Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)

Data Sets

Services / Tools

Ancillary Descriptions

Are you using a browser that doesn't support JavaScript or have you disabled JavaScript?

If you have disabled JavaScript, you must re-enable JavaScript to use this page.
Or you can view this record using the Text Only Format.

Life In The Ice: Microbial Diversity and Function in Antarctic Sea Ice Ecosystems

Entry ID: K043_2010_2012_NZ_2

[ Update this Record ]

Summary

Abstract: Our hypothesis is that ‘spatial and temporal variations in diversity and ecosystem function of the sea ice microbial community are sensitive indicators of changing climatic conditions’. The research will develop baseline long-term data on microbial biodiversity and community structure in the “grass” of ice-covered regions – the primary and secondary producers at the base of the food web. We will ... do this using both conventional methods and molecular technology, and will quantify abundances and species identifications using a range of traditional and modern techniques including DNA fingerprints, high throughput sequencing and single cell genome amplification. We will develop an understanding of the functional role of various components of the sea ice microbial community using ecophysiological methods we have developed over nearly 20 years of Antarctic research coupled with new technologies brought together with our international collaborators on this project.

Microorganisms are the most diverse and by far the most abundant biological entities in marine environments and they are often sensitive indicators of environmental change because of their rapid lifecycles. Given the projected changes to the volume and extent of annual sea ice, SIMCO or ‘sea ice microbial communities’ provide an ideal model system to measure the effects of environmental change in Polar Regions. This research will generate a bio-inventory of the microorganisms in sea ice using both conventional methods and molecular technology, and will quantify abundances to generate community fingerprints for each field site.

In 2010-2011 our research was conducted at Cape Evans. The following data was collected.
- CTD (conductivity/temperature/depth) casts of temperature, conductivity, salinity, depth, live chlorophyll were made each day at solar noon through the sea ice to bottom (25m).
- PAR recorded at 5m above sea ice, using Skye light sensors. (units of microeinsteins /m2/s for PAR and microW per cm2 for UVB. Data were recorded daily at solar noon.
- HOBO data loggers embedded in sea ice at approx 300mm intervals through the depth of the ice (2m). Recording continuously at 10 min intervals.

In 2011-2012 our research was conducted at Turtle Rock and Cape Evans. The following data was collected.
- Turtle rock: CTD casts of temperature, conductivity, salinity, depth, live chlorophyll were made each day at solar noon through the sea ice to bottom (25m).
- Air temperature, solar visible and UVB irradiances were recorded each day at solar noon (approx 1330)
- Cape Evans: CTD casts of temperature, conductivity, salinity, depth, live chlorophyll were madeon selected days at approximately solar noon through the sea ice to bottom (30m)

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -77.63

S: -77.63

E: 166.4

W: 166.4

N: -77.74

S: -77.74

E: 166.78

W: 166.78

N: -77.38

S: -77.38

E: 166.24

W: 166.24

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2011-11-08

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > CAPE EVANS

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > TURTLE ROCK

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PROTISTS > PLANKTON > PHYTOPLANKTON
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MICROALGAE > DIATOMS

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

CLIMATOLOGY/METEOROLOGY/ATMOSPHERE

ENVIRONMENT

OCEANS

Platform

LABORATORY

FIELD INVESTIGATION

FIELD SURVEYS

Instrument

CTD > Conductivity, Temperature, Depth

Thermometers

Project

EBA > Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic

Quality All data is stored at Victoria University, Wellington. If you require any further information please contact the investigator.

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: CAROLINE MACLAURIN Phone: (03) 358 0200 Fax: (03) 358 0211 Email: c.maclaurin at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch 8140 Country: New Zealand