Antarctic Research Program
The Hofmann lab has been conducting research in McMurdo Station Antarctica since 2001. The first generation of B-134 studied the thermal physiology and cold adaptation of Antarctic fish; however, the two current projects explore the impacts of ocean acidification on calcification-dependent marine invertebrates while framing the experiments with oceanographic sensor data. Our study organisms are the pteropod, Limacina helicina antarctica and the sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri.
The Antarctic Pteropod, Limacina helicina antarctica
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Our current research with the Antarctic pteropod Limacina helicina antarctica is aimed at understanding their molecular and physiological responses to ocean acidification and ocean warming. We are able to design lab experiments with environmentally relevant parameters using durafet-based pH sensors (SeaFETs) that have been deployed seasonally since 2010. These data have been incorporated into future ocean models allowing us to investigate what impacts the combined stress of ocean acidification and ocean warming will have on the metabolism, gene expression, and shell morphology of these environmentally important marine calcifiers.
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The Antarctic Sea Urchin, Sterechinus neumayeri
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In addition to work on Limacina, another ongoing project aims to measure the physiologic response to environmental change in the larvae of Sterechinus neumayeri, the Antarctic sea urchin. In particular, this research is focused on understanding the emerging response of Antarctic benthic calcifiers to conditions of ocean acidification. This work delves into the physiological mechanisms employed by this highly endemic, benthically abundant, stenothermal echinoid in response to ocean acidification, as well as elevated temperature, and variations in salinity, all factors associated with ocean change.
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Public Education and Outreach
With a strong outreach component in the project, Bravo 134 has been involved in several outreach activities . These have included presentations to local divers about the experience of diving "under the ice," collaborations with local painters and musicians to create immersive multimedia outreach programs, and general talks to the public. Please keep an eye on the Outreach page for the latest information!
Relevant publications
- Hoshijima, U., J.M. Wong, and G.E. Hofmann (2017) Additive effects of pCO2 and temperature on the respiration rates of the Antarctic pteropod, Limacina helicina antarctica. Conservation Physiology 5(1): cox064
- Kapsenberg, L., A.L. Kelley, E. C. Shaw, T.R. Martz and G.E. Hofmann (2015) Seasonal pH variability in near-shore Antarctica in the present and future. Scientific Reports 5, Article number: 9638
- Kapsenberg, L. and G.E. Hofmann (2014) Signals of resilience to ocean change: High thermal tolerance of early stage Antarctic sea urchins (Sterechinus neumayeri) reared under present day and future pCO2 and temperature. Polar Biology 37: 967-980.
- Matson, P.G., L. Washburn, T.R. Martz and G.E. Hofmann (2014) Abiotic versus biotic drivers of ocean pH variation under fast sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. PLoS ONE 9(9): e107239. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0107239.
- Yu, P. C., Sewell, M. A., Matson, P. G., Rivest, E. B., Kapsenberg, L., Hofmann, G.E. (2013) Growth attenuation with developmental schedule progression in embryos and early larvae of Sterechinus neumayeri raised under elevated CO2. PloS one. 8:e52448. http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052448.
- Matson, P. G., Martz, T. R., Hofmann, G. E. (2011) High-frequency observations of pH under Antarctic sea ice in the southern Ross Sea. Antarctic Science-Institutional Subscription. 23:607. http://doi:10.1017/S0954102011000551.
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