Using animal-borne sensors to unravel East Antarctic coastal productivity

该项目将研究支持南极沿海冰川高生产力的机制，即海冰中的无冰绿洲，支持丰富的海洋生物。这项研究预计将利用自主平台产生必要的新的生化和生物学观测，以了解澳大利亚南极领土沿线这些难以进入的生境中的浮游植物动态。预期结果包括对冰川融化的铁供应在支持海洋生产方面的作用的新见解。这将减少在人为气候变化下波利尼亚活动预测的高度不确定性，并支持澳大利亚在保护和管理重要南极生态系统方面的国际领导地位。

This project will examine the mechanisms underpinning the high productivity in Antarctic coastal polynyas, which are ice-free oases within the sea ice supporting abundant marine life. The study expects to generate essential new biochemical and biological observations using autonomous platforms to understand phytoplankton dynamics in these inaccessible habitats along Australia’s Antarctic Territory. Expected outcomes include novel insight into the role of iron supply from melting glaciers in supporting marine production. This should reduce the high uncertainty in prognoses for polynya activity under anthropogenic climate change, and support Australia’s international leadership in conservation and management of important Antarctic ecosystems.