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The Antarctic environment is unique. This remote continent is isolated from the rest of the world by the strong Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the Southern Ocean. Both Antarctica and the surrounding ocean play important roles in regulating global oceanic and atmospheric circulation. Additionally, anthropogenic activities have an impact on Antarctica. The rapid increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations since the industrial revolution has been shown to disturb the natural climactic patterns. During our expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula from the 14th to the 28th of February, 2011, we studied the Southern Ocean through oceanographic sampling, including water sampling, Secchi depth measurements, and temperature and salinity measurements using a conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) probe. Salinity was noted to play a significant role in water stratification, with salinity increasing with depth. It is thought that salinity is primarily influenced by inputs of fresh water from melting ice. Water temperatures also varied between sites around the peninsula, depending upon several factors, including the amount of incoming solar radiation, proximity to land, and presence of glaciers or sea ice. In general, temperature was observed to decrease with depth. Through this research, we hoped to gain a nuanced understanding of the Southern Ocean and its current interaction with the natural and human environment.

Katrina Adams, Nehal Al Tonobey, Zoe Baker, Christopher Barrett, Dominique de Groot, Mya Sherman,

Tanya Taggart-Hodge, Audrey Yank, Carly Ziter