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Since the opening of the Italian Base at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea)
in 1985, several scientists of CNR-ISMAR (Ancona) have been involved in scientific
expeditions funded by the National Programme of Antarctic Research (PNRA) (see link).
In addition, some people participated to international Antarctic Research cruises
aboard of foreign vessels such as Polarstern (Germany) and Nathaniel B Palmer (USA).
Three main field of research characterize the activities carried out in Antarctica:
1) Physical and chemical oceanography of the Ross Sea
The main aim of the scientific team involved in this field of research
is to study the structure and dynamics of the local water masses, on the basis of
multiannual data set recorded by means of mooring and CTD casts performed from the
surface to the sea bottom.
The study area comprises the north-western sector of the Ross Sea, from the Ross
Ice Shelf to the Balleny Islands.
2) Distribution and biology of krill populations inhabiting in the Ross Sea
The main aim of the scientific team involved in this field of research
is to study the distribution, structure and population dynamics of the two most
common species of krill living in the Ross Sea, the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)
and the ice krill (Euphausia crystallorophias). The field activities mainly consists
of echo surveys and fishing trials with midwater trawls carried out on a sampling
grid following a standard procedure. The study area comprises the north-western
sector of the Ross Sea, from the Ross Ice Shelf to the Balleny Islands.
3) Biology and ecology of Antarctic fish stocks in the Southern Ocean
The main aim of the scientific team involved in this field of research
is to study some biological and ecological aspects of the Antarctic fish stocks,
providing data for fishery management purposes (CCAMLR). In particular,
the attention is focused on the age and growth, stock structure, reproduction and
feeding ecology of local fish populations.
The field activities are generally planned in the framework of trawl surveys or
small-scale fishery programmes. The study deal with two main study areas, such as
the north-western Ross Sea and the Southern Scotia Arc region (Antarctic Peninsula,
South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands). |
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