“Phytoplankton, microscopic marine algae living in our waters, produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe. In other words, every second breath we take comes from the ocean. Crucial to life as we know it, and changing faster than ever have before, over 80% of our seas remain unmapped, unobserved, or unexplored. From the tiniest organisms to the largest marine mammals, there’s still so much to learn; the race is on to better understand this incredibly complex environment, and better protect it, before it’s too late. ”
A snapshot of the incredible collection of organisms collected during cruise FK200308 with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, 2020. These samples, along with the terabytes of 4K imagery and seafloor data will help to shed light on the biodiversity of the previously unexplored Cape Range Canyon and Cloates Canyon off Ningaloo, Western Australia.
Understanding our oceans
In 2014, Alex took part in his first marine research expedition on the RRS James Cook. This opened the gates to a whole new world, which gradually took Alex’s work down a path away from glaciology and towards marine biology. Our oceans are vital for our survival, yet they are under threat in this rapidly changing world. Alex works with organisations such as the Schmidt Ocean Institute to help further our understanding of this most important natural resource through writing, imagery and public engagement.
Current Work
Alex is a Multimedia Correspondent for the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a non-profit organisation working to advance the frontiers of global marine research by providing state of the art operational, technological, and informational support to pioneering ocean science and technology development projects at sea.
Working with the fantastic SOI teams both on board R/V Falkor, and shoreside, this ongoing role takes him around the world where his work is used to further our understanding of the oceans and to publicise the extraordinary research being done.
Schmidt Ocean Institute
FK200308
Illuminating Biodiversity of the Ningaloo Canyons / Dr Nerida Wilson
Very few deep sea areas both in and outside of Australia have been well-sampled over large spatial and temporal scales, and a large number of species still remain undiscovered and unnamed. This cruise aimed to identify and characterize the benthic biodiversity in Cape Range and Cloates Canyons and complement ROV surveys with environmental genetics (eDNA). In a country where there are little opportunities to explore the deep sea with a dedicated science ROV, this expedition will have a major impact in understanding this deep sea region.
FK191120
Studying the Sea-Surface Microlayer 2 / Dr Chris Zappa
The sea surface microlayer is but a tiny slice of the ocean – only the top millimeter at most; however, this thin boundary serves as a mediator of air-sea gas exchange, controlling all transfers between the atmosphere and the ocean. It is the link between all processes that meet at the sea surface, and a huge part of marine biogeochemical cycles and air-sea interactions. Therefore, this tiny microlayer plays an influential role in regulating the entire planet’s climate. For something so small and easily overlooked, the surface microlayer is a key element in many important environmental actions.
