Geophysical analysis and Late Quaternary paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Antarctic coastal bays (Ross Sea and George V Land) and development of an IODP³ proposal for Edisto Inlet fjord

The project arises from the collaboration between CNR-ISP and OGS and aims to develop integrated research activities focused on reconstructing the post-Last Glacial Maximum evolution of coastal bays in Victoria Land (Ross Sea, Antarctica) and George V Land (East Antarctica). The activities include the interpretation of marine geophysical data related to the Late Quaternary evolution of Robertson Bay and Mounbray Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica), as well as the Adélie Basin along the margin of George V Land (East Antarctica). They involve the processing and interpretation of multichannel seismic profiles, subbottom data, and multibeam bathymetric surveys, integrated with sediment core correlations at the SeisLab laboratory (OGS), with the aim of reconstructing the paleoenvironmental and sedimentary evolution of the investigated areas in relation to post-glacial climate changes.

The project also includes organic geochemistry activities at the CNR-ISP laboratories, focused on the analysis of molecular biomarker proxies for paleoceanographic reconstructions, with particular emphasis on sea ice variability, primary productivity, and organic matter dynamics in polar environments.

The collaboration between the two institutions aims to strengthen technical and scientific expertise in polar marine geosciences by promoting the sharing of infrastructures, skills, and technologies, fostering the development of joint research activities, and enhancing the transfer of scientific knowledge in marine and polar sciences and technologies. In addition, the preparation of a new IODP³ proposal for a scientific drilling campaign in Edisto Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) has been initiated, with submission planned for 2026.