshwater system west of the Antarctic Peninsula: Spatial and temporal changes. Journal of Climate 26:1669-1684.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
grid_station
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
event
cast_number
bottle
depth (m)
pressure (sea_water_pressure, dbar)
o18_sample_number
... (14 more variables)


Sources of oceanic freshwater content in the Palmer Basin along the western Antarctic Peninsula (PAL-LTER Study Region) determined by the stable isotope composition (d18O) of seawater.

Summary:
Dataset contains measurements of the ratio of stable isotopes of oxygen in seawater taken in the Palmer Basin at stations B, E and the Palmer station seawater intake. The oceanic distribution of d18O is determined largely by the same processes that control salinity. Surface d18O reflects the magnitude and spatial distribution of freshwater inputs, and it is a conservative tracer in the ocean interior. The great benefit of d18O is obtained from the circumstances under which it exhibits behavior different to that of salinity. One such circumstance derives from the salinity and d18O values in precipitation, with salinity being constant with latitude (typically zero), while in general d18O in precipitation becomes progressively isotopically lighter toward the poles. This results in glacial ice (which derives from high-latitude precipitation) being very isotopically light, enabling d18O to be a useful tracer of glacial discharge to the ocean (e.g., Schlosser et al. 1990; Weiss et al. 1979). Another difference occurs in regions influenced by sea ice, which greatly affects salinity during its formation/melt cycle but has only minimal impact on d18O. This decoupling of the two tracers allows them to be used in tandem to quantitatively separate freshwater inputs from sea ice melt and those from meteoric sources (precipitation plus glacial discharge). For this, a simple three-endmember mass balance can be used. For details please see Meredith, M. P., H. J. Venables, A. Clarke, H. W. Ducklow, M. Erickson, M. J. Leng, J. T. M. Lenaerts, and M. R. van den Broeke. 2013. The freshwater system west of the Antarctic Peninsula: Spatial and temporal changes. Journal of Climate 26:1669-1684.

cdm_data_type = TimeSeries
VARIABLES:
station (Sampling Station)
time (Sample Date, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
depth (m)
temperature (degree_C)
salinity (Practical Salinity, 1)
mld (Mixed Layer Depth, m)
o18 (Oxygen Isotopes Ratio, ppt)
o18_duplicate (Oxygen Isotopes Ratio, ppt)
event (Event Number)


Standard body length of Euphausia superba collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009, 2019.

Summary:
Standard body length of Euphausia superba collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009 - 2019. Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, are a critical food-web link between phytoplankton primary production and higher trophic levels, such as whales, penguins, and seals.  Krill standard length was measured from LTER zooplankton tows along the western Antarctic Peninsula.  Length data provides estimates of age-class abundance and recruitment.  Climate-induced changes in krill recruitment are an important consideration in the management and modelling of krill populations.\n

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
cruise_tow_number
cruise_name
event
tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
tow_duration (minutes)
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
depth (m)
wind_speed (m s-1)
wind_direction (Wind To Direction, degrees)
net_id
tow_type
... (5 more variables)


Structural size measurements and isotopic signatures of foraging among adult male and female Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) nesting along the Palmer Archipelago near Palmer Station, 2007-2009

Summary:
Sexual segregation in vertebrate foraging niche is often associated with sexual size dimorphism (SSD), i.e., ecological sexual dimorphism. We examined ecological sexual dimorphism among sympatric nesting Pygoscelis penguins near Palmer Station, Antarctica, asking whether environmental variability in the form of winter sea ice is associated with differences in male and female pre-breeding foraging niche. Each season, study nests, where pairs of adults were present, were individually marked and chosen before the onset of egg-laying, and consistently monitored. When study nests were found at the one-egg stage, both adults were captured to obtain blood samples used for molecular sexing and stable isotope analyses, and measurements of structural size and body mass. At the time of capture, each adult penguin was quickly blood sampled (~1 ml) from the brachial vein. After handling, individuals at study nests were further monitored to ensure the pair reached clutch completion, i.e., two eggs. Molecular analyses were conducted at Simon Fraser University following standard PCR protocols, and stable isotope analyses were conducted at the Stable Isotope Facility at the University of California, Davis using an elemental analyzer interfaced with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer

cdm_data_type = Other
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
sample_number
species
region
island_name
reproductive_stage
individual_id
full_clutch
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
culmen_length (mm)
culmen_depth (mm)
flipper_length (mm)
body_mass (grams)
sex
ratio_of_15n_to_14n (percent)
ratio_of_13c_to_12c (percent)
comments


Structural size measurements and isotopic signatures of foraging among adult male and female Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) nesting along the Palmer Archipelago near Palmer Station, 2007-2009

Summary:
Sexual segregation in vertebrate foraging niche is often associated with sexual size dimorphism (SSD), i.e., ecological sexual dimorphism. We examined ecological sexual dimorphism among sympatric nesting Pygoscelis penguins near Palmer Station, Antarctica, asking whether environmental variability in the form of winter sea ice is associated with differences in male and female pre-breeding foraging niche. Each season, study nests, where pairs of adults were present, were individually marked and chosen before the onset of egg-laying, and consistently monitored. When study nests were found at the one-egg stage, both adults were captured to obtain blood samples used for molecular sexing and stable isotope analyses, and measurements of structural size and body mass. At the time of capture, each adult penguin was quickly blood sampled (~1 ml) from the brachial vein. After handling, individuals at study nests were further monitored to ensure the pair reached clutch completion, i.e., two eggs. Molecular analyses were conducted at Simon Fraser University following standard PCR protocols, and stable isotope analyses were conducted at the Stable Isotope Facility at the University of California, Davis using an elemental analyzer interfaced with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer

cdm_data_type = Other
VARIABLES:
time (Date Egg, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
sample_number
species
region
island_name (Island)
reproductive_stage (Stage)
individual_id
full_clutch (Clutch Completion)
dorsal_ridge_length (Culmen Length)
dorsal_ridge_depth (Culmen Depth, mm)
flipper_length
body_mass (grams)
sex
ratio_15n_14n (Delta 15 N, 1)
ratio_13c_12c (Delta 13 C, 1)
notes (Comments)


Structural size measurements and isotopic signatures of foraging among adult male and female gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) nesting along the Palmer Archipelago near Palmer Station, 2007-2009


Vertical fluxes of particulate carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from a sediment trap deployed west of Palmer Station, Antarctica at a depth of 170 meters, 1992-present.

Summary:
Particulate organic matter is exported from the upper ocean euphotic zone in the form of large sinking particles and as dissolved material. Particle fluxes to depth link the surface and mesopelagic realm and supply food to the benthos. Sedimentation flux is typically measured with sediment traps of various designs. Palmer LTER has deployed a time-series trap near 64.5degrees S, 66.0degrees W since late 1992. The trap is moored in 300 m depth and collects sinking particles at 150 m. Deployments and analyses were performed by David Karl, University of Hawaii until 2002 when Hugh Ducklow took over the sediment trap operations.Sedimentation at the PAL site of the West Antarctic Peninsula demonstrates extreme seasonality, with a well-defined pulse in the Austral summer following sea ice retreat. Daily sedimentation rates during the summer flux event are among the highest recorded globally. During the Austral winter when the ocean is covered by sea ice and shrouded in darkness, fluxes are among the lowest observed anywhere. Sedimentation rates at PAL typically vary by 4 orders of magnitude. There is also order of magnitude variability in the total annual flux (area under the curve)..Particulate organic matter is exported from the upper ocean euphotic zone in the form of large sinking particles and as dissolved material. Particle fluxes to depth link the surface and mesopelagic realm and supply food to the benthos. Sedimentation flux is typically measured with sediment traps of various designs. Palmer LTER has deployed a time-series trap near 64.5degrees S, 66.0degrees W since late 1992. The trap is moored in 300 m depth and collects sinking particles at 150 m. Deployments and analyses were performed by David Karl, University of Hawaii until 2002 when Hugh Ducklow took over the sediment trap operations.Sedimentation at the PAL site of the West Antarctic Peninsula demonstrates extreme seasonality, with a well-defined pulse in the Austral summer following sea ice retreat. Daily sedimentation rates during the summer flux event are among the highest recorded globally. During the Austral winter when the ocean is covered by sea ice and shrouded in darkness, fluxes are among the lowest observed anywhere. Sedimentation rates at PAL typically vary by 4 orders of magnitude. There is also order of magnitude variability in the total annual flux (area under the curve)..Particulate organic matter is exported from the upper ocean euphotic zone in the form of large sinking particles and as dissolved material. Particle fluxes to depth link the surface and mesopelagic realm and supply food to the benthos. Sedimentation flux is typically measured with sediment traps of various designs. Palmer LTER has deployed a time-series trap near 64.5degrees S, 66.0degrees W since late 1992. The trap is moored in 300 m depth and collects sinking particles at 150 m. Deployments and analyses were performed by David Karl, University of Hawaii until 2002 when Hugh Ducklow took over the sediment trap operations.Sedimentation at the PAL site of the West Antarctic Peninsula demonstrates extreme seasonality, with a well-defined pulse in the Austral summer following sea ice retreat. Daily sedimentation rates during the summer flux event are among the highest recorded globally. During the Austral winter when the ocean is covered by sea ice and shrouded in darkness, fluxes are among the lowest observed anywhere. Sedimentation rates at PAL typically vary by 4 orders of magnitude. There is also order of magnitude variability in the total annual flux (area under the curve).

cdm_data_type = Other
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
... (12 more variables)


Water column primary production from inorganic carbon uptake for 24h at simulated in situ (SIS) light levels in deck incubators, collected aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 1995 - 2019.

Summary:
Primary Production experiments were led by Vernet from 1995-2008. Schofield is the current lead, beginning in 2009. Methods have been kept consistent as much as possible over the full time series and different Principal Investigators. Primary production is the uptake of inorganic carbon and assimilation of it into organic matter by phytoplankton. Primary production rates, expressed as mgC per m3 per day were measured by the uptake of radioactive (14C) sodium bicarbonate. Water samples are collected throughout the water column along the Western Antarctic Peninsula at regular LTER grid stations where Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) casts are performed. Water is put into borosilicate bottles, inoculated with 1 uCi of NaH14CO3 per bottle, and incubated in an outdoor deck incubator. The incubator is plumbed to the ship sea water system to maintain ambient seawater temperature and bottles are screened to in situ light levels. The uptake of 14C-bicarbonate by the phytoplankton was measured in a scintillation counter after a 24-hour incubation period..Primary Production experiments were led by Vernet from 1995-2008. Schofield is the current lead, beginning in 2009. Methods have been kept consistent as much as possible over the full time series and different Principal Investigators. Primary production is the uptake of inorganic carbon and assimilation of it into organic matter by phytoplankton. Primary production rates, expressed as mgC per m3 per day were measured by the uptake of radioactive (14C) sodium bicarbonate. Water samples are collected throughout the water column along the Western Antarctic Peninsula at regular LTER grid stations where CTD casts are performed. Water is put into borosilicate bottles, inoculated with 1 uCi of NaH14CO3 per bottle, and incubated in an outdoor deck incubator. The incubator is plumbed to the ship sea water system to maintain ambient seawater temperature and bottles are screened to in situ light levels. The uptake of 14C-bicarbonate by the phytoplankton was measured in a scintillation counter after a 24-hour incubation period.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
depth (m)
event
... (7 more variables)


Water column primary production from inorganic carbon uptake for 24h at simulated in situ light levels in deck incubators, collected at Palmer Station Antarctica during Palmer LTER field seasons, 1994 - 2019.\n

Summary:
Primary Production experiments were led by Vernet from the 1994-1995 season through the 2006-2007 season. Schofield is the current lead, beginning in the 2009-2010 season. Methods have been kept consistent as much as possible over the full time series and different Principal Investigators. Primary production is the uptake of inorganic carbon and assimilation of it into organic matter by phytoplankton. Primary production rates, expressed as mgC per m3 per day were measured by the uptake of radioactive (14C) sodium bicarbonate. Water samples are collected throughout the water column at stations within the Palmer LTER region (primarily B and E, to 50m and 65m respectively). Water is put into borosilicate bottles, inoculated with 1 uCi of NaH14CO3 per bottle, and incubated in an outdoor deck incubator. The incubator is plumbed to the Palmer Station sea water system to maintain ambient seawater temperature and bottles are screened to in situ light levels. The uptake of 14C-bicarbonate by the phytoplankton was measured in a scintillation counter after a 24-hour incubation period..Primary Production experiments were led by Vernet from the 1994-1995 season through the 2006-2007 season. Schofield is the current lead, beginning in the 2009-2010 season. Methods have been kept consistent as much as possible over the full time series and different Principal Investigators. Primary production is the uptake of inorganic carbon and assimilation of it into organic matter by phytoplankton. Primary production rates, expressed as mgC per m3 per day were measured by the uptake of radioactive (14C) sodium bicarbonate. Water samples are collected throughout the water column at stations within the Palmer LTER region (primarily B and E, to 50m and 65m respectively). Water is put into borosilicate bottles, inoculated with 1 uCi of NaH14CO3 per bottle, and incubated in an outdoor deck incubator. The incubator is plumbed to the Palmer Station sea water system to maintain ambient seawater temperature and bottles are screened to in situ light levels. The uptake of 14C-bicarbonate by the phytoplankton was measured in a scintillation counter after a 24-hour incubation period.

cdm_data_type = TimeSeries
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
event
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
depth (m)
latitude (degrees_north)
... (7 more variables)


Watercolumn total Th-234 from samples collected aboard Palmer Station Antarctica LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 2012-2014

Summary:
Total watercolumn Th-234 was determined at stations in the Palmer Station Antarctica LTER sampling grid from Jan 2012 - Jan 2014 (see Stukel et al. 2015, GBC for methods details). Th-234 can be used as a tracer for particle cycling in the upper water column. To compute carbon export from this Th-234 data please see the C:Th-234 ratio discussion in the supplement to Ducklow et al., (in review, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A).

cdm_data_type = Other
VARIABLES:
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
depth (m)
salinity (Sea Water Practical Salinity, 1)
th234_activity
th234_activity_error
deficiency
deficiency_error
station
cast_number
bottle_number


Watercolumn total Th-234, Palmer Station, 2012-2013

Summary:
Total watercolumn Th-234 was determined at Stations E and B near Palmer Station from Nov 2012 - Mar 2013.  Th-234 can be used as a tracer for particle cycling in the upper water column.  To compute carbon export from this Th-234 data please see the C:Th-234 ratios that can be derived from contemporaneous sediment trap deployments.  For more details, please see Stukel et al. (in review, Global Biogeochemical Cycles).

cdm_data_type = Other
VARIABLES:
study_name (Study)
time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
station
depth (m)
salinity (Sea Water Practical Salinity, 1)
density (Sea Water Density)
th234_activity
th234_activity_error
deficiency
deficiency_error


Zooplankton collected aboard Palmer Station LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 1993, 2008.

Summary:
Zooplankton collected aboard Palmer Station LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 1993 - 2008. Samples were collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m. This dataset is the historical (1993 - 2008) counterpart to dataset #199, Zooplankton Density - Current. Together these two data sets comprise the full Palmer LTER zooplankton density time series. Please refer to the methods of each dataset for differences between the two.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
depth (m)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
cruise_tow_number
cruise_name
event
tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
tow_duration (minutes)
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
wind_speed_start (Wind Speed)
wind_direction (Wind From Direction, degrees)
net_id
tow_type
target_depth (Depth)
depth_max (Depth, meters)
volume_filtered (m3)
... (60 more variables)


Zooplankton collected with a 1.4 m2 frame, 500-µm mesh Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) aboard Palmer LTER annual cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Peninsula, 2009-2017

Summary:
Zooplankton are a morphologically and taxonomically diverse group of animals. Many zooplankton feed on phytoplankton in surface waters and thus provide a link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. Other zooplankton reside in the mesopelagic zone and feed on detritus or on other animals. Depth-discrete density of zooplankton taxa was determined at process study stations on the annual Palmer LTER cruises along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Samples were collected with a 1.4-m2 frame, 500-μm mesh Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) towed obliquely to the surface from a depth of typically 500 m. MOCNESS tows were conducted in consecutive day-night pairs at each process study station. Zooplankton depth distributions vary between day and night as these animals conduct diel vertical migrations. Depth distributions also vary among zooplankton taxa based on species feeding ecology and life history traits. Zooplankton diel vertical migration contributes to the export of carbon and nutrients from the surface ocean to the mesopelagic zone.

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
tow_start_datetime (MOCNESS start datetime, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
tow_end_datetime (MOCNESS end datetime, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
latitude (Net Lat Avg, degrees_north)
longitude (Net Lon Avg, degrees_east)
cruise_name
grid_line
grid_station
amphipoda
cacutus
chaetognatha
cpropinquus
ecrystal
gymnosomata
lhelicina
mgerlachei
ostracoda
... (28 more variables)


Zooplankton collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, aboard Palmer Station Antarctica LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 2009, 2019.

Summary:
Zooplankton collected with a 2-m, 700-um net towed from surface to 120 m, aboard Palmer Station Antarctica LTER annual cruises off the western antarctic peninsula, 2009 - 2019. Zooplankton are a morphologically and taxonomically diverse group of animals.  Many zooplankton feed on phytoplankton and thus provide a link between primary producers and higher trophic levels.  Zooplankton density and biovolume were determined at grid stations on the annual LTER cruises along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP).  Typically, zooplankton were collected with a 2x2 meter, 700um mesh net fitted with a flow meter and towed obliquely to 120m.  Zooplankton distributions vary spatially due to water column characteristics, which affect their predators' distributions.  As climate change continues to affect the WAP, the relative abundance of the various zooplankton components can also be expected to change.\n\n

cdm_data_type = Trajectory
VARIABLES:
time (Start Time, seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
end_time (seconds since 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z)
depth (m)
latitude (degrees_north)
longitude (degrees_east)
lat_end (Latitude, degrees_north)
lon_end (Longitude, degrees_east)
cruise_name
event
cruise_tow_number
grid_line
grid_station
tow_duration
heading (degrees)
speed_over_ground
wind_speed_start (Wind Speed, m s-1)
net_id
tow_type
... (90 more variables)