The melting of the cryosphere is among the most conspicuous consequences of climate change, and a significant source of freshwater to the Southern Ocean (SO). As a crucial sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), anticipated physical changes in the Southern Ocean will bring modifications to its biogeochemical processes and role in the Earth climate. Predicted increases in iron and nutrient influx to the SO surface waters are likely to impact its primary production and contribution to biological carbon export. However, there remains uncertainty about the significance and magnitude of these projections on primary producers, with likely consequences on the rest of the marine ecosystem. CRYOMICS aims to characterise and quantify the fate of cryospheric exported bioavailable nutrients, trace metals and carbon on phytoplankton utilisation pathways with broader implication on the functioning of the biological carbon pump in the KHS. We hypothesise that biogeochemical enrichment from melting ice shelves leads to a direct positive response of the phytoplankton and sea ice algae community, enhancing its productivity and metabolic functions while favouring larger-celled species such as diatoms. Focusing primarily on the understudied Kong Håkon VII Sea (KHS) in the Eastern Weddell Gyre, along a unique cryosphere-ocean continuum, CRYOMICS combines intensive sampling, biogeochemical analyses and metagenomics to systematically understand the structure and function of microbiomes in marine ecosystems associated with the cryosphere and amidst contemporary changes. Through the support of the MSCA, this project will provide a coordinated and comprehensive dataset of this region of the Southern Ocean, shedding light on microbial interactions and their potential vulnerabilities to perturbations, a dimension currently lacking in climate models. This invaluable insight will enhance our understanding of future projections for the Southern Ocean, including its impact on Antarctic Sea ice.

Marine chemical pollution poses known threats to human health and to biodiversity, ecosystem and societal services. The Arctic is a major sink of global mercury (Hg) pollution. Arctic sediments, sea and glacial ice constitute vast Hg reservoirs. Recent studies raise concerns about their increasing role as local Hg sources. In a rapidly warming Arctic, the consequences of potentially increased environmental Hg on marine biota remain unknown. The objective of SEASOL is to identify the pathway(s) of Hg bioaccumulation in marine food webs of the High Arctic Kongsfjorden (Svalbard). This changing glacial fjord is recognised as a ‘natural laboratory’ of climate change in the Arctic. The fellow’s earlier research has shown the sole measurement of Hg levels as insufficient to connect biotic Hg dynamics to environmental change, whereas the analysis of Hg stable isotopes proved to be a promising tool for source discrimination and biotic transfer. SEASOL will build on the novel application of stable isotope analysis to identify the sources of Hg within the fjord system and the pathways to Hg accumulation within sentinel marine species. On the short-term, the study will provide fundamental knowledge to help understand how emerging sources of Hg from rapid environmental change will impact Arctic marine predators. On the long-term, SEASOL will contribute to the development of early-warning, adaptive management strategies, including modelling, for mitigating the cumulative impact of pollutants and climate change on Arctic marine species. This multidisciplinary approach and the central position of the host institution (Norwegian Polar Institute) in the field of Polar Research will equip the Fellow with a broad set of new skills and lay the foundation for building her specific niche as a future leader in marine pollution science.

"Outdoor venue of educational and visitor centre „Dům přírody Litovelského Pomoraví” (DPLP) was completed in 2014 and its importance is certainly beyond regional borders. Opening of the outdoor areal directed the activities of our organization towards a greater emphasis on education ""outside"" in nature - outdoor education. In Slunakov there are now several workers dedicated planning program content of DPLP, preparation of new educational programs and shaping the overall concept of the venue. Our employees are now faced with the broader range of topics and diversity of groups that come to the area. All these changes bring us need for further education. The main objective of the project was the further development of educational and program offer of our organization in connection with the venue of DPLP in the field of management, education and development and cooperation in the European context. During the project, in period July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2019, 7 employees attended training courses and 6 workers visited institutions during Job-shadowing. Courses: Participants of the courses work directly with various groups of the public, trainers and organize educational events for the public, organize or lead programs, field trips, workshops. The courses were selected according to the possibility to develop participants competencies and skills in outdoor education. Job-shadowing: Two employees visited Kinda Larcentrum in Sweden and 4 others visitied Polaria - Norsk Polar institut in Norway. The aim of the job-shadowing was to gain an overview about the new opportunities to work with adult and also expand their network of contacts and partners from other organizations. Participants of mobilities also improved their language skills, motivate them for further language study which will help them while working with group of the participants from other European countries and preparing methodology materials in English. In addition to the aforementioned impact on the development of competencies of the employees and the organization the project will result into good quality and thematically diverse range of programs with professional teachers for a wide range of clients.Project helped us to establish contacts for further partnerships and cooperation in the European context."