Late Quaternary Antarctic cryosphere interactions (ARCHIE)
In ARCHIE, we gather a cross-disciplinary, international team to provide for the first time essential knowledge on Antarctic sea ice–ice shelf variability and interaction on (sub)millenial time scales. Sea ice plays a key role in the global climate system and in the Southern Ocean it protects ice shelves from disintegration, a crucial tipping element of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Despite their pivotal role in the climate system, there is limited knowledge on sea ice– ice shelf interaction in the geological past. This knowledge gap exists due to the limited availability of (sea ice) proxy methods and the lack of suitable sediment records for reconstructing sea ice–ice shelf interactions.Using a unique set of sediment samples, we will evaluate existing geochemical and paleontological methods as well as a novel sedimentary ancient DNA approach for reconstructing sea ice–ice shelf variability and interactions. Subsequently, we will apply our new methodology to a Weddell Sea sediment core to generate the first (sub) millennial biomarker and sedimentary ancient DNA record back to >130,000 years ago. We will focus on the Last Interglacial, where we will compare our proxy records and climate model experiments to obtain a dynamical insight into sea ice–ice shelf variability during a critical time in Earth’s history where global climate was warmer than today. As such, the project is highly relevant for understanding the natural variability of Antarctic sea ice–ice shelves, their impact on ocean circulation and the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and ultimately on global sea level. Within the project, we commit to train a young researcher in the emerging field of paleogenomics and aim to establish Norway at the forefront of paleogenomics in the marine environment.
Project facts
Name
Late Quaternary Antarctic cryosphere interactions (ARCHIE)
Status
Active
Duration
01.12.21 - 31.12.24
Total budget
12.000.000 NOK
