Probing the response of Southern Ocean phytoplankton to changes in iron biogeochemistry, light and pH associated with climate change

Climate change scenarios predict that chemical and physical conditions within the Southern Ocean will vary simultaneously thereby influencing the iron requirement of phytoplankton. In this project the ability of Southern Ocean phytoplankton to respond to these climate-driven changes in iron supply and demand will be determined at a molecular level. We will probe these responses using state-of-the-art genomic, proteomic and isotope techniques in both a laboratory and field setting. The knowledge generated in this project will help elucidate the impacts and feedbacks climate change and ocean acidification will have on Southern Ocean phytoplankton in the future and their ability respond to a changing environment.