RU5: Future climate and oceans
The impact of retreating ice sheets on the earth’s future carbon cycle and ocean ecosystems is a major unknown. Scientists still disagree on whether the polar regions will emit or absorb carbon over the coming decades, and we know very little about how life in the oceans will alter with ice sheet change.
We are addressing this major gap in scientific knowledge by pulling together data gathered by iC3 researchers and comprehensively mapping nutrient and carbon fluxes in Greenland and Antarctica. We are modelling the complex interactions between ice, land, ocean, atmosphere and the various organisms they contain. We are assessing whether the retreat of ice sheets and their direct and indirect effects on marine systems will act as accelerator or brake on global warming, and how they will impact the precious ocean ecosystems on which human lives and livelihoods depend.
Our aim is to provide national and international initiatives, including the IPCC and IPBES, with a reliable way to assess how the retreat of polar ice sheets will affect Earth’s future climate and marine ecosystems.
Research Leads
Associate Professor Fanny Monteiro
RU5 Research Lead
Fanny Monteiro is an oceanographer specialising in modeling the interactions between marine ecosystems and ocean biogeochemistry, and their impacts on the global climate. Her research focuses on marine plankton, such as phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are crucial to the ocean's carbon, oxygen, and nutrients cycles. These microscopic organisms play a vital role in carbon sequestration and oxygen production, much like forests on land. Fanny's work is particularly aligned with how these organisms respond to climate change. She employs advanced modelling techniques to simulate the effects of warming oceans, altered circulation patterns, and increased acidification on plankton productivity. Her project CoccoTrait uses machine learning to map coccolithophore distributions, revealing that larger, heavily calcified species contribute more significantly to calcium carbonate production than previously thought. After earning her PhD at MIT in 2009 in the US, Fanny joined the University of Bristol in the UK, where she integrates ecosystem modelling with paleo studies. At the Centre for ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate (IC3), she collaborates with glaciologists to explore the influence of ice sheets on ocean nutrient dynamics and marine productivity. Outside of her scientific endeavors, Fanny enjoys hiking, running, climbing and skiing in the mountains, finding inspiration and balance in nature.
Associate Professor Petra Langebroek
RU5 Assistant Research Lead
Petra Langebroek is a Research Director at NORCE and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research in Bergen, Norway. Her research focuses on the (un)stability of ice sheets and how they interact with climate. Langebroek coordinates the European Horizon 2020 project TiPACCs which investigates the possibility of tipping points in the Antarctic Ice Sheet and surrounding continental shelf seas. During her PhD at the University of Bremen, she studied the impact of long-term climate changes on the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the Middle Miocene. After a PostDoc working with oxygen isotopes and atmospheric modelling at the Alfred Wegener Institute, she moved to Bergen in 2011. There Langebroek works on various projects targeting ice sheet and climate interactions, on various time scales, using numerical models. Her extended research group deals primary with development and research using the Norwegian Earth System model NorESM. Since July 2023 she holds an adjunct position at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. Langebroek co-leads Research Unit 5 in iC3.
Dr Pedro Duarte
RU5 Assistant Research Lead
Pedro Duarte is a senior researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute, where he has dedicated over a decade to advancing our understanding of the Arctic environment. His work primarily involves developing coupled physical-biochemical models to simulate the complex interactions between oceanic and sea ice processes. This modeling is crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem. Pedro employs both simple 1D models for specific process tuning and complex 3D models for regional simulations, particularly around Svalbard. These models are instrumental in hypothesis testing, allowing for the creation of virtual experiments that provide significant insights into sea ice and ocean dynamics. Pedro's research spans the European Arctic, focusing on areas such as the Nansen Basin and various fjords. His work is driven by commitments to the Ministry of Environment and aims to understand the intricate interactions between physical and biochemical processes. One of his notable achievements includes enhancing the Los Alamos Sea Ice Model (CICE), which improved operational forecasting models used by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, thereby benefiting Arctic navigation. Despite his primary focus on modeling, Pedro actively participates in fieldwork, contributing to data-driven research papers. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges marine ecology and modeling, with a background that uniquely combines biology and physics. This diverse skill set allows him to approach scientific questions from multiple angles, enhancing the depth and breadth of his research. Pedro is particularly excited about advancements in remote sensing technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles and gliders, which can provide valuable data on under-ice processes. He is also intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance model intelligence and flexibility, allowing for more realistic simulations of ecosystem dynamics. Outside of his scientific endeavors, Pedro enjoys engaging in activities such as skiing and diving. These hobbies provide a balance to his professional life, allowing him to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life equilibrium.
Associate Professor Sandra Arndt
RU5 Researcher
Sandra Arndt is a professor at the Free University of Brussels, where she focuses on the intricate cycling of carbon, with a particular emphasis on organic carbon, across various interfaces within the Earth system. Her research is comprehensive, spanning multiple timescales from the past to the future, and addressing scales from local ecosystems to global dynamics. Sandra's work is pivotal in understanding the feedback mechanisms that influence climate change, providing critical insights into how carbon interactions affect and are affected by the climate system. In her research, Sandra primarily engages in sophisticated modeling techniques, developing and applying numerical models to explore and predict carbon dynamics. Her approach is deeply collaborative, working closely with field scientists who gather observational data and laboratory researchers who conduct experiments. This interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to her work, ensuring that her models are grounded in empirical evidence and can accurately simulate complex environmental processes. One of Sandra's recent projects involves studying subsea permafrost and its potential to release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary efforts to tackle complex environmental challenges. Sandra is particularly interested in harnessing advancements in computing power and artificial intelligence to further enhance her research capabilities. Outside of her scientific endeavors, Sandra enjoys spending time outdoors, whether walking in nature or exploring urban environments.
Dr Michele Petrini
RU5 Researcher
Michele Petrini is an Earth system scientist specializing in climate science, currently serving as a senior researcher at the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE). His expertise lies in developing and utilizing global Earth system models, with a focus on coupling these models with ice sheet models to understand the interactions between climate and ice sheets in regions like Greenland and Antarctica. Michele's academic journey began with a PhD project investigating ice-ocean interactions during the last deglaciation of the Barents Sea ice sheet. He expanded his expertise at Delft University of Technology (TUDelft) as a postdoctoral researcher, contributing to pioneering projects on the future evolution of the Greenland ice sheet and global climate. Since joining NORCE in 2022, Michele has been advancing the frontiers of coupled Earth system and ice sheet modeling, contributing significantly to the iC3 project by creating simulations that explore climate change feedback mechanisms. His research addresses critical uncertainties in ice-ocean interactions, particularly in Antarctica, collaborating with observational scientists to enhance model accuracy. Michele is also exploring artificial intelligence to improve modeling techniques, aiming for more precise and long-term simulations. He has built a strong multidisciplinary network with leading geoscience institutes and scientists, driving transformative breakthroughs in understanding ice sheets' responses to climate change. Beyond his scientific endeavors, Michele is passionate about sports, enjoying skiing, kayaking, and scuba diving. He is also an enthusiastic cook, exploring global culinary traditions. Michele's diverse interests and optimistic outlook make him a well-rounded individual, committed to advancing climate science and understanding the planet's future.
Emeric Babut du Marès
RU5 PhD student
Emeric Babut du Marès is a PhD candidate at iC3, specializing in biogeochemical modeling with a focus on the methane cycle in polar sediments. His research investigates the distribution and quantity of methane beneath the Antarctic ice sheet and how ice retreat driven by climate change could destabilize these reservoirs, potentially releasing methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the ocean and atmosphere. By integrating diverse modeling results, Emeric aims to bridge gaps in understanding the formation and vulnerability of methane hydrates in ice sheet sediments, contributing to the global methane cycle and informing strategies to mitigate climate change. In addition to his work on methane, Emeric is involved in the Belgian DEHEAT project, which explores enhanced silicate weathering in marine sediments as a method to increase ocean alkalinity and capture CO2. His role focuses on analyzing how environmental factors influence alkalinity release from sediments. Emeric is also a member of the Norwegian branch of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), where he engages with the polar research community. Deeply committed to environmental and social justice, he often participates in demonstrations. Outside of his research, he enjoys meditation, reading, swimming, and hiking, which help him stay grounded and connected to nature.
Early Career Scientists
Postdoctoral Fellowships
iC3 offers a friendly and supportive working environment to early career researchers who are passionate about polar science.
