by Ria Olivier | Jan 17, 2025 | Announcement, Antarctica, Gough Island, Marion Island, Prince Edward Islands, SA Agulhas II, SANAE, SANAP, Southern Ocean
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is pleased to announce the upcoming voyage schedule for the S.A. Agulhas II for the 2025/2026 season. This state-of-the-art polar research and supply vessel will continue its vital role in supporting South Africa’s research stations in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Below is the planned itinerary provided by the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment:
DOWNLOAD PDF Voyage Schedule 2025-2026
DOWNLOAD PDF Voyage Schedule 2026 – 2027
Please note that these dates are subject to change based on operational requirements and weather conditions. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official voyage schedule on the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) website.
SANAP
We look forward to another successful season of exploration and research, furthering our understanding of these remote and vital regions.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 11, 2024 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member
The following positions are available on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2025 to May 2026)
Environmental Officer Assistant Environmental Officer
Communications Engineer Diesel Mechanic Electrical Engineer Medical Orderly
Senior Meteorological Technician Assistant Meteorological Technician
2 X Field Assistants – Sea Birds
Closing Date: 28 OCTOBER
Click here: View all positions
by Ria Olivier | Feb 29, 2024 | Biogeochemistry, geochemistry, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, SANAP Student, South Atlantic, Southern Ocean
The third session within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy research theme: Oceans and marine ecosystems under global change chaired by Suzanne Fietz of Stellenbosch University. The presentations resort under the title ‘Southern Ocean productivity: drivers and consequences. The session was introduced by Susanne Fietz and the alignment to MARS. (Above: group photo – Photo credit Suzanne Fietz)
Above (l-r): Liam Quinlan, Emtia Wium, Johan Viljoen, Asmita Singh, Jared Walsh (Stellenbosch University)
- Liam Quinlan: Characterising phytoplankton communities: A Southern Ocean case study of environmental coupling. (Abstract)
- Amelia Deary: Early community development at the Southern Ocean Marginal Ice Zone. (Abstract)
- Sadiyah Rawat: The role of the island mass effect in enhancing productivity and carbon export in the Subantarctic Ocean. (Abstract)
- Emtia Wium: Impact of metals in aerosols and dust on marine phytoplankton: South Africa. (Abstract)
- Sina Wallschuss: The seasonality and origins of nitrous oxide in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. (Abstract)
- Faith February: Observations of Southern Ocean marine aerosols in Simon’s Town, False Bay. (Abstract)
- Susanne Fietz: General discussion
- Mhlangabezi Mdutyana: Nitrification in the Southern Ocean: controls, kinetics, and biogeochemical implications. (Abstract)
- Susanne Fietz: Trace metals and phytoplankton. (Abstract)
Above (l-r): Amelia Deary, Sadiyah Rawat, Sina Wallschuss, Faith February, Mhlangabezi Mdutyana (UCT)
Sarah Fawcett(left) could not attend, but her and Dr Katye Altieri (right)students gave presentations during this session. Sarah Fawcett (abstract): Nanoplankton: the dominant vector for carbon export across the Atlantic Southern Ocean in spring.
Suzanne Fietz and the Stellenbosch University Earth Sciences team submitted an excellent e-poster Asmita Singh(e-poster) and Johan Viljoen (abstract) and Jared Walsh(abstract) were not able to attend the symposium in person.
by Ria Olivier | Feb 27, 2024 | Oceanography, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, South Atlantic, Southern Ocean, Uncategorised
The second session within the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy research theme : Oceans and marine ecosystems under global change was chaired by Sandy Thomalla and Sarah Nicholson from Southern Ocean Carbon- Climate Observatory (SOCCO). The session title, “The Southern Ocean’s sensitivity to a changing climate: insights from a seasonal cycle approach” were presented through oral presentations and e-posters from SOCCO. (Left Sandy Thomalla, Right Sarah Nicholson, above SOCCO group photo)
Above (l-r): Tesha Toolsee, Tommy Ryan-Keogh, Thapelo Ramalepe, Thato Mtshali.
- Sarah Nicholson: The impact of storms on CO2 and heat exchange across the Southern Ocean.
- Tesha Toolsee: The complex role of storms in modulating intra-seasonal air-sea CO2 fluxes in the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean.
- Sandy Thomalla: Trends in Southern Ocean Phytoplankton bloom phenology.
- Sifiso Mpapane: Understanding photo acclimation effects on Chl:C ratio in the Southern Ocean: modelling considerations and insights into seasonal assemblage composition. (E-poster)
- Tommy Ryan-Keogh: Multi-decadal trend of increasing iron stress in the Southern Ocean phytoplankton.
- Thapelo Ramalepe: Exploring the seasonal processes governing manganese supply in the Southern Ocean.
- Thato Mtshali: Winter-time distributions and dissolved iron mixed layer budget in the south Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean.
- Miranda Sitofile: Investigating seasonal variability of dissolved iron in the South Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean: Insights from the winter and spring SCALE 2019 cruises. (e-poster)
- Lillina Ruiters: Variability of phytoplankton photo physiology in the Southern Ocean: an analysis of assumptions and uncertainties. (e-poster)
Above(l-r): Sifiso Mpapane, Miranda Sitofile, Lillina Ruiters
by Ria Olivier | Feb 19, 2024 | Oceanography, Research, SANAP, SANAP Student, Science, Southern Ocean, Uncategorised
MARIS started the first session on Southern Ocean research within SANAP with focus on SEA ICE. Above: Rutger Marquart, Magata Mangatane, Dylan White, Anand Nair, Wayne de Jager, Leila Nefdt, Safiyyah Moos, Tokoloho Rampai, Marcello Vichi, Robyn Verrinder, Hayley Swait, Riesna Audh, James van Niekerk. (Photo Credit: MARIS)
The first ocean session covered the Antarctic sea ice research field led by the Sea Ice Team from the Marine and Antarctic Research for Innovation and Sustainability (MARiS). The research themes covered in this session were innovation and development, oceans and marine eco-systems under global change and earth systems observations. The presentations and posters under these research theme covered a diverse range of projects from large-scale sea ice observations, tracking and measurements to the small-scale sea ice dynamics, properties and biogeochemistry. Antarctic sea ice research has received a comparatively limited focus compared to its Arctic counterpart. The MARiS sea ice team is constituted of the departments of Oceanography, Electrical and Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, with projects aimed to contribute new insights and push the boundaries within this research domain. The presentation within this session were on a variety of earth system observations models, simulations of sea ice wave interactions, innovative tool development for lab-based experiments and field-based work investigating sea ice dynamics and properties and the ecological impacts of algae and their biogeochemical significance. The session under the MARS theme; Oceans and marine ecosystems under global change was chaired by Principal investigator Tokoloho Rampai and it included an overview of Maris by Robyn Verrinder. The session was done in round table fashion and included posters and oral presentations. Tokoloho concluded the session with a closing statement
Oral presentations:
- Robyn Verrinder – Overview of MARIS.
- Rutger Marquart – Numerical modelling of sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics in the Antarctic marginal ice zone. (abstract)
- Anand Nair – Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling of Pancake Ice on Waves. (abstract)
- Safiyyah Moos – Investigating the dynamics and exchanges across the ice-ocean interface in artificial sea ice. (abstract)
- Hayley Swait – Investigating Brine and Air Porosity in Sea Ice from the Eastern Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone. (abstract)
Poster Presentations were displayed in the venue during the symposium and presenters gave a quick introduction to their posters during the round-table session.
- Wayne De Jager – Sub-daily Antarctic sea-ice variability estimates using swath-based retrieval methods. (abstract)
- Dylan White – Discussion on the Premise of, and Challenges in, the Development of a Ship-Based Radar System for the in-situ Measurement of Sea Ice Thickness. (abstract)
- Magata Mangatane – Antarctic sea-ice thickness reconstruction. (abstract)
- Marcello Vichi – Wind- and wave-driven free-drift dynamics in Antarctic Sea ice.(abstract)
- Tokoloho Rampai – Sea ice growth dynamics and their influence on the physical, structural and mechanical properties-A discussion on innovation in in situ testing. (abstract)
- James van Niekerk – Investigation of the Interactions Between Sea Ice Algae from the Marginal Ice Zone of Antarctica and Artificial Sea Ice. (abstract)
- Riesna Audh – Winter biogeochemical activity is enhanced by rafting in growing Antarctic Sea ice. (abstract)
After the session the group took pictures (Credit: Leila Nefdt)
by Ria Olivier | Nov 30, 2023 | Announcement, Legacy, Obituary, Oceanography, Research, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, SEAmester, Southern Ocean, Women in Science
It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Dr Precious Thembumuzi Mahlalela.
Dr Mahlalela, Research Coordinator of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) LTO-Ocean Integrated Facility, passed away on 28 November 2023 after a short battle with cancer.
Dr Mahlalela joined NRF-SAEON (host of SAPRI) in May 2023 at the same time as successfully finishing off the corrections for her PhD in Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences thesis, entitled Variability and Trends in Rainy Season Characteristics of the Eastern Cape. She was due to graduate in December.
Upon joining the SAPRI team, she threw herself straight into the adventure, assisting with SEAmester and providing great support at sea. As soon as she was back on dry land she flew to China to learn about moorings. Although this was her first international trip, she approached it like the other challenges she has faced, with a calm and humble attitude, open to learning and new experiences. Upon her return, she insisted on accompanying the SEAON team on a science engagement roadshow in the Western Cape to inspire young minds. She continued to work with the same positive energy and gentle sense of humour that endeared her to everyone.
“In the short time she was with us at SAPRI she became part of our family. Taken from us far too soon, her light will continue to shine through the friendships she made, the individuals she worked with, and the souls she ignited with inspiration. Fair winds and following seas, shipmate. We have the watch now” Prof Juliet Hermes – SAPRI and SAEON Egagasini Manager.
Dear Precious
Your warmth and gentle spirit shone so brightly that any room you walked into lit up with a soft glow. You were an angel on this earth who combined both a bubbly and calming presence and we will miss you more than any words can convey. We were so honoured to have worked with you.
Go gently dearest Precious. With love, from the SAPRI team.
The SAPRI team and SAEON Egagasini team will miss you dearly.
Our deepest condolences to Precious’s family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of meeting her.
Obituary of Precious Mahlalela by Juliet Hermes, Tammy Morris, Anne Treasure, Errol Julies, Anche Louw, Abu Nguna, Rabia Mathakutha and Riesna R. Audh, 30 November 2023.
