Read the full Annual Report in PDF format - CSIR

natural
environment
Oceanography; Biogeosciences; Global
Biogeochemical Cycles; and Geophysical
Research Letters.
CSIR researchers in this fi eld are
active participants and contributors to
international forums that address questions
of science of ocean CO 2
and its impact
on reducing the rates of CO 2
buildup
in the atmosphere. Research group
leader and chief oceanographer, Dr
Pedro Monteiro, made high-level inputs
to OceanObs’09 – an international
conference representing the global ocean
science community and convened to map
research priorities for the next decade.
He also sits on the scientifi c steering
group of the International Ocean Carbon
Coordination Programme (IOCCP).
A signifi cant fi nding during 2010 was the
group’s contribution to the understanding
of the regional differences in the seasonal
variability of Southern Ocean productivity,
a key factor in CO 2
fl uxes. This shows that
differences in the spatial characteristics
of productivity are not as closely linked to
large scale fronts as previously thought.
Rather the Southern Ocean’s productivity
can be linked to the dynamical character
of both seasonal and sub-seasonal
variability of the surface mixed layer.
in 2014 and combining both ship and
long-range ocean gliders, to improve
global understanding of the link between
the carbon cycle and climate in the
Southern Ocean. As part of this initiative,
the CSIR convened and hosted an
international expert workshop in August
2010.
Funding and collaborators
Through the CSIR, the DST funded
the modernisation of the physics and
biogeochemical observational capability
of the SA Agulhas, South Africa’s polar
research vessel since 1977. This project
has now been extended to fund a new
polar research ship as well as a number
of new national facilities that provide
advanced scientifi c and engineering
training and research capabilities.
Local and international research partners
are the universities of Cape Town,
Western Cape and Stellenbosch; the
Department of Environmental Affairs;
the South African Weather Service and
the South African National Antarctic
Programme. Key international partners are
the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research
at the University of Bergen, Norway, and
Princeton University in the United States.
With these improved observational
and research facilities, South African
researchers can now lead the planning
of international experiments as well
as collaborate with international
partners through such programmes as
GEOTRACES – a global experiment to
help the science community understand
past, present and future cycles of
trace metals, and how changes in the
environment are impacting on these
cycles.
The group has been preparing for South
Africa’s participation in a planned multicountry
international experiment, starting
Researchers on board the SA Agulhas – South Africa’s polar research vessel –
monitor the equipment used to measure underway conductivity, temperature and
depth during the annual trip to Antarctica.
59 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS