The impact of sea ice, glaciers and icebergs on carbon cycling in Antarctic waters

The impact of sea ice, glaciers and icebergs on carbon cycling in Antarctic waters

Project Description

Hosted at British Antarctic Survey

Supervisors

Professor Katharine Hendry, British Antarctic Survey – contact me

Professor Dorothee Bakker, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia

Dr Hugh Venables, British Antarctic Survey

 

Scientific background

The polar regions play a disproportionate role in regulating the Earth’s climate and are experiencing some of the most rapid warming observed in recent years. For example, rapid warming is resulting in ice loss from glaciers and a dramatic change in sea ice dynamics along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Whilst the ocean takes up a quarter of human-made carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, we do not know how enhanced meltwater input, iceberg discharge, and changes in sea ice will influence this carbon sink, via changes in phytoplankton growth, brine formation, and  meltwater-driven stratification and sea ice as physical barriers to air-sea gas exchange.

The aim of this project is to quantify the impact of sea ice and icebergs on ocean carbon uptake along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Research methodology

You will explore the processes driving ocean carbon uptake at different locations along the Antarctic Peninsula. You will use data and samples collected from the Rothera Time Series (RaTS) site near Adelaide Island to quantify the importance of sea ice, as well as surface and subsurface glacial meltwater for ocean carbon uptake and carbon transfer to depth. In addition, you will use samples collected as part of the BIOPOLE project near giant iceberg A23a to assess the impact of iceberg melt and mixing processes on ocean carbon dynamics. You may also determine the impacts of, and feedbacks on, ocean carbon uptake (i.e., ocean acidification) on local marine ecosystems. You will be able to place your new data in a wider perspective using data from other ship-based expeditions and marine autonomy.

Training

You will:

  • Gain expertise in ocean nutrient and carbon measurements;
  • Work with shipboard, timeseries, glider, float, and satellite datasets;
  • Join the RaTS and BIOPOLE science teams;
  • Present research at an international scientific conference and in peer-reviewed publications;

While fieldwork is not an integral part of this project, there would likely be opportunities to gain field experience during your research.

Person specification

We seek an enthusiastic, pro-active individual with strong scientific interests, self-motivation and numerical skills.

Acceptable first degree subjects: physics, chemistry, natural sciences, mathematics, computing, environmental sciences, or similar numerical subject.

References

  • Legge, O. J., Bakker, D. C. E., Johnson, M. T., Meredith, M. P, Venables, H. J., Brown, P. J., Lee, G. A. (2015) The seasonal cycle of ocean-atmosphere CO2 Flux in Ryder Bay, West Antarctic Peninsula. Geophysical Research Letters 42(8): 2934-2942. doi:10.1002/2015GL063796.
  • Dong, Y., Bakker, D. C. E., Bell, T. G., Yang, M., Landschützer, P., Hauck, J., Rödenbeck, C., Kitidis, V., Bushinsky, S. M., and Liss, P. S. (2024) Direct observational evidence of strong CO2 uptake in the Southern Ocean. Science Advances, in press, 24/07/2024.
  • Venables, H., Meredith, M. P., Hendry, K. R., Ten Hoopen, P., Peat, H., Chapman, A., Beaumont, J., Piper, R., Miller, A. J., Mann, P., Rossetti, H., Massey, A., Souster, T., Reeves, S., Fenton, M., Heiser, S., Pountney, S., Reed, S., Waring, Z., Clark, M., Bolton, E., Mathews, R., London, H., Clement, A., Stuart, E., Reichardt, A., Brandon, M., Leng, M., Arrowsmith, C., Annett, A., Henley, S. F., & Clarke, A. (2023). Sustained year-round oceanographic measurements from Rothera Research Station, Antarctica, 1997–2017. Scientific Data, 10(1), 265.
  • Droste, E. S., Hoppema, M., González-Dávila, M., Santana-Casiano, J. M., Queste, B. Y., Dall’Olmo, G., Venables, H. J., Rohardt, G., Ossebaar, S., Schuller, D., Trace-Kleeberg, S., Bakker, D. C. E. (2022) The influence of tides on the marine carbonate chemistry of a coastal polynya in the south-eastern Weddell Sea. Ocean Science 18(5), 1293-1320, doi:10.5194/os-18-1293-2022.
  • Hendry, K. R., Briggs, N., Henson, S., Opher, J., Brearley, J. A., Meredith, M. P., ... & Meire, L. (2021). Tracing glacial meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet to the ocean using gliders. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 126(8), e2021JC017274.

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply via the  University of East Anglia application portal