Program Leader's Progress Report for Geosciences to the Antarctic Science Advisory Committee for the 2000-01 Antarctic Season

Dr Philip O'Brien Australian Geological Survey Organisation

Goal 1 - Maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and Enhance Australia's Influence within the System.

Geosciences: The ANARE Geoscience Program is connected to similar research by other Antarctic nations through the Geology, Solid Earth Geophysics, and Geodesy and Geographic Information Working Groups of SCAR. Other international geoscience research programs include International Geosphere-Biosphere Program, Past Global Environment Changes Program (IGBP PAGES), and the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, the Scientific Committee on Ocean Research -International Marine Global Change Study program, and the Oceans Drilling Project.

Key Scientific Outputs

Involvement in setting the direction of international scientific programs and forums relating to Antarctic issues, and contributing to their outcomes

Assessment Milestones

• Australian/Italian Marine geological survey off George V Land provides multichannel seismic data for Antarctic Offshore Stratigraphy (ANTOSTRAT) and offshore sediment core records for Late Quarternary Sedimentary Record of the Antarctic Ice Margin (ANTIME) (2000).
• Provide details of particle fluxes in the Southern Ocean (JGOFS) (2001)
• Collect sediment cores from Antarctic shelf basins and along AMISOR transect (ANTIME) (2002)
• Provide 400 kyr palaeoenvironmental chronology (IMAGES) from South Tasman Rise and Chatham Rise (2003)
• Provide ANTEC with GPS data relating to vertical and lateral motions of east Antarctica (2001-2005).
• Research Output achieved against the strategic plan
• Results of Australian/Italian survey on the George V margin are appearing and the main product will be a special issue of Deep Sea Research. Manuscripts are due for submission in November 2001.
• Particle fluxes in the Southern Ocean - The work originally planned relating to the flux of benthic foraminifera is finished and partly published in Deep Sea Research. Other papers are in review and a PhD thesis is nearing completion. The work has been extended to include diatoms.
• Collection of cores from Antarctic shelf basins and AMISOR transect - Existing cores are under study and first gravity core from below the Amery Ice Shelf collected. Cores collected on US survey are being studied but not by Australian participants (see below).
• Palaeoenvironmental records form the South Tasman and Chatham - Good progress on core sample processing with records extending back to 780 ka.
• GPS data being collected. There were some difficulties with access to remote sites because helicopters were grounded.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities

N.B. Palmer (US research icebreaker) survey took place. It was originally conceived as a joint program with Australian cash or in kind contributions and Ian Goodwin and Phil O'Brien plus students participating. We developed this project as a means of getting access to multibeam sonar in areas of importance to us. We were unable to fund the contribution to costs and Goodwin and O'Brien had to go on other Antarctic projects so the two students went with 'agreement' that they would get multibeam sonar and seismic data and core samples to work on.

The US Principle Investigators on survey changed the focus somewhat, visiting the George V Land, Kemp Land and Wilhem II Land margins as well as Prydz Bay. Since the survey they have not been as forthcoming with data and samples as originally agreed. We eventually have received multibeam data from the George V shelf and a seismic line from Prydz Bay so one student is proceeding with a project based on it.

The survey was successful in obtaining data but has served to illustrate the loss of control that comes from cooperative surveys when our interest becomes too dilute.

Goal 2 - To Protect the Antarctic Environment

Geosciences: A precondition to the protection of the Antarctic environment is a working knowledge of processes and interactions between its physical, chemical and biological components. Similarly, management and conservation of the Antarctic coastal and shelf ecosystem depends on a thorough knowledge of the interactions between the physical environment and biological processes.

For example, relationships between penguin rookeries, polynyas and bedrock oases have received some attention in recent In other areas, such as the interactions between marine benthic communities and the geology of the seabed and oceanographic regimes, the relationships are poorly understood.

Seafloor mapping (including bathymetry and sonar backscatter and combined geological-biological seafloor sampling programs) provide essential information required by Government to successfully manage the coastal and shelf environments of the AAT and around the sub-Antarctic Islands. A regional geochemical database on the surface environment of the Vestfold and Bunger Hills is available on-line via the AAD's web page. A key element of the program will be the ANARE marine geoscience surveys and onshore geological sampling and mapping projects. Studies of seabed mobility and sediment dynamics are also important factors for delimiting benthic habitats and communities.

Key Scientific Outputs

Production of geological maps of coastal outcrops, maps of seafloor bathymetry, sediment types and seabed mobility for ecosystem regionalisation and management purposes.

Assessment Milestones

• Provide new bathymetry and seafloor sediment type data through marine geological survey off George V Land, in conjunction with Italy (2000).
• Complete preliminary regionalisation of the AAT shelf produced using sediment-modelling results for surface swell waves (2000).
• Australian Geological Survey Organisation publishes new geological map of the Vestfold Hills. Geological mapping carried out on Heard Island (2001).
• Sub-ice shelf sediments sampled for comparison with water circulation models as part of the Amery Ice Shelf/Ocean Research project (2001)
• Undertake swath bathymetry and sonar backscatter mapping of inner Prydz Bay and Prydz trough mouth fan (2002).
• Complete combined marine benthic community and seabed sediments survey around Heard Island (2004).
• Undertake swath bathymetry and sonar backscatter mapping in Prydz Bay, Mac.Robertson Shelf and Vincennes Bay (2004-2005).
• Regionalisation of the Prydz Bay shelf produced using bathymetry, sediment types and sediment modelling results for surface swell waves, tides and ocean currents (2005).

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

• New bathymetry map of George V Land produced. Sea bed sediment data was produce last year and is now being extended using acoustic data collected on the Palmer survey.
• Regionalisation based on sediment transport modelling - Preliminary regionalisation based on swell waves published in Marine Geology as part of a global study in 1998. More detailed work underway.
• Northern Vestfold Hills map published, printed and provided for the 8^th International Antarctic Earth Sciences Symposium volume (Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin 35). First field season on Heard Island completed. We are working to improve the capture of field geological data by University and other researchers. There will be a workshop in April aimed at producing a new GIS of the Amery Oasis area, Northern Prince Charles Mountains.
• Sediment samples from the front of the Amery Ice Shelf were obtained and a core collected beneath the ice shelf. Further cores will be attempted this coming season.
• A certain amount of multibeam data were collected on the N.B. Palmer survey but it is not clear whether we will get access to the Prydz Bay data (see comments above).

Goal 3 - To Understand the Role of Antarctica in the Global Climate System

Geosciences: Antarctica has been glaciated for at least the last 25 million years (Ma) and during this time there have been several climatic episodes which have seen the ice sheet dramatically change its size. In order to understand the relative stability of the modern Antarctic ice sheet and to better differentiate between 'natural' and anthropogenic climate change processes, Antarctica's Quaternary palaeoenvironmental history (ie the last 2 Ma) must first be understood. Key areas of technological development of direct interest are the sub-ice shelf drilling capability developed at Cape Roberts in the Ross Sea and new radiometric dating techniques that will provide more accurate and higher resolution geochronologies from onshore and offshore deposits.

Submarine valleys and basins perched on the inner to middle continental shelf are traps for biogenic sediments that have accumulated there in the Late Quaternary to considerable thicknesses. These deposits will continue to be examined over the next several years to provide high-resolution records of environmental change along the Antarctic continental margin.

The Prydz trough mouth fan, at the mouth of the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system, through which about 20 per cent of the East Antarctic ice-sheet is drained, has the most extensive offshore sedimentary sequence found in East Antarctica. Seismic data from the Prydz trough mouth fan shows that this deposystem contains a ~1 km thick Plio-Pleistocene sequence, which is the target for ocean drilling in 2000.

The large southern massifs of the Prince Charles Mountains are mantled by glacial deposits that are thought to reflect previous higher levels of the Lambert Glacier and its tributaries. Some of these deposits may provide crucial evidence in the glaciological studies of the Lambert Glacier system and evidence on the question of the stability of the East Antarctic ice sheet during the Pliocene.

Key Scientific Outputs

Identification of undisturbed sediments on the continental margin and adjacent ocean basins using high-resolution seismic, sonar swath mapping and sediment coring techniques

Assessment Milestones

• Provide seismic profiles and core samples of shelf and slope deposits through marine geological survey off George V Land in conjunction with Italy (2000).
• Undertake swath bathymetry mapping and high-resolution seismic survey of Prydz trough mouth fan and inner shelf basins (2002).
• Undertake swath bathymetry mapping and high-resolution seismic survey of AAT shelf environments (2004-2005).
• Produce high-resolution isotopic, sedimentological and palaeontological Plio-Pleistocene records from samples collected from glacial deposits on the continent and sub-Antarctic islands, from onshore lakes, coastal fjords and glacio-marine sediments on the continental margins and in the adjacent ocean basins.

Assessment Milestones

• Preliminary comparison of ice-core records with Vincennes Bay marine sediment cores to compile initial onshore/offshore event chronology and palaeo-environmental reconstructions (2000).
• Complete ODP drilling of Prydz Bay shelf and Prydz trough mouth fan (2000).
• Produce palaeo-environmental records from coastal and fjord from Windmill Islands for comparison with Law Dome ice core records (2001).
• Provide high resolution geochronologies over the past century from lake sediment cores from the Vestfold Hills for correlation with ice core chronologies (2003).
• Prydz Bay ODP stratigraphic record coupled with seismic data used to generate first Plio-Pleistocene sediment discharge time series for the Lambert glacier system (2002).
• Document glacial history of the Bunger Hills area by studies of glacial tills and geomorphology (2002)
• Provide regional time series of palaeoproductivity, sea ice extent and ice sheet fluctuations from long piston cores collected from shelf basins in Prydz Bay and the Mac.Robertson shelf (2003).
• Palaeoenvironmental history from Beaver Lake and Loewe Massif deposits. (2004).
• Construct models for Antarctic glacial history as demonstrated in the Prydz Bay to Prince Charles Mountains region are formulated and tested elsewhere in Antarctica (2004-2005).

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

• Comments on George V Land survey and Palmer multibeam as above. Further comments on the future of multibeam surveys below.
• Vincennes Bay core data published.
• Ocean Drilling Program drilling in Prydz Bay - Initial Results Volume published. Conference papers have been presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting in December 2000 and ANTOSTRAT (Antarctic Offshore Stratigraphy) Symposium in September 2001. Final papers are due in July 2002.
• Windmill Island cores - Some results for the Windmill Island palaeoenvironmental record are published. At the Progress report time, lab work was continuing. It should be close to completion.
• Lake sampling project has been approved for 2002/03 season.
• Sediment discharge time series of the Lambert-Amery Glacier system - Seismic interpretation is complete. ODP hole chronology still being worked on.Ties to seismic data nearly complete.
• Bunger Hills glacial history - The main results are in a paper in press (Geology). More detailed descriptions of results will be submitted in 2002.
• Long piston cores - These were collected by the N.B. Palmer (see above).
• Beaver Lake and Loewer Massif palaleoenvironmental history - Field work on Cainozoic deposits occurred last season and a project proposal on Pleistocene deposits and lake coring has been ranked highly by the Physical Sciences ARAC.

Goal 4 - To Undertake Work of Practical, Economic and National Significance

Geosciences: Monitoring of earthquake and human-induced seismicity, and of fluctuations of the Earth's magnetic field are activities of practical and national significance. Seismological monitoring relates to implementation of Australia's role in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the scientific question posed by the fact that continental Antarctica is unusual in appearing to be devoid of earthquake activity.

The aim of SCAR's Antarctic Neogene Tectonic program is to document the movement of Antarctica in three dimensions by employing modern GPS. Data will be used to calculate the viscosity of the mantle below the continent margin and it will be possible to measure the uplift of such features as the Transantarctic Mountains and assess its significance in the development and variation of the continent's glaciation.

Collaborative geodynamics research teams of structural geologists and isotope geochronologists are generating new ideas on geomorphology and neotectonics. The climatic consequences of the uplift of mountain ranges are of particular interest, as is the effect of bedrock terrain on patterns of ice flow. A collaborative program with German scientists in the Prince Charles Mountains (PCMEGA) will provide baseline topographic information for onset of Antarctic glaciation in the Cainozoic. This work, on a mountain range that was once fused with southern Australian mountains, will provide information on deep crustal processes that cannot be obtained in Australia, of value to the Australian mining industry.

Identification of cratonic units will be aided by airborne geophysical studies including radio echosounding and aeromagnetic/gravity surveys. The SCAR/International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy database shows clearly that the AAT is a large part of the data gap for the continent. Marine magnetic and gravity data will help gain an understanding of the status of the ocean floor between Australia and Antarctica.

Key Scientific Outputs

Monitoring of natural and man-made geophysical phenomena is carried out for safety of navigation and to support the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Assessment Milestones

• Geophysical monitoring is carried out successfully (2000-2005).
• Measurement of vertical and lateral movements of the Antarctic continent

Assessment Milestones

• GPS and Very Long Baseline Interferometry and geophysical data at the ANARE stations and at selected points on the Antarctic continent are collected (2000-2005).
• Timing initial seafloor spreading between Antarctica and India through the collection and identification of magnetic M-sequence data from critical areas in AAT to develop a new plate tectonic model for the Mesozoic rifting and break-up of a critical part of Gondwana using combined magnetic anomaly, fracture zone and onshore geology data (2000-2005).
• Production of geological and geophysical maps of coastal outcrops and the continental shelf of the AAT, maps of basement geology showing the major structures that potentially influenced Cainozoic tectonics and uplift history.

Assessment Milestones

• Results of radiometric dating of key areas (c. 550 Ma rocks in Prydz Bay; c. 1000 Ma samples from the northern Prince Charles Mountains (PCM) and Oygarden Group; Archaean and Proterozoic rocks from the southern PCM constrain the geological history of these areas and any role of super-continent assembly (2001).
• Re-interpretation of the tectonic setting of Macquarie Island and related plate motions (2002).
• Collaboration with Japan results in new geochronological framework for Enderby Land (2002).
• Geological sampling and mapping on Heard Island coupled with results from ODP drilling and AGSO seismic surveys constrain the geological history of Kerguelen Plateau (2002-2003).
• PCMEGA field season in the southern Prince Charles Mountains is carried out (2002-2003).
• Geophysical surveying of the onshore AAT using airborne gravity and aeromagnetic techniques to identify cratonic units and yield information on the isostatic balance of the crust and shape of the geoid in the AAT region

Assessment Milestones

• Geophysical airborne reconnaissance surveying is conducted over the AAT (2002-2005).
• Interpretation of results and production of maps (2004-2005)

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

• Geophysical monitoring continues successfully.
• GPS monitoring continues at stations and a number of remote sites. Heard Island was visited. The number of remote sites occupied was less than planned because of helicopter groundings. This should be redressed in the next 2 seasons with possible deployments piggy backed on PCMEGA logistics.
• Sea floor spreading studies given a huge boost by the AASOPP project which acquired ~20,000 km magnetic and gravity data and 14,000 km seismic data.
• Radiometric dates of key areas - This milestone covers a number of projects. Most work was complete (published) or near completion at the time of progress reporting. Some were delayed because of personal problems (one of Geoff Clarke's students forced to go part time) and Brett Marmo encountering technical difficulties preparing the very fine-grained rocks he is analysing.
• Macquarie Island tectonics - study seems to be on track. Macquarie Island is attracting more proposals because of its uniqueness (see Comments below).
• I understand that the collaborative work with Japan on Enderby Land geochronology is complete but at the time of writing I had not been able to contact the Principle Investigator for publication details. Geochronological issues are being further addressed by a new SCAR Project aimed at establishinga database of Antarctic geochronology
• Heard Island geological history - First field season on Heard Island. ODP results are mostly published and the new AGSO – Geoscience Australia study of the Kerguelen Plateau geological framework is being reviewed.
• PCMEGA - Fuel is being deployed and detailed planning is underway.
• Airborne geophysical surveys - Part of PCMEGA is airborne geophysics. We are also having discussions with potential international partners interested in supporting surveys in the AAT. This depends heavily on the developments in air transport in ANARE. The Italians are very interested in collaborative work.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities

This last season saw the first phase of the Australian Antarctic Southern Ocean Profiling Project completed. Two vessels sailed from Cape Town to Hobart collecting 14,000 km of seismic reflection data, magnetics and gravity and sonobuoys in lines perpendicular to the Antarctic margin from 45°E to 160°E. The project is managed by DoF with AGSO-Geoscience Australia as the technical agency and FUGRO-Geoteam as the prime contractor. The surveys are designed to place Australia in position to be able to prepare a submission delineating the ‘extended Continental Shelf' (ECS – area of seabed/subsoil jurisdiction extending beyond the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone) off the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT), in accordance with Article76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The data collected in 2000/01 represent about 60% of that needed; the remainder will be collected in 2001/02.

The data constitute a major increase in knowledge of the Antarctic margin and studies using the data for scientific purposes are underway including 2 PhD projects. AGSO-Geoscience Australia are developing further projects with Australian Universities and foreign agencies.

General Comment

1. This year saw deaths of two long standing Antarctic/sub-Antarctic geoscientific researchers in Rick Varne and Robin Oliver.
2. Multibeam sonar surveys - A number of milestones in the current strategic plan refer to multibeam swath echo sounder surveys. Such echo sounders are essential tools for effective seabed mapping to understand benthic habitats sedimentary environments and sea floor geology. At present Australia only has systems that operate in shallow water. We are developing a proposal to use this equipment in support of the Human Impacts and Mapping programs around Casey in shallow water however it is not clear how such work can be achieved in deeper waters in the Antarctic and Sub Antarctic. In the past AGSO-Geoscience Australia has carried out joint surveys on foreign vessels and we attempted a similar survey on the Palmer where we have found significant problems in keeping the survey to strategic priorities and accessing the data afterwards. To cover the vast areas of interest, a vessel with mid range (100 m - 3000 m) or full ocean depth capability is needed. Mid range systems can be installed and removed from a ship but dry docking is required, making temporary installation on Aurora Australis impractical. Thus, achievement of these milestones will require access to another vessel. CSIRO and AGSO - Geoscience Australia are having discussions about the options. For use in the Antarctic, it is necessary for the vessel to be seaworthy for the Southern Ocean and to have endurance of around a minimum of 50 days. The situation should be a bit clearer by mid 2002.
3. Onshore mapping - John Bain and Phil O'Brien are developing strategies to better capture the large amounts of spatial data generated by onshore field studies in an up-to-date format. This is particularly important as some active researchers reach retirement. There will be a workshop in April 2002 aimed at capturing all the data from the Amery Oasis area in GIS format. We are working to overcome the reluctance to adopt appropriate digital mapping methods in some university groups.
4. Future major surveys - Scientists from the Alfred Wegner Institute are putting in a proposal for a marine deep crustal seismic survey in Prydz Bay in 2003-4 or 2004-5. Deitmar Mueller (Sydney) and Anya Reading (ANU) are involved in discussions about providing onshore refraction stations. Phil O'Brien is providing structural maps of the bay and Tracey Rogers (Sydney and Taronga Park) is interested in monitoring the response seals to the airgun noise.
5. Regions of high international interest - There is a growing realisation that several areas in the AAT and Sub Antarctic are of major importance to geosciences. The two generating most interest at the moment are Macquarie island because of the unique sample of ocean crust it provides and the Prince Charles Mountains and Pydz Bay because the sediments there provide the best location to solve the major problem of late Cainozoic ice sheet stability.
6. Russian/Australian Prince Charles Mountains Volume - This major review of work by both countries edited by John Sheraton will appear this year as AGSO Geoscience Australia Bulletin 247.

Research Output for Geosciences Program published in 2000

Publications in Refereed Journals and Monographs

Featherstone, W.E., Stewart, M.P., Rizos, C., Han, S., Coleman, R., Tregoning, P. and Morgan, P.J. (2000) GPS-geodetic research at some Australian universities In: (Ed.). Australian Surveyor 45(1) . 20-30.

Fitzsimons, I.C.W. (2000) Grenville-age basement provinces in East Antarctica: Evidence for three separate collisional orogens .Geology 28(10) . 879-882.

Fitzsimons, I.C.W. (2000) A review of tectonic events in the East Antarctic Shield and their implications for Gondwana and earlier supercontinents. Journal of African Earth Sciences 31(1) . 3-23.

Grew, E.S., Yates, M.G., Barbier, J., Shearer, C.K., Sheraton, J.W., Shiraishi, K. and Motoyoshi, Y. (2000) Granulite-facies beryllium pegmatites in the Napier Complex in Khmara and Amundsen Bays, western Enderby Land, East Antarctica. Polar Geoscience 13 . 1-40

HARRIS, P. T. (2000). "Ripple cross-bedded sediments on the East Antarctic shelf, evidence for enhanced bottom water production in the Holocene?" Marine Geology,170, 317-330.

Harris, P.T. (2000) Sedimentological signatures of sub-ice shelf

circulation: An example from Vincennes Bay, East Antarctica. Papers and

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 133(3):57-62.

Harris, P. T. (2000). Ripple cross-bedded sediments on the East Antarctic

shelf: evidence for enhanced bottom water production in the Holocene?

Marine Geology, 170:317-330.

Harris, P. T., Brancolini, G., Armand, L., Busetti, M., Beaman, R. J.,

Giorgetti, G., Presti, M., & Trincardi, F. (2001). Continental shelf drift

deposit indicates non-steady state Antarctic bottom water production in the

Holocene. Marine Geology, 179:1-8.

HARWOOD, D., McMinn A., Quilty P.G. (2000). "Diatom biostratigraphy of the Lower Pliocene Sorsdal Formation, Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica." Antarctic Science, 12, 443-463.

Kamenetsky, V.S., Everard, J.L., Crawford, A.J., Varne, R., Eggins, S.M. and Lanyon, R. (2000) Enriched end-member of primitive MORB melts: petrology and geochemistry of glasses from Macquarie Island (SW Pacific). Journal of Petrology 41 . 411-430.

Kelly, N.M, Clarke, G.L., Carson, C. and White, R.W (2000) Thrusting in the lower crust: evidence from the Oygarden Islands, Kemp Land, East Antarctica Geological Magazine 137 . 219-234.

KERSHAW, P., Quilty P.G., Van Huet S., David B., McMinn A. (2000). "Palaeobiogeography of the Quaternary of Australasia." Memoir of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, 23, 471-515.

Kiernan, K. and McConnell, A. (2000) Management considerations for the Heard Island lava tube caves In: Banks, M.R. & Brown, M.J. (Ed.). Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 133 (2) . 13-22

KING, A.L., Howard W.R. (2001). "Seasonality of foraminiferal flux in sediment traps at Chatham Rise, SW Pacific: implications for paleotemperature estimates" Deep Sea Research, 48 Part I, 1687-1708.

KING, A.L., Howard W.R. (2000). "Middle Pleistocene sea-surface temperature change in the south-west Pacific Ocean on orbital and suborbital time scales." Geology,28 (7), 659-662.

King, M.A, Nguyen, N.L., Coleman, R. and Morgan, P.J. (2000) Strategies for High Precision Processing of GPS Measurements with Application to the Amery Ice Shelf In: Alfred Leick (Ed.). GPS Solutions 4(1) . 2-12 ;

King, M.A., Coleman, R., and Morgan, P.J. (2000) Treatment of Horizontal and Vertical Tidal Signal in GPS Data: A Case Study on a Floating Ice Shelf. Earth Planets and Space 52(11) . 1043-1047.

Kok, M.D., Rijpstra, W.I.C., Robertson, L., Volkman, J.K. and Sinninghe Damste, J.S. (2000) Early steroid sulfurisation in surface sediments of a permanently stratified lake (Ace Lake, Antarctica) In: (Ed.). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 64 . 1425-1436.

Massell, C., Coffin, M.F., Mann, P., Mosher, S., Frohlich, C., Duncan, C.S., Karner, G., Ramsay, D. and Lebrun, J.F. (2000) Neotectonics of the Macquarie Ridge Complex, Australia-Pacific plate boundary In: (Ed.). Journal of Geophysical Research 105 . 13,457-13,480

McMINN, A., Bleakley N., Steinburner K., Roberts D., Trenerry L. , (2000). "Effect of permanent sea ice cover and different nutrient regimes on the phytoplankton succession of fjords of the Vestfold Hills Oasis, eastern Antarctica." Journal of Plankton Research, 22, 287-303.

McMINN, A., Ashworth C., Ryan K., (2000). "In situ net primary productivity of an Antarctic fast ice bottom algal community." Aquatic Miocrobial Ecology,21, 177-185.

McMINN, A. (2000) "Late Holocene increase in sea ice extent in fjords of the Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica." Antarctic Science, 12, 80-88.

McMINN, A., Heijnis H., Harle K., McOrist G. (2001). "Late Holocene climate change recorded in sediment cores from Ellis Fjord, Eastern Antarctica." The Holocene, 11, 291-300.

O'Brien, P.E., Cooper, A.K., Richter, C., et al., 2001 – Initial Reports, Prydz Bay-Cooperation Sea, Antarctica: glacial history and paleoceanography. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Initial Reports, 188 (CD-ROM), Texas A & M University, College Station Texas.

Quilty, P.G. & Wheller, G.E. (2000) Heard Island and the McDonald Islands: a window into the Kerguelen Plateau In: Banks, M.R. and Brown, M.J. (Ed.). Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania (133) . 1-12.

Quilty, P.G., Truswell, E.M., O'Brien, P.E., Taylor, F. (2000) Paleocene-Eocene biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of East Antarctica: new data from the Mac. Robertson Shelf and western parts of Prydz Bay. AGSO Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics 17 (5/6)

ROBERTS, D., McMinn A., Zwartz D. (2000). "An initial palaeosalinity history of Jaw Lake, Bunger Hills, based on a diatom-salinity transfer function applied to two sediment cores." Antarctic Science,12, 172-176.

ROBERTS, D., van Ommen T.D., McMinn A., Morgan V., Roberts J.L. (2001). "Late Holocene climate trends from east Antarctic ice core and lacustrine sediment core records." Holocene,11 (1), 117-120.

SEDWICK, P.N., DiTullio G.R., Mackey D.J. (2000). "Iron and manganese in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, Seasonal iron limitation in Antarctic shelf waters." Geophysical Research (Oceans),105, 11321-11336.

SEDWICK, P.N., Harris P.T., Robertson L.G., McMurty G.M., Cremer M.D., Robinson P. (2001). "Holocene sediment records from the continental shelf of Mac. Robertson Land, East Antarctica." Paleoceanography,16, 212-225.

TAYLOR, F., McMinn A. (2001). "Evidence from diatoms for Holocene climate fluctuation along the East Antarctic margin." The Holocene,11 (4), 455-466.

WHITEHEAD, J., Quilty P.Q., Harwood D., McMinn A. (2001). "Early Pliocene paleoenvironments of the Sorsdal Formation, Vestfold Hills, based on diatom data. Marine Micropaleontology,41, 125-152.

WHITEHEAD, J.M., McKelvey B.C., McMinn A. (2001). "Cenozoic Glacial Deposits in the Southern Prince Charles Mountains of East Antarctica." Terra Antarctica,7, 655-657.

Published Conference Papers and Abstracts

Cooper, A.K., O'Brien, P.E., Richter, C. and Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party. 2000. Neogene glacial record for Prydz Bay Antarctica from continental rise drilling on ODP Leg 188. EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 81 (48), F742.

Cooper, A.K., O'Brien, P.E., and Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party. 2001. Early stages of East Antarctic glaciation – insights from drilling and seismic reflection data in the Prydz Bay region. In Florindo, F. and Cooper, A.K., (editors) The geological record of the Antarctic Ice Sheet from drilling, coring and seismic studies, Extended Abstracts from the International ANTOSTRAT Symposium, Quaderni di Geopfisica, 16, 41- 42.

CUNNINGHAM, L., Stark J., McMinn A., Riddle M. (2000)"The effect of sediment translocation on benthic diatoms of the Windmill Islands, Antarctica. 3rd International Conference on Ecotoxicology, Winnipeg Canada. Proceedings and Abstracts 91.

HARRIS, P.T., Brancolini G., Armand L., Brown B., Busetti M., Deen T., Giorgetti G., King A., Presti M., Trincardi M. (2000) "Discovery of a Holocene drift deposit on the George Vth continental shelf, East Antarctica - an expanded record of regional sea ice and Antarctic bottom water production?" Geological Society of Australia. p210

HOWARD, W. R., Samson C., Sikes E. (2001) "Foraminiferal and alkenone-based SST reconstructions of the glacial and Holocene South Tasman Rise." Fifth Australian Marine Geoscience Conference, Hobart, p22. (Abstract)

KING, A. L., Howard W. R. (2001) "Seasonality of foraminiferal flux in Southern Ocean sediment traps: implications for palaeo-reconstructions." Fifth Australian Marine Geoscience Conference, Hobart, p27. (Abstract)

MOY, A.D., Howard W.R. (2001) "Climatic variations in physical and lithological properties in late quaternary sediments from the South Tasman Rise." Fifth Australian Marine Geoscience Conference, Hobart, p30. (Abstract)

O'BRIEN, P.E., Cooper A.K., and Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party. (2000) "Summary of initial results from ODP Leg 188 - history of East Antarctic glaciation from drilling in Prydz Bay." 15^th Australian Geological Convention, Sydney Geological Society of Australia.

O'Brien, P.E., Alcock, M.B., Stagg, H.M.J. and Symonds, P.A., 2001. Australian Antarctic and Southern Ocean Profiling Project: major new Antarctic seismic surveys. In Florindo, F. and Cooper, A.K., (editors) The geological record of the Antarctic Ice Sheet from drilling, coring and seismic studies, Extended Abstracts from the International ANTOSTRAT Symposium, Quaderni di Geopfisica, 16, 143.

O'BRIEN, P.E., Cooper A.K., Richter C., Macphail M., Truswell E..M. and Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party. (2000). "Results from ODP Leg 188 - Glacial onset and late Neogene fluctuations in Prydz Bay, Antarctica." American Geophysical Union. F743

O'Brien, P.E., Cooper, A.K., Richter, C., Macphail, M., Truswell, E.M. and Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party, 2000. RESULTS FROM ODP LEG 188 – Glacial onset and late Neogene fluctuations in Prydz Bay, Antarctica. EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, 81 (48), F743.

O'BRIEN, P.E., Cooper A.K., and Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party. (2001) "Extreme advances of the East Antarctic ice sheet: evidence from ODP Leg 188." Fifth Australian Marine Geoscience Conference, Hobart, p32. (Abstract)

O'Brien, P.E., Cooper, A..K. and Leg 188 Science Party, 2001. Neogene Climatic Transitions in East Antarctica: evidence from Leg 188 drilling. In Florindo, F. and Cooper, A.K., (editors) The geological record of the Antarctic Ice Sheet from drilling, coring and seismic studies, Extended Abstracts from the International ANTOSTRAT Symposium, Quaderni di Geopfisica, 16, 141-142.

ROBERTS, D., van Ommen T.D., McMinn A., Morgan V., Roberts J.L. (2000) "Late Holocene climate trends from East Antarctic ice core: a tale of two proxies. 5th International Paleoclimnology Conference, Kingston, Canada. Abstracts 86.

SEDWICK, P., Blain S., Boyd P., Bucciarelli E., Crossley C., Denis M., Dubreuil C., Ditullio G., Fiala M., Griffiths B., Hutchins D., Queguiner B., Trull T. (2000) "Iron and silicate limitation of phytoplankton growth in the subantarctic southern ocean." Southern Ocean JGOFS Symposium, Conference Proceedings, Brest, France. page 35

Reports

BRANCOLINI, G., Harris P.T., and ship board party (2000) "Post-cruise report: Joint Italian/Australian Marine Geoscience Expedition aboard the 'R.V. Tangaroa' to the George Vth Land Region of East Antarctica, during February-March 2000." Australian Geological Survey Organisation. 181pp.

COOPER, A., O'Brien P., Richter C. and the Leg 188 Shipboard Scientific Party. (2000) "ODP Leg 188: Prydz Bay - Co-operation Sea Prelimary Report." Ocean Drilling Program. p50.

Gore, D.B., Nichols, G.T. , Lehmann, C.E.R., Burgess, J.S., Baird, A.S. & Creagh, D.C. 2000. An atlas of surficial salts of the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica: composition, distribution and origin. ANARE Report 143, 138 pp.

Papers in Press

Gibson, J.A.E., Gore, D.B. & Kaup, E. In press. Algae River: An extensive drainage system in the Bunger Hills, East Antarctica. Polar Record

Gore, D.B., Rhodes, E.J., Augustinus, P.C., Leishman, M.R., Colhoun, E.A. & Rees-Jones, J. in press. Bunger Hills, East Antarctica: ice free at the Last Glacial Maximum. Geology

Hodgson, D., McMinn , A., Cremer, H., Gore, D., Kirkup, H., Melles, M., Roberts , D. & Montiel, P. in press. Colonisation, succession and extinction of marine floras during glacial interglacial cycles - a case study from the Windmill Islands (East Antarctica) using fossil biomarkers. Antarctic Science.

Hodgson, D.A., Noon, P.E. , Vyverman, W., Bryant, C., Gore, D.B., Appleby, P., Gilmour, M., Verleyen, E., Sabbe, K., Jones, V.J., Ellis-Evans, J.C. and Wood, P.B. in press for 2001. Were parts of Larsemann Hills, Antarctica, ice free through the Last Glacial Maximum? Radiometric (210Pb, 137Cs) radiocarbon (AMS 14C) uranium series (238U) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating of sediment deposits and implications for Antarctic palaeoenvironmental research. Antarctic Science.

Mikhalsky, E., Sheraton, J. et al., 2001. Geology of the Prince Charles Mountains, AGSO Geoscience Australia Bulletin 247, 210 pages.

Roberts, D., McMinn, A., Johnston, N., Gore, D.B., Melles, M. and Cremer, H. in press,. An analysis of the limnology and sedimentary diatom flora of fourteen lakes and ponds from the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. Antarctic Science Due for Dec 2001