Weekly Highlight: Aboard the Aquatic Adventure: to Sail and Glide at Leisure

Paul Chamberlain, a physical oceanography student at Scripps Oceanography, is currently participating in the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) cruise. The 55-day journey into the Southern Ocean has taken Chamberlain to the Antarctic Peninsula, where the pace of operations on the German icebreaker R/V Polarstern has increased as they move up the slope towards the continent.

Chamberlain's responsibilities on the SOCCOM cruise include deploying a series of autonomous Argo floats and taking regular conductivity, temperature, and density measurements. The cruise is focused on observing and modeling the Southern Ocean's role in carbon and climate dynamics.

The SOCCOM cruise is in a "sprint to the finish," with the expedition expected to end in less than a week. Round the clock Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) measurements and mooring operations are being conducted.

During a recent stop at the German Antarctic base Neumayer, Chamberlain and others from the ship had a chance to leave the icy ocean and visit the icy land. He recently posted a photo of himself in front of the base on a blog documenting the SOCCOM cruise.

The voyage also includes a stop to unload and deliver supplies for Neumayer. As the vessel heads back north along the Antarctic Peninsula, Chamberlain intends to spend some time on deck to soak up the last of Antarctica before the end of the expedition.

Lynne Talley, a prominent physical oceanographer known for her research on ocean circulation and climate, has taught students like Paul Chamberlain at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Chamberlain expressed mixed feelings about the upcoming end of the expedition, expressing excitement to return home but sadness to leave the unique and amazing Antarctic experience.

The SOCCOM cruise is a significant contribution to understanding the Southern Ocean's role in carbon and climate dynamics, providing valuable data for researchers and models worldwide. As the expedition approaches its end, the data collected will contribute to a better understanding of the region's impact on global climate.