The marine biological study carried out during the 25th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (1984/85) with special reference to the BIOMASS-oriented study

Abstract

The biological research group of the 25th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-25,1984/85) conducted the studies on (1) the dynamics of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, and (2) the ecology of krill and fish under the coastal fast ice in Lutzow-Holm Bay, which represent an activity in the last year of the three-year BIOMASS programme planned in the Japanese Antarctic Station, Syowa. Based on both field and laboratory experiments, new knowledges were obtained on the decomposition of particulate matter with special reference to the fate of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, and the ecology of notothenid fish, Trematomus bernachii and Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba under the fast ice. Oceanographical observations, including T, S, NH_3-N, NO_2-N, NO_3-N, PO_4-P, SiO_3-Si, D.O., PH and Chl. a measurements, and standard samplings of phytoplankton and zooplankton were made monthly at the 3 stations which had been fixed during the 3 year programme. Population censuses of Adelie penguin and Weddell seal were also included as a part of the programme. Besides the BIOMASS-oriented research, moss flora survey and monitoring of lake waters, soil bacteria and algae were also carried out at several definite lakes or points as a routine research programme.