by Ria Olivier | Jul 1, 2024 | Geomorphology, Marion Island, Research, SANAP, Science
Twenty‐thousand‐year gap between deglaciation and peat formation on sub‐Antarctic Marion Island attributed to climate and sea level change
Article published by Werner Nel, Dominic Hodgson, David Hedding, Alex Whittle and Elizabeth Rudolph
Full Article Available Here
Radiocarbon dating of basal peats has been a key factor in determining minimum ages for deglaciation on sub‐Antarctic islands. On Marion Island, peat bogs dominate the landscape below 300m a.s.l., and palynological assessments of peat cores have been used to assess the vegetation history and succession rates as well as the sensitivity of the indigenous flora to climatic change. Initiation of peat on the sub‐Antarctic islands signifies a major landscape change which has previously been linked to the retreat of glaciers. Here we test this hypothesis by comparing previously published and new basal peat ages from Marion Island with cosmogenic isotope dates for deglaciation, and local and regional palaeo‐environmental changes. Results show that, in common with other sub‐Antarctic islands, peat initiation occurred after the Antarctic Cold Reversal (15–13 ka) and through the early Holocene climate optimum. This substantially postdates cosmogenic isotope evidence for deglaciation from the basalts which shows that the areas where the peatlands dominate were ice‐free from the start of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 (~31 ka). This suggests that environmental conditions controlled peat initiation rather than deglaciation. Regional climatic proxies show that during and after MIS 2, extremely low temperatures, extensive sea ice conditions and depressed sea surface temperatures together with lower sea levels at an island scale could have maintained conditions unfavourable for peat initiation at their current locations. On Marion Island, the significant gap of ~20 000 years between the timing of deglaciation and peat formation indicates that the use of peat basal ages as a proxy for the minimum age of deglaciation in the sub‐Antarctic should be used with extreme caution.
Left( Werner Nel, David Hedding and Elizabeth Rudolph)
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
by Ria Olivier | Jun 27, 2024 | Antarctica, Newsletters>SANAE Newsletters, SANAE, SANAP
SANAE 63 Overwintering Team first newsletter now available. Introducing the team members and sharing their memories.
READ NEWSLETTER HERE
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
This first edition of the S63 newsletter introduces the team members with highlights of the memorable moments thus far. I hope this edition is fruitful for all our readers. – Tankiso H. Moso, Editor
LETTER FROM THE DEPUTY TEAM LEADER
I remain impressed with everyone’s work ethic. Each person has certainly found his/her stride here at SANAE IV and my overall impression is one of a strong group made up of respectable and mature individuals with a shared identity and purpose whose aim is to hold the legacy of South African National Antarctic Expedition proudly up high. Personally, I am grateful to each and every one of them for making the task of being a Deputy Team Leader a pleasant and gratifying experience for me. I can already see that bonds of friendship are being formed here that will outlive our stay at SANAE IV. – Thulani “Thulz” Ngwaqa, S63 Deputy Team Leader and Base Engineer
MEET THE S63 TEAM – introducing S63 members.
Page through their photo memories
by Ria Olivier | May 31, 2024 | Commemorative Days, Environment, SANAP
National Environment Month is celebrated in June, with the South African government and captains of industry leading the way by stimulating awareness on environmental issues and challenging all to become agents for change. June is Environment Month under the theme “Think, Eat, Save and reduce your foodprint”. we celebrate our Antarctic region environment.
The theme for World Environment Day and National Environment Month rests on three pillars. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted. Therefore, communities are encouraged to “Think” before discarding food off as waste. The second pillar, “Eat” encourages consuming food in such a way that the environmental impact is reduced. Third pillar encourages communities to make wise decisions about discarding food and “Save” as far as possible.
World Environment Day 2024 focuses on land restoration, halting desertification and building drought resilience under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.” We cannot turn back time, but we can grow forests, revive water sources, and bring back soils. We are the generation that can make peace with land.
Environmental events celebrated during National Environment Month include:
- 5-Jun World Environment Day
- 8-Jun World Oceans Day
- 19-Jun World Albatross day
- 21-Jun International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice
by Ria Olivier | May 7, 2024 | Announcement, Antarctica, Research, SANAP
Announcing a 2nd Edition of the Special Issue focused on “Antarctic Remote Sensing Applications” that will be published in the journal Remote Sensing (IF: 5.000).
The focus of this Special Issue will be on changes that have been and are undergoing in Antarctica mostly driven by climate change but as well by tectonics, volcanism, and erosion, that causes adaptation of Antarctic biota’s occupation and mobility, and of Human presence. Research papers focused on Antarctica that analyze data acquired by remotely operated sensors within the Remote Sensing scope are welcome to this special issue, in particular:
- Antarctic climate change effect on ice sheet and permafrost state and evolution,
- Antarctic sea level rise and sea surface temperature anomalies,
- Antarctic landform formation by tectonics, volcanism, and erosion,
- Antarctic biota occupation and mobility,
- Antarctic past and recent human presence.
SPECIAL ISSUE Information
Researchers working on these topics express an interest in contributing to this Special Issue by sending a potential title, list of authors and abstract (of about 300 words) to gprates@ualg.pt and/or to submit your contributions.
The submission deadline will be 30th September 2024.
CONTACT:
by Ria Olivier | Apr 11, 2024 | Announcement, SANAP, SEAmester
LEARNER (FET) APPLICATION FORM
- Applications need to be completed by
- * No late or incomplete applications will be considered. (CLOSINGDATE 19 APRIL)
- SEAmester VII dates are 24th June to 4th July 2024
SEAmester – South Africa’s Class Afloat aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross- disciplinary field to students who have shown an interest in the core science disciplines. It combines traditional classroom lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities; while providing them with an opportunity to support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities. During the voyage, students will engage in classroom lectures, assignments, and hands-on research activities, covering topics such as physical oceanography, marine biology and environmental science. Learners will also work with sophisticated instrumentation, collect data and gain experience in data analysis and scientific research techniques. The research group comprises over 30 oceanographic, fisheries, biogeochemical and biological experts, who jointly have trained over 600 Southern African students onboard a wide variety of international and local research vessels.
The SEAmester programme is usually offered to 40 post-graduate students. With the introduction of Marine Sciences in the FET phase, the SEAmester team, led by Prof. Isabelle Ansorge from the University of Cape Town, has made available two spaces for high-school learners. These two learners will be selected through an objective process. The team invites full-time Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners to apply for and potentially be selected for this amazing opportunity.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- CLOSING DATE 19 APRIL 2024
- To apply to be part of this amazing opportunity:
- Applicants must be full-time in Grade 11 or Grade 12 in 2024.
- Applicants must be doing Marine Sciences as school subject in Grade 11 or Grade 12.
- Applicants must have a passion for marine sciences and an enthusiastic attitude .
- Applicants must provide a 350 – 500, covering:
- your understanding of the importance of marine science research on vessels such as the SA Agulhas II
- a motivation as to why you should be selected to be part of SEAmester – South Africa’s class afloat, and what you hope to gain from this
- be available to be on board the research ship from 24 June to 4 July 2024 (a valid passport would be required)
Sounds like a dream potentially coming true?
- Go to: https://forms.gle/fBSN3dZVLRHJJmWf9
- Complete the relevant
- Upload an official copy of your Term 1, 2024 academic
- Upload a copy of your essay
- Any questions regarding your application? Email:
by Ria Olivier | Apr 3, 2024 | Announcement, Research, SANAP
The SANAP research projects approved for the cycle 2024-2026 are represented under the following Marine and Antarctic Strategy themes.
OCEAN and Marine Ecosystems under Global Change
- Antarctic MIZ Observations: Interdisciplinary approaches to resolve seasonal sea-ice variability. (UCT)
- Decoding the mercury cycle in the Southern Ocean: in situ observations and advanced modeling. (SAWS)
- ECOSOPHY – Emergent constraints on Southern Ocean phytoplankton physiology. (CSIR)
- Growth dynamics of sea ice and how they affect the sea ice mechanics. (UCT)
- Micronutrient and pollutant trace elements at the air-sea interface of the Southern Ocean. (SUN)
- Southern Ocean Carbon-Heat Nexus: mixed-layer processes & feedbacks for improved climate projections. (CSIR)
- The biological carbon pump in a changing Southern Ocean. (UCT)
Earth Systems Observations
- Crustal evolution of Dronning Maud Land (UJ)
- Landscape and Climate Interactions in the sub-Antarctic. (UFH)
- Polar Space Weather Studies (SANSA)
- Provenance and paleomagnetics of the rocks of the Grunehogna Craton in Western Dronning Maud Land. (UJ)
- SANAE HF radar. (SANSA)
- Structural Glaciological Analysis of North-Western Antarctic Ice Shelf – SANAS (UCT)
Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Biodiscovery
- Ecogenomics (UJ)
- Interactive effects of multiple stressors and environmental change on seabird breeding performance. (DFFE)
- Marion Island mouSe Ecology – MISE (UP)
- Marion Island Top Predator Long-Term Observations. (SAEON)
- On-island impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean’s iconic seabirds. (UCT)
Innovation and development
- SA Agulhas II – Flagship for Vessel (4.0) – Part II (SUN)
Human Enterprise
- Antarctic Legacy of South Africa. (SUN)
- SEAmester – South Africa’s Floating University. ( UCT)
- South African Antarctic Artists and Writers Programme – AWP Pilot. (UP)
- The Marion Island Hut Book Project. (UFS)
For details and links see SANAP website.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Page through their photo memories
The theme for World Environment Day and National Environment Month rests on three pillars. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted. Therefore, communities are encouraged to “Think” before discarding food off as waste. The second pillar, “Eat” encourages consuming food in such a way that the environmental impact is reduced. Third pillar encourages communities to make wise decisions about discarding food and “Save” as far as possible.
Announcing a 2nd Edition of the Special Issue focused on “Antarctic Remote Sensing Applications” that will be published in the journal Remote Sensing (IF: 5.000).
The focus of this Special Issue will be on changes that have been and are undergoing in Antarctica mostly driven by climate change but as well by tectonics, volcanism, and erosion, that causes adaptation of Antarctic biota’s occupation and mobility, and of Human presence. Research papers focused on Antarctica that analyze data acquired by remotely operated sensors within the Remote Sensing scope are welcome to this special issue, in particular:
LEARNER (FET) APPLICATION FORM
SEAmester – South Africa’s Class Afloat aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross- disciplinary field to students who have shown an interest in the core science disciplines. It combines traditional classroom lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities; while providing them with an opportunity to support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities. During the voyage, students will engage in classroom lectures, assignments, and hands-on research activities, covering topics such as physical oceanography, marine biology and environmental science. Learners will also work with sophisticated instrumentation, collect data and gain experience in data analysis and scientific research techniques. The research group comprises over 30 oceanographic, fisheries, biogeochemical and biological experts, who jointly have trained over 600 Southern African students onboard a wide variety of international and local research vessels.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
