Field measurements were used to determine the availability of peptide nitrogen to photosynthetic organisms and soil microbes. In order to fully understand their significance in the Maritime Antarctic nitrogen cycle it was also necessary to examine the ability of organisms to utilise the available peptides. For this reason, isotopically-labelled (15N and 13C) nitrogen compounds, including various peptides, were used to determine their rate of uptake by soil microorganisms and plants. These experiments were carried out on Signy to minimise any changes to organisms during transit.