Otago researchers, Rob Middag and Ella Patterson, have been in the Antarctic looking into the role trace metals, notably iron, play in the Antarctic ecosystem.
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| Deploying the rosette |
Iron is necessary for the growth of phytoplankton which is the base of the food web. Since phytoplankton takes up CO2 from the atmosphere, iron influences atmospheric CO2 levels and global climate.
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| Phytoplankton in the ice |
This project will reveal what role trace metals play in the Antarctic ecosystem and give us the ability to predict how its role in global climate will change under future climate scenarios.
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| Rob in the lab on board ship |
To find out more about this research project, check out Rob and Ella's blog:
antarcticiron.blogspot.co.nz/
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