Dual Fuel - Summer Phytoplankton sequesters CO2 to feed Krill that satisfy the hunger of Humpback Whales in the Southern Ocean

Phytoplankton inhabit the largest biome on the planet, span all biogeographic provinces of the ocean, play a critical role in global biogeochemical cycles and pelagic food webs and are used as indicators of global change. Phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean plays a significant role in global CO2 mitigation and controls deep-ocean CO2 exchange by interfacing with atmospheric CO2. 85% of all ocean productivity is supported by nutrients derived from the Southern Ocean however seasonal variation and the response sensitivity of the carbon cycle and nutrient fluxes to climate change remain unknown. The Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observatory (SOCCO), a CSIR-led consortium, is conducting a Southern Ocean Seasonal Cycle experiment (SOSCEx) of system-scale dynamics. Seasonal variations in primary productivity and the carbon cycle of the Southern Ocean will be investigated to quantify links between the physical forcing mechanisms and biogeochemical responses over an annual cycle. Ultimately, the results of this study will be linked with simultaneous studies and IMOS data to provide a greater understanding of the dynamics of physical, chemical and biological interactions that occur on a micro and macro scale in the Southern Ocean. This poster presents the preliminary findings of phytoplankton diversity and abundance during a survey from Cape Town to the Antarctic in February 2013