Sea spray in the Southern Ocean: linking oceanic conditions to aerosol properties and cloud formation

Overview

Have you ever wondered how the ocean makes clouds? The oceans are a major source of cloud-forming particles through the emission of sea spray, which is particulate sea salt mixed with organic matter, into the atmosphere. Yet we still don't fully understand how oceanic conditions (temperature, salinity, biological activity) control the size and concentration of these particles, and therefore their effect on climate. During the Multidisciplinary Investigations of the Southern Ocean (MISO) voyage to Antarctica, a sea spray generation chamber (SSGC) was deployed aboard the RV Investigator, Australia's flagship scientific research vessel, measuring the size, concentration, and cloud-forming potential of aerosol from Southern Ocean seawater. This interdisciplinary project will help determine how these oceanic parameters shape the sea spray particles that influence cloud formation and the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface.

Research engagement

Students will engage with all aspects of a data analysis and systematic investigation project: beginning with a literature review of Southern Ocean atmospheric processes and SSGC methodology, moving through data analysis of MISO measurements, and concluding with interpretation and presentation of their findings.

Research activities

The project begins with a quality check of the SSGC data by comparison against a reference instrument, which is a critical step in any research project, with direct, hands-on guidance from supervisors experienced in aerosol instrumentation. Students will then systematically investigate how the properties of ambient seawater, temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-a (a proxy for biological activity), affect the sea spray emitted, building a physical picture of the processes driving sea spray generation in the Southern Ocean.

Research skills

Students will develop practical skills in data analysis and visualization using Python, R, or MATLAB; quality control procedures; systematic scientific investigation; and the communication of results through writing and presentations. They will gain experience working within an active research group investigating atmospheric processes, with direct mentorship from specialists in the field.

Outcomes

Students will contribute to a deeper understanding of the oceanic drivers of sea spray emission and gain first-hand experience with scientific research in a university setting.

Skills and experience

The most important qualities of potential candidates are curiosity and enthusiasm for understanding the natural world and climate as well as coding experience (Python preferred, though R and MATLAB are also fine). Any background in the natural sciences (chemistry, physics, or biology) is a bonus. An understanding of oceanic or atmospheric processes is welcome but not required.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

P Block Gardens Point

Additional information

MISO voyage data will be immediately available at project start. Joel Alroe and Marc Mallet conducted all SSGC measurements aboard the RV Investigator and will provide first-hand knowledge of the experimental setup and data collection. All supervisors bring direct expertise with aerosol instrumentation, data analysis, and scientific visualization and communication. Students will have access to a dedicated desk and workstation in P Block, Gardens Point campus. Jakob Pernov will serve as daily supervisor, Branka Miljevic as mentoring supervisor, with Joel Alroe and Marc Mallet providing additional support as needed.

Keywords

• Southern Ocean
• Sea spray aerosol
• climate change

Contact

Dr. Jakob Boyd Pernov

+61403030563

jakob.pernov@qut.edu.au