by Ria Olivier | Feb 29, 2024 | Biogeochemistry, geochemistry, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, SANAP Student, South Atlantic, Southern Ocean
The third session within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy research theme: Oceans and marine ecosystems under global change chaired by Suzanne Fietz of Stellenbosch University. The presentations resort under the title ‘Southern Ocean productivity: drivers and consequences. The session was introduced by Susanne Fietz and the alignment to MARS. (Above: group photo – Photo credit Suzanne Fietz)
Above (l-r): Liam Quinlan, Emtia Wium, Johan Viljoen, Asmita Singh, Jared Walsh (Stellenbosch University)
- Liam Quinlan: Characterising phytoplankton communities: A Southern Ocean case study of environmental coupling. (Abstract)
- Amelia Deary: Early community development at the Southern Ocean Marginal Ice Zone. (Abstract)
- Sadiyah Rawat: The role of the island mass effect in enhancing productivity and carbon export in the Subantarctic Ocean. (Abstract)
- Emtia Wium: Impact of metals in aerosols and dust on marine phytoplankton: South Africa. (Abstract)
- Sina Wallschuss: The seasonality and origins of nitrous oxide in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. (Abstract)
- Faith February: Observations of Southern Ocean marine aerosols in Simon’s Town, False Bay. (Abstract)
- Susanne Fietz: General discussion
- Mhlangabezi Mdutyana: Nitrification in the Southern Ocean: controls, kinetics, and biogeochemical implications. (Abstract)
- Susanne Fietz: Trace metals and phytoplankton. (Abstract)
Above (l-r): Amelia Deary, Sadiyah Rawat, Sina Wallschuss, Faith February, Mhlangabezi Mdutyana (UCT)
Sarah Fawcett(left) could not attend, but her and Dr Katye Altieri (right)students gave presentations during this session. Sarah Fawcett (abstract): Nanoplankton: the dominant vector for carbon export across the Atlantic Southern Ocean in spring.
Suzanne Fietz and the Stellenbosch University Earth Sciences team submitted an excellent e-poster Asmita Singh(e-poster) and Johan Viljoen (abstract) and Jared Walsh(abstract) were not able to attend the symposium in person.
by Ria Olivier | Feb 28, 2024 | Engineering, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, SANAP Student
Another session within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy research theme : Innovation and engineering was chaired by Annie Bekker of the Sound and Vibration Group (SVG) at Stellenbosch university. This was an evening session done in a round table format and included international speakers from Finland. Prof Bekker gave an overview of the research and the sessions format tool on a round table/panel discussion. (Picture: Presenters of the session at the venue)
Above (l-r): Annie Bekker, Gerhard Durandt, Chante Van der Spuy, Nico de Koker
- Annie Bekker SA Agulhas II – Flagship for vessel 4.0. (Abstract)
- Gerhard Durandt The Development of a Structural Digital Twin for the SA Agulhas II. (Abstract)
- Chante Van der Spuy The Classification of Multi-Impact Events by the Application of Inverse Methods and Machine Learning. (Abstract)
- Nico de Koker Inversion and Extreme Value Analysis of Ice Loading on Propulsion Shaft of the SA Agulhas II. (Abstract)
Above(l-r): Micaela Melim, Ben Steyn, Brendon Nickerson, Nicole Taylor
- Micaela Melim Expanding the Capabilities of Mariner 4.0: A human-centred monitoring and research tool. (Abstract)
- Ben Steyn A Longitudinal Study of the Open-Water Performance of an Ice-Class Vessel. (Abstract)
- Brendon Nickerson Inverse calculations of ice impacts on propulsion machinery. (Abstract)
- Nicole Taylor The berth of Mariner 4.0: A human-centred monitoring and research tool. (Abstract)
International speakers join the session and Sarah Nicholson of SOCCO present on robotics innovation. JP Barnard gave a presentation on data management during the cross-theme session chaired by Anne Treasure on day 1. Above(l-r): Jukka Tuhkuri, Miko Lensu, Sarah Nicholson, JP Barnard
- Jukka Tuhkuri Ice Load measurement and ice condition monitoring onboard S.A. Agulhas II. (Abstract)
- Miko Lensu Sea ice research of Finnish Meteorological Institute. (Abstract)
- Sarah Nicholson South African Robotics and Ocean Technology Innovation Centre (SA-RobOTIC). (Abstract)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 21, 2024 | Antarctica, Marion Island, Overwintering Team, SA Agulhas II, SANAE IV, SANAP, Stations, Take-Over Operations
It was a great event to welcome back the SANAE62 overwintering team after they spent more than a year at Antarctica. Dr Aby Paton(front 3rd form left), medical doctor of the team did not return as she will be staying on at SANAEIV as team leader and medical doctor for SANAE63.
The event was organised by Ms Chuma Phamoli, Director of Antarctic and Southern Oceans Islands Support. Dr L Fikizolo, Deputy Director of Oceans and Coasts, gave the welcome speech and thanked everyone on the voyage for their dedication and hard work to make the take over period successful. “This was the first season that the vessel had cover two destinations (Antarctica and Marion Island) on both the out bound and in bound legs of the voyage. The voyage also gave the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) the necessary platform to undertake their annual maintenance activities at the SANAE IV base and the removal of old infrastructure on Marion Island.” – DFFE
DFFE preparations for welcoming ceremony(image left). Zaid Watson and Mawonga Mandleni provided entertainment while everyone was waiting (image right)
Family, friend and colleagues wait to greet everyone
And then the S.A, Agulhas II arrive at East Pier with those on board
WELOME SPEECH Video Recording MEDIA INVITE
by Ria Olivier | Feb 16, 2024 | Data Management, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Research, SA Agulhas II, Science, Uncategorised
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. 12- 16 February is International Love Data Week with the theme “My Kind of Data” and this is about the data presentations at the SANAP Symposium “the SANAP community kind of data.”
Data Management
Anne Treasure(right) South Africa’s representative at Standing Committee on Data Management(SCADM) at SCAR and Data Products and Society Manager of the South African Polar Institute(SAPRI) chaired the main session on data management. This session included very interesting presentations from various science disciplines.
Above(l-r): Leigh McGaughey, JP Barnard, Bjorn Boyes
- First Presentation was by Leigh McGaughey on “Ecosystem modelling to explore ecosystem dynamics at the Prince Edward Islands.” (abstract)
- Data management with JP Barnard delivering a presentation on “Management of Recorded Voyage Data for the SA Agulhas II.” and discuss intricate models to ensure vessel data is manage correctly. (Abstract)
- Bjorn Boyes had everyone listening to his talk ” on how to digitally construct sub-Antarctic Marion Island. (Abstract)
On the 30th November more data presentations was given in an ad hoc session chaired by Christel Hansen. Above(l-r): David Hedding, Christel Hansen, Pierre Cilliers
- David Hedding: A geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (Abstract) Read more here and see the dataset
- Christel Hansen delivered a presentation on “Consistent mapping and geospatial information representation in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic: why South Africans should care.” (Abstract)
- During the last research theme session chaired by Stefan Lotz of SANSA, Pierre Cilliers delivered a presentation on ” The long-term variation of the geomagnetic field in Antarctica as measured in Hermanus, Maitri and at SANAE-IV since 2007.” (Abstract)
by Ria Olivier | Oct 30, 2023 | Environment, geochemistry, Gough Island, News, Oceanography, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAP, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, Science, South Atlantic, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic, Tristan da Cunha
Research team on the recent Gough Island takeover expedition.
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in the ocean, and just like plants on land they need to have enough food to grow and be happy. However, some places in the ocean don’t have enough food for them whereas some places do. The Southern Ocean Carbon & Climate Observatory (SOCCO) team based at CSIR, Trace Metals team based at Stellenbosch University (TracEx) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Oceans and Coasts team are trying to figure out where those places are (in the Southern Ocean).
During the Gough Island takeover expedition:
The Trace Metal Biogeochemistry research teams sampled upstream and downstream of Gough Island to look at how the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) interacts with the island to resuspend sediments from the seafloor. This resuspended sediments acts as a source of trace metals to the surface mixed layer in support of phytoplankton blooms. The team used a 12 bottle mini-CTD rosette system (see image below, right) to sample for dissolved trace metals, particulate trace metals and organic trace metal chemistry.
| TEAM | Trace Metal Biogeochemistry |
| Projects Name | Seasonal Iron speciation in the Southern Ocean, from open ocean environments to naturally fertilized sub-Antarctic Islands (Marion and Gough Island) |
| Principal Investigator | Dr Thomas Ryan-Keogh | Senior Researcher at the Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory (SOCCO), CSIR South Africa |
| Co-Principal Investigator (On board DFFE team leader) | Dr TN Mtshali | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Prof AN Roychoudhury | Stellenbosch University (TracEx) |
| SOCCO/TracEx on board team leader | Olie Valk | TracEx |
On board team member (PhD Student)
| Thapelo Ramalepe | SOCCO-TracEx |
On board team member (MSc Student)
| Miranda Sitofile | SOCCO-TracEx |
| On board DFFE team member | Mutshutshu Tsanwani | DFFE |
| On board DFFE team member | Kanyisile Vena | DFFE |
| On board DFFE team member | Hassan Ismael | DFFE |
| On board DFFE team member | Mbulelo Makhetha | DFFE |
| On board team members | Including all ship-based scientists sampling for trace metals |
The project in more detail:
The Southern Ocean (SO) is one of the largest high-nutrient low-chlorophyll regions in the World’s Ocean, where primary productivity is limited by iron bioavailability, thereby impacting the strength and efficiency of biological carbon pump. There are, however, exceptions with large phytoplankton blooms persistently observed downstream of the sub-Antarctic Islands. While extensive research has focussed on iron-biogeochemistry around Kerguelen and Crozet islands, no such studies have been conducted at Marion and Gough islands.
Furthermore, whilst our previous studies have made substantial advances toward addressing the gaps in seasonal data coverage through the Southern oCean seAsonaL Experiment (SCALE) 2019 winter and spring expeditions, there is still a paucity of dissolved iron data in the SO, especially from autumn to late spring. This is severely hampering our understanding of the full seasonal biogeochemical iron cycle and its impact on primary production. This project aims to continue its focus on seasonality by expanding seasonal coverage of iron measurements to include autumn (Marion) and late-spring (Gough) expeditions for more comprehensive coverage of the SO seasonal cycle, with a particular focus on quantifying biogeochemical cycling of iron-pool around these understudied islands.
This project is funded by: The National Research Foundation, South African National Antarctic Programme funding (NRF-SANAP).
Current NRF-SANAP funded projects
Visit SOCCO here! Visit TracEx here!
Featured Image: L-R (Back): Kanyisile Vena (DFFE), Ole Valk (TracEx), Hassan Ismael (DFFE), Mbulelo Makhetha (DFFE); (front) Miranda Sitofile (SOCCO-TracEx), Thato Mtshali (DFFE), Thapelo Ramalepe (SOCCO- TracEx), Mutshutshu Tsanwani (DFFE).
Project information supplied by Dr Thomas Ryan-Keogh. Images supplied by Thapelo Ramalepe.
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 30 October 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 3, 2023 | Current Event, Discover, Gough Island, Mammology, News, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAP, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, Science, sub-Antarctic, Tristan da Cunha
Featuring research teams currently on the Gough Island takeover expedition.
The Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department recruited two Tristan Islanders to assist in the field at Tristan for the duration of the takeover. Image of the two members of a previous team.
During the annual Gough Island takeover (relief) expedition, the S.A. Agulhas II delivers passengers and cargo to Tristan da Cunha Island, which is 350 kilometers from Gough Island. Additionally, several researchers are given the chance to carry out their research at Tristan da Cunha during the relief period for Gough Island.
Prof Marthán Bester, semi-retired, Emeritus Professor and senior Research Fellow of the Mammal Research Institute at the University of Pretoria, is currently on the Tristan da Cunha to conduct field research on Subantarctic fur seals.
Find our more below about this project and prospects for the takeover period.
| TEAM | Tristan Mammal Research |
| Project Name | Subantarctic Fur Seals at the Tristan da Cunha Islands, South Atlantic Ocean |
| Principal Investigator | Prof Marthán Bester | University of Pretoria |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Prof Nico de Bruyn | University of Pretoria |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Dr Mia Wege | University of Pretoria |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Mr. Trevor Glass | Tristan Conservation Department Head |
The history of fur seal research on Tristan da Cunha
Fur seal research at the Tristan da Cunha (TdC) Islands started during the 1970s (1974–1978). In its present form, the research continues through a next phase (2009–2019), and beyond.
Short description of the project
Using Subantarctic fur seals as bioindicators of environmental conditions and as tools for suitable management of natural resources, contributing to observing marine ecosystems in the TdC Islands, since 2019 and beyond, the aim is to: (a) determine the seasonal attendance patterns of primarily lactating adult females, from the smallest (incipient) population of the species in the world at Cave Point Peninsula, TdC, (b) measure and contrast the growth rate and/or weaning mass of pups at the Cave Point breeding colony (10 month nursing period), (c) collect scat (non-invasive) and whiskers (invasive) samples for diet analyses.
During this ‘takeover’ the team aims to service and/or retrieve the Attendance Pattern Automated System (satellite-linked) at Cave Point, collect and process fur seal scat samples to determine diet, and weigh pup/under-yearling fur seals (at around 290 days of age) to compare their weaning weights amongst years and with those of pups from other island populations (including Gough Island).
In everyday language
The fur seals breed and rest on the islands, and they feed at sea. The research team aims to determine (1) what the seals feed on when they are away during feeding trips, (2) how well the pups, which remain on land, grow on a diet of milk which they suck from their mothers when these return to land after each feeding trip, and (3) how far away from the island, and for how long, do the mothers of the fur seal pups have to remain at sea on each feeding trip to be able to sustain their pups until weaning.
For more information visit about Subantarctic fur seals, click on the link below.
Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme
This project is funded by: The National Research Foundation (NRF-SANAP), The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department (TdC Conservation Department).
Update posted by the Tristan Conservation Department (on Facebook, 09 October 2023):
“The weather has been very nice last week. The conservation team and professor Martian Bester managed to go to the caves to do seal work with the seal pups. It was a great success as they managed to weigh fifty pups. Martian has been working with the conservation department for fourty nine years but sadly this is his last year working with the conservation team as he is retiring”
Project information and feature image supplied by Prof Marthán Bester.
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 03 October 2023, updated on 10 October 2023.
Above (l-r): Liam Quinlan, Emtia Wium, Johan Viljoen, Asmita Singh, Jared Walsh (Stellenbosch University)
Above (l-r): Amelia Deary, Sadiyah Rawat, Sina Wallschuss, Faith February, Mhlangabezi Mdutyana (UCT)
Sarah Fawcett(left) could not attend, but her and Dr Katye Altieri (right)students gave presentations during this session. Sarah Fawcett (abstract): Nanoplankton: the dominant vector for carbon export across the Atlantic Southern Ocean in spring.
Suzanne Fietz and the Stellenbosch University Earth Sciences team submitted an excellent e-poster Asmita Singh(e-poster) and Johan Viljoen (abstract) and Jared Walsh(abstract) were not able to attend the symposium in person.
Above (l-r): Annie Bekker, Gerhard Durandt, Chante Van der Spuy, Nico de Koker
Above(l-r): Micaela Melim, Ben Steyn, Brendon Nickerson, Nicole Taylor
International speakers join the session and Sarah Nicholson of SOCCO present on robotics innovation. JP Barnard gave a presentation on data management during the cross-theme session chaired by Anne Treasure on day 1. Above(l-r): Jukka Tuhkuri, Miko Lensu, Sarah Nicholson, JP Barnard
It was a great event to welcome back the SANAE62 overwintering team after they spent more than a year at Antarctica. Dr Aby Paton(front 3rd form left), medical doctor of the team did not return as she will be staying on at SANAEIV as team leader and medical doctor for SANAE63.
The event was organised by Ms Chuma Phamoli, Director of 
DFFE preparations for welcoming ceremony(image left). Zaid Watson and Mawonga Mandleni provided entertainment while everyone was waiting (image right)
Family, friend and colleagues wait to greet everyone
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. 12- 16 February is 
Anne Treasure(right) South Africa’s representative at Standing Committee on Data Management(SCADM) at SCAR and Data Products and Society Manager of the South African Polar Institute(SAPRI) chaired the main session on data management. This session included very interesting presentations from various science disciplines.
Christel Hansen
