Awards - Round 6

The AFI Moderating Panel met on 12th May 2004 to evaluate the 24 full applications that were received in AFI Round 6. Because of complications associated with one of the highly-ranked proposals, funding decisions were not concluded until 28th June. Five awards were made; details are as given below. The Panel also approved the support of the six additional applications submitted under the Collaborative Gearing Scheme.

The Announcement of Opportunity for AFI Round 7 was launched on 14th June 2004, with a closing date of 30th July 2004 for submission of Outline Bids.

Awards are listed in alphabetical order of Principal Investigator surname.

Awarded under the Collaborative Gearing Scheme (CGS)


Abstracts

Dr Louise Allcock, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Queens University Belfast
Dr Alex Rogers, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"Did Antarctic octopuses colonise the deep sea?" [AFI6/33]

The proposal uses octopuses as model organisms to test the hypothesis that the Antarctic has acted as a centre for evolutionary innovation and radiation and as a source of taxa that have invaded the deep sea. It is likely that the deep-sea fauna was depauperate following extinction events associated with past global climate change causing, for example, deep ocean oxygen minima. Such events have been recorded from the late Cretaceous and Palaeocene / early Eocene, prior to the opening of the Drake passage. The subsequent development of deep-water connections between the Southern Ocean and the major oceans which surround it would have facilitated the expansion of biogeographic boundaries. The present study aims to characterise the micro- and macro- evolutionary processes of endemic Antarctic octopod fauna and the macro-evolutionary processes of the deep-sea octopod fauna using molecular techniques. Bayesian methodologies incorporating fossil constraints will then be used to estimate the divergence times of these taxa, thereby providing a means of testing the hypothesis that, in evolutionary history, Antarctic taxa invaded the deep sea.

Professor Gary Carvalho, Biological Sciences, University of Hull
Dr Eugene Murphy, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Dr Anthony North, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Dr William Hutchinson, Biological Sciences, University of Hull
Dr Helen Wilcock, Biological Sciences, University of Hull
Dr Sally Thorpe, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Dr Emma Young, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (NERC)
Dr Michael Meredith, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (NERC)

"Gene flow in Antarctic fishes: the role of oceanography and life history" [AFI6/16]

Transport of organisms by passive and active processes are fundamental to an understanding of colonization, evolution and biodiversity. The research will examine the influence of oceanographic processes, bathymetry and life history variation on dispersal and gene flow in two Antarctic fishes that differ in the distribution of eggs and larvae and longevity. Ocean general circulation models such as the Ocean Circulation and Climate Advanced Model (OCCAM) will predict transport speed and direction of planktonic fish eggs and larvae spawned at different locations around Antarctica. A high resolution oceanographic model of the shelf processes around one region will be used to examine the drift and retention of early life history stages and shelf-open ocean transport such that the behaviour and life history can be incorporated into the wider ocean circulation patterns. Molecular markers (microsatellites) will be used to analyse population structure at both circumpolar and regional geographic scales, which will be compared with predictions from the oceanographic model. Additionally, mtDNA analysis will be used to examine putative colonisation patterns around the Southern Ocean. Information will be obtained concerning the impact of the topographic and oceanographic regime on dispersive phases and adult migration, thereby providing novel insights into the nature of biological and environmental constraints on dispersal and gene flow.

Professor Julian Dowdeswell, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge
Dr Rob Larter, Geological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Professor Gwyn Griffiths, Southampton Oceanography Centre

"Sediment transfer from the Antarctic continent to deep ocean: a shelf-slope-basin system investigated using the ISIS Remotely Operated Vehicle" [AFI6/14]

The marine sediments on the Antarctic continental margin contain a unique long-term and, sometimes, continuous record of past ice-sheet and environmental changes. However, the understanding of this record is complex in terms of both the process environment in which sediments are deposited and reworked, and the palaeo-environmental interpretation of the record. The sediments on the shelf, slope and deep-sea basin offshore of the western Antarctic Peninsula have been investigated previously using a suite of marine geological and geophysical tools, including cores, swath bathymetry, and reflection seismics. These studies have yielded a view of the large-scale distribution of sediments, and of the processes interpreted to be responsible for their deposition. The deployment of several geophysical instruments and sampling tools from the new Isis deep-submergence ROV will allow us to investigate the nature of a series of sedimentary environments on the Antarctic margin at an unprecedented level of detail. The study is timely for several reasons: (i) the recent acquisition of a deep water ROV system allows, for the first time, detailed sea-floor investigations to be undertaken at depths of several thousand metres over relatively wide areas; (ii) the recent availability of larger-scale geophysical data from a variety of Antarctic margin sub-environments to define sites suitable for ROV investigations; and (iii) our need to understand the complexities of sediment deposition on high-latitude margins and how this impinges on the nature and interpretation of the palaeo-environmental record of Antarctic environmental change. The ROV will be deployed on a series of missions over sites defined from existing seismic, side-scan sonar and swath bathymetric data from the Bellingshausen Sea margin in the area of Marguerite Bay, west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The topics we will address include: glacial processes and sediments on the Antarctic continental shelf; scouring by iceberg keels, disturbance and implications for marine organisms; sediment transfer processes on the continental slope; stability and de-watering of sediment drifts on the continental rise, in deep water beyond the slope.

Professor Jane Francis, School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds
Dr Duncan Pirrie, Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter
Dr Alan Haywood, Geosciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"Terminal Cretaceous climate change and biotic response in Antarctica" [AFI6/28]

This project will investigate the nature of latest Cretaceous - early Tertiary climates in Antarctica. Geological evidence suggests that after the peak mid-Cretaceous greenhouse warmth, climates cooled considerably during the Maastrichtian (~71-65Ma). Some scientists now argue that cooling was at times so severe that polar regions suffered short-term glaciation, causing sea level changes world-wide. This challenges the current view that the Cretaceous greenhouse world was ice-free, implying instead that short-term glacial climates punctuated supposedly stable warm climates. Such dramatic environmental change would have stressed terrestrial and marine biotas and made them particularly susceptible to early extinction related to the global environmental catastrophe at the end of the Cretaceous.
Recent dataing using strontium isotope stratigraphy has revealed that the Late Cretaceous sequence in the James Ross Basin, Antarctica, is now the best sequence in the world in which to investigate Maastrichtian environments and climate change that lead up to the Cretaceous / Tertiary (K/T) boundary. This Maastrichtian sequence (a) is over 1150m thick, allowing very high resolution analysis; b) contains a well-exposed section in which the K/T boundary occurs; (c) provides a linked record of both terrestrial (palaeobotanical) and marine (stable isotope) climate change from the same section; (d) is extremely fossiliferous, with a wide range of microfossil and invertebrate taxa which are exceptionally well-preserved, and (e) now has a litho-, bio- and chronostratigraphic framework needed for global correlation.
This project will exploit this exceptional sequence to obtain high resolution records of palaeontological, sedimentological, and geochemical signals to: (a) investigate the nature of latest Cretaceous - early Tertiary climate change at high latitudes; (b) to test the hypothesis that ice was present at times and to compare with climate/ice-sheet model outputs; (c) to determine the biological response to this environmental change in both terrestrial and marine high latitude ecosystems, and (d) to understand the environmental context in which the K/T extinctions occurred.

Dr Karen Heywood, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Dr Sally Thorpe, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"ADELIE Antarctic drifter experiment: links to isobaths and ecosystem" [AFI6/25]

Recent data suggest that, contrary to prevailing views, there are pathways for near-surface currents around the Antarctic Peninsula to the west. If proved, these would be important for the retention and/or dispersal of krill larvae and other passive drifting particles. The Antarctic Slope Front appears to lose its properties as it enters the Weddell Scotia Confluence. The ADELIE project will deploy 20 surface drifters and 4 Argo floats near the Antarctic Peninsula. The surface drifters are designed to follow the ocean current and will telemeter their position back via satellite several times a day. The Argo floats are designed to float deep in the ocean, at about 1000m, following the current there. Every 10 days, they come up to the surface, measuring temperature and salinity as they go, and telemeter their location and the profile data back via satellite. These floats and drifters will span the Antarctic Coastal Current and Antarctic Slope Front. A section of temperature and salinity across these flows will indicate their locations and quantify their strength. Their pathways will be mapped form the first time. The influence of bathymetry controlling the splitting and steering of these frontal jets will be studied. Output from eddy-resolving ocean models ( some with sea ice) will be analysed and virtual drifters deployed in their flow fields.

Further information on individual CGS Awards:

Professor Ron Douglas, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, The City University, London
Dr Martin Collins, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"Visual ecology of Antarctic myctophid fish" [CGS6/12]

The Myctophidae is one of the most important families of fish dominating the mesopelagic ichthyofauna in all the world's oceans. However, despite their ecological significance, remarkably little is known about the basic biology and ecology. Vision plays an important role in the life of myctophids, with all species possessing ventral light organs, which are thought to be important in species identification and sexual signaling and counter illumination. Vision will also be important in foraging and differences in visual sensitivity may be related to foraging depth and prey preferences. The aim of this project is to explore the visual systems in a variety of mytophid species, from different depth ranges and relate this to species ecology.

Dr Peter Convey, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Professor Jeff Bale, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham
Dr Roger Worland, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"The reproductive success of Antarctic marine invertebrates" [CGS6/13]

We will test the hypotheses that rapid cold hardening in Antarctic springtails is achieved either through disabling of ice nucleators using intrinsic biochemical mechanisms, or unusually rapid cryoprotectant synthesis. The expression of general stress response genes will also be examined, primarily through identification of up-regulation of their corresponding proteins.

Professor Grant Bigg, Department of Geography, University of Sheffield
Dr Keith Nicholls, Physical Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"Field validation of iceberg detection and measurement from Synthetic Aperture Radar images" [CGS6/14]

Modelling the distribution of meltwater injection on the Southern ocean, as well as improving the knowledge of Antarctic mass balance, would benefit from better estimates of the iceberg calving flux. Ship-based observations present sampling biases and little information about temporal changes. The use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data allows a more objective and comprehensive approach. An automatic image analysis system is being developed to allow repeatable and efficient processing of large SAR datasets. Nevertheless a comprehensive field dataset is required to optimise, validate and characterise the system error. This project combines ship-based iceberg observations with custom SAR image acquisitions to provide such data. The observations will be made from RRS Ernest Shackleton during routine re-supply.

Professor Josephine Arendt, School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey
Dr Emma Wilson, British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit

"British Antarctic Survey ships as models for marine shift systems" [CGS6/15]

This project is a request for an extension to and earlier CGS award (CGS4-09). British Antarctic Survey ships provide a unique opportunity to evaluate major factors influencing the health, safety and performance of shift workers using the watch-keeping and non-watch keeping crew. These factors are the timing of the work schedule in relation to internal rhythmic physiology and the influence of different light intensities, particularly at night. The project was initiated on the Ernest Shackleton, 2002-2003, 26 subjects took part and the data are currently being analysed. It is proposed to extend the project to the RRS James Clark Ross, to increase the number of watch keepers studied and to evaluate responses in a 12:12 watch keeping system. These data will be of general importance for the optimal design of marine shift systems. The work will be carried out on volunteers from the officers and crew of RRS James Clark Ross during its southbound passage. Volunteers will be required to wear Actiwatch-L wrist watches to monitor activity and light intensity and will be asked to maintain daily sleep logs to monitor sleep quality and duration. Urine samples will be taken for analysis daily by the PI. The ship's doctor, Emma Wilson, who is named as Co-Investigator, will carry out the data collection on board.

Dr Geraint Tarling, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Dr Magnus Johnson, Scarborough Centre for Coastal Studies, University of Hull

"Individual behavioural responses of krill to biological and environmental factors: an approach to understanding swarming" [CGS6/16]

Swarming behaviour is a fundamental feature of krill biology. Although we can describe swarm shape, size and distribution through acoustics, how and why they occur is still far from understood. Studying the response of individuals to various stimuli is a valuable approach to this problem, but the confines of aquaria have hampered attempts until now. A recently developed methodology has allowed swimming activity of pelagic crustaceans to be assessed over various periods. We propose to use this methodology to investigate the swimming behaviour of individual krill in relation to a range of biological and environmental factors. Results will allow the accurate parameterisation of models (cellular automata) that can simulate swarm formation.

Dr Roger Worland, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey
Dr Heather Viles, School of Geography & the Environment, University of Oxford
Dr Charles Cockell, Biological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey

"Climate change, moisture, lithobiontic communities and rock weathering on the Antarctic Peninsula" [CGS6/17]

To describe, explain, and assess the significance to lithobiontic colonisation and weathering, of moisture levels and patterns within rock surface environments of the Antarctic peninsula. The results will map weathering features and lithobiontic communities in relation to geomorphology and microclimate. A range of conventional and and novel techniques to monitor rock surface moisture and temperatures will be deployed in the field, e.g. high resolution infrared technologies, as well as modified leaf wetness probes. Alongside this, the student will map the distribution of weathering features and lithobiontic communities in a sample of small (c. 100m² ) areas using specially developed geomorphological mapping protocols.
Lithobiontic communities in the relatively moist areas of the maritime Antarctic Peninsula are an important component of biodiversity that will be affected by environmental change.