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Antarctic Adventures & Research!

Now it's time to get to work! Our research will be taking place at Palmer Station, which is located on the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP).

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You are here!

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The Research Around Palmer Station, Antarctica

abiotic factors

  • Water temperature

  • Water salinity (measure of salt dissolved in the water) 

  • Water currents and movement

biotic factors

  • Phytoplankton (microscopic organisms)

  • Zooplankton (such as krill)

  • Penguins

  • Sea Birds

  • Fish

  • Whales

research tools

  • CODAR - Coastal Radar

    • Measures water currents/movement​

  • Gliders

    • Measures water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, etc.​

  • Moorings

    • Used as an anchor to keep equipment as a specific depth in water​

  • Tow net

    • Allows scientists to catch tiny creatures such as zooplankton​

  • Tags

    • Allows scientists to track penguin and whale movements​

What type of research will you start with?

Click on the pictures below for information about the tools used for research and data collected in Antarctica. The pages also have challenges for you to try if you are up to it!

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Collecting Data

Palmer Deep.

Let's take a look at the specific sites where some of the scientists choose to collect their data.

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An Expensive Float

Moorings.

Moorings are used to keep equipment at a certain depth in the water column. Check out how a specific group of scientists working on project SWARM use the moorings!

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Water on the Move

CODAR.

CODAR, or coastal radar, can help us understand the influence of currents on the Antarctic food web. Do you think the movement of water can really affect the food web? 

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Tiny Creatures

Phytoplankton & Zooplankton.

Let's take a look at these tiny organisms that are extremely important to the Antarctic food web.

  

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Underwater Robots

Gliders.

An underwater robot that doesn't use propellers to move through the water... cool! Let's check out the salinity, water temperature & other data the gliders collect.

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Let's Talk Penguins

Penguins.

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Check out the different types of penguins and the data collected on these adorable creatures.

        

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Here are some other Data Story Activities that show  research going on outside of Palmer Deep!
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