Iron released from Antarctic ice controls the biological carbon pump in the surrounding Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica accounts for nearly 40% of the global oceanic sink of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate this carbon sink is fundamental in forecasting impacts on the Earth system under future climate change scenarios. The ocean's 'biological pump' is integral to this carbon sink and consists of phytoplankton assimilating carbon dioxide into organic matter through photosynthesis. Iron is essential for the growth and productivity of phytoplankton and where it exists in deficient concentrations, such as the Southern Ocean, it controls the efficiency of this pump.

The overall aim of this project will be to assess the bioavailability of different iron sources and what effect these have on microbial growth. To achieve this, you will study iron availability from different end-member samples (e.g. glacial/sea-ice, seawaters and sediments) and, in conjunction with other oceanographic data (e.g. light/irradiance), form a better understanding of microbial responses to iron availability in this globally important region.

This project will provide an exciting and rare opportunity to study the transport and bioavailability of iron in the Southern Ocean and become part of a UK team studying this region as part of the NERC RoSES research programme.