by Ria Olivier | Aug 2, 2022 | Research, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, Science
The All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance 2022 Forum was co-hosted by the United States and Brazil, in collaboration with the European Commission, over two events between May and July 2022. Outcomes from the Scientific Event in May were highlighted at the Ministerial Event in Washington, D.C. July 12-14, which featured ministerial interventions and the signing of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research & Innovation Alliance Declaration. The Declaration outlines the vision of the All-Atlantic and will build upon collaboration between existing initiatives in the Atlantic Ocean on ocean research and innovation.
During a side event “Research Cooperation from Pole to Pole” hosted at the residence of the Portuguese Ambassador in the USA, Washington, DC. Dr Juliet Hermes, Acting Manager of SAPRI hosted at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Egagasini node and Dr Tamaryn Morris, Senior Marine Scientist at South African Weather Service attended this meeting on 12 July.
Introduction to the Southern Ocean/Antarctic Research interests of the All-Atlantic partners from the United States, Europe, Brazil and Canada. Dr Tamaryn Morris gave an introduction of South Africa research interests.
A panel discussion on challenges and best practices for All-Atlantic cooperation and preparation of recommendations and next steps to facilitate an All-Atlantic cooperation in Polar research was chaired by Evan Bloom. Dr Juliet Hermes was one of the panelists. A summary of recommendations was done afterward.
Juliet Hermes: ” The panel raised some very pertinent questions around polar infrastructure. It was interesting to hear those other countries struggle with the same issues as us and the need for shared best practices was highlighted.
The meeting was a great networking opportunity and SAPRI has been invited to collaborate on the next major European funding call. We also had the opportunity to contribute to key messages for the ministers.”
Juliet and Tammy did make time to take a picture while in Washington.
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 02 August 2022
by Ria Olivier | Aug 1, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Jobs, Overwintering Team, SANAE, SANAP, Stations, Team member
Applications are now open!
Application deadline: 15 August 2022.
View all positions on the JOBS page
by Ria Olivier | Aug 1, 2022 | Announcement, Marion Island, Newsletters>Marion Island Newsletters, Research
The first newsletter of Marion 79 is now available online!
Inside this issue meet the team members, page through their memories and read more about:
- Circle of Life
- Do a tour of the Base; the Butternut Hotel
- The little Chomper – Sub-Antarctic fur seal pups
- Take-over Memories
- The Magical Island – Diary of a Marion First-Timer
Message from the Editor Elsa Van Ginkel: “Marion has been treating us well these past few months, the team is slowly becoming a family and we are truly looking forward to the rest of our overwintering period. I hope that this first edition of The Wanderer will keep you entertained! Enjoy.”
And Co-editor Tankiso Moso: “It is indeed a blessing and an achievement to be here. It has also been a great time so far: learning the work, getting to know each other as a team and getting used to the M79ers family. It’s going to be a good year!”
Click here to view/download the newsletter and see great shots taken by team members:
Click here to view more Marion Newsletters on the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa Archive.
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 01 August 2022.
by Ria Olivier | Jul 29, 2022 | Antarctica, Current Event, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, STEM
Team Buoys, team SEAICE and the logistics personnel involved in ocean operations.
| TEAM | BUOYS |
| Project name | A network of autonomous sea ice observation platforms in support of Southern Hemisphere climate predictions |
| Principal Investigator & Onboard Team Leader | Robyn Verrinder | University of Cape Town, Marine and Antarctic Research centre for Innovation and Sustainability (UCT-MARIS)
|
| Principal Investigator & ship based Chief Scientists of SCALE-WIN22 | Marcello Vichi | University of Cape Town, Marine and Antarctic Research centre for Innovation and Sustainability (UCT-MARIS)
|
| TEAM | SEAICE |
| Project name | Mechanical and biogeochemical properties of sea ice. |
| Principal Investigator | Tokoloho Rampai | University of Cape Town, Marine and Antarctic Research centre for Innovation and Sustainability (UCT-MARIS)
|
| Principal Investigator | Marcello Vichi | University of Cape Town, Marine and Antarctic Research centre for Innovation and Sustainability (UCT-MARIS)
|
Onboard BUOYS team members:
| Team Member | Role | Affiliation |
| Robyn Verrinder | Onboard Team Leader | University of Cape Town |
| Michael Noyce | MSc | University of Cape Town |
| Agoritsa Spirakis | MSc | University of Cape Town |
| Lawrence Stanton | MSc | University of Cape Town |
| Justin Pead | Senior Tech Officer | University of Cape Town |
| Ippolita Tersigni | PhD | University of Melbourne (Australia) |
| Giulio Passerotti | PhD | University of Melbourne (Australia) |
| Jacques Welgemoed | PhD | Nelson Mandela University |
| Francesca de Santi | Research fellow | University of Cape Town |
| Jan-Victor Björkqvist | Researcher | Finnish Meteorological Institute (Finland) |
| Alberto Alberello | Senior Research Associate | University of East Anglia (U.K) |
Onboard SEAICE team members:
| Team Member | Role | Affiliation |
| Siobhan Johnson | Onboard Team Leader | University of Cape Town |
| Felix Paul | Technician/PhD | University of Cape Town
University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) |
| Safiyyah Moos | PhD | University of Cape Town |
Tamuka Keche
| MSc | University of Cape Town |
Hayley Swait
| MSc | University of Cape Town |
Magata Mangatane
| PhD | University of Cape Town |
Lisa Kumadiro
| MSc | University of Cape Town |
Dayna Collins
| Honours | University of Cape Town |
Onboard ocean operations logistics team:
| Team Member | Role | Affiliation
|
| Riesna R. Audh | Ice operations | University of Cape Town |
| Jonathan Rogerson | Ocean operations | University of Cape Town |
| Ashleigh Womack | Sea ice operations | University of Cape Town |
BUOYS: More about the project and the team:
A variety of synoptic, seasonal and interannual drivers influence the forms, types and concentration of sea ice in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) in the Southern Ocean. The temporal and spatial distribution of the ice and its physical, mechanical and biological properties are directly related to the natural variability of the oceans and atmosphere, but also anthropogenic climate change. Climate and Earth System Models have limited sea ice variable parameterisations due to the scarcity of spatially distributed high resolution measurements from the region, specifically during winter/spring. To better understand atmosphere-ice-ocean MIZ processes and to improve future prediction of seasonal sea ice coverage and extent, three main approaches are available: (1) in situ measurements, (2) area-wide satellite data, and (3) numerical and experimental modelling. The meaningful connection of these is essential for enhancing understanding of this region.
Improved use of technology and autonomous devices, capable of persistent in situ sampling at finer spatial resolutions over the winter/spring seasons in the Antarctic MIZ, are key to obtaining the datasets needed to improve Earth System Models and to validate remote-sensing products. This requires a multidisciplinary approach including engineering, oceanography and climate science. The #SCALEwin22 expedition BUOY team comprises researchers and students from several institutes including the University of Cape Town (Robyn, Michael, Justin, Lawrence, Agoritsa and Francesca), Nelson Mandela University (Jacques), University of Melbourne (Guilio and Ippolita), University of East Anglia (Alberto) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute – FMI (Jan-Victor). During the expedition we aim to collect high-frequency wave and ice drift data using ice-tethered buoys (see images below) designed and built by the UCT team as well as open water buoys developed by Tallinn University of Technology and WiseParker OÜ. These measurements will be complimented by advanced ship-based imaging of ice floes and waves using LiDAR, stereo and thermal cameras. These unique high resolution data sets will be used to better characterise wave drivers of sea ice formation during winter and to inform Southern Hemisphere climate predictability.
SEAICE: More about the project
Analysis of structural, textural, and mechanical properties of sea ice in the Antarctic marginal zone.
Read more about the SEAICE team’s research here: UCT-MARiS
Check them out on Social Media:
Fearued Image: (Back) L-R: Jan-Victor Björkqvist (BUOYS), Giulio Passerotti (BUOYS), Alberto Alberello (BUOYS), Magata Mangatane (SEAICE), Robyn Verrinder (BUOYS), Justin Pead (BUOYS), Lawrence Stanton (BUOYS), Jacques Welgemoed (BUOYS); (middle) Francesca de Santi (BUOYS), Agoritsa Spirakis (BUOYS), Ippolita Tersigni (BUOYS), Michael Noyce (BUOYS), Felix Paul (SEAICE), Siobhan Johnson (SEAICE), Hayley Swait (SEAICE), Ashleigh Womack (Sea ice operations – logistics), Safiyyah Moos (SEAICE), Dayna Collins (SEAICE), Riesna Audh (ice operations – logistics); (front) Lisa Kumadiro (SEAICE), Jonathan Rogerson (ocean operations – logistics) and Tamuka Keche (SEAICE). Image Credit: Kurt Martin.
Images by Robyn Verrinder, Agoritsa Spirakis, Alberto Alberello and Kurt Martin (SAPRI trainee).
Buoys team text by Robyn Verrinder, Principal Investigator and onboard team leader.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 29 July 2022.
by Ria Olivier | Jul 29, 2022 | Antarctica, Current Event, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic
A CSIR-SOCCO – DFFE-Oceans & Coasts partnership
Team CO2-HEAT (L-R): Bubele Rasmeni, Siyabulela Hamnca and Baxolele Mdokwana.
| TEAM | CO2-HEAT |
| Project Name | Contemporary and Future Drivers of CO2 and Heat in the Southern Ocean |
| Principal Investigator | Sarah Nicholson | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Pedro Monteiro | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Sebastiaan Swart | University of Gothenburg |
Onboard CO2-HEAT team members:
| Team Member | Role | Affiliation |
| Siyabulela Hamnca | Onboard Team Leader | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Baxolele Mdokwana | Technician | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) |
| Bubele Rasmeni | Technician | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment |
Contemporary and Future Drivers of CO2 and Heat in the Southern Ocean
The contemporary Southern Ocean mitigates the effects of anthropogenic climate change through its disproportional uptake of carbon and heat. However, it is not well understood how this role will evolve under different emission and mitigation scenarios. The Southern Ocean also remains the largest source of global ocean uncertainty in the global estimates of CO2 and heat fluxes. While much has been achieved globally and regionally in constraining the variability and some of the mechanisms that drive Southern Ocean CO2 and heat fluxes separately, we propose that a significant part of the challenge lies in the lack of research on CO2 and heat together to better understand the feedback and the mechanisms that drive those feedbacks.
This SANAP-NRF project aims to examine the changing role of the Southern Ocean in global climate by looking at the two main drivers CO2 and heat, in an integrated way using an unprecedented 10-year high resolution glider dataset from the 2012-2022 SOSCEx experiments, prognostic biogeochemical models, and new observational experiments planned in partnership with CSIR and DFFE as well as the SO-CHIC EU H2020 project. This collaboration is undertaken as part of the emerging National Ocean CO2 Facility, a research infrastructure integration between CSIR and DFFE within SAPRI and hosted at DFFE.
We aim to gain a better understanding of how the interaction of atmospheric synoptic cycles (storms) and fine-scale (0.1-100 km) ocean processes influence seasonal-decadal variability of CO2 and heat fluxes. This will include the extent to which they feedback on each other and ultimately contribute to a better understanding of the role of the Southern Ocean in the global carbon-climate system.
The expected three outcomes are:
- Improved observational constraints for the contemporary seasonal-interannual variability of CO2 and heat fluxes.
- Understanding of how storms and their interaction with fine-scale dynamics influence the seasonal and interannual variability of CO2 and heat fluxes.
- Identify the potential mechanisms that could explain the decadal anomaly in CO2 fluxes at the end of the 20th century.
Winter cruise sampling:
The SCALE Winter-2022 cruise provides an important opportunity to address a key source of uncertainty in annual Southern Ocean CO2 and heat observations – the dearth of winter time observations. While the lack of winter observations has been improved by the recent proliferation of SOCCOM floats, ship-based observations remain highly valuable as an independent and direct measurement of CO2 and importantly include heat flux observations. On the SCALE Winter-2022 cruise, the CO2-Heat team will be sampling profiles of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity. The underway pCO2 system will also be operated during the cruise. Simultaneously, the heat flux sensors are in continuous operation measuring the short and long-wave radiation on minute time-scales. In addition, as part of SO-CHIC, two Saildrones will overlap with the ship sampling path for calibration of measured CO2 and heat flux. The Saildrones will remain in the Southern Ocean sampling heat and CO2 fluxes for the remainder of winter. These key winter observations will be contrasted to the previous summer observations made during the dedicated SO-CHIC cruise in January 2022.
Dr Siyabulela Hamnca in action during SCALE-WIN22.
For more information visit:
Text supplied by Sarah Nicholson (PI).
Featured image supplied by Kurt Martin (SAPRI trainee).
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 29 July 2022.
