Understanding Weddell Sea freshwater influence on water mass formation and climate change

Project overview

This project will use a variety of hydrographic datasets to understand the water mass formation processes within the ice covered Weddell Sea, and how they are responding to climate change. These control the formation of climatically important water masses and the exchange of properties between the ocean and atmosphere.   

Project description

The Weddell Sea, the region of the Southern Ocean east of the Antarctic Peninsula, contains unique sea ice, ice shelf and water formation sites. The regional formation of dense water through the interaction of winds and sea ice has a global climate impact far beyond its size.     

The BAS and UoS teams have revealed dramatic changes in the volumes of Weddell Sea bottom water over the last several decades, potentially one of the largest shifts in ocean circulation on the planet, but because of the inaccessibility of the region it is difficult to assess the forcing and processes driving this change. This project will take new hydrographic data sets that bound the region and apply inverse mathematical approaches to ‘back out’ the change in recent decades. It will also apply innovative thermodynamic approaches to assess the processes contributing to this change, notably the contribution of sea ice vs ice sheet melt in suppressing dense water formation.    

This work will align with the analysis of the large Horizon Europe OCEAN:ICE and UK BIOPOLE programmes. It will provide valuable information on how freshwater and associated melt processes are influencing one of the most dramatic, and poorly observed and modelled, changes in ocean circulation on the planet. This is an active and important area of research, and the applicant will be placed within a vibrant and active set of research teams tackling related problems, with strong links to other UK and international researcher in the field.   

Training

Our programme provides comprehensive personal and professional development training alongside extensive opportunities for students to expand their multi-disciplinary outlook through interactions with a wide network of academic, research and industrial/policy partners. The student will be registered at the University of Southampton and hosted at the British Antarctic Survey. Specific training will include analysis techniques and data preparation of oceanographic data, specifically the use of ship hydrography and velocity data, and the analysis of oxygen isotope data to infer freshwater sources. It will also include training in the use of oceanographic ‘box inverse’ approaches, as well as training on existing inversion software customized for the region, and thermodynamic approaches to water mass transformation. Additionally, provision for attendance at summer school and other training opportunities are made and strongly encouraged, and there is potential for the participation in Southern Ocean and Antarctic research voyages. 

Entry requirements:

A UK bachelor’s degree with upper second-class honours or higher in a relevant subject. See international equivalent qualifications on our website. English language: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. We accept other English language tests.

How to apply

Apply online here. Please enter the project title and lead supervisor’s name in Section 2 to state which project you would like to apply for.

It is essential for overseas applicants to contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project before applying.

Applications should include:

· curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests

· name two current academic referees together with an institutional email addresses in the Reference section of the application form. On submission of your online application your referees will be automatically emailed requesting they send a reference to us directly by email.

· your academic transcript and degree certificate (translated if not in English) - if you have completed both a BSc & an MSc, we require both.

· IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable. For more information, please see the University of Southampton's English Language Proficiency page.

Please remember to include a short statement of your research interests and rationale for your choice of project(s) in the Personal Statement section of the application form.

Please ensure that you provide all required documentation and information so that your application can be reviewed and processed.