Using animal-borne sensors to unravel East Antarctic coastal productivity

该项目将研究南极沿海冰穴高产的机制，冰穴是海冰中的无冰绿洲，支持丰富的海洋生物。这项研究预计将产生新的基本生物化学和生物观测，利用自主平台了解沿着澳大利亚南极领土这些难以进入的栖息地的浮游植物动态。预期成果包括对冰川融化提供的铁在支持海洋生产方面的作用的新见解。这将减少人为气候变化下冰间湖活动的高度不确定性，并支持澳大利亚在保护和管理重要的南极生态系统方面发挥国际领导作用。

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.