Surrounded by ice and icy water stretching to each horizon, it’s straightforward to understand the great thing about the Southern Ocean. I used to be extra shocked by this frigid sea’s fecundity and its similarities in some methods to Santa Barbara waters. Taking the Polar Plunge into frigid 31-degree Southern Ocean waters. (Courtesy photograph) Who …
Surrounded by ice and icy water stretching to each horizon, it’s straightforward to understand the great thing about the Southern Ocean. I used to be extra shocked by this frigid sea’s fecundity and its similarities in some methods to Santa Barbara waters.
Taking the Polar Plunge into frigid 31-degree Southern Ocean waters. (Courtesy photograph)
Who would guess that you simply’d discover our identical species of big and bull kelp within the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters? Kelp features equally in each places: offering meals, habitat for fish and crustaceans, and tamping the swell reaching the shores.
Krill are current in each seas. The Southern Ocean krill feed voraciously on the algae rising on the underside of shelf ice, feeding whales, seals, penguins, albatrosses, and invertebrates. Alarmingly, this keystone species’ inhabitants is down 80% prior to now 50 years.
Algae munch on ice
Much less ice, much less algae, much less krill.
Whales go hungry.
The Antarctic waters have the goodies related to ice. Penguins are ubiquitous. We spent hours watching the antics of Adelie, macaroni, Magellan, rockhopper, king, and chinstrap penguins.
The expedition’s two divers snapped photographs of bizarre-looking ice fish. The one household of vertebrates identified that haven’t any pink blood cells, ice fish have white hearts and translucent blood that accommodates a obligatory anti-freeze.
Different distinctive properties of the Southern Ocean waters distinction with the Pacific. The Southern Ocean is much less salty as a result of salt precipitates out as the ocean freezes, sinking to the underside. The water temperature is under freezing as a result of saltwater freezes at a decrease temperature than contemporary.
Essentially the most important sea function is the Antarctic Circumpolar Present (ACC), a robust undercurrent flowing clockwise across the complete continent. This present defines the boundary between the Southern Ocean and the three different oceans it touches (Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian).
The ACC, which is ready in movement by the annual cycle of sea ice formation and melting round Antarctica, is likely one of the defining rhythms of our planet, in accordance with Right down to Earth. It acts in some methods like a fence and could also be an element within the absence — to date — of nurdles, these tiny plastic particles polluting the world’s different oceans.
The impact of local weather change the ACC is a priority for scientists, and thus all of us.
Our Nationwide Geographic expedition was described not as a cruise however an expedition, the place every day’s particular landings and adventures have been fluid. Our days started with an up to date itinerary based mostly on climate and sea situations. We have been topic to strict biosecurity protocols relating to cleansing our boots between islands and staying away from wildlife (except they approached us).
Yoga and smoothies
Lecture on albatrosses
A day at sea.
There have been trials. I had some fears in regards to the water: titanic swells and icy temperatures. I dreaded the Drake Passage the place the Antarctic Circumpolar Present is squeezed between the Antarctic Peninsula and Argentina/Chile.
This passage is usually described because the roughest sea on the earth. Tens of 1000’s of sailors are believed to have drowned in lots of tons of of shipwrecks over the centuries.
I didn’t worry sinking however somewhat sea illness. Even for my common journeys to the Channel Islands, I’d be depressing with out motion-sickness treatment. Thankfully, I did nicely with Scopolamine patches plus nausea tablets for the open ocean passages.
I additionally made peace with the ice water. I opted into the Polar Plunge, regardless of my choice for a year-round wetsuit in Santa Barbara. Two thirds of our group jumped into the 31-degree water under the Antarctic Circle. I don’t have an excellent reply for “Why would you do this?”
We have been awarded Polar Plunge patches for our orange polar jackets, plus sizzling spiked cider within the ship’s base camp upon return. I used to be happy to understand I nonetheless had an adventurous aspect.
Shivering naked limbed
I leap into icy sea
Polar plunge achieved.
The crew photographed the shock and awe of every visitor vaulting into icy water. What I’d have most well-liked recorded can be my velocity scrambling again to the floor and hauling as much as the platform. Let’s simply say, the hungriest leopard seal couldn’t have caught me.
Learn my earlier column about Antarctica right here.
— Karen Telleen-Lawton serves seniors and pre-seniors because the principal of Decisive Path Charge-Solely Monetary Advisory in Santa Barbara. You possibly can attain her along with your monetary planning questions at [email protected]. Click on right here to learn earlier columns. The opinions expressed are her personal.
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