A gravity survey was conducted on the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica, during the 2004–05 summer season. The aim of the study was to investigate the subsurface geology of the Windmill Islands area. Ninety-seven gravity stations were established. Additionally, 49 observations from a survey in 1993–94 were re-reduced and merged with the 2004–05 data. A three-dimensional subsurface model was constructed from the merged gravity dataset to determine the subsurface geology of the Windmill Islands. The main country rock in the Windmill Islands is a Garnet-bearing Granite Gneiss. A relatively dense intrusive charnockite unit, the Ardery Charnockite, generates the dominant gravity high of the study area and has been modelled to extend to depths of 7–13 km. It has moderate to steep contacts against the surrounding Garnet-bearing Granite Gneiss. The Ardery Charnockite surrounds a less dense granite pluton, the Ford Granite, which is modelled to a depth of 6–12 km and creates a localized gravity low. This granitic pluton extends at depth towards the east. The modelling process has also shown that Mitchell Peninsula is linked to the adjacent Law Dome ice cap by an ‘ice ramp’ of approximately 100 m thickness.

In the United States there has been a move afoot to try to stimulate federally funded investigators to explore meaningful ways of communicating their scientific activities through educational outreach programs. The goal is to help improve the quality of mathematics and science education in both early and secondary education. Dr Rita Colwell, the current Director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), feels strongly that the time has come for higher education to do its part to help improve precollege science education, a persistent problem in the United States and many other industrialized countries. After all, institutions of higher education stand to benefit by seeing students enter college with sound fundamental science skills, and the taxpayers, who ultimately fund national science programs, benefit from an economy fuelled by both renewed and improved scientific talent.

Burrow-nesting seabirds constitute an important part of seabird diversity, yet accurate estimates of their abundance are largely lacking, limiting our understanding of their population dynamics and conservation status. We conducted a survey to estimate the number of South Georgia diving petrel (Pelecanoides georgicus) burrows during the 2013–14 breeding season on Ile de la Possession, Crozet archipelago, southern Indian Ocean. We used distance sampling and acoustic playback in order to estimate burrow densities in a priori-selected favourable nesting areas. A total of 855 burrows were detected. The mean altitude of burrows was 601.8 ± 69.4 m. The mean burrow detection distance was 1.77 ± 1.63 m. The burrow density was estimated at 15.649 burrows ha-1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.245–23.903) and the slope-corrected total favourable area was 2365.53 ha, which yielded an estimate 37 018 burrows (95% CI: 24 235–56 544). The playback response rate was 15.8 ± 1.3%, and 40.8 ± 1.7% of burrows were occupied or showed signs of occupation. Occupancy rates were low compared to those measured by systematic burrow inspection in other studies. Assuming that laying occurred in 80–93% of the estimated number of burrows, as estimated by previous studies, gives an estimate of 29 614 (95% CI: 19 388–45 235) to 34 426 (95% CI: 22 538–52 585) breeding pairs.

Unusual mafic rock fragments deposited in Plio-Pleistocene-aged marine sediments were recorded at Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site U1359, in Wilkes Land, East Antarctica. These fragments were identified from sediment layers deposited between c. 3 and 1.2 Ma, indicating a sustained supply during this time interval. Clinopyroxenes in these basalts are Al–Ti diopside–hedenbergite, uncommon in terrestrial magmatic rocks. A single strong peak in the Raman spectra of a phosphate-bearing mineral at 963 cm-1 supports the presence of merrillite. Although not conclusive, petrological traits and oxygen isotopic compositions also suggest that the fragments may be extra-terrestrial fragments affected by shock metamorphism. Nevertheless, it is concluded that the basaltic fragments incorporated in marine sediments at Site U1359 represent ice-rafted material supplied to the continental rise of East Antarctica, probably from the bedrocks near the proximal Ninnis Glacier. Further studies on Plio-Pleistocene sediments near Site U1359 are required to characterize the unusual mafic rocks described.

Two specimens of Dolichiscus spinosetosus were collected by means of an Agassiz trawl and a small dredge in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. This species is characterized by a large number of strong spines on the dorsal side, some of these possessing tubercular tips. The dorsum is characterized by many smaller and shorter blunt spines and numerous long simple setae all over the body (on spines, pereonites and pleotelson). Dolichiscus acanthaspidus Schultz, 1981 is the taxon most closely related to this new species, but the new species has more setae and tubercular spines on all parts of the body and two caudolateral spines instead of one behind the supraocular ones.

A physical oceanographic, geophysical and marine geological survey of Edward VIII Gulf, Kemp Coast, collected data from conductivity–temperature–depth casts, multi-beam bathymetric swath mapping and 3.5 kHz sub-bottom surveying. Modified circumpolar deep water (mCDW) is observed in Edward VIII Gulf, as well as notable bathymetric features including mega-scale glacial lineations and a 1750 m-deep trough. Sedimentological, geochemical, rock-magnetic and micropalaeontological analysis of two kasten cores document regional palaeoclimate and palaeo-oceanographic conditions over the past 8000 years, with a warm period occurring from c. 8 to 4 ka and a shift to cooler conditions beginning at c. 4 ka and persisting until at least 0.9 ka. Sediment packages > 40 m thick within deep troughs in Edward VIII Gulf present potential targets for higher-resolution Holocene and deglacial climate studies. Despite the presence of mCDW on the shelf, inland bed topography consisting of highland terrain suggests the likelihood of relative stability of this sector of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Benthic hydrozoans are one of the most speciose and characteristic taxa from the Antarctic region, with a high number of endemic species, but diversity at the genus level is low and some families with world wide distribution are unrepresented. This is the case of the family Aglaopheniidae. A new species to science of the genus Aglaophenia Lamouroux has been found in the eastern end of the Weddell Sea, at depths of 65–116 m, within the material obtained by the German Antarctic expedition ANT XV/3. This finding constitutes a new record for the Weddell Sea fauna, the first evidence of the genus for the Polar Regions, and even the family Aglaopheniidae from Antarctic waters. The material has been accurately examined and described. Literature concerning the species of Aglaophenia from the sub-Antarctic and other close areas has been reviewed and, as a result, a checklist of 20 species, with their corresponding distribution, is given. The material examined does not agree with any of the species and therefore it is described as a new species. Some possible scenarios for the presence of an aglaopheniid in Antarctic waters are discussed (e.g. alien species, relict, global climate change, microhabitat).

The first fossil stylasterid from Antarctic is reported from La Meseta Formation (Telm1: Early Eocene) of Seymour Island (Antarctic Peninsula): Conopora mariae sp. nov. This also is the earliest reliable fossil record of the genus Conopora. Conopora mariae differs from congeners by having much larger cyclosystems (diameter 2.5–4.5 mm). Cyclosystems of that size are exceptional among the Stylasteridae.

The poly-deformed Priestley schist (Wilson Terrane) of north Victoria Land, Antarctica ranges in metamorphic grade from lower greenschist facies to upper amphibolite facies. All grades of schist have been affected by structurally controlled retrogressive H2O-CO2 fluids with 45–70 mole % CO2. The fluids have deposited quartz-carbonate veins with pyrite and chlorite or biotite in late stage structures. Veins typically constitute < 1% of the rock mass, but in one greenschist facies area > 10% of the rock is vein. Veins in higher grade schists have been boudinaged after formation, and many have been annealed. Primary fluid inclusions are preserved in veins in biotite zone schists in two localities. At one locality, entrapment of immiscible fluids (water with c. 8 and 45 mole % CO2) occurred during vein formation, at about 280–300°C and 700 ± 200 bars fluid pressure. The aqueous fluid is slightly saline (4 wt % NaCl equivalent). At the other primary fluid inclusion locality, veins were formed from a single phase fluid (c. 70 mole % CO2) at 200–350°C and 1600 ± 500 bars fluid pressure. Both these vein systems are inferred to have formed between 2 and 8 km depth, near the brittle-ductile transition. Retrogressive fluid mobility and vein formation occurred throughout schist in the Priestly metamorphic complex during uplift in the latter part of the Ross Orogeny (c. 490 Ma), following near-isobaric cooling at metamorphic depths.

Mucosal immunity of Indian Antarctic personnel was analysed during the 34th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) by ship voyage. Serum and salivary IgA, IgA1 and IgA2 levels along with salivary cortisol and TGF-β were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Samples were collected at three different time points (T1, T2 and T3) during the expedition. Serum and salivary IgA, IgA1 and IgA2 concentrations incrementally increased towards the end of the expedition as compared to the beginning of the expedition. Salivary IgA and TGF-β levels were significantly altered during the expedition. Levels of IgA1 (P = 0.0007) and IgA2 (P = 0.0135) increased significantly at T3 as compared to T1. Additionally, significant changes in serum IgA were observed, with peak levels at T3 (P = 0.0015) and T2 (P < 0.001). However, the level of serum IgA2 was also significantly altered at T3 (P < 0.05) and T2 (P = 0.0006) in comparison with T1. The exact cause of the changes in serum and salivary IgA, IgA1, IgA2 and TGF-β levels during the summer expedition are unknown; however, the changes are evident in mucosal immunity.

The submarine channel-fill system of the Cambrian Spurs Formation exhibits unique metre-scale cycles of breccia and diamictite. The studied sections, Eureka Spurs, are located at the Mariner Glacier in the central-eastern part of northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. A facies analysis of the channel-fill deposit has led to the recognition of four main lithofacies: breccia, diamictite, thin-bedded sandstone and mudstone. The channel-fill deposit consists of two architectural elements: hollow-fill (HF) and sheet-like (SL) elements. The SL has wide convex-up geometry and consists solely of a very thick bed of diamictite, and is interpreted as a submarine channel lobe. The HF has a concave-up erosional base and flat upper surface. The HF consists of nine cyclic alternations of underlying breccia (cohesionless debris flow) and overlying diamictite (cohesive debris flow). The deposition of breccia is interpreted to have been controlled by repeated allogenic processes such as earthquakes. In contrast, the abrupt vertical transition from breccia to diamictite in each cycle is interpreted to have resulted from an autogenic, slope instability-related process. The interaction of the allogenic and autogenic factors recorded in the metre-scale unique cyclic deposits provides new criteria to interpret cycles of submarine debris flow.

As Antarctic Science enters its fifth year, it is time to assess progress and review the opportunities for Antarctic research in the coming years. The journal appears to have filled a useful niche, established arange of regular (and irregular!) contributors, and is taken by the majority of major polar libraries world-wide. Quality of production has improved with new equipment but rate of publication has fallen with increasing numbers of acceptable contributions. Cross-disciplinary papers have been few — but perhaps that is because few Antarctic scientists have undertaken the challenge of cross-disciplinary studies? Glaciology and most aspects of atmospheric sciences are still under-represented.

Our first special issue on the palynology of James Ross Island has been well received and a second, on a Southern Ocean cephalopod symposium, is planned for 1994. These special issues are a bonus to subcribers who get the extra pages free. The editors are keen to receive proposals for other special issues with offers of appropriate funding.

The Antarctic seaspider Pentanymphon antarcticum is a benthic species in the Southern Ocean, but little is known about its pathogen profile. In this study, we provide a draft genome for a new iridovirus species that has been identified using metagenomic techniques. The draft genome totals 157 260 bp and encodes 188 protein-coding genes. The virus shows greatest protein similarity to a ‘carnivorous sponge-associated iridovirus’ from a deep-sea sponge host. This study represents the first discovery of a pycnogonid iridovirus and the first iridovirus from the Antarctic region.

Individual trophic specialization (ITS) refers to the trophic diversification amongst individuals within a population. The gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is considered a trophic generalist at the population level, but little is known about its individual trophic differentiation. We assessed the degree of ITS at one of its main breeding colonies: Ardley Island, South Shetland Islands. We used skin from 19 dead individuals to determine species and sex by molecular methods and a nail for stable isotope analysis of δ15N and δ13C. Isotopic niche metrics and ITS were estimated for the population and for each sex. We found a moderately high degree of ITS associated with the trophic position of the resources consumed (δ15N) for the population and both sexes, as well as a moderate degree of ITS in the foraging habitat (δ13C) for the population and females. Females showed a higher exclusive niche area, suggesting that they use resources and foraging areas that males do not, probably related to reproductive energy demands. Given the high population density of this species, ITS could function as a mechanism to decrease intraspecific competition. This combination of genetic and isotopic tools allowed us to provide relevant information on the trophic ecology of the gentoo penguin without manipulating animals or using invasive methods.

The western Antarctic Peninsula is facing rapid environmental changes and many recent publications stress the need to gain new knowledge regarding ecosystems responses to these changes. In the framework of the Belgica 121 expedition, we tested the use of a nimble vessel with a moderate environmental footprint as an approach to tackle the urgent needs of the Southern Ocean research community in terms of knowledge regarding the levels of marine biodiversity in shallow areas and the potential impacts of retreating glaciers on this biodiversity in combination with increasing tourism pressure. We discuss the strengths and drawbacks of using a 75’ (23 m) sailboat in this research framework, as well as its sampling and environmental efficiency. We propose that the scientific community considers this approach to 1) fill specific knowledge gaps and 2) improve the general coherence of the research objectives of the Antarctic scientific community in terms of biodiversity conservation and the image that such conservation conveys to the general public.