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Sea-ice algae are the basis of the Antarctic food web and are essential for healthy functioning of the Antarctic ecosystem. These algae exploit a unique niche within this extreme environment.
It is usually assumed that Earth's atmosphere above 100-km altitude contains no weather systems smaller than about 100 kilometers across, and that there is little vertical mixing. Ample observational evidence shows that both these assumptions are untrue. Most has gone unnoticed.
The balance between ice accumulation and loss for Antarctica will be investigated using computer simulations, to predict changes in sea level and input of fresh water to the Southern Ocean.
Genetic diversity in benthic marine species of the Windmill Islands region of East Antarctica has not been well studied.
Pb is widely used in human activities and has been found at relatively high concentrations in benthic sediments in the Windmill Islands. There are three main sources of lead (Pb) in the Windmill Islands:
Variations in the winter extent of sea ice are thought to have profound effects on biological productivity, such as algal growth and the reproduction of Antarctic krill, with subsequent flow-on effects through the food web.
An understanding of how biological organisms in Antarctica adapt to environmental change is one major strategic area of Antarctic science. Microalgae are of particular interest because they form the basis of the food webs.
Contaminants may persist in marine sediments and be re-suspended during storms or by the activity of animals. This project will assess the impact of contaminated sediments on plants and animals that live directly above the sediment.
Relating ages, determined using the decay of radioactive elements in minerals, to geological events is central to understanding mountain building and continental evolution.
'Cold outbreaks' are severe meteorological events which have significant impacts on many aspects economic and social life in midlatitude communities.