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Antarctic Science
and Marine Environments of the Southern Oceans
1. Description of research theme
The theme is a multidisciplinary synthesis of life, earth and physical sciences
research applied to Antarctica and the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. The
University of Otago has a venerable history in several areas of antarctic and
marine science. Notably, Professor Sir William Benham FRS, Chair of Biology
from 1898 until 1937, obtained specimens of antarctic fauna, although it was
not until 1955 that an Otago geology student visited the continent. From that
time antarctic science has diversified and strengthened. Four years earlier
marine science began with the acquisition of the old Portobello Fish Hatchery
in 1951, followed by the commissioning of RV Munida in 1965, the new research
facility at Portobello in 1987, and the establishment of a Department of Marine
Science in 1992.
The major research programmes that fall within this theme, together with their
programme leaders are:
- Polar Marine Physics and Modelling: Prof Vernon Squire,
Dr Pat Langhorne
- Aquatic Chemistry: Prof Keith Hunter, Dr Russell Frew,
Dr Barrie Peake, Dr Philip Boyd
- Antarctic Biology: Assoc Prof David Wharton, Assoc Prof
Lloyd Davis, Dr Miles Lamare
- Antarctic Geology: Prof Alan Cooper, Dr James White, Dr
Gary Wilson
- Behavioural Ecology of Antarctic Birds: Assoc Prof. Lloyd
Davis
- Marine Environments of the Southern Oceans: Assoc Prof.
Mike Barker, Dr Steve Wing, Dr Ross Vennell, Dr Keith Probert, Dr Miles Lamare,
Assoc Prof Ewan Fordyce
- The Polar Atmosphere: Dr Craig Rodger, Assoc Prof Neil
Thomson
- Antarctic Tourism: Dr James Higham
- Polar Glaciers: Dr Sean Fitzsimons
- Antarctic Climatology: Prof Blair Fitzharris
- Seaweed Physiological Ecology: Dr Catriona Hurd
- Cold Adaption Biochemistry: Dr Craig Marshall
- Effects of Human Disturbance on Birds of the Southern Ocean:
Dr Philip Seddon
2. Theme Leaders
3. Exectutive
- Vernon Squire (Marine Physics and mathematical modelling)
- Russell Frew (Aquatic chemistry)
- Alan Cooper (Earth Sciences)
- Lloyd Davis (Behavioural Ecology)
- Mike Barker (Marine Environments)
- Steve Wing (Marine Environments)
4. Objectives
Because the theme involves two (presently) distinct research areas, the objectives
will fall into marine science, antarctic science, or the beginnings of a synthesis
of the two. The latter is a longterm goal of the initiative that will be cultivated
where practicable and sensible.
- To foster communication and collaboration between antarctic researchers
at the University, to integrate further the marine science community and,
where apposite, to encourage cross-disciplinary research between the two topics.
- To establish the University of Otago as an innovative, international centre
for marine fiordic research by initiating a large, long-term, multidisciplinary
research programme of international stature in the New Zealand fiords.
- Locate funds and/or sponsors to allow the purchase of a new 20 m research
vessel to replace the University's aging and increasingly inadequate RV Munida.
- Noting the incipient change in strategic direction of New Zealand antarctic
research, to refocus research programmes at Otago to achieve maximum longterm
benefit.
5. Expenditure
2000
- Workshop
- Student Conference Support
- Student Publishing Grant
- Advertising and Promotion
- Strontium Facility
- Antarctic Field Support
- Scuba store
- Seed monies for The 16th IAHR International Symposium on Ice
2001
- Ozone Workshop
- Student Support including scholarships
- Uranium Furnace
- Seed monies for The 16th IAHR International Symposium on Ice
- Sub-Antarctic Island Research
2002
- Annual NZ Antarctic Science Conference seed money
- Student Support including scholarships
- The 16th IAHR International Symposium on Ice
- Portable Generator
- Microdrill sampling and Otolith Sectioning Facilities
2003
- Workshop
- Student Support
- Dive regulators and double tank valves for under ice diving
- UVB Radiometer
- Field equipment maintenance
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