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.
-
- UCT ice-tethered buoy deployments and retrieval.
-
- UCT ice-tethered buoy deployments and retrieval.
-
- Jan-Victor deploying one of the FMI open water wave buoys.
-
- The final UCT buoy retrieval team, (L-R): Robyn, Lawrence and Michael.
-
- UCT buoy deployment during a beautiful sunset in the Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone. Deployment team: Jacques, Agoritsa, Jan-Victor.
-
- Imaging of UCT buoy deployments using the stereo GoPro camera rig. (L-R): Agoritsa, Michael, Lawrence.
-
- The UCT Electrical Engineering group with one of the UCT buoys, (L-R): Agoritsa, Michael, Robyn and Lawrence.
-
- Detailed LiDAR scan of a pancake ice floe by Agoritsa.
-
- Imaging team working hard. (L-R): Agoritsa and Ippolita.
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
-
- Magata Mangatane with ice corer.
-
- Tamuka Keche.
-
- Hayley Swait doing sea ice measurements.
Check them out on Social Media:
🌊Look out world!
The new generation of African #polarscientists is nurtured at @MARIS_UCT.
Safiyyah studies brines in Antarctic sea ice, Tamuka develops tools for mechanical properties, and Magata investigates ice thickness variability.@UCT_news @EBE_Postgrads @OceanographyUct pic.twitter.com/QV4Oa0oaYL— UCT MARIS (@MARIS_UCT) July 29, 2022
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.
