Location: From the Drake PassageStrait, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans between Tierra del Fuego and the South Shetland Islands. Located about 100 mi (160 km) north of the Antarctic Peninsula, it is 600 mi (1,000 km) wide. into the Strait of Magellan. Latitude: 53° 33′ S Longitude: **72° 28′ W **Air temperature: 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) Wind chill: -7.7 °C (18.4 °F) Wind speed: 15 to 20 knots Barometric pressure: 1004.6 mBar
Antarctic trivia (answer at the end of this journal entry): Many nations conduct research in Antarctica and have permanent research facilities there. Which of these facilities is the largest? What do milk, sugar, almonds, chocolate, coffee and excess liquid nitrogen have in common? Mixed together they make great ice cream! Apparently somewhat of a tradition on the Palmer, ice-cream making was undertaken recently by a group of conscientious employees thoughtfully putting excess liquid nitrogen to good use instead of wasting it.
Chemical waste is a concern in any lab, and it is a special consideration aboard the Palmer. The MSTs (Jesse, Lindsey, and Karie) make sure that all the scientists dispose of wastes in the proper containers and follow all the necessary safety protocols to keep everyone safe. So, what happens to the waste? We certainly can’t dump it into the ocean (that’s where our drains lead!) and it can’t be burned with our trash. Shipboard hazardous waste is collected in large drums that will ultimately end up at one of the U.S. research facilities in Antarctica. From there it is shipped back to the U.S. for proper disposal.
Lindsey puts waste from the lab into storage containers.
Back to the important stuff, the ice cream! Turns out we had some excess liquid nitrogen, and a few miscellaneous supplies for making ice cream. The ice cream was awesome, thanks to conscientious employees Karie, Jeremy, Lindsey, Erik, and Victor for not wasting that liquid nitrogen!
Karie and Jeremy stir the frozen "potion.”
Our passage through the Drake was not too bad this time. We had good weather and calm winds most days, with the exception of the 29th, which was a bit on the "rocking and rolling” side. Anyone prone to seasickness was prepared, and only a few seemed slightly miserable! This was our 4th time through the Drake, I wonder if there is some special commendation for that?
We entered the Strait of Magellan on the 30th and the seas immediately became calmer. We enjoyed a tour of the engine room this morning. Jerry showed us the sights, or at least pointed to a lot of things – we had to wear ear protection in the main engine room which made vocal communication impossible!
Jerry shows us to how to look like Mickey Mouse!
One of the interesting things about the systems on board the Palmer is that we make our own fresh water. Sea water is pumped into the ship and distilled (heated so that the water becomes steam leaving the salts behind) with waste heat from the engines. The water is then filtered several times until it is ready for use.
One of the Palmer’s four engines.
We’ll be in Punta Arenas in the morning. Everyone is anxious to put their feet on land again and enjoy some warmer weather. Most things are packed and ready to be off-loaded on our arrival. The science team has been busy today preparing our end-of-cruise reports…ah, the joys of paperwork! I think I’d rather shovel snow!
Try this: For your own fun version of ice cream (without the liquid nitrogen) try this recipe: • In a small Ziploc-style bag put a cup of milk, several teaspoons of sugar, a splash of vanilla, and some chocolate syrup if you are so inclined. • Put the small bag in a larger bag filled with crushed ice and several tablespoons of salt. Make sure both bags are tightly sealed. • Shake the larger bag until your ice cream is ready!
This can be messy, so it’s a good idea to do the shaking outside!
Answer to today’s Antarctic trivia question: Many nations conduct research in Antarctica and have permanent research facilities there. Which of these facilities is the largest?
McMurdo Station (a U.S. facility) is the largest research station in Antarctica. About 1200 people work there during the summer and some stay year-round. Marine mammals and seabirds spotted by Brent: Cape petrel Southern fulmar Grey-headed albatross Black-bellied albatross Blue petrel Slender-billed prion South American fur seal Wandering albatross South American tern White-chinned petrel Skua Imperial shag Sooty shearwater Antarctic prion
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