Elanor Bell | Australian Antarctic Division (original) (raw)

Papers by Elanor Bell

Royal Society Open Science, Nov 1, 2022

Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, AMW) are an abundant, ice-dependent species sus... more Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, AMW) are an abundant, ice-dependent species susceptible to rapid climatic changes occurring in parts of the Antarctic. Here, we used remote biopsy samples and estimates of length derived from unoccupied aircraft system (UAS) to characterize for the first time the sex ratio, maturity, and pregnancy rates of AMWs around the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). DNA profiling of 82 biopsy samples (2013–2020) identified 29 individual males and 40 individual females. Blubber progesterone levels indicated 59% of all sampled females were pregnant, irrespective of maturity. When corrected for sexual maturity, the median pregnancy rate was 92.3%, indicating that most mature females become pregnant each year. We measured 68 individuals by UAS (mean = 8.04 m) and estimated that 66.5% of females were mature. This study provides the first data on the demography of AMWs along the WAP and represents the first use of non-lethal approaches to studying this species. Furthermore, these results provide baselines against which future changes in population status can be assessed in this rapidly changing marine ecosystem.

Frontiers in Marine Science, Jan 26, 2023

During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blo... more During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blow rates, dive times, swim speeds, and broadscale movements were collected using video photogrammetric tracking and intra-voyage photoidentification. A total of 24.4 hours of video observations were suitable for blow interval or movement analysis. Similar to other blue whale populations, Antarctic blue whale dive behaviour comprised a sequence of short dives followed by a long dive with a mean dive time for short dives of 17.6 s, and a mean long dive time of 189.3 s. Two separate methods were used to estimate the average blow rate for Antarctic blue whales, giving estimates of 59.7 and 63.2 blows per hour. The overall mean swim speed over the course of all suitable video track segments was 1.59 ms-1 , but there were significant differences between years in the mean of the overall movement rate for each track; average movement rates were lower in 2015 compared to 2013 and 2019 (0.90 ms-1 , 1.84 and 1.55 ms-1 respectively), with higher rates of turning in 2015. In 2019, there was faster overall movement through the study area in a consistent direction. The total number of photo-identified blue whales re-sighted intra-season in 2013 was nine (out of 50 identified individuals); in 2015 it was seven (out of 46); in 2019 two (out of 25). Whales remained for several days with little overall movement within the 2015 study area, whereas they were moving through the study area in 2019, which would explain the low number of intra-season resights. The predominant heading in 2019 was towards the area of Antarctic blue whale concentrations at the entrance to the Ross Sea observed in previous years. The photo-identification data also show a high proportion of resighted whales with coherent movements. This suggests that Antarctic blue whales might travel together, at least over periods of several days or sometimes up to a month. The differences between behaviours in 2015 and 2019 in particular may be related to differences in the characteristics of krill swarms between the study areas.

Biodiversity Data Journal, Dec 30, 2022

Satellite tag derived data from two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) tagg... more Satellite tag derived data from two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) tagged in the east Antarctic sector of the

CABI eBooks, 2012

This chapter describes alpine cryospheric compartments and the diversity of life within them. The... more This chapter describes alpine cryospheric compartments and the diversity of life within them. The chapter also explores the extremotolerant organisms in biotechnology and astrobiology.

Frontiers in Marine Science

During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blo... more During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blow rates, dive times, swim speeds, and broadscale movements were collected using video photogrammetric tracking and intra-voyage photo-identification. A total of 24.4 hours of video observations were suitable for blow interval or movement analysis. Similar to other blue whale populations, Antarctic blue whale dive behaviour comprised a sequence of short dives followed by a long dive with a mean dive time for short dives of 17.6 s, and a mean long dive time of 189.3 s. Two separate methods were used to estimate the average blow rate for Antarctic blue whales, giving estimates of 59.7 and 63.2 blows per hour. The overall mean swim speed over the course of all suitable video track segments was 1.59 ms-1, but there were significant differences between years in the mean of the overall movement rate for each track; average movement rates were lower in 2015 compared to 2013 and 2019 (0.90 ms-1, ...

Biodiversity Data Journal

Satellite tags were deployed on two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in t... more Satellite tags were deployed on two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in the east Antarctic sector of the Southern Ocean as part of the International Whaling Commission’s Southern Ocean Research Partnership initiative. The satellite tracks generated are the first and currently, the only, satellite telemetry data that exist for this critically endangered species. These data provide valuable insights into the movements of Antarctic blue whales on their Antarctic feeding ground. The data were collected between February and April 2013 and span a 110° longitudinal range. This dataset is the first and only detailed movement data that exist for this critically endangered species. As such, this dataset provides the first measures of movement rates (distances travelled, speeds) and movement behaviour (distinguishing transit behaviour from area restricted search behaviour) within the Southern Ocean. These movement-based measures are critical to the ongoing management of...

Life at extremes: environments, organisms and strategies for survival

This chapter provides a synopsis of the discoveries about the deep biosphere. Further, the chapte... more This chapter provides a synopsis of the discoveries about the deep biosphere. Further, the chapter enumerates the types of the deep subsurface environment; presents a case study on the subseafloor; and describes life and adaptations to life in subseafloor. Finally, the chapter provides a brief account on search for extraterrestrial life in subsurface samples from other planets.

Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorit... more Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorities Biogenic reefs Lophelia pertusa UKBAP, OSPAR, EU Localised fishing Mobile gear: trawling Oil and gas extraction Deep-sea mining Pipeline and cable laying Climate change Ocean acidification Extremely long recovery time Long lived species (100s years) Slow growing Low recruitment Restriction and management of activities incompatible with Lophelia conservation in MPAs. This may include closed areas. Buffer zones for infrastructure development to reduce sedimentation and physical disturbance Networked MPA sites for improved recruitment Long term research into ecology, recovery & monitoring Adaptive management approach to climate change and ocean acidification Reduce impacts of transboundary damaging activities outside MPAs Serpulid reefs Serpula vermicularis UKBAP, EU Localised fishing Mobile gear: trawling and dredging Coastal infrastructure Aquaculture Chain and anchor damage from moorings Hand collection High potential for recovery Episodic annual reproduction Life span 2-5 years Restriction and management of activities incompatible with Serpula conservation in MPAs in particular fishing, anchorages and moorings. This may include closed areas. Buffer zones for infrastructure development to reduce sedimentation and physical disturbance Networked MPA sites for improved recruitment Long term research into recovery & monitoring Reduce impacts of transboundary damaging activities outside MPAs Horse mussel reefs Modiolus modiolus UKBAP, SBL, OSPAR, EU Localised fishing Mobile gear: dredging Predation Coastal infrastructure Spoil and waste dumping Aquaculture Chain and anchor damage from moorings Target fishery Long recovery time Sporadic and poor annual recruitment Long lived spp. Restriction and management of activities incompatible with Modiolus conservation in MPAs. This may include closed areas. Buffer zones for infrastructure development to reduce sedimentation. Spatial planning of marine cage aquaculture to minimise impacts Long term research into recovery & monitoring Networked MPA sites for improved recruitment Reduce impacts of transboundary damaging activities outside MPAs 9 Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorities Biogenic reefs (cont.) Common/Blue 10 Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorities Native oyster beds Ostrea edulis UKBAP, SBL, OSPAR Harvesting Water pollution Smothering from coastal infrastructure construction or towed gear Disease and parasites Recovery likely to be slow due to variable recruitment and pressures from competitors, pests and disease. Requires hard substrate. Recovery of 10-25 years. has been shown to have positive effects on spiny lobster fisheries in areas adjacent to marine reserves around the world (cf. Kelly & MacDiarmid 2003, Goni et al. 2010).

Giornale botanico italiano, 1996

VII SCAR International …, 2000

Mixotrophy as a survival strategy in Antarctic lakes.

Marine coastal ecosystems are among the most productive and diverse communities on Earth and are ... more Marine coastal ecosystems are among the most productive and diverse communities on Earth and are of global importance to climate, nutrient budgets, and primary productivity. Yet, these ecosystems, and in particular sedentary benthic (bottom-living) invertebrate communities at their base, are compromised by human-induced stresses, including overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. Emerging environmental legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has the potential to significantly improve the ecological status of Europes aquatic ecosystems, from rivers to the sea. However, depending upon how it is interpreted and implemented, it has the potential to impact many activities in coastal systems, including flood defence, coastal development, dredging, aquaculture and fishing. There is a critical need for a set of biogeochemical measures to assist in the characterisation of ecological function, status and potential in coastal benthic ecosystems. The FP6-funded Coastal Ocean Benthic Observatories (COBO, http://www.cobo.org.uk) program integrates in situ technologies to monitor benthic habitats, in order to understand how anthropogenic impacts affect benthic ecosystem functioning. As a complement to blind, synoptic sampling and laboratory studies, in situ studies provide rigorous scientific insight into the interactions between the biota (function and diversity) and their chemical and physical environment and the processes regulating this habitat within the context of dynamic processes that occur over many spatial and temporal scales. COBO allows for interdisciplinary, in situ observation and experimentation in these complex, remote and poorly understood ecosystems, both providing fundamental understanding of the interactions between the biota and their environment and facilitating informed management of human impacts on coastal ecosystems. Conceptual frameworks and communication tools are being developed using visualisation software, advanced numerical tools and a DPSIR approach to link scientific results with policy, measures and approaches for coastal ecosystem management.

Marine coastal ecosystems, and in particular the sedentary benthic invertebrate communities that ... more Marine coastal ecosystems, and in particular the sedentary benthic invertebrate communities that play a critical role in regulating coastal geochemical cycles, are compromised by human-induced stresses, including overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change and pollution. However, due to the complexity, remoteness and spatio-temporal variability of this environment, the relationships between tightly coupled biological, physical and geochemical processes are poorly understood. The combination in COBO of innovative in situ measurement instruments from different disciplines with tools for the controlled simulation of various disturbance types and numerical tools for the interpretation of new forms of in situ data will significantly advance our understanding of organism-sediment interactions under dynamic coastal conditions. Integrated observations of the natural environment at high spatial and temporal resolution enable a quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the fundamental processes governing the interaction between the biota and its chemical environment, enabling the informed management of human impacts on coastal ecosystems.

The paradigm of aquatic food webs has undergone fundamental revision over the past twenty years. ... more The paradigm of aquatic food webs has undergone fundamental revision over the past twenty years. Research suggests that a significant proportion of organic material and energy in aquatic ecosystems flows through a "microbial loop" before passage into the classic aquatic food web. Unique Antarctic conditions mean such "bottom-up" control can be of extreme importance during the austral winter. In order to investigate this, the microbial communities and physico-chemical properties of three saline lakes in the Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica, Ace, Highway and Rookery, were investigated between December 1995 and February 1997 . The lakes of the Vestfold Hills were formed approximately 8000 years ago following a period of post-glacial marine transgression, which isolated seawater in glacially scoured basins. Post-formation, the chemistry and biology of this isolated seawater underwent significant changes creating a suite of lakes and ponds with highly varied chemica...

Frontiers in Marine Science

The availability of iron (Fe) to marine microbial communities is enhanced through complexation by... more The availability of iron (Fe) to marine microbial communities is enhanced through complexation by ligands. In Fe limited environments, measuring the distribution and identifying the likely sources of ligands is therefore central to understanding the drivers of marine productivity. Antarctic coastal marine environments support highly productive ecosystems and are influenced by numerous sources of ligands, the magnitude of which varies both spatially and seasonally. Using competitive ligand exchange adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-AdCSV) with 2-(2-thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC) as a competing artificial ligand, this study investigates Fe-binding ligands (FeL) across the continental shelf break in the Mertz Glacier Region, East Antarctica (64 - 67°S; 138 - 154°E) during austral summer of 2019. The average FeL concentration was 0.86 ± 0.5 nM Eq Fe, with strong conditional stability constants (Log KFeL) averaging 23.1 ± 1.0. The strongest binding ligands were observed in mod...

This record describes the End of Voyage (EOV) archive from the Marine National Facility (MNF) RV ... more This record describes the End of Voyage (EOV) archive from the Marine National Facility (MNF) RV Investigator research voyage IN2019_V01, titled "The availability of Antarctic krill to large predators and their role in biogeochemical recycling in the Southern Ocean." The voyage took place from Hobart (TAS) to Hobart between January 19 and March 5, 2019 (AEST). For further information refer to the Voyage documentation links below. Instruments used and data collected include: Regular measurements: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP; 75, 150 KHz ), Lowered ADCP (LADCP), Fisheries echosounder (EK60), Multibeam Echosounder (EM710, EM122), Sub-bottom Profiler (SBP120), Gravimeter, GPS Positioning System, Doppler Velocity Log, Temperature, Humidity, Pressure, Wind and Rain sensors, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensor, Precision Infrared Radiometer (PIR), Precision Spectral Pyranometer (PSP), Nephelometer, pCO2, Condensation Particle Counters (CPC), Cloud Condens...

Royal Society Open Science, Nov 1, 2022

Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, AMW) are an abundant, ice-dependent species sus... more Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, AMW) are an abundant, ice-dependent species susceptible to rapid climatic changes occurring in parts of the Antarctic. Here, we used remote biopsy samples and estimates of length derived from unoccupied aircraft system (UAS) to characterize for the first time the sex ratio, maturity, and pregnancy rates of AMWs around the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). DNA profiling of 82 biopsy samples (2013–2020) identified 29 individual males and 40 individual females. Blubber progesterone levels indicated 59% of all sampled females were pregnant, irrespective of maturity. When corrected for sexual maturity, the median pregnancy rate was 92.3%, indicating that most mature females become pregnant each year. We measured 68 individuals by UAS (mean = 8.04 m) and estimated that 66.5% of females were mature. This study provides the first data on the demography of AMWs along the WAP and represents the first use of non-lethal approaches to studying this species. Furthermore, these results provide baselines against which future changes in population status can be assessed in this rapidly changing marine ecosystem.

Frontiers in Marine Science, Jan 26, 2023

During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blo... more During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blow rates, dive times, swim speeds, and broadscale movements were collected using video photogrammetric tracking and intra-voyage photoidentification. A total of 24.4 hours of video observations were suitable for blow interval or movement analysis. Similar to other blue whale populations, Antarctic blue whale dive behaviour comprised a sequence of short dives followed by a long dive with a mean dive time for short dives of 17.6 s, and a mean long dive time of 189.3 s. Two separate methods were used to estimate the average blow rate for Antarctic blue whales, giving estimates of 59.7 and 63.2 blows per hour. The overall mean swim speed over the course of all suitable video track segments was 1.59 ms-1 , but there were significant differences between years in the mean of the overall movement rate for each track; average movement rates were lower in 2015 compared to 2013 and 2019 (0.90 ms-1 , 1.84 and 1.55 ms-1 respectively), with higher rates of turning in 2015. In 2019, there was faster overall movement through the study area in a consistent direction. The total number of photo-identified blue whales re-sighted intra-season in 2013 was nine (out of 50 identified individuals); in 2015 it was seven (out of 46); in 2019 two (out of 25). Whales remained for several days with little overall movement within the 2015 study area, whereas they were moving through the study area in 2019, which would explain the low number of intra-season resights. The predominant heading in 2019 was towards the area of Antarctic blue whale concentrations at the entrance to the Ross Sea observed in previous years. The photo-identification data also show a high proportion of resighted whales with coherent movements. This suggests that Antarctic blue whales might travel together, at least over periods of several days or sometimes up to a month. The differences between behaviours in 2015 and 2019 in particular may be related to differences in the characteristics of krill swarms between the study areas.

Biodiversity Data Journal, Dec 30, 2022

Satellite tag derived data from two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) tagg... more Satellite tag derived data from two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) tagged in the east Antarctic sector of the

CABI eBooks, 2012

This chapter describes alpine cryospheric compartments and the diversity of life within them. The... more This chapter describes alpine cryospheric compartments and the diversity of life within them. The chapter also explores the extremotolerant organisms in biotechnology and astrobiology.

Frontiers in Marine Science

During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blo... more During three surveys in the austral summers of 2013, 2015, 2019, data on Antarctic blue whale blow rates, dive times, swim speeds, and broadscale movements were collected using video photogrammetric tracking and intra-voyage photo-identification. A total of 24.4 hours of video observations were suitable for blow interval or movement analysis. Similar to other blue whale populations, Antarctic blue whale dive behaviour comprised a sequence of short dives followed by a long dive with a mean dive time for short dives of 17.6 s, and a mean long dive time of 189.3 s. Two separate methods were used to estimate the average blow rate for Antarctic blue whales, giving estimates of 59.7 and 63.2 blows per hour. The overall mean swim speed over the course of all suitable video track segments was 1.59 ms-1, but there were significant differences between years in the mean of the overall movement rate for each track; average movement rates were lower in 2015 compared to 2013 and 2019 (0.90 ms-1, ...

Biodiversity Data Journal

Satellite tags were deployed on two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in t... more Satellite tags were deployed on two Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in the east Antarctic sector of the Southern Ocean as part of the International Whaling Commission’s Southern Ocean Research Partnership initiative. The satellite tracks generated are the first and currently, the only, satellite telemetry data that exist for this critically endangered species. These data provide valuable insights into the movements of Antarctic blue whales on their Antarctic feeding ground. The data were collected between February and April 2013 and span a 110° longitudinal range. This dataset is the first and only detailed movement data that exist for this critically endangered species. As such, this dataset provides the first measures of movement rates (distances travelled, speeds) and movement behaviour (distinguishing transit behaviour from area restricted search behaviour) within the Southern Ocean. These movement-based measures are critical to the ongoing management of...

Life at extremes: environments, organisms and strategies for survival

This chapter provides a synopsis of the discoveries about the deep biosphere. Further, the chapte... more This chapter provides a synopsis of the discoveries about the deep biosphere. Further, the chapter enumerates the types of the deep subsurface environment; presents a case study on the subseafloor; and describes life and adaptations to life in subseafloor. Finally, the chapter provides a brief account on search for extraterrestrial life in subsurface samples from other planets.

Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorit... more Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorities Biogenic reefs Lophelia pertusa UKBAP, OSPAR, EU Localised fishing Mobile gear: trawling Oil and gas extraction Deep-sea mining Pipeline and cable laying Climate change Ocean acidification Extremely long recovery time Long lived species (100s years) Slow growing Low recruitment Restriction and management of activities incompatible with Lophelia conservation in MPAs. This may include closed areas. Buffer zones for infrastructure development to reduce sedimentation and physical disturbance Networked MPA sites for improved recruitment Long term research into ecology, recovery & monitoring Adaptive management approach to climate change and ocean acidification Reduce impacts of transboundary damaging activities outside MPAs Serpulid reefs Serpula vermicularis UKBAP, EU Localised fishing Mobile gear: trawling and dredging Coastal infrastructure Aquaculture Chain and anchor damage from moorings Hand collection High potential for recovery Episodic annual reproduction Life span 2-5 years Restriction and management of activities incompatible with Serpula conservation in MPAs in particular fishing, anchorages and moorings. This may include closed areas. Buffer zones for infrastructure development to reduce sedimentation and physical disturbance Networked MPA sites for improved recruitment Long term research into recovery & monitoring Reduce impacts of transboundary damaging activities outside MPAs Horse mussel reefs Modiolus modiolus UKBAP, SBL, OSPAR, EU Localised fishing Mobile gear: dredging Predation Coastal infrastructure Spoil and waste dumping Aquaculture Chain and anchor damage from moorings Target fishery Long recovery time Sporadic and poor annual recruitment Long lived spp. Restriction and management of activities incompatible with Modiolus conservation in MPAs. This may include closed areas. Buffer zones for infrastructure development to reduce sedimentation. Spatial planning of marine cage aquaculture to minimise impacts Long term research into recovery & monitoring Networked MPA sites for improved recruitment Reduce impacts of transboundary damaging activities outside MPAs 9 Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorities Biogenic reefs (cont.) Common/Blue 10 Feature Biotope / species Conservation status Pressures Recovery potential MPA management priorities Native oyster beds Ostrea edulis UKBAP, SBL, OSPAR Harvesting Water pollution Smothering from coastal infrastructure construction or towed gear Disease and parasites Recovery likely to be slow due to variable recruitment and pressures from competitors, pests and disease. Requires hard substrate. Recovery of 10-25 years. has been shown to have positive effects on spiny lobster fisheries in areas adjacent to marine reserves around the world (cf. Kelly & MacDiarmid 2003, Goni et al. 2010).

Giornale botanico italiano, 1996

VII SCAR International …, 2000

Mixotrophy as a survival strategy in Antarctic lakes.

Marine coastal ecosystems are among the most productive and diverse communities on Earth and are ... more Marine coastal ecosystems are among the most productive and diverse communities on Earth and are of global importance to climate, nutrient budgets, and primary productivity. Yet, these ecosystems, and in particular sedentary benthic (bottom-living) invertebrate communities at their base, are compromised by human-induced stresses, including overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. Emerging environmental legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has the potential to significantly improve the ecological status of Europes aquatic ecosystems, from rivers to the sea. However, depending upon how it is interpreted and implemented, it has the potential to impact many activities in coastal systems, including flood defence, coastal development, dredging, aquaculture and fishing. There is a critical need for a set of biogeochemical measures to assist in the characterisation of ecological function, status and potential in coastal benthic ecosystems. The FP6-funded Coastal Ocean Benthic Observatories (COBO, http://www.cobo.org.uk) program integrates in situ technologies to monitor benthic habitats, in order to understand how anthropogenic impacts affect benthic ecosystem functioning. As a complement to blind, synoptic sampling and laboratory studies, in situ studies provide rigorous scientific insight into the interactions between the biota (function and diversity) and their chemical and physical environment and the processes regulating this habitat within the context of dynamic processes that occur over many spatial and temporal scales. COBO allows for interdisciplinary, in situ observation and experimentation in these complex, remote and poorly understood ecosystems, both providing fundamental understanding of the interactions between the biota and their environment and facilitating informed management of human impacts on coastal ecosystems. Conceptual frameworks and communication tools are being developed using visualisation software, advanced numerical tools and a DPSIR approach to link scientific results with policy, measures and approaches for coastal ecosystem management.

Marine coastal ecosystems, and in particular the sedentary benthic invertebrate communities that ... more Marine coastal ecosystems, and in particular the sedentary benthic invertebrate communities that play a critical role in regulating coastal geochemical cycles, are compromised by human-induced stresses, including overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change and pollution. However, due to the complexity, remoteness and spatio-temporal variability of this environment, the relationships between tightly coupled biological, physical and geochemical processes are poorly understood. The combination in COBO of innovative in situ measurement instruments from different disciplines with tools for the controlled simulation of various disturbance types and numerical tools for the interpretation of new forms of in situ data will significantly advance our understanding of organism-sediment interactions under dynamic coastal conditions. Integrated observations of the natural environment at high spatial and temporal resolution enable a quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the fundamental processes governing the interaction between the biota and its chemical environment, enabling the informed management of human impacts on coastal ecosystems.

The paradigm of aquatic food webs has undergone fundamental revision over the past twenty years. ... more The paradigm of aquatic food webs has undergone fundamental revision over the past twenty years. Research suggests that a significant proportion of organic material and energy in aquatic ecosystems flows through a "microbial loop" before passage into the classic aquatic food web. Unique Antarctic conditions mean such "bottom-up" control can be of extreme importance during the austral winter. In order to investigate this, the microbial communities and physico-chemical properties of three saline lakes in the Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica, Ace, Highway and Rookery, were investigated between December 1995 and February 1997 . The lakes of the Vestfold Hills were formed approximately 8000 years ago following a period of post-glacial marine transgression, which isolated seawater in glacially scoured basins. Post-formation, the chemistry and biology of this isolated seawater underwent significant changes creating a suite of lakes and ponds with highly varied chemica...

Frontiers in Marine Science

The availability of iron (Fe) to marine microbial communities is enhanced through complexation by... more The availability of iron (Fe) to marine microbial communities is enhanced through complexation by ligands. In Fe limited environments, measuring the distribution and identifying the likely sources of ligands is therefore central to understanding the drivers of marine productivity. Antarctic coastal marine environments support highly productive ecosystems and are influenced by numerous sources of ligands, the magnitude of which varies both spatially and seasonally. Using competitive ligand exchange adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-AdCSV) with 2-(2-thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC) as a competing artificial ligand, this study investigates Fe-binding ligands (FeL) across the continental shelf break in the Mertz Glacier Region, East Antarctica (64 - 67°S; 138 - 154°E) during austral summer of 2019. The average FeL concentration was 0.86 ± 0.5 nM Eq Fe, with strong conditional stability constants (Log KFeL) averaging 23.1 ± 1.0. The strongest binding ligands were observed in mod...

This record describes the End of Voyage (EOV) archive from the Marine National Facility (MNF) RV ... more This record describes the End of Voyage (EOV) archive from the Marine National Facility (MNF) RV Investigator research voyage IN2019_V01, titled "The availability of Antarctic krill to large predators and their role in biogeochemical recycling in the Southern Ocean." The voyage took place from Hobart (TAS) to Hobart between January 19 and March 5, 2019 (AEST). For further information refer to the Voyage documentation links below. Instruments used and data collected include: Regular measurements: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP; 75, 150 KHz ), Lowered ADCP (LADCP), Fisheries echosounder (EK60), Multibeam Echosounder (EM710, EM122), Sub-bottom Profiler (SBP120), Gravimeter, GPS Positioning System, Doppler Velocity Log, Temperature, Humidity, Pressure, Wind and Rain sensors, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensor, Precision Infrared Radiometer (PIR), Precision Spectral Pyranometer (PSP), Nephelometer, pCO2, Condensation Particle Counters (CPC), Cloud Condens...