How do Swirls and Whirls Drive Marine Ecology

Description

The seas around Australia are largely “oligotrophic” - that is nutrient poor at the surface. Just like in a garden, plankton (tiny plants and animals at the base of the ocean food chain) need nutrients to grow. Although the surface ocean is nutrient limited, a huge reservoir of nutrients lies at between 50 and 100m depth. Certain ocean conditions can tap into this nutrient reservoir and transport those nutrients to the surface, where they can be used by plankton to grow – triggering vast “blooms” that can be seen from space! Counterintuitively, some of the biggest blooms are actually triggered by some of the smallest scale ocean dynamics – “sub-mesoscale” motions that range from 100s of meters to a few kilometers, and ocean mixing, that occurs on the scale of centimeters. Small scales can have big impacts!  The student will investigate how small scale “sub-mesoscale” circulations influence the supply of nutrients to the ocean surface, and how this drives the base of the ocean food chain. Analyzing data collected from multiple research voyages by the RV Investigator (Australia’s premiere research vessel) along the east Australian coastline, as well as high resolution simulations of the coupled ocean-biology, the student will identify the key processes that sustain ecosystems around the Australian coast. They will collaborate with the Australian Center of Excellence for Our Future Oceans and with Parks Australia managers, to see their results turned into real world conservation outcomes.

Desired background

An undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, or engineering with Honours (H1 or H1E) or a Master by Research, with strong mathematical skills. Solid programming skills are highly desirable. The successful applicant must meet Australian Government requirements and UNSW PhD entry standards.