Polish Polar Research

Measurements of water temperature and salinity were carried out at 38 oceanographic stations at Admiralty Bay in the period between December 1978 and February 1979. The temperature at the water surface ranged from 0.18°C to 2.81 °C and salinity from 16.40 to 34.16‰. Deeper water temperature decreased and salinity increased ranging at the bottom, at the depth of 480 m, from —0.23°C to 26°C and from 34.51‰ to 34.57‰, respectively. The investigations at the shore and offshore stations showed a marked effect of the run-offs from glaciers causing a considerable decrease in salinity of the thin surface layer of the waters. The main area of the Bay is characterized by high uniformity of water temperature and salinity, which proves that these waters are well mixed.

Paper presents the description and floristic and ecologica characteristics of three plant communities on the area of Jasnorzewski Gardens in the region of Arctowski Station (Polish Academy of Sciences) on King George Island. They are: 1) Deschampsio antarctici-Colobanthetum quitensis, 2) Polytrichetum alpini, 3) Calliergidio austro-straminei-Calliergonetum sarmentosi. All communities show a considerable differentiation to several variants. Distribution of plant communities on the studied area is presented on a map based on computer analysis of multispectral air photographs.

A map was made of the distribution of macroalgae groupings in shallow waters of Admiralty Bay. The map was plotted on the basis of analysis of color reversal air photograph taken from a helicopter. A significant agreement of the results of the pictures analysis with the field studies was found. Also a number of areas not covered by field studies was determined as the ones of probable occurrence of macroalgae. A detailed map of distribution of four distinguished forms of macroalgae groupings was plotted for a small area in the region of Shag Point. Each of these forms is characterised by different association of algal species.

Euphausia superba and E. crystallorophias were the dominant species in the area studied, Thysanoessa macrura, E. jrigida and E. triacantha were also present. The abundance of krill was changing during the year; minimum occurred between March and August and maxima between December and February and from September till November. Age structure of three most frequently occurring species showed seasonal variations. The periods of development and Reproduction were different for T. macrura, E. erystallorophias and E. superba.

It was demonstrated that in the fishes of the species Trematomus bernacchi, predominant in the regions of the USSR Antarctic Station Mirny (Davis Sea), body proportions changes along with the growth of these specimens. Measurements include 20 plastic features in 171 fishess (total length 110.2—265.0 mm). Statistically significant variations of eleven proportions of the body were stated during the growth of the fishes. Five other proportions changed in a degree of little statistical significance, whereas the last three of the body proportions did not change at all.

Changes in water and ash contents in the body and calorific values of dry and wet body weight during nestling development of Pygoscelis antarctica and P. papus. were examinted. It was found that water content in the tissues of both species decreases from 85% to less than 65% whereas the content of mineral substances in dry body weight increases from 9<Vo to about 12%, at the time. Caloricity indices are high and increase during the development of nestlings. A particularly intense increase (from 0.8 kcal x g-1 to 2.2 kcal x g-1 ) characterizes calorific value of 1 gram of biomass.

Results from anthropometric measurements and examinations of physical fitness of the candidates for the Polish Polar Expeditions from 1976 till 1980 are presented. The authors suggest the necessity of introducing fixed norms of physical fitness in medical qualification of the candidates for polar expeditions.