FjordPhyto Plankton Base

FjordPhyto run under Plankton Base understands phytoplankton species living within the coast of the Antarctic and Arctic.

Phytoplankton are microscopic, drifting plants that make up the foundation of the food system, supporting whales, seals, and penguins. They play a critical role in drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and contribute to over half of the Earth’s oxygen – more than the trees and plants on land combined!

Fjords are known to be hotspots of biodiversity. However, melting glaciers are bringing freshwater into fjords and bays, potentially altering these ecosystems beginning at the level of phytoplankton.

Help scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego, USA) and Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina) document the phytoplankton community living within the fjords and expand our current knowledge of fjord ecosystems with Fjord Phyto.

Fjord Phyto is conducted aboard tour vessels exploring Antarctica from November through March each year and the Arctic May to September each year. While on board, passengers can contribute to active polar research and help us understand more about what fuels the polar entire ecosystem.