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Award Abstract #0849474
SGER: Collaborative Research - Mechanisms behind non-Redfieldian P Cycling in Water Masses of the Southern Ocean, New Insights from X-ray Spectromicroscopy and Electrodialysis
| NSF Org: |
ANT
Antarctic Sciences Division
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| Initial Amendment Date: |
September 8, 2008 |
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| Latest Amendment Date: |
September 8, 2008 |
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| Award Number: |
0849474 |
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| Award Instrument: |
Standard Grant |
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| Program Manager: |
Peter J. Milne
ANT Antarctic Sciences Division
OPP Office of Polar Programs
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| Start Date: |
September 15, 2008 |
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| Expires: |
August 31, 2010 (Estimated) |
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| Awarded Amount to Date: |
$47549 |
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| Investigator(s): |
Jay Brandes jay.brandes@skio.usg.edu(Principal Investigator)
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| Sponsor: |
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
10 Ocean Science Circle
Savannah, GA 31411 912/598-2400
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| NSF Program(s): |
ANTARCTIC OCEAN & ATMOSPH SCI
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| Field Application(s): |
0311000 Polar Programs-Related
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
OTHR,9237,0000
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| Program Element Code(s): |
5113
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ABSTRACT
In much of the global ocean the (Redfield) ratio of nitrogen (N) to P is remarkably constant, both in the concentrations of these nutrients in seawater and in the plankton species that it supports. A number of studies of sub-Antarctic mode water, a convectively formed descending water type identifiably by its exceptionally uniform properties, suggest that high latitude P cycling is altered from the Redfield balance resulting in unusually enriched P compared to low latitude waters . Synchrotron based x-ray spectromicroscopy will be used to chemically characterize and spatially map, at sub micron dimensions, the abundance of several P forms (e.g. polyphosphates, organo-P compounds) in organisms and marine particulates. These samples will be taken along the cruise track of the I/B Oden as it transits from Punta Arenas to McMurdo Station, through the Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Ross Sea regions,and which will provide a unique data set from a remote and understudied ice shelf and under-ice ecosystem. Characterization of Antarctic ocean P status is expected to shed further light upon aspects of Southern Ocean P biogeochemistry. As well as using novel characterization techniques, which may lead to a transformative restatement of aspects of Southern Ocean P chemistry, this project meets an additional SGER criteria of representing a quick response to an international field campaign opportunity afforded by the transect of the Swedish ice breaker I/B Oden from Punta Arenas to McMurdo through the Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Ross Seas.
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