Research

Biogeochemistry

We are working to find out how melting ice sheets impact the ocean, in the past, present and future. We use isotopes, in situ monitoring and microfossils to understand how fluxes of nutrients change the ocean. We are also learning about the role of glacier surfaces in regional ecosystem dynamics and how mixoplankton contribute to the polar ocean system.

Technology development

We develop new technologies for exploring meltwater beneath glaciers, and returning data from deep ice. We are also making systems for monitoring temperate catchments at high spatial and temporal resolution, to understand water quality in UK rivers and reservoirs.

Microbiology

We use state of the art microbial analysis methods to understand icy ecosystems. We are finding out what species can survive in extreme cold systems, both now and in the past. We are measuring the activity of ecosystems, both in extreme icy environments and in UK freshwater systems, to understand how they influence their surroundings.

You can find out about some of our research by watching these videos:

• Jaz Millar tells us about Snowball Earth ecosystems
• Mike Prior-Jones describes technology measuring under glaciers
• Liz Bagshaw introduces the Cryoegg project
• Aditee Mitra tells us all about mixoplankton