TO STUDY IN ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 2

TO STUDY IN ANTARCTIC

Two American Women

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) ATLANTA, March 11.

Two American women scientists will head for the Antarctic soon on a bacteriahunting expedition. For two months they will be the only women aboard a 410-foot research ship as it zigzags across the southern ocean. Mrs Kenneth W. Walls, and Mrs Spencer Defoor, her assistant, will leave Atlanta on March 14, aboard the U.S.N.SEltanin, a National Science Foundation ship which will complete its voyage at Auckland on May 30.

A $20,100 grant from the National Science Foundation made their trip possible.

Dr. Walls said there was no known immediate practical application to their study. “But anything we can learn about matter in nature,” she said, ‘‘can have potential application to other situations.”

She said the micro-organ-isms in the Antarctic ocean decompose matter as it sinks to the bottom. “Because of the low temperatures and lack of oxygen, they labour under poor working conditions,” Dr. Walls said. “We are looking for those micro-organisms that are poisoned by oxygen. They’re called anaerobes.” Sand and mud containing these bacteria will be removed from the ocean floor in a cylinder. Dr. Walls said her husband and Mrs Defoor's husband had both consented to the trip- Neither has children.

“International” T-Bones

Big T-bone steaks of “international standing” were part of the fare at a barbecue held recently by the North American Club.

Guests were received by the club president (Commander W. H. Withrow) and Mrs Withrow, and by Mr and Mrs lan Ristrom. New arrivals from the United States and Canada welcomed included Dr. and Mrs James Dixon, Ohio; Mr and Mrs C. Cormier, Canada: and Mr Clifford Miles, Connecticut.

Entertainment was provided by four members of the Awataha Maori Club.

The barbeque was organised by Mr and Mrs lan Ristrom, Mrs M. Reese, and Major F. H. Hagreen.