Research in Antarctica reveals critical insights into our planet’s climate, ecosystems, and even potential biotechnological innovations. A team of scientists from UNSW Sydney recently embarked on a significant mission aboard Australia’s icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, to study the unique characteristics of this remote continent. Among them was PhD candidate Christina Schmidt, who submitted her thesis while navigating the icy waters off the East Antarctic coast.
Schmidt’s research focuses on Antarctic Bottom Water, a cold and dense water mass essential for driving Earth’s deep ocean circulation. Although her work is significant, the primary goal of her journey was to gain hands-on experience in one of the planet’s most extreme environments. In the week leading up to her thesis submission, Schmidt traveled thousands of kilometres from Hobart to Antarctica, joining 60 scientists on the Denman Marine Voyage, which was supported by an additional 47 crew members.
The Denman Glacier, known as the fastest-retreating glacier in East Antarctica, was a key area of study. This mission marked the first full-scale marine science expedition for the Nuyina, equipped with advanced laboratories and modular shipping-container labs. Schmidt engaged in titration methods to measure chemical concentrations in seawater, focusing on oxygen levels in the Southern Ocean. The operation lasted nearly two months and involved a collaboration among four major Australian Antarctic research organizations.
Schmidt recounted her first encounter with an Antarctic iceberg, a moment she had anticipated for years. “Every day there was something new: penguins waddling across the floes, or a jade green iceberg—which I’d never seen before,” she expressed.
Antarctica presents unique challenges for research. The Southern Ocean’s brutal conditions, characterized by fierce winds and treacherous waters, complicate access to the continent. During Schmidt’s expedition, sea ice cover was recorded at 70% lower than average, a stark indicator of climate change. This reduction allowed the RSV Nuyina to reach new sites, which was not possible the previous year when another icebreaker was unable to approach the glacier.
The ecological implications of declining sea ice are profound. It serves as a crucial habitat for various species, including krill, seals, and penguins. The catastrophic breeding failure among Emperor penguins in late 2022, where chicks from four out of five colonies did not survive due to insufficient sea ice, highlights the urgency of understanding these dynamics.
Antarctica operates under the Antarctic Treaty System, established in 1959 to designate the continent as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. This collaborative spirit facilitates research despite the region’s extreme conditions. On board the Nuyina, researchers worked in 12-hour shifts, often sharing cabins to maximize space. Despite temperatures plummeting to –25°C, the team maintained a sense of community, even enjoying fresh iceberg lettuce until the voyage’s final days.
In a significant achievement, the scientists measured Antarctic Bottom Water in waters exceeding four kilometres deep, a direct application of years of modelling by Schmidt. “I’d modelled it for years. And then, in the end, I got to measure actual bottom water,” she stated.
Professor Belinda Ferrari, an environmental microbiologist at UNSW, emphasized the importance of understanding Antarctica’s ecosystems. She has spent over a decade studying the unique microbes found in ice-free areas near Casey Station, one of the continent’s permanent research outposts. Despite only 0.3% of Antarctica being ice-free during summer, this area holds immense ecological significance.
Ferrari has identified at least 20 new microbial species that may possess antifreeze proteins or novel antibiotics. Some of these microbes survive without sunlight, deriving energy from trace gases in the atmosphere. This research not only expands knowledge of life on Earth but also informs the search for extraterrestrial life, particularly in collaboration with NASA scientists.
Alinta Furnell, a former honours student of Professor Ferrari, is exploring the biotechnological potential of Antarctic fungi. Her research into a specific fungus revealed its genetic capacity for producing therapeutic compounds. Notably, she discovered that this fungus exhibits autofluorescence under UV light, a rare trait among fungi. Furnell’s findings suggest practical applications, such as using mycosporine-like amino acids, which have UV-protective properties found in sunscreens.
Professor Tracey Rogers expressed concerns about the increasing difficulty of conducting fieldwork in Antarctica due to shifting research priorities and logistical complexities. With PhD programs becoming shorter and milestones stricter, opportunities for extensive field research have diminished. She advises her students to diversify their methods and considers collaboration with the tourism industry as a means to access the region’s wildlife-rich areas.
Antarctica remains a profound laboratory that intertwines Earth’s past, present, and future through its glaciers, diverse wildlife, and unique microbial life. As researchers like Schmidt, Ferrari, Furnell, and Rogers continue to probe these hidden realms, they contribute to a greater understanding of our planet’s climate and biological limits. Schmidt, reflecting on her time aboard the icebreaker, highlighted the importance of collaboration: “It works best when people are willing to collaborate across disciplines and backgrounds.”
As these scientists move forward, their work promises to unlock new insights into both our planet and the potential for life beyond it.
