Updates

Date: 2023

Type: Case study

Authors: Antarctic Science Platform

Summary: Antarctic Science Platform researchers are using satellite data to determine the spatial extent of polynya with better accuracy, which unlocks the ability to quantify their role in large-scale processes, such as sea-ice formation, ocean circulation and their impact on marine ecosystems.

Date: 2023

Type: Case study

Authors: Antarctic Science Platform

Summary: A new environmental monitoring technique uses filter-feeding sponges as natural environmental DNA (eDNA) samplers. This technique has been successfully demonstrated to monitor the marine biodiversity and biogeography in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean and to identify changes. This new approach will support the monitoring ambitions of the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area.

Date: 2023

Type: Case study

Authors: Antarctic Science Platform

Summary: A new modelling tool developed by Antarctic Science Platform researchers accurately represents ocean-atmosphere-sea ice interactions in the Ross Sea, which is critical for reducing uncertainty in the assessment of future climate scenarios.

Date: 2023

Type: Update

Authors: Tim Naish

Summary: Among the most visible effects of human-induced global warming are rising seas around the world. What does this mean for Antarctica, and for Aotearoa New Zealand? Here, we provide an overview of recent global and local trends, and the importance of understanding the contribution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to future sea level rise. Research within the Antarctic Science Platform is improving the accuracy of ice sheet models, reducing uncertainty in future projections, and contributing to sea-level projection tools here, and overseas.

Date: 2023

Type: Update

Authors: GNS Science

Summary: The paleoenvironmental and paleontological information and data that these sediment cores contain are critical to guide our understanding of Antarctica’s past climatic and glacial conditions. Scientists continue to examine and re-examine these valuable repositories.

Date: 2023

Type: Update

Summary: In case you missed it, here are some of the media and outreach opportunities our team was involved in during the past year. There were also public talks, school visits and publications in subscription-based magazines.

Date: 2023

Type: Update

Summary: In January, divers were able to return to the bottom of Lake Fryxell in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Waikato University professor Ian Hawes donned his dive suit as part of a NZ-US team carrying out long-term ecological monitoring. They found that the ice on the lake is thinning, and this is changing the microbial life that grows in this extreme environment. Videographer Anthony Powell worked with the divers to bring back pictures from the bottom of the lake, and TVNZ's Laura Frykberg helped tell the story.

Date: 2023

Type: Science

Authors: Tim Naish

Summary: The slow-down of the Southern Ocean circulation, a dramatic drop in the extent of sea ice and unprecedented heatwaves are all raising concerns that Antarctica may be approaching tipping points.