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POLAR-BIOMAP

Project Summary

POLAR-BIOMAP is a polar research project focused on understanding how climate change affects marine ecosystems in Antarctica and the Arctic. The project integrates chemical oceanography, plankton ecology, marine microbiology, and ecotoxicology to investigate how ocean acidification, rising temperatures, and other environmental stressors influence primary productivity, biogeochemical cycles, and the stability of trophic networks in polar environments.

Polar-biomap

Project Activities

The Antarctic campaign took place in the King George Island region, based at the Chinese Antarctic station Great Wall, and included sampling in Maxwell Bay and adjacent areas. The expedition enabled the collection of data on phytoplankton communities, associated microbiota, nutrients, physicochemical parameters, and biological responses, contributing to an integrated assessment of ecological and biogeochemical processes in regions that are highly sensitive to climate change.

Activities: 

• Oceanographic sampling at 10 coastal and offshore stations in Maxwell Bay and adjacent areas
• Surface water collection for chemical, biological, and molecular analyses
• Plankton sampling (>20 µm) using specialized nets
• In situ measurements of temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen
• Filtration and cryogenic preservation of samples for microbiological and metagenomic analyses
• Laboratory determination of dissolved nutrients, including nitrate, phosphate, and silicate, by UV-VIS spectrophotometry
• 16S rRNA sequencing of plankton-associated microbiota and bioinformatic processing
• Integration with remote sensing data and environmental modelling
• Development of ecotoxicological approaches to assess responses of marine organisms to multiple stressors


The project follows a multidisciplinary and comparative approach, with prospects for expansion through future polar campaigns, further strengthening CCMAR’s role in international polar and climate-related research.

Expected impact

POLAR-BIOMAP will generate key knowledge on the effects of climate change on polar marine ecosystems, focusing on plankton community structure and function, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological responses to multiple stressors. By integrating chemical, biological, and molecular data, the project will support the development of environmental monitoring strategies, biodiversity conservation, and science-based international policies related to the Southern Ocean and other polar regions.

International collaboration

POLAR-BIOMAP is built on strong international collaboration involving teams from China, Europe, and Latin America. The Antarctic campaign benefited from logistical support from the Great Wall Station and cooperation with researchers and institutions active in polar science. This collaborative network strengthens CCMAR’s capacity to produce high-quality science in remote and strategically important environments for understanding the global climate system.
 

Publications

• Articles in high-impact international journals in polar oceanography, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and ecotoxicology
• Technical reports on environmental monitoring in polar regions
• Scientific outputs supporting conservation and management of polar marine ecosystems
• Presentations at international conferences and workshops on climate change and polar environments

Partnerships and funding

Project coordinated by ECHO – Ecotoxicology and Chemical Oceanography Research Group (CCMAR/University of Algarve), with collaboration from CIMA-ARNET and international polar research partners, including teams based in Antarctica and institutions from Europe, China, and Latin America. Funded by PROPOLAR – Portuguese Polar Programme, with support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).


Team: Dr. Caio Cesar Ribeiro, Dra. Tainá Fonseca, Dra. Carmen Sousa, Dr. Andre Belém, Dra. Pasqualina Gaetano, MSc. Juliano Vilke e MSc. Rui Peres.

Research groups:
•    Ecotoxicology and Chemical Oceanography (ECHO – CCMAR)
•    Collaborations in ecotoxicology and polar environmental monitoring (CIMA-ARNET)
•    Remote sensing (UFF, Brazil)

 

CCMAR Coordinators