Climate change induced shifts in sea ice algae nutrient content: a single-cell study (AINSEPGRA Scholar)

Project Member(s): Petrou, K.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Synchrotron Research Program (Australian Synchrotron Beamline)
Australian Synchrotron Research Program (Australian Synchrotron Beamline)

Start year: 2021

Summary: Climate change is rapidly altering Arctic ecosystems, with accelerated warming causing changes in sea ice dynamics (NOAA, 2018). Microalgae that grow in the sea ice form acritical component of the Arctic marine foodweb, contributing up to 50% of primary production (Gosselin et al., 1997). As primary producers they are the principle source ofenergy (macromolecules) for higher trophic levels in the marine ecosystem. Using synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy, this project will explore how climate changeis influencing the nutrient content of Arctic sea ice microalgae and provide new estimates of current and future energy supply to the Arctic foodweb.

FOR Codes: Ecological physiology, Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation, Biological oceanography, Ecosystem Adaptation to Climate Change, Marine Oceanic Processes (excl. climate related), Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences, Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean)

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.