NF-POGO-NOC Fellowship for Shipboard Training on CarTRIdge cruise
The CarTRidge project (Enhanced carbon export driven by internal tides over the mid-Atlantic ridge) will explore whether internal tidal waves over the mid-Atlantic ridge affect upper ocean nutrient fluxes, light availability, primary production, microbial and zooplankton communities, and subsequent carbon export. Specifically, the particle flux team will deploy in situ cameras, marine snow catchers and zooplankton nets in order to investigate differences in the biological carbon pump on and off the ridge. We will make measurements over a spring-neap tidal cycle above the ridge (2 weeks as we expect significant fortnightly variability in nutrient fluxes) and compare these with measurements in the adjacent deep basin 600 km away from the ridge (2 weeks). At each site, a range of autonomous platforms (gliders, floats, moorings) and ship-based work will be carried out, providing insight in a broad range of sampling technique.
The selected fellow will join a 7-week expedition, working alongside Dr Sarah Giering’s team on the observation and assessment of variables and processes related to the biological pump. The trainee will gain hands-on experience in at-sea routines, setting up and deploying sensors, as well as processing samples and data. In addition to participating in the cruise, the fellow will spend three weeks prior to the expedition, and five weeks afterwards, at the National Oceanography Centre (Southampton, UK). During this time, the fellow will complete the required sea survival training and medical examinations to board the vessel, learn more about oceanographic observation and research at the NOC, and contribute to data analysis following the cruise.
Fellow onboard RRS James Cook
2025 – Lowin Anand David Kanagaraj (India, Asia)