Back home

Hi!
I am back in Germany. And it is good to be back, though this cruise was a big adventure and I would go again, if I had the chance.
It is very nice, to see some friends again, to smell the humid soil, the trees, to listen to the first calling birds of the coming breeding season, to see the first flowers. My cockroaches have got offspring, my daphniids, copepods and isopods are still alive - thanks to my mother who took care of all that. I have already prepared some chilli and other seeds for my little hot and spicy garden. The next time i will spend sorting out my pictures, having a course at the university and arriving mentally.
Some more pictures of "Polarstern", the ocean and antarctic wildlife will be posted on my picasa webalbum. So have a look, if you like!
Cheers.. Torben

Heading towards Cape Town

The cruise ANTXXIV-2 is almost over. From January 27th to January 31st we were facing a quite strong low-pressure system and "Polarstern" fought against wind-speed peaks up to 10bft. Waves increased to a mean of 8m, meaning that every now and then it was quite rolling on board.

Unfortunately, this was the time for our last station work. On Sunday, 27th, we deployed the EBS for the last time on this cruise and we had to hurry. While we retrieved it, storm was increasing dramatically and the final heaving and bringing META on deck was dangerous and hard work for the deck crew. Unfortunately, samples contained almost nothing and we do not know if this reflects reality on the sea floor or if it was a consequence of the storm. Due to the storm all groups had to cut down their station plan to a minimum and we had no time left for deploying the trawl. This was done two days later, on the 29th. Again, it took some hours to deploy and retrieve the gear and when it came on deck – still in a quite stormy situation – the net was completely empty. There is a theory, that the fine meshed inner net was sucked out to the opening during the heaving th rough 4000m water column by the ship's up and down
movement. But nobody knows really. Everything was washed out. No single feather star or sponge was attached to the nets. Nothing! In the little "Rauschert Dredge", which was attached to the trawl, at least a spoon full of sediment with foraminiferans and some amphipods was found. It was frustrating.
At the same time we already had to begin packing our boxes and the container. Meta was dismantled immediately after the last station. Tools and screws had to be cleaned from salt water, laboratories and cooling containers had to be cleaned and also the public rooms, like "Zillertal", the gym and sauna and the computer room.

Due to the immense ice cover of the Weddell Sea and especially the Atka Bay this summer and the logistics support for the German polar research stations, a lot of time got lost for science on board. Therefore the scientific value of this cruise is not as high as hoped for some groups.
But nevertheless, we got data to work with and some results. For me and most others it was amazing! I learned a lot due to practical work, the daily seminar and lots of fruitful discussions. The ship is a "hotspot" of knowledge about the marine environment and it is very valuable to know some new people, everyone an expert in his science.
This cruise also was "over the top" regarding to tourist attractions. I am referring to the time spent for supplying "Neumayer II" and the icebreaking for "Neumayer III" and "Naja Arctica" on the one hand, but also icebergs, storms and some numbers of whales we saw during the cruise.
Now we left the Greenwich Meridian and head to the north-east, back to Cape Town. Air and water temperature is above +16°C and like summer in Germany. We will reach South Africa the day after tomorrow and I will spend only one additional night there. As apples are the only fresh fruit and cabbage is the only fresh vegetable left on board I am really looking forward to green salad and such things.
We are writing cruise reports, create data backup. The last days we were also busy preparing scientific presentations and posters comprising results of our science and this particular cruise. The day when I am flying back to Frankfurt, there will be a big event on the ship with a
reception for the German minister for science and education A. Schavan. This is due to the 25th anniversary of "Polarstern". Tonight there will be a farewell barbecue on the working deck with
scientists, officers and crew. Wind speed and wave height have decreased. Perfect weather for some recreation! I am really looking forward to see you all again! Soon!
Yours, Torben