Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean plays a pivotal role in regulating Earth’s climate. Encircling Antarctica, this ocean connects the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans and serves as a major reservoir for heat and carbon dioxide, more so than any other latitudinal zone. In recent decades, the Southern Ocean has been undergoing significant changes, with warming waters and increased freshwater input. These shifts have impacted the ocean's physical, biological, and biogeochemical properties, which in turn affect the marine ecosystem.
 

Driven by a mission to explore the Southern Ocean’s role in Earth’s climate system, I joined a team of scientists aboard the MV S. A. Agulhas for a two-month expedition. Braving one of the world’s roughest oceans, we documented crucial scientific operations and observations aimed at understanding this vital part of our planet.