The UK Polar Network organizes an event called Polar Beers, a fun and engaging event that brings polar research to the public in the welcoming and cozy setting of a pub.  

Polar Beers came to Cambridge Castle Bar on the 9^th of April with the theme “Pole to Pole” — addressing the similarities and differences between the Arctic and Antarctic. This was a perfect fit for BIOPOLE’s bi-polar remit and was very conveniently timed just after our long expedition to the Southern Ocean on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough. So what better way to showcase our fresh findings than a trip to the pub?! 

I put together a talk entitled “Tiny but mighty: what polar species do for us” highlighting the amazing role polar zooplankton have in transporting carbon to ocean depths where it can be sequestered for decades if not centuries. Central to the talk were polar copepods whose seasonal vertical migrations are a key research topic for BIOPOLE. It was brilliant to share images of the copepods we had found and tell tales of our adventures at sea from just one week earlier.  

Before the second wonderful and thought-provoking talk (Socially and Ecologically Responsible Arctic Research by Pilvi Saarikoski, British Antarctic Survey) there was a break for drinks, mingling, and a polar-themed quiz. Some fun facts from my talk may have appeared as bonus questions…. how many can you answer? 

1. How much carbon are Antarctic krill estimated to export to the deep sea each year?  

2. Name a type of net used to catch copepods.  

3. Polar copepods enter a type of hibernation state each winter. What is this hibernation called?  

It was a pleasure to be part of this event and to support UKPN’s aim of providing a space for everyone who is curious in polar science to come along and learn, chat and have fun. Do follow the UKPN and keep an eye out for a Polar Beers event in your city! 

Answers: 

1. 20 million tonnes, 2. MAMMOTH or bongo, 3. Diapause. 

The author of this article Jen Freer (British Antarctic Survey)

Record-low Antarctic sea ice in 2023 increased ocean heat loss and storms – Andrew Meijers

Declining Antarctic sea ice cover is generating unprecedented ocean heat loss to the atmosphere and more storms, according to a new study led by the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and contributing to BIOPOLE outputs. The study, published in the journal Nature, focused on the record low Antarctic winter sea ice cover in 2023 and provides the first clear picture of the impacts of the disappearing sea ice. 

Using data from the atmospheric layer just above the ocean surface, it found that ice concentrations in the Weddell, Bellingshausen and Ross seas was reduced by up to 80% and accompanied by an unprecedented doubling of mid-winter ocean heat loss. Also, there was a phase shift in the time of peak heat loss from late April to mid-June, with weaker than normal heat loss in the austral autumn. The winter surface-heat-loss intensification was found to be accompanied by substantial changes on both sides of the ocean–atmosphere interface. These include increases in both atmospheric-storm frequency and surface-heat-loss-driven dense water formation. 

The study also warns of potentially far-reaching impacts on the deeper ocean circulation, due to the heat loss making Antarctic surface waters denser than previously seen.  Lead author Professor Simon Josey says the results point to an urgent need to use state-of-the-art ocean and climate simulations to better understand the broader impacts of Antarctic sea ice loss. 

“Based on our study, years of low sea ice like this will continue to have more storms and greater changes to ocean properties that could impact the wider ocean circulation. Repeated low ice cover conditions in subsequent winters will strengthen these impacts and may result in profound changes further afield, including the Tropics and Northern Hemisphere.” 

Co-author Dr Andrew Meijers, from the British Antarctic Survey, explains further, “The location of this new denser surface water is relatively far from the sites at the Antarctic shelf where the densest and deepest waters of the global ocean are formed.  However, this cooling and subsequent sinking of waters previously covered by sea ice has the potential to release deeper warm waters that would normally be kept away from the ice by an insulating surface layer. In turn this has the potential for increasing sea ice melt in future years.” 

“Further analysis is urgently needed to understand these processes and their complex feedbacks, and determine how the massive decline of winter sea ice in 2023, and again this year, will impact the Southern Ocean circulation. This is key to understanding the climatically critical ocean uptake of atmospheric heat and carbon, and the rate of melt of the Antarctic continent.” 

Read the full study in Nature here. 

The author of this article Andrew Meijers (British Antarctic Survey)

I attended the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø to represent the BIOPOLE and PolarRES projects by presenting my work on the “Contribution of Diapausing Copepods to the Southern Ocean Lipid Pump: data mining, parameterisations, and modelling”. My presentation was part of the science session “Climate Model Data to Assess Climate Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies”. This covered a range of interesting topics from societal impacts of climate, upon reindeer herding communities handling warming conditions, and upon urban population’s vulnerability to extreme cold, to ecological impacts such as varying trophic interactions and space use by ocean predators. My BIOPOLE work fitted neatly into this science session and the presentation prompted some lively discussion during the coffee break. Befitting the full title of this year’s conference, “Arctic Frontiers: Beyond Borders”, many of the sessions focused on environmental policy within international diplomacy between the Arctic nations and the cross-borders Sami communities. Listening to Sami representatives wisely stating their preference for hands-off environmental stewardship and humorously critiquing the industrial approach of modern environmentalism lifted my spirits, but the conference was a bit too political for my taste, so I avoided the politics sessions in favour of science as far as possible. 

A month later, I presented the same BIOPOLE modelling work during the poster sessions of the Gordon Polar Marine Science conference, “Sea Ice as a Nexus in Polar Seas Between the Ocean and the Atmosphere”. This was the second time I’ve attended this conference, which, asides from being hosted in a lovely hotel on the hillside of a beautiful valley in Tuscany, is my favourite for a number of reasons. Each talk is between 25-45 minutes, with no more than 4 per session, so not only can the speakers thoroughly explain the detail of their work, but the listeners don’t suffer information overload from rapid-fire talks. A highlight of this conference are the lengthy, daily poster sessions giving ample opportunity for mingling and discussions. My poster attracted a fair amount of interest – everyone likes copepods – and a possible future collaboration with someone keen to use the copepod dataset. It was also complemented as the best-designed poster in the hall, though I can’t take credit for the design (thanks Jen!). But perhaps the best part of this conference is having three hours free after lunch each day, giving us time to explore la campagna Toscana – pity the rain was pouring down all week. 

The Author of this Article Aidan Hunter (British Antarctic Survey)

Presentation co-authors: Jennifer Freer, Nadine Johnston, Emma Young, Sally Thorpe, Daniel Mayor, Kathryn Cook, Gabi Stowasser, Priscilla Mooney, Geraint A Tarling 

Insights into silicon cycling from ice sheet to coastal ocean from isotope geochemistry – Kate Hendry

Glaciers – vast rivers of ice that flow from ice caps and ice sheets – were once thought to be inert environments, too cold for biology or for chemical reactions to occur. In the past two decades, scientists have discovered that glaciers are teeming with diverse microorganisms and are hotspots for biogeochemical weathering—chemical processes that release essential elements into the environment. As glaciers flow, they grind the underlying rock into a fine “flour,” and the unique chemistry of the waters beneath these ice sheets leads to the formation of new, highly reactive materials. This glacial flour can release nutrients into the environment, acting as a significant source of precious elements for coastal marine ecosystems. We are just beginning to unravel the intricate web of interactions among these elements as they travel downstream through fjords and into the ocean. 

One key nutrient, is silicon. Every living organism needs silicon in small amounts, but some, like plants and diatoms (a type of algae), need larger quantities to build their silica-based structures. In a new article in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, Kate Hendry and colleagues review the step-changes they’ve made over the last 8 years in our understanding of the importance of glacial flour in the cycling of silicon in polar environments. From studies all around the Arctic and in the Antarctic, they’ve shown that glacial meltwaters are rich in reactive detritus that dissolves, releasing biologically available silicon. This means it could be a vital nutrient source for coastal marine systems deficient in silicon, especially in the Arctic, and potentially on land too, for crops around the world. 

Scientists studying silicon now use cutting-edge methods, including measuring the different forms of silicon atoms (or isotopes) released through glacial weathering and in biological and chemical reactions, and using these new data to unpick all the processes that control silicon availability in downstream ecosystems. They have found that this detrital material can reach the open ocean and help feed diatoms in regions of the Arctic. 

In their review, Kate’s team also highlight the priorities for this research going forward. There are novel technologies and approaches we can use across environmental science disciplines to address some of the gaps that still exist in our knowledge. New nutrient sensors can be used with autonomous platforms to gather the information we need to understand fjords and coastal regions, which are high variable in space and time. Computational modelling can help us unpick the mechanisms behind these key processes, and (very importantly) get a handle on the rates at which everything happens. All of this will allow us as a community to predict how these sensitive and biologically rich environments will change into the future. 

Paper citation: Hendry, K. R., Sales de Freitas, F., Arndt, S., Beaton, A., Friberg, L., Hatton, J. E., … & Woodward, E. M. S. (2025). Insights into silicon cycling from ice sheet to coastal ocean from isotope geochemistry. Nature Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), 305. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02264-7 

Short URL to access the paper: https://rdcu.be/eio6y 

The author of this article Kate Hendry (British Antarctic Survey)

As part of my Carbon Literacy Training last year, I developed a personal Action Plan with a pledge: to celebrate World Bicycle Day on 3rd June 2025 by encouraging as many people as possible to cycle to work – or after work – in support of sustainable travel. This initiative aimed to reduce our collective carbon footprint while promoting healthier, more active lifestyles. In the lead-up to the day, I shared the initiative within the BIOPOLE project community to help maximise participation and visibility. 

I’m thrilled to share that a number of colleagues took to their bikes and joined the ride in honour of World Bicycle Day across the UK. I’ve created a collage of photos to celebrate everyone who took part – thank you all for making the effort and embracing the spirit of sustainable transport. 

The bicycle is more than a mode of transport; it’s a symbol of environmental responsibility, community action, and well-being. Cycling is an accessible, low-impact way we can all contribute to a more sustainable future, one pedal at a time. 

I hope these shared experiences continue to inspire more people to consider cycling – not just on World Bicycle Day, but all year round. 

Let’s keep riding – for our health, our planet, and a low-carbon future. 

The Author of this Article Ruta Hamilton (British Antarctic Survey)

Siobhán Foden

• Please introduce yourself.  

My name is Siobhán Foden, I am the biogeochemistry lab technician at BAS working with the Ecosystems and Polar Oceans teams. 

• Tell us about your professional and academic career before becoming part of the BIOPOLE Community. 

I studied my undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Nottingham and during my final year, I came across some reading material on polar sciences in the university library. I went on to study a masters in oceanography at the University of Southampton, focusing my research on biogeochemistry, specifically on the factors influencing organic carbon storage in glacially influenced marine sediment. Before joining BAS, I worked in a nuclear services consultancy gaining experience in nuclear waste characterisation and land remediation.

• What do you do within BIOPOLE?  

As part of BIOPOLE, I support the technical lab work associated with the project. I am involved in the fieldwork preparation, instrument maintenance, and processing and analysis of biogeochemical samples collected during the cruises. I am also taking part in fieldwork onboard the SDA. I will support the winter biogeochemical sampling activities, by collecting underway water samples, complementing data collected earlier in the spring/summer season. These samples will be analysed for organic particulate matter and inorganic nutrients, which will aid our understanding of the relationships connecting phyto- and zooplankton communities with nutrient dynamics, and oceanography.

• What have you enjoyed about BIOPOLE so far? 

It has been an amazing opportunity to be involved in a multidisciplinary research community, collaborating with scientists on such an exciting project. I love working in the lab and having such a variety of samples to work on means I’m continuously expanding my skillset.

• Tell us about a skill or trait unique to you that you would like to share? 

In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, playing sport and staying active. Although living in a city has its advantages, I feel most relaxed in nature. My favourite environment is being in the mountains or by the coast.

Simeon Hill

• Please introduce yourself.  

I am Simeon Hill, a marine and fisheries ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). 

• Tell us about your professional and academic career before becoming part of the BIOPOLE Community. 

I studied the foraging behaviour of juvenile plaice for my PhD and then spent five years providing scientific advice to fishery managers in an overseas territory. Much of my work in BAS is focused on managing the impacts of fishing on Antarctic marine ecosystems. This leads to a whole range of research questions about the ecological role of fished species, especially Antarctic krill, and how ecosystems respond to change. These questions extend to the role of krill in nutrient cycles, and the role of ecosystems in supporting fisheries. I have consistently used modelling as a tool for describing and understanding ecosystems and I also spend part of my time in scientific working groups aiming to progress Antarctic marine conservation.

• What do you do within BIOPOLE?  

My work in BIOPOLE WP3 aims to assess the importance of polar nutrient export for supporting marine ecosystems and fisheries at the global scale. This export provides some of the raw materials necessary to support primary production in all of the world’s oceans which, in turn, sustains the animal biomass that supports fisheries. BIOPOLE will provide a better understanding of the connections between polar nutrient exports and global marine primary production. I work in collaboration with the FishMIP community of marine ecosystem modellers to assess how this primary production translates into fishable biomass. In particular we are exploring how future change is likely to affect the stability and predictability of fishable biomass.

• What have you enjoyed about BIOPOLE so far? 

BIOPOLE has provided opportunities to collaborate across disciplines within my own institute, with other UK institutes, and internationally. I have really enjoyed developing these collaborations and benefited from the perspectives of colleagues working in other disciplines and on other geographical areas.

• Tell us about a skill or trait unique to you that you would like to share? 

My scientific thinking is the product of my influences but one thing I try to pass on is to appreciate the value of uncertainty. Understanding the difference between ‘right’ and ‘useful’ allows us to make progress with the information available. Understanding why we’re uncertain tells us what information we need next.

Sally Thorpe

• Please introduce yourself.  

I’m Sally Thorpe and I am an ecosystem modeller and leader of the Pelagic Ecosystems group at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

• Tell us about your professional and academic career before becoming part of the BIOPOLE Community. 

After doing a degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, I stayed on in the fine city of Norwich to do a PhD in physical oceanography as a CASE student with BAS, focussing on the ocean circulation of the Scotia Sea in the Southwest Atlantic and its impact on the ecosystem, and that’s what I’ve been doing pretty much ever since here at BAS. I use a wide range of data and analysis tools, including modelling, to investigate the environmental drivers for the ecological variability that we observe in the Southern Ocean.

• What do you do within BIOPOLE?  

My main contribution is through WP2. Part of my research focuses on investigating the transport of small-but-mighty copepods during their diapause and the impact of this on carbon export using individual based modelling, working closely with Emma Young and our ace biologists to make sure that our modelling is based on best available knowledge. This research links to WP3 where we make sure that our modelling efforts are joined up as best we can. I’ve also been involved in planning and delivery of fieldwork for the Southern Ocean aspects of BIOPOLE.

• What have you enjoyed about BIOPOLE so far? 

I’m really enjoying BIOPOLE, both delving into the science and working with the great team that we have. I recently took part in the BIOPOLE II cruise on the RRS Sir David Attenborough, returning to my observational physical oceanography roots after a brief 20-year break. It was the perfect reintroduction to fieldwork: a multidisciplinary cruise with a team of highly skilled, lovely people made for a productive and fun time at sea, with lots to take forwards now we’re home.

• Tell us about a skill or trait unique to you that you would like to share? 

I’m a keen netball player and happy northerner, two traits that aligned at the 2019 Yorkshire Open Egg Throwing Championship where my teammate/daughter and I won the silver medal, following in the footsteps of previous winner England footballer Beth Mead.

Biological nitrogen fixation is considered the major input of reactive nitrogen in low latitude open ocean regions, fuelling primary productivity and carbon export. For decades, nitrogen fixation had been assumed to be absent in the temperate shelf seas and high latitude ocean. However, there is now growing evidence that nitrogen-fixers are active in these systems, but the magnitude, environmental drivers, players and ecological implications are poorly known. This evidence is accumulating at a time when these systems are rapidly changing, underscoring the need for a focused effort in the scientific community to accelerate understanding of nitrogen fixation beyond the low latitudes. Compared to open oceans, temperate shelf and high latitude regions are heterogeneous and highly dynamic, limiting observations and challenging modelling efforts. Current models that include nitrogen fixation parametrise the geographical extent as a function of reactive nitrogen and/or temperature, excluding cold and nutrient-rich temperate shelf and high latitude oceans. In late March, Mar Benevides and colleagues attended a workshop at the ALSO 2025 conference in Charlotte, North Carolina to bring together the communities working on modelling nitrogen fixation with those of the physical oceanography, biogeochemical and molecular observational communities. The aim was to identify the data types and mechanistic understanding needed to parametrise nitrogen fixation beyond low latitude regions. It is hoped the workshop will provide a path forward to further develop models that incorporate nitrogen fixation in temperate shelf and high latitude oceans, to enable quantifying its contribution to the global nitrogen inventory, hypothesis testing and forecasting changes in nitrogen fixation in the future ocean. The workshop has also led to a proposal for a SCOR working group on this theme. 

The Author of this Article Mar Benavides (National Oceanography Centre)

More than 30 BIOPOLE scientists, in person or online, took part in the BIOPOLE II cruise planning meeting on 11^th Nov at the British Antarctic Survey. The cruise (SD046) will be on board the Sir David Attenborough and will be led jointly by Geraint Tarling and Sophie Fielding of BAS. It will sample large areas of the Scotia and Weddell Sea in the Southern Ocean during February and March, 2025. SD046 is deliberately timed to be in the late summer to autumn period when there is a large seasonal migration of mesozooplankton into deep ocean layers, where they overwinter. It is during this time that many are likely to be washed onto the banks of continental shelves to be predated on by organisms living on the seabed.  All of these processes are key to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon into the deep ocean. 

During the cruise meeting, Geraint and Sophie firstly outlined the general plan, highlighting the three distinct phases of the cruise (see map above), the first focussing on the South Georgia region (phase SG), the second, a long transect in the eastern Scotia Sea (phase A23) and the third, sampling in the Weddell Sea, particularly the South Orkneys and Powell Basin (phase BP). There will be a different emphasis to the sampling plans in each of these three phases, although all will involve sampling plankton and seabed organisms and measuring the physical and biogeochemical properties of the water.  

There followed presentations from each of the science disciplines taking part, including ocean physics, biogeochemistry, phytoplankton, zooplankton, krill, benthic communities, and higher predators/marine mammals. This led into breakout groups considering water sampling protocols, the use of controlled temperature rooms and approaches to higher predator monitoring. The meeting ended with a general discussion on how to prepare for life on board, how activities may differ between sampling stations, and further contingencies in the face of unknown factors such as the early advance of sea-ice over our intended sampling area. These matters, and others, were considered further in the more relaxed atmosphere of the Castle Pub later that evening. In all, a successful meeting and a good foundation on which to develop further plans for the cruise.  

The Author of this Article Geraint Tarling (British Antarctic Survey)