Research from AV俱乐部 Postdoctoral Fellow Erin Black provides insight into how carbon dioxide is affecting our world 鈥� not in the sky, but in the sea. 聽
鈥淭he ocean absorbs a significant amount of human-emitted carbon dioxide (CO2 ),鈥� says Dr. Black. 鈥淪mall critters in the ocean鈥檚 surface take in CO2, just like we humans breathe in oxygen. This CO2 becomes part of their bodies in the form of organic carbon. I鈥檓 trying to uncover where this carbon goes and how it is recycled.鈥�
The International Postdoctoral Fellowship program 鈥� a new initiative of the (OFI) 鈥� provides Dr. Black the opportunity to better understand how the ocean moderates our global climate.
Like ticking clocks
Dr. Black monitors organic carbon by tracking radioactive elements that occur widely in nature. She can determine how fast organic carbon travels from one part of the ocean to another because some of these elements like to stick to organic carbon and they also release pulses of energy, just like a ticking clock, when they decay. Measuring how fast these clocks tick tells Dr. Black how conditions in a given area of the ocean are changing over time. 鈥淚f we see ten counts of something over here and two counts over here, what does that mean? It tells us about a process.鈥�
One of the big questions is carbon sequestration 鈥� how much CO2 is taken up by surface critters and how much of this carbon descends (when they perish) to the deep ocean, where it can remain for hundreds of years or more?
To support this work, OFI鈥檚 postdoctoral program has paired Dr. Black with associate professor Stephanie Kienast of AV俱乐部, and research professor Bob Anderson, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LEDO). Dr. Black sees huge value in the collaboration.
鈥淵ou have three people that have specialties all working within the same vicinity so we can learn from each other.鈥�
Drs. Black and Kienast in Dal's Steele Ocean Sciences Building.
Through the program, Dr. Black works on-site with both advisors and their institutions鈥� research communities. Currently at AV俱乐部, she will transfer next fall to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) at Columbia University for her second and final year.
Dr. Kienast chose to mentor Dr. Black, 鈥渂ecause we get excited about the same questions, in particular, the sinking of carbon from the upper ocean to the deep ocean and the sediments. With this process, the ocean is taking up CO2.鈥�
鈥淓rin brings specialized know-how that is uniquely suited to quantify this process. It is a great privilege to have her here at Dal.鈥�
A collaborative effort
Dr. Black is involved in two projects:
- Examining if, and how, the marine carbon cycle in the Arctic is being altered with global climate change; and,
- What drives the abundance of metals in the ocean, such as iron, which are vital to marine life.
The OFI鈥檚 is designed to provide future ocean leaders with international experience and build human capacity through mentorship. On working with her advisors, Dr. Black says, 鈥渢hey鈥檙e helping me prepare for a career, to fill out the areas that I need to continue to the next step.鈥�
Dr. Black is one of 12 early career researchers participating in OFI鈥檚 International Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, which includes partnerships between AV俱乐部 and institutions in France, Germany, Ireland, and the United States.
Drs. Black and Kienast at work in the lab.
鈥淭he OFI program brings bright minds to AV俱乐部 after their PhDs,鈥� says Dr. Kienast. 鈥淭his is at a pivotal time in a researcher鈥檚 career during which they innovate and contribute immensely to the scientific endeavor.鈥�
OFI is now accepting applications for the International Postdoctoral Program. .