Diurnal vertical migration in the Southern Ocean: Importance to carbon sequestration and impacts from future oceanic warming

Project Background

The daily migration of mesopelagic species from deeper waters they occupy during the day, to the surface waters during the night, is the most important mass movement event that takes place on Earth. The migration transports a vast biomass of carbon from the surface waters to the ocean depths and is a key component of marine biological carbon pump (the migration is responsible for an estimated ~32% of total oceanic carbon sequestration). Despite this importance, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the species involved in the daily migration, the factors that determine the extent of migration, and the vulnerability of this pathway of carbon sequestration climate warming. This project aims to resolve the extent of carbon transport by mesopelagic species of the Southern Ocean and how this critical process will be affected by future climatic warming.

Project Aims and Methods

Key aims of the project will be to: 1) Establish the migratory behaviour of key mesopelagic species in the Southern Ocean, and how this varies in relation to environmental variables. 2) Evaluate the extent and spatial distribution of carbon sequestration driven by mesopelagic species across the Southern Ocean. 3) Determine how past and future climate change will affect the distribution of key species and the extent of carbon sequestration. The project will utilise and combine evidence from multiple different sources, including species distribution models, experimental trawl data, active acoustic data, environmental DNA and modelling of oceanographic processes. There will be opportunities for the student to contribute to the design of the research programme

Candidate requirements 

The project would suit well-rounded candidate with strong quantitative skills, an interest in fieldwork and experience of molecular laboratory work. We welcome and encourage student applications from under-represented groups. We value a diverse research environment.

Project partners

The project will be a collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey (Dr Sophie Fielding; Prof. Geraint Tarling, Dr Ryan Saunders) and the University of Bristol (Prof. Martin Genner). Collectively, the team bring relevant skills in marine ecology, active acoustics, environmental DNA, species distribution modelling, ecosystem modelling and marine climate change.

Training

Training will be provided in key aspects of the work, including species distribution modelling, laboratory analyses of environmental DNA, bioinformatic analyses of environmental DNA data, analyses of ecological and active acoustic data, and modelling of oceanographic processes. There is the possibility of fieldwork in the Scotia Sea depending on a number of factors, although the success of the project will not be dependent on this aspect.

Making an application

When applying for the GW4+DTP Projects in the School of Biological Sciences please choose 'Biological Sciences (PhD)' from the Programme Choice drop down menu (see Prospectus for other Schools offering projects under this DTP). You will need to make a separate application for each project.  

It is important that you follow the detailed instructions provided in the How to apply link and read the Admissions Statement in the Prospectus to apply for one of these projects.