Gough Island Expedition 2023: Trace Metal Biogeochemistry Research

Gough Island Expedition 2023: Trace Metal Biogeochemistry Research

Research team on the recent Gough Island takeover expedition. 

Gough Island Expedition_2023_Trace Metals (2)

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in the ocean, and just like plants on land they need to have enough food to grow and be happy. However, some places in the ocean don’t have enough food for them whereas some places do. The Southern Ocean Carbon & Climate Observatory (SOCCO) team based at CSIR, Trace Metals team based at Stellenbosch University (TracEx) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Oceans and Coasts team are trying to figure out where those places are (in the Southern Ocean). 

During the Gough Island takeover expedition:

The Trace Metal Biogeochemistry research teams sampled upstream and downstream of Gough Island to look at how the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) interacts with the island to resuspend sediments from the seafloor. This resuspended sediments acts as a source of trace metals to the surface mixed layer in support of phytoplankton blooms. The team used a 12 bottle mini-CTD rosette system (see image below, right) to sample for dissolved trace metals, particulate trace metals and organic trace metal chemistry.

TEAM Trace Metal Biogeochemistry
Projects Name Seasonal Iron speciation in the Southern Ocean, from open ocean environments to naturally fertilized sub-Antarctic Islands (Marion and Gough Island)
Principal InvestigatorDr Thomas Ryan-KeoghSenior Researcher at the Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory (SOCCO), CSIR South Africa
Co-Principal Investigator (On board DFFE team leader) Dr TN MtshaliDepartment of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Co-Principal InvestigatorProf AN RoychoudhuryStellenbosch University (TracEx)
SOCCO/TracEx on board team leaderOlie ValkTracEx
On board team member (PhD Student)
Thapelo RamalepeSOCCO-TracEx
On board team member (MSc Student)
Miranda SitofileSOCCO-TracEx
On board DFFE team memberMutshutshu TsanwaniDFFE
On board DFFE team memberKanyisile VenaDFFE
On board DFFE team memberHassan IsmaelDFFE
On board DFFE team memberMbulelo MakhethaDFFE
On board team membersIncluding all ship-based scientists sampling for trace metals

The project in more detail:

The Southern Ocean (SO) is one of the largest high-nutrient low-chlorophyll regions in the World’s Ocean, where primary productivity is limited by iron bioavailability, thereby impacting the strength and efficiency of biological carbon pump. There are, however, exceptions with large phytoplankton blooms persistently observed downstream of the sub-Antarctic Islands. While extensive research has focussed on iron-biogeochemistry around Kerguelen and Crozet islands, no such studies have been conducted at Marion and Gough islands.

Furthermore, whilst our previous studies have made substantial advances toward addressing the gaps in seasonal data coverage through the Southern oCean seAsonaL Experiment (SCALE) 2019 winter and spring expeditions, there is still a paucity of dissolved iron data in the SO, especially from autumn to late spring. This is severely hampering our understanding of the full seasonal biogeochemical iron cycle and its impact on primary production. This project aims to continue its focus on seasonality by expanding seasonal coverage of iron measurements to include autumn (Marion) and late-spring (Gough) expeditions for more comprehensive coverage of the SO seasonal cycle, with a particular focus on quantifying biogeochemical cycling of iron-pool around these understudied islands.

This project is funded by: The National Research Foundation, South African National Antarctic Programme funding (NRF-SANAP). 

Current NRF-SANAP funded projects

Visit SOCCO here!  Visit TracEx here!  

Featured Image: L-R (Back): Kanyisile Vena (DFFE), Ole Valk (TracEx), Hassan Ismael (DFFE), Mbulelo Makhetha (DFFE); (front) Miranda Sitofile (SOCCO-TracEx), Thato Mtshali (DFFE), Thapelo Ramalepe (SOCCO- TracEx), Mutshutshu Tsanwani (DFFE). 

Project information supplied by Dr Thomas Ryan-Keogh. Images supplied by Thapelo Ramalepe. 

Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 30 October 2023. 

Gough Island Expedition 2023: Mammal Research

Gough Island Expedition 2023: Mammal Research

Featuring research teams currently on the Gough Island takeover expedition. 
Gough Island Expedition_2023_subantarctic fur seals_Tristan da Cunha

The Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department recruited two Tristan Islanders to assist in the field at Tristan for the duration of the takeover. Image of the two members of a previous team.

During the annual Gough Island takeover (relief) expedition, the S.A. Agulhas II delivers passengers and cargo to Tristan da Cunha Island, which is 350 kilometers from Gough Island.  Additionally, several researchers are given the chance to carry out their research at Tristan da Cunha during the relief period for Gough Island.

Prof Marthán Bester,  semi-retired, Emeritus Professor and senior Research Fellow of the Mammal Research Institute at the University of Pretoria, is currently on the Tristan da Cunha to conduct field research on Subantarctic fur seals.

Find our more below about this project and prospects for the takeover period. 

 

TEAMTristan Mammal Research
Project NameSubantarctic Fur Seals at the Tristan da Cunha Islands, South Atlantic Ocean
Principal Investigator Prof Marthán BesterUniversity of Pretoria
Co-Principal InvestigatorProf Nico de BruynUniversity of Pretoria
Co-Principal InvestigatorDr Mia WegeUniversity of Pretoria
Co-Principal InvestigatorMr. Trevor GlassTristan Conservation Department Head

The history of fur seal research on Tristan da Cunha

Fur seal research at the Tristan da Cunha (TdC) Islands started during the 1970s (1974–1978). In its present form, the research continues through a next phase (2009–2019), and beyond.

 
Short description of the project
 
Using Subantarctic fur seals as bioindicators of environmental conditions and as tools for suitable management of natural resources, contributing to observing marine ecosystems in the TdC Islands, since 2019 and beyond, the aim is to: (a) determine the seasonal attendance patterns of primarily lactating adult females, from the smallest (incipient) population of the species in the world at Cave Point Peninsula, TdC, (b) measure and contrast the growth rate and/or weaning mass of pups at the Cave Point breeding colony (10 month nursing period), (c) collect scat (non-invasive) and whiskers (invasive) samples for diet analyses.
 
During this ‘takeover’ the team aims to service and/or retrieve the Attendance Pattern Automated System (satellite-linked) at Cave Point, collect and process fur seal scat samples to determine diet, and weigh pup/under-yearling fur seals (at around 290 days of age) to compare their weaning weights amongst years and with those of pups from other island populations (including Gough Island).
 
In everyday language
 
The fur seals breed and rest on the islands, and they feed at sea. The research team aims to determine (1) what the seals feed on when they are away during feeding trips, (2) how well the pups, which remain on land, grow on a diet of milk which they suck from their mothers when these return to land after each feeding trip, and (3) how far away from the island, and for how long, do the mothers of the fur seal pups have to remain at sea on each feeding trip to be able to sustain their pups until weaning.
For more information visit about Subantarctic fur seals, click on the link below. 

 

Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme  

Tristan Mammal Funding

This project is funded by: The National Research Foundation (NRF-SANAP), The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department (TdC Conservation Department). 

 

Update posted by the Tristan Conservation Department (on Facebook, 09 October 2023):

“The weather has been very nice last week. The conservation team and professor Martian Bester managed to go to the caves to do seal work with the seal pups. It was a great success as they managed to weigh fifty pups. Martian has been working with the conservation department for fourty nine years but sadly this is his last year working with the conservation team as he is retiring”

Photo’s Taken by: Tristan Glass, Tristan Conservation Department.

 

Project information and feature image supplied by Prof Marthán Bester. 

Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 03 October 2023, updated on 10 October 2023.

Meet the 68th Gough Island Overwintering Team

Meet the 68th Gough Island Overwintering Team

G68 - Gough Island Overwintering Team

G68 Team (Left to Right): Lucy Dorman, Joyfull Ntobeko Gaju (removed from the team and replaced with G67 Medic, Sandile Nkebe), Philani Siyabonga Ngcobo (removed from the team and replaced with G67 Assistant Meteorological Technician, Tshililo Kharivha), Sibusiso Maduna, Rebekah Goodwill, Mphumzi Brooklyn Zilindile, Eddy Mfezeko Xaki, Khuliso Collen Maphaha, Mayembe Kapenda.

On 20 August 2022, the S.A. Agulhas II departed to Gough Island, via Tristan da Cunha. They will soon arrive at their new home, where they will be living for the next approximately 13 months. The G68 team will replace the G67 team.

 

68th Gough Island Overwintering Team (G68)

We asked the team members why they applied to be part of G68?

 

 

 

Two team members stayed behind from G67. The Medical Orderly, Sandile, will be replaced at a later stage and Tshililo will stay on for the year as part of G68.

 

 

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 25 August 2022, updated on 19 September 2022.

 

Voyage 054 – S.A. Agulhas II to Gough Island/Tristan da Cunha

Voyage 054 – S.A. Agulhas II to Gough Island/Tristan da Cunha

The S.A. Agulhas II departed from East Pier, V&A Waterfront on her annual Gough Island relief voyage on Saturday, 20 August 2022. 

On the way to Gough Island, the vessel will stop at Tristan da Cunha, offloading Tristan passengers and cargo. This stopover will approximately be 60 hours. From here the vessel will depart to Gough Island. Passengers will disembark and cargo will be offloaded with helicopters. Scientific projects will commence. 

Onboard are the DFFE Logistics team, the 68th Gough Island Overwintering team (9 team members), the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) maintenance team, Helicopter crew, Scientific personnel, and Tristan passengers.

 

Logistics Team

Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Directorate: Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support
Management, logistics and support for this voyage
Departmental Co-ordinator (DCO)Ms Nomzi Ndzandzeka
Assistant DCOMr Zukisa Kuse
Technical SectionMr Willem Boshoff
Medical Doctor Dr MC Taggart
Waste TechnicianMr Tatulo Fipaza

68th Gough Island Overwintering Team (Click here for profile pictures of the team members)

Medical Orderly/Team Leader Mr Joyfull Ntobeko Gaju
Diesel MechanicMr Sibusiso Maduna
Communications Engineer/
Deputy Team Leader
Mr Mayembe Kapenda
Electrical/Base EngineerMr Eddy Mfezeko Xaki
Senior Meteorology Technician Mr Philani Siyabonga Ngcobo
Assistant Meteorology Technician Mr Khuliso Collen Maphaha
Assistant Meteorology Technician Mr Mphumzi Brooklyn Zilindile
RSPB Field AssistantDr Lucy Dorman
RSPB Field Assistant Ms Rebekah Goodwill

National Department of Public Works Maintenance Team

Project Manager LeaderMr Takalani Mudau
Refrigeration Mechanical
& Deputy Leader
Mr William E Kriege
CarpenterMr A Petersen
CarpenterMr E Roberts
CarpenterMr ME Gazi
BricklayerMr MI Jantjies
PlumberMr M Maluka
PlumberMr MW Samsodien
PlumberMs N Sogoni
PainterMs B Nelani
Crane TechnicianMr James Page
Crane TechnicianMr L Pierce
MechanicalMr J Zeelie
MechanicalMr MLG Porta Nova
MechanicalMr B Mpengesi
MechanicalMr LN Thomas

Helicopter Crew 

Team Leader & EngineerMr Raymond van der Watt
Captain Mr Waldo Venter
Captain Mr Eugene Viljoen
First OfficerMr Mukapitendwa Khalushi
First OfficerMr Jason Abrey
EngineerMr Daniel Carstens
Engineer Engine/
HLO/Crewman
Mr Warren Vogt
EngineerCrewmanMr Eduan Teich
EngineerCrewmanMr Jodi Brophy
Fire Fighter Mr Zakariah Johnson

Scientific fieldwork planned for the 2022 take-over

South African Weather Service (SAWS)
Atmosphere and Ocean Surface Research
Group LeaderMr. Julian Grace
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Monitor trends and changes in water quality, provide guidance and support
Group LeaderMs Silindokuhle Ndlela
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Gough Island Restoration Programme
Group LeaderDr Antjie Steinfurth
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
Polar Space Weather Studies
Group LeaderMr Christopher Gray
University of Fort Hare
Landscape and climate interactions (LCI)
Group LeaderDr Elizabeth Rudolph

 

Featured Image: Gough Island station (Credit: Julius Klette). 
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 23 August 2022
Prof Peter Ryan awarded with the Gill Memorial Medal

Prof Peter Ryan awarded with the Gill Memorial Medal

Congratulations to Prof Peter Ryan, awarded with the BirdLife South Africa Gill Memorial Medal, for an outstanding lifetime contribution to ornithology in southern Africa.

Prof Peter Ryan

Prof Ryan, an A-rated Ornithologist and Director of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town, has been part of the South African National Antarctic Programme for more than two decades, doing research on seabirds breeding on Marion Island and the Tristan archipelago, which includes Gough Island. Prof Ryan’s latest research within SANAP is focused on “Avian scavengers as indicators of recovery of an island biota”, co-led with Dr Maëlle Connan (Research Fellow in the Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University). Click here to read more about this project.

He is the author and co-author of a number of books on seabirds and the sub-Antarctic islands. Here is his latest publication: Guide to Seabirds of Southern Africa.

guide to seabirds of southern africa Marion and Prince Edward Islands

The Citation for Prof Ryan’s award – Click here.

In 2012, John Cooper, who was extensively involved in long-term seabird monitoring studies on Gough and Marion islands since the 1980s, received this award for his outstanding contribution to ornithology in southern Africa.

 

Featured Image: Prof Peter Ryan at the 5th SANAP Symposium (2018) in Hermanus, where he presented his work on “Plastics in Antarctica – preliminary findings from the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition (ACE).

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 31 May 2022

The 67th Gough Island Overwintering Team arrived at Gough Island

The 67th Gough Island Overwintering Team arrived at Gough Island

G67; Gough67The 67th Gough Island overwintering team, all crew onboard the S.A. Agulhas II, and take-over personnel have gone through an isolation period and Covid19 testing prior to departure to Gough Island. The vessel departed from East Pier, Cape Town Harbor on the 15th of September 2021 and after a stop at Tristan da Cunha, arrived at Gough Island today, 23 September 2021.

This take-over will be led by Mardené de Villiers (Meteorological Officer at South African Weather Service), as Chief Scientist. The team leader of the new Gough Island team (G67) is Sandile Nkebe, who is also appointed as the Medical Orderly of the team. The deputy team leader is Peter Chuku, the Communications Engineer, who has overwintered on Gough Island before (2017/2018).

Three of the team members of G66, Kim Stevens, Vonica Perold, and Roelf Daling, will stay on as part of G67 and continue to play a crucial role in the follow-up stages of the Gough Island Restoration Programme. Read more about this mice eradication programme here.

All the best to all involved in this take-over operations, including the team returning home and to the new team that will be taking over duties on Gough Island.

 

Meet the rest of the team:

 

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 23 September 2021

© South African National Antarctic Programme • Managed and administered by Antarctic Legacy of South Africa • Photo Credits