SENSE Update 2: Measuring Iron in the Southern Ocean: Why and How?
At Station 1 we successfully deployed the NIWA rosette, a test cast with the CTD to 1000m, deployed optical instruments (CAT, AC-S, FRRF) and conducted a second CTD cast to 1000m. A core activity during the SAZ-SENSE voyage is examining the role iron plays in controlling the growth of phytoplankton in the Sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean. Team leader ACE CRC researcher Dr Andrew Bowie explains his research on SAZ-SENSE: What does the NIWA rosette measure and how is it used? The rosette is used to take clean water samples at various depths. The samples can then be analysed to determine the quantities of trace elements such as iron in various regions and at different depths. Why is this so important? Primary production in the ocean is dominated by single-celled microscopic plants called phytoplankton, which convert dissolved carbon dioxide into organic matter within the lighted portion of the upper ocean. This process forms the basis of the marine ecosystem and exerts an important control on
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- SENSE Update 2: Measuring Iron in the Southern Ocean: Why and How?
