The European Polarstern Study (EPOS) brought together scientists from Western and Central Europe and South America who participated in a series of three cruises on the ice-breaking research vessel "Polarstern" to the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, 1988/1989. EPOS was directed to investigate ice biota and the role of sea ice in the pelagic system, the benthos and fish. The articles in this volume represent some of the contributions presented at the EPOS Symposium held in Bremerhaven, Germany, in May 1991.