This federal Project Grant award of $191,150 from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Polar Programs (CFDA 47.078) supports research by Florida State University (FSU) to investigate the role of benthic iron fluxes in fertilizing primary productivity in the Amundsen Sea, near the fastest melting Antarctic glaciers. The key objectives are to analyze sediment pore water iron content and speciation, and calculate iron fluxes across the sediment-water interface, to determine if benthic iron sources fuel phytoplankton growth in this highly productive polar ecosystem. The results will provide insights into the basic ecosystem drivers and climate change impacts on this vulnerable Antarctic region. The grant also emphasizes inclusivity through a mentoring network for diverse polar scientists and public outreach via the CryoConnect website. This project leverages existing samples collected during the "Accelerating Thwaites Ecosystem Impacts for the Southern Ocean" (ARTEMIS) initiative to enable a combined study of water column and sediment biogeochemistry. No sub-awards are planned under this grant.
Generated 8/13/24, 8:34 AM