Daisy Drew Pickup

I completed both my undergraduate degree and masters in Oceanography at the University of Southampton. Throughout this degree I gained a broad array of knowledge surrounding Ocean and Earth sciences. I conducted coastal and offshore fieldwork in many aspects of oceanography. As my knowledge developed my main interests began to surround marine biogeochemistry with a focus on carbonate chemistry.

My PhD project focusses on pH in Antarctic coastal regions. I participated in the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration and carried out research in early 2022 on board the icebreaker RV Nathaniel B Palmer. I measured pH in the water column by utilising a Seaglider, a type of autonomous underwater vehicle. Simultaneously I mounted a pH sensor to the ships' continuous seawater supply to collect data in various regions. I will use these datasets to assess the main drivers of pH gradients in regions affected by seasonal phytoplankton blooms, changing sea ice concentrations and glacial meltwater. I will also investigate how pH changes spatially in the ocean surface, as well as with depth.

In January 2023 I participated in the Polar Science Trials, in the Southern Ocean, onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough where I helped test the scientific capabilities of the new polar research ship. As part of this cruise I also had the opportunity to collect data for the RoSES (Role of the Southern Ocean in the Earth System) associated project PICCOLO (Processes Influencing Carbon Cycling: Observations of the Lower limb of the Antarctic Overturning).