DIAPOD Mechanistic understanding of the role of diatoms in the success of the Arctic Calanus complex and implications for a war

DIAPOD is trying to unravel the mechanisms behind one of the largest migrations of biomass of Earth, the sinking of millions of tiny organisms called copepods each autumn from surface waters to great ocean depths to hibernate over winter. We still do not know what triggers their migration to depth or what factors wake them up again to re-ascend to the surface the following spring. The DIAPOD team will be collecting samples to examine the chemical composition of the microscopic food of copepods to determine if there are key components that these organisms need before they can enter hibernation.

Website: https://www.changing-arctic-ocean.ac.uk/project/diapod/

NOC PI: Dr Dan Mayor

Email: dan.mayor@noc.ac.uk

Project Dates:

February 2017 to February 2021

Funding:

NERC - Strategic Research

Project

Aim

Calanus comprise up to 90% of zooplankton biomass in Arctic Ocean. They are central to Arctic food webs, linking phytoplankton to fish and higher predators.

They also transport vast quantities of carbon into the deep ocean via the Calanus “lipid pump”.

How does change in the Arctic Ocean alter the availability of this key Arctic food source?

How does this influence the cycling of carbon in the Arctic?

A key aim is to develop a predictive understanding of how Calanus will be affected by climate change. This will allow us to explore the future impact on productivity and biogeochemistry in the Arctic Ocean.

People

NOC Staff involved:

DIAPOD Mechanistic understanding of the role of diatoms in the success of the Arctic Calanus complex and implications for a war

Project

Dr Andrew Yool

Dr Joanne Hopkins

Dr Daniel Mayor

Prof. Tom Anderson

Dr Ekaterina Popova

Dr Stefanie Rynders

Dr Kathryn Cook