Distribution and population age structure of krill Euphausia superba larvae is presented for four consequent years on the basis of the summer materials from 1976 to 1979. An approximate rate of growth of krill larvae was calculated on the basis of the above observations and the literature data on the occurrence of particular larval stages. This allowed to determine the main period of krill breeding in particular years. Intense breeding of krill took place from January to middle of March in summers 1976/1977 and 1977/1978, but much earlier — mid November to mid January in 1975/1976. In summer of 1978/1979 the breeding of krill was poor till March.

Vertical distribution and quantitative and qualitative phytoplankton composition were studied in Ezcurra Inlet, Admiralty Bay, South Shetland Islands in the austral summer 1977/78. Nannoplankton flagellates, 12—15 μm in diameter and 4—6 μm "monads" were the principal algae of the plankton. Diatoms, present in a low abundance, were dominated by Thalassiosira antarctica and several species of the genera Nitzschia and Chaetoceros. Peaks of cell numbers within the 1—10 m surface stratum and at the bottom of the euphotic zone were characteristic of the vertical distribution of phytoplankton. Light, water movements and density micro-gradients were the likely factors controlling the vertical distribution of algae.

On the basis of measurements of the depth of occurrence of 11000 krill aggregations and the biological analyses of these animals and measurements of some environmental factors the diurnal vertical distribution of aggregations is presented against the background of various environmental conditions. Vertical distribution of aggregations is closely related to the feeding rhythm of krill. Active vertical migrations have been recorded at civil twilight. The increasing and decreasing rate of aggregations in those periods is described.

The presence of Euphausia superba, E. crystallorophias and Thysanoessa macrura was observed in Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetland Islands) and the size of individuals of particular species are diverse and varying during the summer season. E. superba population is older and specimens larger than in analogous season in 1979. The maximum number of females with eggs was noted in the first half of January 1980, i.e. earlier than in 1979. In E, crystallorophias population the presence of females with eggs was observed in the second half of December 1979.

Measurements of water temperatures, salinity, oxygen, suspended matter, nutrients and some metals contents were determined in the waters of the Hornsund Fjord. The investigations were carried out at the end of June and July and in mid-September 1979.

The radar device for measurement of thickness and structure of "warm" glaciers was used in this work. The measurement of thickness of dielectric is based here on the examination of transit time of hight frequency electromagnetic pulse throught the measured stratum. A total ice volume of "warm" glaciers is in the melting temperature here. Such glaciers are characterized by a large number of internal structure defects. The electromagnetic wave reflections are caused not only b the glacier base but, additionally by ice crevasses, more imbided water layers and by all other defects of the internal glacier structure, too. The simple statistical method was elaborated for differentiation of essential layers reflections from random reglections caused by less extented objects. This method was used to obtain the two transversal profiles of the Hans Glacier (South Spitsbergen).

Studies on the quantity and distribution of organic carbon (DOC and РОС) in the water of the Admiralty Bay were conducted between 20 December 1978 and 15 February 1979. The С org. content ranged from 1.62 to 3.22 mg 1-1 for DOC and from 0.22 to 0.65 mg x 1-1 for РОС. Maximal DOC amounts were observed at the depth 25—50 m (on average about 2.50 mg x 1-1 ) and in chosen regions of surface waters of the Admiralty Bay, among others, in the vicinity of a large penguin colony. Mean content of DOC in waters of the Admiralty Bay (about 2.26 mg x 1-1 ) is lower as compared to mean DOC content in waters of the Bransfield Strait (about 4.12 mg x 1-1).

During austral summer 1978/1979 the content of dissolved oxygen, phosphates, nitrates and nitrites was determined in the waters of Admiralty Bay. Environmental conditions prevailing in Admiralty Bay are compared with the conditions in the open Antarctic waters.

During a Polish Antarctic Expedition to Dobrowolski Station the astronomic co-ordinates of a main geodetic point have been determined. The observations were performed by Kavrajski's method. In result 26 pairs of bright stars were observed. Longitude and latitude were defined with an estimated accuracy about ± 1".

A surface gravimetric survey in Dobrowolski Station in Bunger Oasis was made. The maps of free-air anomaly, Bouguer anomaly and residual Bouguer anomaly were prepared as result of compiling the gravimetric data. An image of isoanomalies proved an occurence of gravitational disturbances in the studied area. The depth of Mohorovićić discontinuity was also defined on the ground of Woolard's theories.

The paper informs about a foundation of seismic observatory at Arctowski's Station in the beginning og 1978. Descriptions of the object and of registration seismic instruments are included. Conditions of registration and parameters of instruments are noted. Registration sequence of seismic tremors from March 1978 to October 1979 is described. A preliminary statistics of tremors is also announced.

The paper presents a construction of magnetic observatory "Arctowski" on King George Island. The parameters of magnetic instruments and mean values of D, H, Z and F(T) of magnetic field are presented. Examples of registration of changes of the magnetic field are noted.

The paper deals with dynamics of present morphologic processes and cover deposits of nival and subnival stages in the area to the north of the Hornsund Fiord. Qualitative and quantitative parameters of the processes are described on the basis of direct measurements and radiocarbon datings. A particular attention was paid to the action of frost and gravitational processes in the specific morphoclimatic conditions of a nival landscape stage. The cover deposits are described from the point of view of their origin and physico-chemical properties. The age of the covers is defined on the ground of radiocarbon datings of fossil plants found at the nunataks for the first time in 1973. These datings enabled to distinguish the development phases of the morphogenetic processes during Late Holocene.

Hot point drills were carried through in the Hans Glacier (Spitsbergen). For that purpose a non-cored hot point drill of 700 wattage was constructed. It was used among others for installing the ablation-movement stakes, for hydrological observations and in the boreholes an ice temperature was controlled.

A structure of recent morainic sediments, mainly of gravel — boulder fraction (15—60 mm) was studied in the extremely marginal part of the Werenskiold Glacier. The data were collected within three environments of glacial deposition i.e. supraglacial of dead glacial ice and layer of relegation ice adhering to the glacier bottom and subglacial ones. A distinct textural individuality is typical for supraglacial deposits. Arrangement and orientation of boulders coming from the basal part of a glacier as well as from the morainic subglacial sediment deposited under the active ice show many similarities. But in both latter zones as well as certain differentiation was found to be caused by morphology of the older bedrock, changes during a subglacial deposition and preliminary epigenetic changes that occur in the conditions of a subglacial regelation before a stabilization of a passive zone of subglacial permafrost.

The red blood picture was studied in 7 species of the Antarctic birds from the regions around Arctowski Station. King George Island (South Shetland Islands). The values of hematological indices were analysed, dependent on the mode of life and body weight of the examined species.