New Zealand and Italy Cooperate Aboard RV Laura Bassi
The Italian icebreaker R/V Laura Bassi returned to Lyttelton, New Zealand, on the 2nd of March, 2024. This marked the completion of the two-month long oceanographic campaign of the 39th scientific expedition to Antarctica, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) as part of the Italian National Antarctic Research Programme (PNRA). R/V Laura Bassi is the property of the National Institute of Oceanography and Geophysical Experimental – OGS. This year’s activity was a single rotation from the New Zealand to Antarctica, circumnavigating the Mare di Ross with 39 research personnel and a crew of 23.
The Science Leaders were SOOS Ross Sea RWG Co-chair Paola Rivaro (Università degli Studi di Genova) and Ross Sea RWG Leadership Team member Pierpaolo Falco (Università Politecnica delle Marche). The Italian research activities comprised the 'Tenore' project (Terra Nova bay polynya high Resolution Experiment), coordinated by Giannetta Fusco of the University of Naples 'Parthenope' for the study of the Terra Nova Bay polynya area; the 'Signature' project (PhySIcal and bioGeochemical traciNg of wATer masses at source areas and export gates in the Ross Sea and impact on the SoUtheRn OcEan), coordinated by Pierpaolo Falco, which aimed to analyse the main water masses in the Ross Sea from a biological, chemical and physical point of view and investigate their spatial and temporal variability; finally, the SOOS-endorsed 'MORSEa' (Marine Observatory in the Ross Sea) project, coordinated by Giorgio Budillon of the University of Naples 'Parthenope' and Pasquale Castagno of the University of Messina for the on-going management of the network of marine observatories in the Ross Sea since 1994.
This year, for the first time, the ship also supported the marine research of the New Zealand Antarctic Science Platform (ASP) led by SOOS Ross Sea RWG Leadership Team member and SOOS SSC member, Craig Stevens (NIWA/University of Auckland) with 12 researchers with objectives relating to polynya mechanics, ecosystem processes and past climates (find more information on New Zealand's Ross Sea 2024 voyage website). Improved international connection is a priority for both Italy and New Zealand.
