Scientists at Palmer Station said gulls, giant petrels and penguins were also affected.

The maximum population that Palmer Station can accommodate is 46 people.

Palmer Station is located on Gamage Point, named for the shipbuilder.

For the last 20 years, he said, the region near Palmer Station has been steadily warming, and this has resulted in increased snowfall every winter.

The plan is to deploy the observatory off Palmer Station in May 2006.

More than 300 people, including about 80 tourists, abandoned the ship and reached Palmer Station by lifeboats.

They may also fly to and from Palmer Station, on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula.

At Palmer Station, one man was sleeping at the time of the ship's visit.

He said it could ruin biological studies at the Palmer Station, operated by the foundation two miles from the wreckage site.

Around 50 people can inhabit Palmer Station at one time.