Trophic interactions underlie coexistence mechanisms between species, define the functional role of specie within communities, affect biodiversity and bioaccumulation processes of heavy metal. Sea-ice dynamics, which at Terra Nova Bay is characterized by an extraordinary seasonality, drives interspecific interactions and the exchange of materials between ecosystem compartments. Indeed, the activation of the primary production after sea-ice break up opens alternative trophic pathways for consumers. The “next generation SRPs” represent a highly appropriate framework for the present project which follows the results obtained with the previous project ISOBIOTOX (PNRA 2013) and aims at (i) determine topological and functional metrics of sympagic and pelagic food webs at Terra Nova Bay under different conditions of sea-ice coverage along a distance gradient from the nearest open water polynya to areas were the seasonal sea-ice coverage persists longer; (ii) evaluate bioaccumulation and biomagnification of heavy metals in trophic sources at the base of the food web and in target species along food chains, including fishes of commercial interests and top predators, both in the presence and absence of sympagic and pelagic primary producers. High resolution food webs will be reconstructed by means of the simultaneous elemental and isotopic analysis of different elements (C and N) and the bioaccumulation of pollutants. The research program integrates complementary research approaches: (a) Elemental analysis coupled with mass spectrometry for stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) in animal and vegetal tissues and dead organic matter, (b)analyses of heavy metals accumulation (Chromatography) in the constituent species of the Antarctic food web.

Disdrometric data from a Thies Clima 3D Stereo with 22 size classes and 20 velocity classes positioned at L'Aquila (Italy, 42.3831 N, 13.3148 E, 683 m a.s.l.), with monthly spectra and ancillary information.

Disdrometric data from an OTT Parsivel with 32 size classes and 32 velocity classes positioned at Mario Zucchelli Station (Antarctica), with monthly spectra and particle size distributions (PSD).

Trophic interactions underlie coexistence mechanisms between species and affect biodiversity and heavy metal bioaccumulation processes. Sea ice dynamics, which at Terra Nova Bay is characterized by an extraordinary seasonality, drives interspecific interactions. Indeed, the activation of the primary production after sea-ice break up opens alternative trophic pathways for consumers. By means of C and N stable isotope analyses, the present project aims at (i) determining food web structure at Terra Nova Bay at different bathymetries and in opposite sea-ice cover conditions; (ii) evaluating heavy metal bioaccumulation in species along food chains, including fish of commercial interests, both in the presence and absence of photosynthetic primary producers. The hypothesis to be tested is if the activation of primary producers following sea-ice break up significantly modifies the food web structure and stability against species loss, as well as heavy metals concentration along food chains. Data on Antarctic food webs are scarce, and even scarcer is our knowledge on mechanisms of primary and secondary biodiversity loss and biomagnification processes in invertebrates and fish. The present research project will shed light on mechanisms underlying biodiversity maintenance in the Antarctic ecosystem and on risks for human health related to heavy metals accumulation in fish species currently or potentially exploited commercially, also in light of expected changes in the extension of sea ice cover. A valuable reference baseline will be established for future studies at the Italian Antarctic Station and for the Marine Protected Area in the Ross Sea.

Vertical profiles along the first kilometre of atmosphere above the ground (from 105 to 1050 m a.g.l.) of equivalent radar reflectivity factor (Ze), Doppler velocity (W) and Doppler spectral width (Sw) from a 24-GHz vertically pointing Micro Rain Radar MRR-2 by METEK GmbH positioned at Mario Zucchelli Station (Antarctica).

During the XXXVIII Italian Antarctic expedition (2022/23), 126 rocks have been sampled within the aim of “MAGIC” project in northern Victoria Land. They include volcanic, igneous and metamorphic rocks, and sediment. The investigated regions are within Cape Hallett SS58-60/2, Freyberg Mountains SS 58-60/1, Mount Murchison SS 58-60/5 and Mount Melbourne SS 58-60/9 USGS sheets. Project: Magma-Ice interaction: late Miocene ice thickness and eruption tempo in northern Victoria Land.

During the XV and XVI Italian Antarctic expeditions (1999/2000, 2000/01), 609 rocks have been sampled within the aim of the project "Tectono-metamorphic and magmatic evolution of the Antarctic Pacific paleo-margin of Gondwana in the late Proterozoic-Early Paleozoic (Victoria Land, Shackleton Range, Dronning Maud Land)" in northern Victoria Land and central Transantarctic Mountains. They include intrusive, subvolcanic and metamorphic rocks. The investigated regions are within Mount Melbourne SS 58-60/9, Mount Murchison SS 58-60/5, Reeves Névé SS 55-57/12, Sequence Hills SS 55-57/8, Welcome Mountain SS 55-57/4, Cape Selborne SU 55-60/2 and Mount Olympus SU 56-60/1 USGS sheets.

During the X Italian Antarctic expedition (1994/95), 521 rocks have been sampled within the aim of the project "Proterozoic-Paleozoic evolution of the Pacific margin of Antarctica" in northern Victoria Land. They include intrusive, subvolcanic, volcanic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The investigated regions are within Cape Hallett SS 58-60/2, Daniels Range SR 57-58/14, Ebbe Glacier SR 57-58/16, Freyberg Mountains SS 58-60/1, Mount Melbourne SS 58-60/9, Mount Murchison SS 58-60/5 and Mount Soza SR 57-58/15 USGS sheets.