We surveyed the southern elephant seal population at Heard Island regularly from February 1992 to March 1993, and determined the haulout patterns of the major components of the population. While haulout patterns of moulting and immature seals may give broad indices of population trends, the breeding haulout of adult females was the only reliable haulout that could be used to determine annual pup production. During the breeding season 14 277 adult females were counted. Raw counts were corrected using two models, one purely mathematical and the other based on the haulout behaviour of adult female seals. The two models have slightly different assumptions, but both provided good fits to the observed haulout patterns and estimated total population with a coefficient of variation of less than 5%. Total pup production was estimated at between 17 000 and 18 000 for 1992. Previous counts of elephant seals from 1949–51, 1985 and 1987 were corrected using the same models. The two models gave estimates of the population that were within ± 2.5% for all but one year. The population declined by about 50% between 1949 and 1985 but there appears to have been little change from 1985–92. The previous decline may be related to changes in sea-ice.

In order to infer the origin and the evolution of Antarctic Collembola, a correct phylogenetic analysis depicting relationships among Antarctic and non-Antarctic species is required. A preliminary assessment of the value of DNA sequences in reconstructing phylogenetic relationships among the Antarctic Isotoma klovstadi and other non-Antarctic species was carried out by sequencing one mitochondrial gene (Cytochrome c oxidase, subunit II) and two nuclear genes (a fragment of the 28S rDNA and the Elongation Factor-1α). Estimates of base composition heterogeneity revealed that in the two protein-coding genes (COII and EF-1α) 3rd codon position sites are compositionally very heterogeneous and the analysis of these two genes was therefore performed only on 1st and 2nd codon position sites. Phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Minimum Evolution revealed that the COII and the EF-1α genes are more suitable than the D3 fragment for the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships within the Family Isotomidae to which Isotoma and several other genera of Antarctic Collembola belong.

Amphipod crustaceans constituted 30% of the food biomass from the stomachs of Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata) captured at King George Island in three consecutive seasons. Five species of lysianassoid amphipods occurred in the material: Abyssorchomene plebs, Cheirimedon femoratus, Hippomedon kergueleni, Waldeckia obesa and Orchomenella rotundifrons. All these amphipods are known as necrophages inhabiting the upper and middle sublittoral of western Antarctic. They are commonly caught in masses in baited traps, but never occur in the littoral zone or in tidal pools. It is suggested that the source of the amphipod diet of S. vittata are seal or penguin carcasses and dead fish brought by waves to the tidal zone, serving as a bait for necrophagous amphipod crustaceans when submerged in water before stranding on the beach.

Mixing in Ellis Fjord, Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica, is controlled by processes which are influenced by the extent of ice formation. A study of water temperature and salinity at a site near the middle of the fjord was undertaken from May 1994 to February 1995 after a summer (1993–94) in which the ice cover of the fjord was largely retained. Vertical mixing resulting from the exclusion of salt during the limited winter formation of ice was insufficient to mix completely the non-meromictic basins of the fjord. In contrast, a previous study during a winter with far more ice production recorded much stronger vertical mixing throughout the fjord. Warming and freshening of the fjord during the 1994–95 summer, when the ice again did not melt significantly, was attributable to the flow of warmer, less saline water along the fjord. This process was probably related to the formation of tidal jets at the narrow and shallow entrance to the fjord, and was thus influenced by the ice conditions around the entrance. These jets would also have introduced significant amounts of extra-fjord water (along with any resident biota) into the fjord.

Thirty-four permanently stratified water bodies were identified in a survey of the Vestfold Hills. Of these, 21 were lakes, six were seasonally isolated marine basins (SIMBs), and seven were marine basins with year round connection to the open ocean. The basins varied markedly in salinity (4 g l−1 to 235 g l−1), temperature (−14°C to 24°C), depth (5 m to 110 m), area (3.6 ha to 146 ha) and surface level (−30 m to 29 m above sea level). The stratification in all the basins was maintained by increases in salinity. During winter, a thermohaline convection cell was present in all lakes and SIMBs directly beneath the ice cover. These cells were the result of brine exclusion from the forming ice, and increased in density throughout winter, penetrating progressively deeper into the lake. Minimum stability, and therefore the maximum likelihood of turnover, occurred at the time of maximum ice formation in spring. At the end of the period of ice formation, the convection cell broke down, and stratification of the surface water occurred. When the ice melted completely, lenses of relatively fresh water capped the lakes, which reduced the effect of wind mixing. Net meltwater input increased the stability of the meromictic basins, while periods of lower water level resulted in deeper penetration of the thermohaline convection cell, increasing the possibility of turnover and destratification.

Geophysical, structural, geomorphological, topographical and bathymetric data from the Hurd Peninsula area, Livingston Island, South Shetland archipelago, suggest that an extensional fault system, orientated NW–SE, together with a conjugate group of NE–SW normal oblique-slip faults, control the landforms in this area. These structures separate fault-bounded blocks of different heights, giving rise to a horstgraben structure. The depressed blocks were filled by glaciers and flooded in part by the sea. The recent movement of these faults can be established from the calculated isopachs of a small Quaternary sedimentary basin, related to this extensional fault system, which shows that sedimentary bed thickness is controlled mainly by the NE–SW fault system. Geomorphological analysis also shows that the NW–SE faults control the main morphostructures of this region. The character of the recent stress tensor has been established from fault-slip data, taking into account only those faults that are related to morphostructures. The calculated palaeostress tensor is extensional, with a N46°E main extension direction, and an average stress ratio of 0.17.

Cetacean observations were made from a platform of opportunity (a winter sea ice and oceanography research voyage) in Antarctic sea ice south of Tasmania. Minke whales and killer whales were sighted well within the sea ice. Minkes were found between 180–350 km south of the ice edge, while killer whales were nearly 450 km south of the ice edge. Minkes were sparsely distributed throughout the seasonal sea ice, even in areas of apparent total ice cover. Killer whales (including calves) were found at the northern edge of a major coastal polynya system. The winter sea ice is a complex and dynamic environment in which lead and polynya systems may enable travel and foraging by some cetacean species. While biological productivity is known to be reduced from summer levels, large numbers of seals, penguins – and possibly small numbers of whales – may be supported by krill and other biota intimately associated with the sea ice habitat during winter.

Surface and subsurface sediments from a helipad in Bunger Hills were collected ten years after accidental contamination with a small quantity (probably < 10 litres) of petroleum products. The contaminants are dominated by Jet A2 synthetic lubricating oil which exhibits no evidence of degradation or environmental mobility. In contrast, Jet A1 turbine kerosene is less abundant at the surface than at 20 cm depth. There is no evidence for biodegradation of the Jet A1 in the subsurface sample, suggesting that kerosene is environmentally mobile in the surface sediments.

Ichthyoplankton samples were collected during the November–December 1994 Italian Antarctic Oceanographic Cruise carried out to the western Ross Sea. A midwater trawl (Hamburg Plankton Net) was used to collect samples at 26 stations. Larval and juvenile specimens of 21 species belonging to six families (Artedidraconidae, Bathydraconidae, Channichthyidae, Macrouridae, Nototheniidae and Paralepididae) were caught from surface to 380 m depth. Mean relative abundance of larval fish in the whole area was about 2.7 specimens 1000 m−3 of filtered water. Pleuragramma antarcticum were the most abundant as postlarvae and juveniles. Larval and postlarval specimens of Chionodraco myersi were also abundant and widespread. The high number of Trematomus lepidorhinus (570 larvae) found in a single station off Terra Nova Bay (74°48′75“S, 164°36′90”E) was noteworthy. Our data demonstrate that the species diversity of the larval fish community in the western Ross Sea is much as found elsewhere in the Antarctic and show a greater abundance of fish larvae in inshore than in offshore waters.

A prominent volcaniclastic channel sandstone deposited by a landward-flowing sediment gravity flow is described from the Maastrichtian of Snow Hill Island in the northern Larsen Basin. The characteristics of this petrographically distinct event deposit appear to indicate a volcanic source to the east of Snow Hill Island, well away from the magmatic arc landmass which sourced the bulk of the Larsen Basin fill, suggesting minor off-axis intrabasinal volcanism in Maastrichtian to Paleogene times.

Examination of the holotype of Sipho gaini Lamy, 1910, attributed by recent authors to the genus Chlanidota (Buccinulidae), revealed that this species belongs to the genus Belaturricula and is a senior synonym of Belaturricula antarctica Dell, 1990. A redescription of the shell, anterior alimentary system, and radular morphology of Belaturricula gaini is provided. The genus Belaturricula is transferred to the family Conidae (sensu Taylor et al. 1993) on the basis of its radula, which is composed of hollow marginal teeth. The presence of a large shell, prominent operculum, acinous salivary glands, radular teeth with narrow bases in B. gaini, as well as the absence of buccal lips and rhyncodeal introvert, all indicate affinities with the conid subfamily Clathurellinae. Because the radula of Pontiothauma ergata Hedley (1916) is nearly indistinguishable from that of Belaturricula gaini, we reassign Hedley's species to the genus Belaturricula as Belaturricula ergata (Hedley, 1916).

The elephant seal populations breeding on the Îles Crozet and Kerguelen were regularly surveyed over the last three decades. At Îles Kerguelen the number of breeding females decreased at an annual rate of 3.6% between 1970 and 1987, then increased at an annual rate of 1.1% to 1997. At Îles Crozet, the population was reported to decrease at a rate of 5.35% between 1970 and 1990 but no change in numbers was found between 1990 and 1997. These results indicate that the rapid decline observed both at Îles Crozet and Îles Kerguelen has ended, and these populations are now either stable or slightly increasing. We suggest that broad scale change in environmental factors affecting the food availability for elephant seals may be responsible for the change in numbers of these marine predators. The higher rate of decrease, the longer period of decline, and the absence of any significant change between 1990 and 1997 observed on the Îles Crozet may be explained by additional factors such as killer whale predation.

Environmental conditions, both external to and within three shallow ponds of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, were measured over an annual cycle between January 1997 and January 1998. We combined this with a study of the response of the benthic microbial mat communities to the transition from summer conditions to winter freezing. Over the study period air temperature was above 0°C for a few days during summer. At this time pond temperatures were higher than air temperatures, with evidence of thermo-haline stratification. The shallow areas of ponds froze between late February and early March, with bottom waters in the deepest pond remaining unfrozen until early June. Minimum winter air temperatures were below −40°C. There was little evidence of freezing point depression due to freeze-concentration of solutes, except at the very bottom of ponds. In the most conductive pond investigated, the temperature of basal freezing was −4°C and conductivity did not exceed approximately 60 mS cm−1 immediately prior to freezing. Microbial mats remained photosynthetically active up to conductivities between 40 and 80 mS cm−1, and were able to acclimate to lowered irradiance associated with ice formation. Although photosynthesis and respiration were reduced by 11% and 40% respectively at temperatures of −2°C compared to 1°C, there was no difference in light harvesting efficiency. Results from this study suggest that light limitation of photosynthesis, or freezing, determine the growth season for the microbial communities, depending on depth.

Five species of myctophid fishes were collected by trawl from the Elephant Island region of the Antarctic Peninsula between 60°30′–62°S and 55°–61°30′W. Two species, Gymnoscopelus braueri and Krefftichthyes anderssoni were lipid-rich (406–456 mg g−1 dry weight whole fish) with wax esters (WE) the major lipid class. In three species, G. opisthopterus, G. nicholsi, and Electrona carlsbergii, triacylglycerols (TAG) were the major lipid. All fish had oily bones, with values up to 471 mg g−1 dry weight in the vertebral centra of K. anderssoni. The principal fatty acids of the TAG-rich myctophids included the monoenes 18:1(n-9) and 20:1. There were lower levels of 16:0 and 18:0 saturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were present at higher abundance in the TAG-rich E. carlsbergii and G. opisthopterus, with lower levels in G. nicholsi. In comparison, the WE-dominated species contained lower levels of PUFA than in the TAG-rich species. The principal fatty acids of the WE-rich myctophids included the monoenes 18:1(n-9), 16:1(n-7), and 18:1(n-7), with lower levels of the saturated acids 16:0 and 18:0. Fatty alcohols were dominated by 16:0 and 14:0 and the monounsaturated 18:1(n-9) with 16:1(n-7), 18:1(n-7), and 20:1(n-9). Based on the fatty acid profiles, the diet of G. opishtopterus and G. nicholsi, previously thought to be mainly Euphausia superba, is suggested to include copepods and other zooplankton with only a minor krill component, possibly consisting of other species than E. superba.

Mount Willing in the Prince Charles Mountains (East Antarctica) is part of the Fisher Volcano–plutonic complex which formed as part of the global-scale Grenvillian mobile belt system. Mount Willing is composed of four rock complexes: 1) a metamorphic sequence, 2) gabbro intrusions, 3) deformed felsic intrusives, and 4) abundant post-metamorphic dykes and veins. Three rock types constitute the metamorphic sequence: amphibole–biotite felsic plagiogneiss, mafic to intermediate biotite–amphibole schist, and biotite paragneiss. The bulk composition of the mafic schists classifies them as tholeiitic basalts, and rarely as basaltic andesites or andesites. Index mg ranges widely from 47 to 71. Concentrations of TiO2, P2O5, and high-field strength elements are high in some rocks. These rocks are thought to have been derived from enriched (subcontinental) mantle sources. Sm–Nd and U–Pb isotopic data indicate a series of Mesoproterozoic thermal events between 1100 and 1300 Ma. In particular, these events occurred at 1289 ± 10 Ma (volcanic activity), at 1177 ± 16 Ma (tonalite intrusion), at 1112.7 ± 2.4 and at 1009 ± 54 Ma (amphibolite facies metamorphic events). Rb–Sr systematics also indicates a thermal overprint at 636 ± 13 Ma. Mafic schists show low initial 877Sr/86Sr ratios between 0.7024 and 0.7030. Felsic rocks show higher Sri values between 0.7037 and 0.7061. Basaltic andesite metavolcanic and plutonic rocks form a calc-alkaline evolutionary trend, and probably originated from subduction-modified mantle sources in a convergent plate margin environment. An oceanic basin may have existed in central Prince Charles Mountains about 1300 Ma ago and was closed as a result of continental collision around 1000 to 800 Ma.

Magnetic anomaly mapping is used to interpret crustal structure and tectonic evolution of Victoria Land and of the adjacent Ross Sea. Previous interpretation of magnetic anomalies verified seismic and gravimetric findings in the Ross Sea by placing additional constraints both on crustal structure and magmatism of the West Antarctic rift system. An aeromagnetic map of the central-southern part of Victoria Land produced in the framework of the GITARA project, provides new crustal images of part of the Transantarctic Mountains rift shoulder. The map was interpreted to study the transition between the Wilson Terrane and the Precambrian East Antarctic Craton, the extent and distribution of Jurassic tholeiitic magmatism, and the occurrence of post- Jurassic faulting oblique to the rift basins. A compilation with adjacent aeromagnetic data was recently used to study the structures inherited from the Palaeozoic terranes and their reactivation as major fault zones separating different crustal blocks along the TAM rift shoulder. Additional aeromagnetic coverage over a 35 500 km2 sector of northern Victoria Land was acquired during the GITARA 5 (1996/97) survey. The flight altitude was 9000 ft and profile line spacing was 4.4 km for the regional grid and 2.2 km for the detailed one, with a tie line interval of 22 km. Standard processing techniques, optimized with microlevelling procedures were applied to the data to produce a 1:250 000 magnetic anomaly map. The processed GITARA 5 magnetic dataset is a new tool to study the structure of the Rennick Graben, and its relationship to the Palaeozoic Wilson Terrane-Bowers Terrane and Robertson Bay Terrane suture zone. The new map also represents important progress towards a magnetic anomaly compilation over the whole of Victoria Land, since it links previous efforts near the Pacific Coast with those near the Ross Sea.

Deposition of the Upper Cambrian succession of the Ellsworth Mountains was influenced by major, episodic tectonically-driven changes to the depositional basin geometry. We subdivide the succession into four stratigraphical sequences based on the recognition of three sequence-bounding unconformities. The upper part of Sequence 1 is composed of the laterally equivalent Liberty Hills, Springer Peak and Frazier Ridge formations, a siliciclastic fluvial to marine deltaic association displaying NW-directed palaeocurrents. A switch in the position of the Late Cambrian depocentre from the north-west to the south coincided with cessation of terrigenous clastic deposition and accumulation of Sequence 2, the limestones of the Minaret Formation. Previously unreported talus breccias from the Independence Hills provide important clues to basin configuration at this time. A brief period of emergence of the Minaret Formation is inferred, prior to rapid subsidence and disconformable deposition of Sequence 3 (the ‘transition beds’) in outer-inner shelf environments. Localized intra-basinal uplift occurred prior to the deposition of Sequence 4 (the lower Crashsite Group), the base of which is locally an erosive unconformity, with a correlative conformity exposed elsewhere. We interpret the Upper Cambrian succession as representing the ‘rift-drift’ transition from initial rifting (preceded by Middle Cambrian volcanism) to thermal subsidence along the South African sector of the palaeo-Pacific margin of Gondwana.

Dust bands in the blue-ice of the Frontier Mountain meteorite trap (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica) were previously reported as upthrust basal debris. Four of them have now been sampled at Frontier Mountain and Lichen Hills. The absence of local rocks and sedimentary fragments, the ubiquitous abundant volcanic glass with no evidence for abrasion, the igneous minerals, the chemical compositions of glass and minerals and the bulk chemical compositions indicate that they are volcanic ash bands (tephra) and not glacial debris. Although hardly distinguishable in the field, the different volcanic ash bands are discriminated using mineralogical and chemical data, as well as particle size, abundance and vesicularity of glass. Chronological constraints, particle size and chemical compositions localize the source for the Frontier Mountain and Lichen Hills tephra within the recent activity of the Mount Melbourne Volcanic Province in northern Victoria Land; possible emission centres are the Pleiades (40 ± 50 ka to 3 ± 14 ka) and/or Mount Rittmann (3.97 Ma to present).

Estimates of births and standing age-distributions were combined to estimate the size of the southern elephant seal population at Marion Island at various times during its decline. To estimate births each year from 1986 through 1997 we used the number of adult females hauled out on 15 October, which is the peak haulout date for breeding elephant seal females at all breeding sites in the Indian Ocean. A conversion factor (3.15) was derived from the standing age-distributions, and applied to estimates of annual births to yield total population size. The population at Marion Island declined 37.5% overall from 1986–97 at an annual rate of 4.3% from 1986–91 and c. 2.5% yr−1 afterwards.