ABSTRACT 



Results of oceanographic research during the U.S. Navy operations in support of DEEP 

 FREEZE 60, 1959—1960, are presented. Observations in areas of the Antarctic, Antarctic 

 Convergence, and South Pacific were made from aboard four icebreakers, USS BURTON 

 ISLAND (AGB-1), USS ATKA (AGB-3), USS GLACIER (AGB-4), and USCGC EASTWIND (WAGB 

 -279). Ships' tracks to, in, and from the Antarctic and locations of all oceanographic stations 

 are given. 



In Eastern Balleny Basin, surface temperatures ranged from —0.44° to — 1.58°C. Within 

 the surface layer, temperature decreased to a depth of about 100 meters and then increased 

 to a maximum of greater than 1.25°C, indicating the upper level of the Antarctic Circumpolar 

 Water. Surface salinities were low (less than 34.00%), reflecting Antarctic summer con- 

 ditions. Values increased rapidly to 34.50% in the upper 200 meters with salinity maxima 

 occurring between 600 and 1,200 meters depth. 



A west-east line of stations taken in McMurdo Sound is discussed. An extremely low 

 temperature structure was noted, with temperatures from surface to bottom not exceeding 

 0.00°C throughout the water column. The effects of ice in the area were evident by low 

 surface temperatures and salinities. Below the surface layer, temperatures decreased 

 gradually to values as low as — 1.93°C near the bottom of the deeper stations. 



Near the Ross Ice Shelf, several stations were taken along a northwest to southeast track 

 to the shelf and the other, along a track closely paralleling the shelf edge. Throughout the 

 areas temperatures were less than 0°C, the degree of coldness indicating distance from the 

 Ice Shelf. Surface values ranged from — 0.40°Cat about 60 miles from the Shelf, to — 1.42°C 

 at its edge. Salinities varied little, increasing slightly from surface to bottom (maximum dif- 

 ferences not exceeding 00.35%). 



Oceanographic observations were made for the first time in the Bellingshausen Sea off 

 the Eights Coast. Observed surface temperatures were low (from —1.50° to — 1.75°C) and 

 showed no indication of summer warming. Below the 150-meter depth, temperatures in- 

 creased rapidly to 1.00°C at 450 meters. Salinities increased with depth from a surface 

 minimum of 32.95% to values greater than 34.50% below 350 meters. 



Several transits across the Antarctic Convergence were made and the results from surface 

 and subsurface measurements dilineate the positions of the Convergence, as well as the water 

 dissimilarities. 



Ice observations and reconnaissance by the ships are discussed and presented. 



Fourty-eight bottom samples were collected and analyzed. These are discussed by area, 

 and detail results of the analyses are presented in Appendix B. 



