Bio-optical model of Antarctic sea-ice algae photosynthesis

Funding: 2007: $90,000
2008: $88,000
2009: $85,000

Project Member(s): Ralph, P.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (Other funds for ARC projects)
Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)

Start year: 2007

Summary: Climate change has already led to a10% loss in Antarctic sea-ice since the 1960's and it is projected to reduce by a further 20% during this century. Algae growing on sea-ice form the basis of the Antarctic food web. Light transmission through snow & ice controls ice algae production. Using a suite of photophysiological tools and biochemical inhibitors we will examine the processes which control the photosynthesis of sea-ice algae; specifically the competing processes of photoacclimation & photoinhibition. We will develop a mechanistic model that describes how the photosynthetic processes of sea-ice algae respond to light. This will be used to predict how sea-ice algae productivity will change under various climate change scenarios.

Keywords: Antarctica, sea ice, phytoplankton, photosynthesis, physiology,

FOR Codes: Plant Physiology, Phycology, Living resources (flora and fauna), Phycology (incl. Marine Grasses), Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity, Plant physiology , Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.