I am a NERC Independent Research Fellow examining the marine nitrogen cycle, its coupling with the carbon cycle and the interactions between ocean biogeochemistry and climate change.
My current research focuses on the west Antarctic Peninsula region where climate-induced sea ice and upper ocean changes are having a strong, yet complex impact on marine productivity and biogeochemical cycles. My fieldwork and laboratory analyses aim to describe the mechanisms underlying these changes and their implications for oceanic CO2 uptake and ecosystem functioning. This collaborative interdisciplinary work will contribute to our understanding of the ocean’s role in modulating climate and help us to better predict future oceanic responses to global change.
Research interests:
Marine biogeochemistry, with a particular emphasis on carbon and nitrogen dynamics, stable and radiocarbon isotope geochemistry
Polar oceanography and climate-ice-ocean-ecosystem interactions
Quaternary paleoceanography, proxy development and evaluation
Collaborating scientist, British Antarctic Survey, Rothera Research Station, November 2013 – March 2014, as well as November 2008 – March 2009 and November 2009 – April 2010
Visiting scientist, Palmer Antarctica Long-Term Ecological Research Programme, ARSV Laurence M. Gould, January 2014 and January 2010
Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences, September 2012 – April 2013
PhD student, University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences, September 2008 – August 2012
My NERC Independent Research Fellowship is entitled “Isotopic characterisation of nutrient dynamics and UCDW behaviour in the west Antarctic Peninsula sea ice environment”. I am examining the nutrient budgets of the west Antarctic Peninsula shelf on an annual basis, as well as the dynamic coupling between the polar marine nitrogen and carbon cycles, their interactions with rapid climate change and sea ice declines underway in this region, and the implications for oceanic uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide. My Fellowship runs for five years and involves extensive ocean-going fieldwork in the Antarctic.
Tuerena, R.E., Ganeshram, R.S., Geibert, W., Fallick, A.E., Dougans, J., Tait, A., Henley, S.F. and Woodward, E.M.S., 2015. Nutrient cycling in the Atlantic basin: The evolution of nitrate isotope signatures in water masses. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 29(10), pp.1830-1844.
Annett, A.L., Skiba, M., Henley, S.F., Venables, H.J., Meredith, M.P., Statham, P.J. and Ganeshram, R.S., 2015. Comparative roles of upwelling and glacial iron sources in Ryder Bay, coastal western Antarctic Peninsula. Marine Chemistry, 176, pp.21-33.
Bryant, C.L., Henley, S.F., Murray, C., Ganeshram, R.S. and Shanks, R., 2013. Storage and Hydrolysis of Seawater Samples for Inorganic Carbon Isotope Analysis. Radiocarbon, 55(2), pp.401-409.
Annett, A.L., Henley, S.F., Van Beek, P., Souhaut, M., Ganeshram, R., Venables, H.J., Meredith, M.P. and Geibert, W., 2013. Use of radium isotopes to estimate mixing rates and trace sediment inputs to surface waters in northern Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Antarct. Sci, 25, pp.445-456.
Henley, S.F., Annett, A.L., Ganeshram, R.S., Carson, D.S., Weston, K., Crosta, X., Tait, A., Dougans, J., Fallick, A.E. and Clarke, A., 2011. Factors influencing the stable carbon isotopic composition of suspended and sinking organic matter in the coastal Antarctic sea ice environment. Biogeosciences Discussions, 8(6).
