|
In brief... A Thermosalinograph system installed on the RV Cape Ferguson An underway thermosalinograph system (+ chlorophyll and turbidity) was recently installed on the RV Cape Ferguson and initial testing undertaken. When fully operational, the system will measure temperature, salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence and turbidity at 5-second intervals while the vessel is underway (one reading approximately each ship-length).
This system will allow the vessel to routinely measure surface water properties during routine operations throughout the Great Barrier Reef and elsewhere, and to undertake detailed mapping of oceanographic features like river plumes while underway. Similar instrumental systems will be installed on the RV Solander and the Heron Island Ferry over the next 6 months. The underway thermosalinograph will complement the underway surface ocean colour spectrometer and optical property monitoring system which can be deployed on AIMS vessels to measure a broader range of surface water properties at high spatial density. New Science Leader in Marine Microbiology at AIMS One of the world’s leading microbiologists will join AIMS in February 2008 to lead and develop marine microbiology research. Currently the Scientific Director of the Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC) at the University of Queensland, Professor Linda Blackall has an international reputation in the field of biological wastewater treatment and molecular method development in microbial ecology. Professor Blackall’s research revolves around the application of molecular and genetic technologies to describe and understand complex microbial communities. This involves detailed studies into microbial community structure, architecture, communication and function. Marine microbes encompass all microscopic organisms found in the sea including viruses, bacteria, archaea and micro-algae; groups that differ considerably in their biological characteristics. Although unseen, microbes constitute the vast majority of marine biomass. Only 0.1–1.0% of marine microbes present in seawater can be cultured using conventional approaches, which is indicative of the state of our knowledge of this unseen world. Despite that, we know that microbial communities are the most significant decomposers and recyclers of nutrients in the oceans: hence an essential element in global cycles and among the most serious of information gaps when we try to forecast how ecosystems will respond to change. Professor Blackall comments, "I look forward to the challenges that the position will provide in science leadership and in understanding marine microbes and their symbioses. The vast unseen microbiota of the oceans comprise a major player in global climate control and the practical applications of knowledge from this immense field will ensure that our globe has a sustainable future." Marine science cannot continue to overlook the unseen world of microbes and Australia must build capacity in this area. AIMS has recognised this need and is building capacity in marine microbiology with an initial focus on areas where microbial processes are central to issues of immediate concern to the world’s coral reefs including climate change impacts and coral diseases. New research plan 2007-2011 and strategic directions now available online
AIMS will research areas of national importance such as a sustainable marine industry and enhance Australia’s reputation as a world leader in tropical marine science through investigating issues of global concern such as climate change. The research is focused on providing information for the effective management and use of tropical marine resources.
|
