Event Details

The most obvious “changing sea ice conditions” are clearly the well documented changes in Arctic sea ice extent, and associated changes in multiyear ice dominated systems to ones with ice that lasts less than one year. This presentation will consider the possible consequences of these changes.

The most obvious will be the altered seasonal plankton dynamics, with subsequent consequences for both pelagic and benthic systems. What we know about the influences of the Southern Ocean seasonal sea ice dynamics on dominating biogeochemical processes can give us insight into the nature of such changes. As well as addressing the possible responses, part of the discussion will extend to considering the pertinent research that is needed for identifying the biogeochemical changes taking place and what kind of information is needed to predict future change.

Biography: Prof David Thomas is the Director of the Sêr Cymru National Research Network for Low Carbon Energy and the Environment. He is based in Bangor University, where he is also the Chair of Marine Biology and Head of School of the School of Ocean Sciences. He is a member of the NERC Science Board and Chairs the Programme Advisory Group of the NERC Changing Arctic Ocean Programme. He also Chaired the PAG for the NERC Arctic Research Programme.

He studied and did his PhD in Liverpool where he studied seaweed physiology, before spending 7 years in Germany working on oceanographic projects in the Antarctic, Arctic and Red Sea. After returning to the UK he established a groups working on sea ice biogeochemistry, land-ocean interactions, and the production of biofuels from algal bioreactors. He has also been in initiatives to use saltmarsh plants to remove nutrients from land-based aquaculture wastewaters. From 2009 to 2013 he held an Academy of Finland Distinguished Professorship and spent 2.5 years living in Helsinki while working at the Finnish Environment Institute, where he still holds a Research Professorship. In 2013 he also held a Chair in Arctic Marine Biology at Aarhus University, Denmark for 10 months. He takes pride in conveying his science to non-specialist audiences, both in talks but also writing textbooks and books for non-academic audiences. Over the years, he has become increasingly interested in the connections between observational biology and art and design.

All students, staff and colleagues are encouraged to attend.

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