Emma Cavan: My Research
My name is Emma Cavan and I have recently entered the 3rd year of my PhD at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. I would now class myself as a ‘Biological Oceanographer’ or a ‘Marine Biogeochemist’. I am currently exploring the biological carbon pump and so my PhD takes me all around the world on large research ships to sample the open ocean.
The oceans take up atmospheric carbon dioxide during photosynthesis by microscopic algae (phytoplankton) during optimal physical and chemical sea conditions. The production of this organic material occurs in the top 100 m of the ocean however once the algae die some of this organic material sinks into the deep ocean. This sinking particulate material is often in the form of large (> 0.5 mm diameter) aggregates of detrital algae or zooplankton (e.g. krill) faecal pellets. Sinking particles are extremely important in the oceans carbon cycle as they transfer carbon originally from the atmosphere to the deep ocean and are also an important part of mid and deep-water food webs. For instance many deep-sea animals (such as sea stars) that live on the sea floor feed only on organic matter than has originated from the surface. This area of marine biogeochemistry is extensively researched across the globe however we still do not fully understand what controls the magnitude of sinking material, how it changes with season and location and how climate change will alter this cycle and the effects of any alterations.
I have collected sinking organic particles from the north Atlantic, Southern Ocean and equatorial Pacific and with the use of chemical methods (lipid extractions) I am trying to further our understanding on what regulates and influences this drawdown of atmospheric CO2.
I have been very fortunate it my PhD thus far as I have travelled extensively either for sampling, conferences or courses. So far I have been to the Southern Ocean (including the Falklands Islands and South Georgia), Panama, Mexico, Iceland, Norway, Belgium, Liverpool, Plymouth and Glasgow. This amount of travelling does not automatically come with doing a marine PhD but the opportunities available at Southampton are incredible…I mean I spent 30 days in the company of penguins every day! As with most jobs there are times when it is frustrating or I wonder ‘what am I doing here?’ but then I go to sea or to a conference and remember what it’s all about and how I have one of the most exciting careers there is!
@emma_cavan