Our research
Leading through excellence in science.
1. Numerical modelling.
Currently, there is a worrying lack of ocean and coastal modelers in South Africa. Unlike other areas of ocean science, this creates an exciting space where womxn can lead.
Led by Juliet Hermes, this research involves developing knowledge of geophysical fluid dynamics and programming skills, as well as working with large datasets and developing key analytical skills.
Projects use global and regional numerical model output, and/or setting up and running ocean models, combined with analysing remote and in situ data.
Researchers collaborate with government, working towards, for example, creating oil spill prediction scenarios for operational oceanography.
We work with a diversity of leading national and international ocean scientists and there are lots of opportunities to take part in a variety of summer schools including python/matlab/modeling schools.
Numerical modelling is ideal for womxn with strong maths and/or programming skills, or an interest in developing those skills.
It involves elements of coastal oceanography and compliments ocean observation research. The skills womxn gain in this area open career opportunities not just in oceanography but also in consulting and big data environments.
“Our work prepares womxn for careers in consulting and big data industries.”
2. Ocean observations.
The oceans play a central role in regulating the Earth’s climate while providing critical ecosystem services such as carbon storage, oxygen formation, food and income generation.
The fragility of today’s climate system has turned the role of the oceans into one of the most critical research topics.
The oceans surrounding Southern Africa present a natural laboratory allowing researchers to study both tropical (Agulhas Current) and temperate (Benguela Current) marine ecosystems, while stretching south lies the Southern Ocean, its pristine sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctica.
Providing continuous hydrographic measurements of these regions is critical for understanding the impact climate change is having on our ocean environments and their fragile marine ecosystems.
More than ever before there is a need to train more scientists to undertake this research. Professor Isabelle Ansorge is involved in the monitoring of long-term physical-chemical changes within the ocean current systems surrounding Southern Africa to understand the impact such changes are having.
At a time when the International Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) paints a sobering picture of climate change and strongly endorses the need for ongoing observations across ocean basins, womxn in the Department of Oceanography continue to have open access to research vessels and other facilities and thus remain well positioned to meet these ever increasing demands.
Womxn involved in this research will build technical skills that can be applied to a number of projects and careers that focus on ocean health and climate change.
3. Marine and atmosphere biogeochemistry.
Monitoring the health of South Africa’s atmosphere and coastal and open ocean regions is vital to our economy and ecosystems.
Atmospheric chemist, Katye Altieri, and biogeochemical oceanographer, Sarah Fawcett, use cutting-edge analytical techniques to measure the stable isotope ratios of nitrogen in the environment.
Since nitrogen is one of only two major nutrients required universally by life on Earth, and given that human activity has doubled the nitrogen cycle over the last decades, such studies are fundamental to understanding how our planet works and is changing.
Using methods that are new to Africa, Altieri and Fawcett measure nitrogen isotopes in seawater, rainwater, ice and aerosols, as well as in microfossils and N2O, a greenhouse gas 300-times more powerful than CO2. All this is done with a view to understanding the past, present and future climate and environment.
Given the implications of such research for ecosystem functioning and health, womxn who choose to work in this field will help to influence the global research agenda and contribute to scientific discovery that informs policy. They will also develop technical and analytical skills that are in high demand across South Africa.