Areas of barren rock and scree around the edge of Antarctica provide a breeding ground for two of the continent's most well-known species of bird: the south polar skua and the Adelie penguin. This book considers the relationship between these two species, taking as its study site Ross Island. The author challenges the traditional view, through detailed observations of the foraging ecology of the skua, that they are totally dependant on penguin eggs and chicks for food. In addition, studies of the impact of skuas on penguin breeding and the extent to which the skua breeding cycle is...

Ice exists in water, in air, in earth and in living organisms. The purpose of this book is to describe in mathematical, physical and biological terms, the growth and decay of ice, on a scale ranging from molecular to macroscopic. Consideration of the growth of ice in each of the above contexts provides a clearer understanding of the processes involved and results in a comprehensive overview not available elsewhere. This book will be of particular use to any graduate student, scientist or engineer requiring an introduction and reference for ice-related projects: theoretical or experimental; in...

A state-of-the-art account of research in algal production and utilization. The book explores in detail all steps of the subject, from the preparation of stock cultures to the growth in large outdoor ponds. Dr. Becker provides a compilation of the different methods employed worldwide for the artificial cultivation of different microalgae, including recipes for culture media, description of outdoor and indoor cultivation systems, as well as harvesting and processing methods.

The Arctic is characterized by strangely eroded rocks, special wind-formed lakes, sand dunes and loess deposits that owe their formation to aeolian processes controlled by snow cover and frost formation. This book presents a detailed description and explanation of these wind-generated polar landforms, modern-day as well as those preserved in the geological record. It is an important introduction to this area of geocryology and a useful reference for graduate students and researchers in geomorphology, geology and environmental science.

In the cold regions, freezing of the ground presents major geotechnical and environmental challenges. In Russia, oil and gas gives these regions special economic and geopolitical significance. After glasnost, it became evident that research there was more comprehensive but the problems far greater than elsewhere. This translation of a wide-ranging account of the effects of freezing and their importance for geotechnical undertakings, has been prepared by an international team of specialists. It makes available a uniquely readable and technically accurate review, especially valuable to...

Negotiations to create an International Arctic Science Committee have increased public awareness of issues involving the Arctic. This book provides a timely review of the situation from a social, political and human standpoint and provides an in-depth study of contemporary global controversies involving the Arctic. The authors describe the military, political and socio-economic conflicts emerging in the far north and consider the interests of the four major groups involved - the military, industry, natives, and environmentalists. Possible solutions are discussed, exploring US policy options,...

This book is the first to describe the development of scientific activity in the Antarctic (as distinct from exploration) in all its aspects. Coverage spans three centuries, starting with Halley who laid the foundations of geophysics which was to be the principal driving force behind Antarctic science for most of its history. Although early researchers built up a picture of the main features of the Antarctic environment, the idea of science specific to the continent emerged only later. As the main disciplines of oceanography, earth sciences, the sciences of atmosphere and geospace,...

This is a fascinating account of the history, geology and biology of Macquarie Island, a speck of land rising from the Southern Ocean, about 1,000 km southeast of Tasmania. The wild and beautiful island was declared a nature reserve in 1933 and possesses immense scientific interest because of its unique geological and biological features. A brief description of the island, its setting, the history of its discovery and subsequent human occupation precedes more detailed accounts of the geomorphology and Quaternary history, the vegetation, avifauna, mammals, microbiology, and marine and...

This Flora provides the first comprehensive description, with keys, of all known species and varieties of moss in the Antarctic biome. Containing detailed line drawings alongside information about their reproductive status, ecology and distribution, this is an invaluable resource for Antarctic botanists, and bryologists worldwide.

Examines the political and environmental questions raised by the potentially conflicting interests in the Antarctic.