Ocean Sciences
Our research topics include ocean biogeochemistry, multi-scale modelling of sea levels, ocean circulation, and the 3D pathways of marine pollution through the development of remote sensing technology.
Marine biogeochemistry
The oceans are a key component of the global climate system and, with oceans covering ~70% of the planet, the ocean-atmosphere interface is one of the largest and most important surfaces on Earth.
Our research examines the biological and geophysical controls of marine elemental cycles to quantify the production and losses of climate-active gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. Our results on the basin-scale variability of natural surfactants support assessments of global air-sea gas exchange.
Our work studies the basin-scale variability of coloured dissolved organic matter optical properties and the photochemical production of selected trace gases and ammonium from dissolved organic matter.
Global models of marine plastics
We also work to improve surface current calculations from satellite data and develop models of ocean circulation. These can be used for understanding and forecasting changes in climate and marine productivity.
Plastics and other man-made debris enter the ocean by a variety of pathways. We evaluate marine litter dispersion through a global network and model the accumulation and transport of microplastics through the water column.
Remote sensing
Newcastle is developing and testing technologies such as autonomous vehicles and sensor networks and consistently demonstrating unique engineering expertise in wireless communications for extreme environments.
We measure and model large-scale ocean dynamics (circulation, sea surface height) and 3D pathways of marine particles, co-developing an autonomous technology (GNSS-Wave Glider) for continuous measurement of sea surface elevation, with applications in storm surge and tsunami warning.
We are addressing significant knowledge gaps with facilities and equipment including:
- Wave gliders
- Specialist gas analysis facilities
- Dedicated photochemistry laboratory
