Physical and biological processes associated with early season (April-May) sea ice growth and ice edge location

Project aim

This project will improve our understanding of the physical and biological processes of the Antarctic sea ice zone, with a particular focus on the growth and development of sea ice in autumn and the incorporation of algae as the sea ice forms. The program will use a range of sophisticated emerging technology, including Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and satellite-tracked drifting buoys. Additionally, part of the program will contribute to a longer term goal of understanding the ice and snow thickness distributions of the Antarctic sea ice zone using a suite of helicopter-based instrumentation that will be deployed on three separate voyages.