ABANTI

ABANTI aims to study the spatio-temporal evolution of massive snow algae blooms on Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica), a growing phenomenon that has significant implications for snow melting, biodiversity, and the biogeochemistry of Antarctic ecosystems - currently a topic of great international interest.

The project focuses on analyzing remote sensing data and integrating it with biochemical pigment data. Data and biological samples will come from previous Antarctic campaigns (PiMetAn 2021-2022, RTI2018-098048B-100) and upcoming 2025/2026 expeditions (POLAROMICS PID2023-146919NB-C21 and POPEYE PID2022-139455NB-C32), led by the research groups of the principal investigators.

This project represents a unique opportunity to integrate two complementary and rarely combined approaches - remote sensing and polar plant physiology - together with artificial intelligence techniques in a context of high scientific relevance linked to climate change. It aligns with the main objective of the PolarCSIC network to create connections and foster the training of young researchers in remote sensing and biology applied to polar research.

The South Shetland Islands are experiencing unprecedented snow algae bloom events, transforming pristine white snowfields into colorful biological hotspots.

The selected candidate will develop their activity at ICMAN-CSIC under the supervision of Dr. Román and co-direction of Dr. Fernández-Marín (UPV/EHU), including a 2-week stay at UPV/EHU facilities.