I am a physical oceanographer working in the Polar Oceans team at the British Antarctic Survey, where I have been since 2004. During this time I have been involved in a variety of projects, mainly involving observations in the ocean, including long-term sustained observations using moored and profiling instrumentation. In addition to analysing, processing, and interpreting data, I enjoy getting involved with the data acquisition. Since 2000, I have participated in 33 scientific cruises, all but three of them to the polar regions.

Please click the tabs above for information about my current and recent research projects.

Employment:

• Aug. 2004–Mar. 2026: Oceanographer at British Antarctic Survey, at UKRI band E / NERC band 5 / Senior Scientific Officer level since 2019.
• Mar. 2003–Aug. 2004: Data Manager for MOEN (Meridional Overturning Exchanges in the Nordic Seas), a component of the ASOF (Arctic–Subarctic Ocean Fluxes) project, based at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Univ. of Bergen.
• May–June 2001, 2002, and 2004: Field Instructor on the Air/Sea/Ice interaction course at UNIS, performing oceanographic measurements under sea ice in Fram Strait.

Education:

• 2004–2012: Ph.D. in Oceanography, studying part-time, University of Southampton
  Thesis: “Oceanographic conditions beneath Fimbul Ice Shelf, Antarctica”
• 2002–2003: Cand. Scient. in Geophysics (Oceanography), University of Bergen
  Thesis: “Ice thickness in the Northwestern Barents Sea: measurements and modeling”
• 2000–2001: One-year program in Arctic Geophysics, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
• 1997–2000 & Fall 2001: B. S., Magna Cum Laude, in Applied Physics, Columbia University

Peer-reviewed publications
Zhou, S., and many others, including E. P. Abrahamsen, 2025. The OCEAN ICE mooring compilation: a standardised, pan-Antarctic database of ocean hydrography and current time series. Earth System Science Data, 17 (10), 5693-5706, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-5693-2025.

Tarling, G. A., E. P. Abrahamsen, et al., 2025. BIOPOLE – Biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems and their global impacts. Research Ideas and Outcomes, 11, e163757, https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.11.e163757.

Meredith, M. P., K. Hendry, E. P. Abrahamsen, J. A. Brearley, E. Young, D. Munday, H. Venables, A. Hogg, B. J. Wallis, K. Van Landeghem, F. Carvalho, A. Yool, A. Annett, A. Naveira Garabato, M. Inall, K. Sheen, A. Fleming, E. Dumont, O. Głowacki, C. Moffat, N. Fraser, S. Gille, M. Alford, R. Jackson, and K. Retallick, 2025. Polar Ocean Mixing by Internal Tsunamis (POLOMINTS). Research Ideas and Outcomes, 11, e154645. https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.11.e154645.

Lucas, N. S., J. A. Brearley, K. R. Hendry, T. Spira, A. Braakmann-Folgmann, E. P. Abrahamsen, M. P. Meredith, and G. A. Tarling, 2025. Giant iceberg meltwater increases upper-ocean stratification and vertical mixing. Nature Geoscience, 18 (4), 305-312, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-025-01659-7.

Brearley, J. A., J. B. Girton, N. S. Lucas, A. M. Thurnherr, E. P. Abrahamsen, M. P. Meredith, A. S. Meijers, and H. J. Venables, 2024. Mixing and water mass transformation over Discovery Bank, in the Weddell-Scotia Confluence of the Southern Ocean. Journal of Geophysical Research, 129 (9), e2023JC020610. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JC020610.

Auckland, C. D. J., E. P. Abrahamsen, M. P. Meredith, A. C. Naveira Garabato, C. P. Spingys, E. Frajka-Williams, and A. L. Gordon, 2024. Wind Forcing Controls on Antarctic Bottom Water Export From the Weddell Sea via Bottom Boundary Layer Processes. Journal of Geophysical Research, 129 (8), e2024JC021089. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JC021089.

Tarling, G. A., S. E. Thorpe, S. F. Henley, A. Burson, C. M. Liszka, C. Manno, N. S. Lucas, F. Ward, K. R. Hendry, E. M. S. Woodward, M. Wootton, and E. P. Abrahamsen, 2024. Collapse of a giant iceberg in a dynamic Southern Ocean marine ecosystem: In situ observations of A-68A at South Georgia. Progress in Oceanography, 226, 103297, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2024.103297.

Dewar-Fowler, V., C. Robinson, R. A. Saunders, S. E. Thorpe, E. P. Abrahamsen, and G. A. Tarling, 2024. Biological indicators reveal mesozooplankton foray behaviour in dynamic physical environments: Reply to Kaartvedt et al. (2024). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 734, 177-180, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14578.

Silvano, A., and many others, including E. P. Abrahamsen, 2023. Observing Antarctic Bottom Water in the Southern Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, 1221701, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1221701.

Zhou, S., A. J. S. Meijers, M. P. Meredith, E. P. Abrahamsen, P. R. Holland, A. Silvano, J.-B. Sallée, and S. Østerhus, 2023. Slowdown of Antarctic Bottom Water export driven by climatic wind and sea-ice changes. Nature Climate Change, 13 (7), 701-709, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01695-4.

Azaneu, M., B. Webber, K. J. Heywood, K. M. Assmann, T. S. Dotto, and E. P. Abrahamsen, 2023. Influence of shelf break processes on the transport of warm waters onto the eastern Amundsen Sea continental shelf. Journal of Geophysical Research, 128 (5), e2022JC019535. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC019535.

The SO-CHIC Consortium, J.-B. Sallée, E. P. Abrahamsen, and many others, 2023. Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Impact on Climate. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 381 (2249), 20220056. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2022.0056.

Meredith, M. P., E. P. Abrahamsen, F. A. Haumann, M. J. Leng, C. Arrowsmith, M. Barham, Y. L. Firing, B. A. King, P. Brown, J. A. Brearley, A. J. S. Meijers, J.-B. Sallée, C. Akhoudas, and G. A. Tarling, 2023. Tracing the impacts of recent rapid sea ice changes and the A68 megaberg on the surface freshwater balance of the Weddell and Scotia Seas. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 381 (2249), 20220162. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2022.0162.

Meijers, A. J. S., and many others, including E. P. Abrahamsen, 2023. Finale: Impact of the ORCHESTRA/ENCORE programmes on Southern Ocean heat and carbon understanding. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 381 (2249), 20220070. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2022.0070.

Spencer-Jones, C. L., E. L. McClymont, N. J. Bale, E. C. Hopmans, S. Schouten, J. Müller, E. P. Abrahamsen, C. Allen, T. Bickert, C.-D. Hillenbrand, E. Mawbey, V. Peck, A. Svalova, and J. A. Smith, 2021. Archaeal intact polar lipids in polar waters: a comparison between the Amundsen and Scotia seas. Biogeosciences, 18(11), 3485-3504, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3485-2021.

Salavasidis, G., A. Munafò, D. Fenucci, C. A. Harris, T. Prampart, R. Templeton, M. Smart, D. T. Roper, M. Pebody, E. P. Abrahamsen, S. D. McPhail, E. Rogers, and A. B. Phillips, 2021. Terrain‐aided navigation for long‐range AUVs in dynamic under‐mapped environments. Journal of Field Robotics, 38(3), 402-428, https://doi.org/10.1002/rob.21994.

Spingys, C. P., A. C. Naveira Garabato, S. Legg, K. L. Polzin, E. P. Abrahamsen, C. E. Buckingham, A. Forryan, and E. E. Frajka-Williams, 2021. Mixing and Transformation in a Deep Western Boundary Current: A Case Study. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 51(4), 1205-1222, https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-20-0132.1.

Queste, B. Y., E. P. Abrahamsen, M. D. du Plessis, S. T. Gille, L. Gregor, M. R. Mazloff, A. Narayanan, F. Roquet, and S. Swart, 2020. Southern Ocean [in “State of the Climate in 2019″]. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 101 (8), S307–S309, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0090.1.

Gordon, A. L., B. A. Huber, and E. P. Abrahamsen, 2020. Interannual variability of the outflow of Weddell Sea bottom water. Geophysical Research Letters, 47 (4), e2020GL087014, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087014.

Abrahamsen, E. P., A. J. S. Meijers, K. L. Polzin, A. C. Naveira Garabato, B. A. King, Y. L. Firing, J.-B. Sallée, K. L. Sheen, A. L. Gordon, B. A. Huber, and M. P. Meredith, 2019. Stabilization of dense Antarctic water supply to the Atlantic Ocean overturning circulation, Nature Climate Change, 9 (10), 742-746, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-019-0561-2.

Naveira Garabato, A. C., E. E. Frajka-Williams, C. P. Spingys, S. Legg, K. L. Polzin, A. Forryan, E. P. Abrahamsen, C. E. Buckingham, S. M. Griffies, S. D. McPhail, K. W. Nicholls, L. N. Thomas, and M. P. Meredith, 2019. Rapid mixing and exchange of deep-ocean waters in an abyssal boundary current, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116 (27), 13233-13238, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1904087116.

Davis, P. E. D., A. Jenkins, K. W. Nicholls, P. V. Brennan, E. P. Abrahamsen, S. S. Jacobs, K. J. Heywood, P. Dutrieux, K.-H. Cho, and T. W. Kim, 2018. Variability in Basal Melting Beneath Pine Island Ice Shelf on Weekly to Monthly Timescales, Journal of Geophysical Research 123 (11), 8655-8669, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JC014464.

Webber, B., K. Heywood, D. Stevens, P. Dutrieux, E. P. Abrahamsen, A. Jenkins , S. Jacobs , H. K. Ha, S. H. Lee, and T. W. Kim, 2017. Mechanisms driving variability in the ocean forcing of Pine Island Glacier. Nature Communications 8, 14507, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14507.

Meijers, A. J. S., M. P. Meredith, E. P. Abrahamsen, M. A. Morales Maqueda, D. C. Jones, and A. C. Naveira Garabato, 2016. Wind-driven export of Weddell Sea slope water. Journal of Geophysical Research 121 (10), 7530-7546, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JC011757.

Christianson, K., M. Bushuk, P. Dutrieux , B. R. Parizek, I. R. Joughin, R. B. Alley, D. E. Shean, E. P. Abrahamsen, S. Anandakrishnan, K. Heywood, T.-W. Kim, S. H. Lee, K. Nicholls , T. Stanton , M. Truffer , B. Webber, A. Jenkins, S. Jacobs, R. Bindschadler, and D. M. Holland, 2016. Sensitivity of Pine Island Glacier to observed ocean forcing. Geophysical Research Letters 43 (20), 10817-10825, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070500.

Crawford, A. J., P. Wadhams, T. J. W. Wagner, A. Stern, E. P. Abrahamsen, I. Church, R. Bates, and K. W. Nicholls, 2016. Journey of an Arctic Ice Island. Oceanography 29 (2), 254–263, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2016.30.

Stern, A. A., E. Johnson, D. M. Holland, T. J. W. Wagner, P. Wadhams, R. Bates, E. P. Abrahamsen, K. W. Nicholls, A. Crawford, J. Gagnon, and J.-E. Tremblay, 2015. Wind-driven upwelling around grounded tabular icebergs. Journal of Geophysical Research 120 (8), 5820-5835, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JC010805.

Randall-Goodwin, E., M. P. Meredith, A. Jenkins, P. L. Yager, R. M. Sherrell, E. P. Abrahamsen, R. Guerrero, X. Yuan, R. A. Mortlock, K. Gavahan, A.-C. Alderkamp, H. Ducklow, R. Robertson, and S. E. Stammerjohn, 2015. Freshwater distributions and water mass structure in the Amundsen Sea Polynya region, Antarctica. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene 3, 000065, https://doi.org/10.12952/journal.elementa.000065.

Meredith, M. P., A. S. Meijers, A. C. Naveira Garabato, P. J. Brown, H. J. Venables, E. P. Abrahamsen, L. Jullion, and M.-J. Messias, 2015. Circulation, retention and mixing of waters within the Weddell-Scotia Confluence, Southern Ocean: the role of stratified Taylor columns. Journal of Geophysical Research 120 (1), 547-562, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JC010462.

Hogg, A. McC., M. P. Meredith, D. P. Chambers, E. P. Abrahamsen, C. W. Hughes, and A. K. Morrison, 2015. Recent trends in the Southern Ocean eddy field. Journal of Geophysical Research 120 (1), 257-267, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JC010470.

Polzin, K. L., A. C. Naveira Garabato, E. P. Abrahamsen, L. Jullion, and M. P. Meredith, 2014. Boundary mixing in Orkney Passage outflow. Journal of Geophysical Research 119 (12), 8627-8645, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JC010099.

Wagner, T. J. W., P. Wadhams, R. Bates, P. Elosegui, A. Stern, D. Vella, E. P. Abrahamsen, A. Crawford, and K. W. Nicholls, 2014. The “footloose” mechanism: iceberg decay from hydrostatic stresses. Geophysical Research Letters 41 (15), 5522-5529, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL060832.

Abrahamsen, E. P., 2014. Sustaining observations in the polar oceans. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 372, 20130337, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2013.0337.

Dutrieux, P., J. De Rydt, A. Jenkins, P. R. Holland, H. K. Ha, S. H. Lee, E. J. Steig, Q. Ding, E. P. Abrahamsen, and M. Schröder, 2014. Strong Sensitivity of Pine Island Ice-Shelf Melting to Climatic Variability. Science 343 (6167), 174-178, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1244341.

Polyakov, I. V., U. S. Bhatt, J. E. Walsh, E. P. Abrahamsen, A. V. Pnyushkov, and P. F. Wassmann, 2013. Recent oceanic changes in the Arctic in the context of long-term observations. Ecological Applications 23 (8), 1745-1764, https://doi.org/10.1890/11-0902.1.

Yager, P. L., R. M. Sherrell, S. E. Stammerjohn, A.-C. Alderkamp, O. Schofield, E. P. Abrahamsen, K. R. Arrigo, S. Bertilsson, D. L. Garay, R. Guerrero, K. E. Lowry, P.-O. Moksnes, K. Ndungu, A. F. Post, E. Randall-Goodwin, L. Riemann, S. Severmann, S. Thatje, G. L. van Dijken, and S. Wilson, 2012. ASPIRE: The Amundsen Sea Polynya International Research Expedition. Oceanography 25 (3), 40-53, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2012.73.

Bauch, D., M. Rutgers van der Loeff, N. Andersen, S. Torres-Valdes, K. Bakker, and E. P. Abrahamsen, 2011. Origin of freshwater and polynya water in the Arctic Ocean halocline in summer 2007. Progress in Oceanography 91 (4), 482-495, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2011.07.017.

Meredith, M. P., A. L. Gordon; A. C. Naveira Garabato, E. P. Abrahamsen, B. A. Huber, L. Jullion, and H. J. Venables, 2011. Synchronous intensification and warming of Antarctic Bottom Water outflow from the Weddell Gyre. Geophysical Research Letters 38, L03603, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL046265.

Dmitrenko, I. A., S. A. Kirillov, T. Krumpen, M. Makhotin, E. P. Abrahamsen, S. Willmes, E. Bloshkina, J. A. Hölemann, H. Kassens, and C. Wegner, 2010. Wind-driven diversion of summer river runoff preconditions the Laptev Sea coastal polynya hydrography: evidence from summer-to-winter hydrographic records of 2007-2009. Continental Shelf Research 30 (15), 1656-1664, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2010.06.012.

Daae, K. L., I. Fer, and E. P. Abrahamsen, 2009. Mixing on the Continental Slope of the Southern Weddell Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research 114, C09018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC005259.

Walkden, G. J., K. J. Heywood, K. W. Nicholls, and P. Abrahamsen, 2009. Freshwater transport at Fimbulisen, Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research 114, C08014, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC005028.

Abrahamsen, E. P., M. P. Meredith, K. K. Falkner, S. Torres-Valdes, M. J. Leng, M. B. Alkire, S. Bacon, S. W. Laxon, I. Polyakov, and V. Ivanov, 2009. Tracer-derived freshwater composition of the Siberian continental shelf and slope following the extreme Arctic summer of 2007. Geophysical Research Letters 36, L07602, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL037341.

Lenn, Y. D., P. J. Wiles, S. Torres-Valdes, E. P. Abrahamsen, T. P. Rippeth, J. H. Simpson, S. Bacon, S. W. Laxon, I. Polyakov, V. Ivanov, and S. Kirillov, 2009. Vertical mixing at intermediate depths in the Arctic boundary current. Geophysical Research Letters 36, L05601, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL036792.

Dowdeswell, J. A., and many others, including E. P. Abrahamsen, 2008. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and investigations of the ice-ocean interface in Antarctic and Arctic waters. Journal of Glaciology 54 (187), 661-672, https://doi.org/10.3189/002214308786570773.

Nicholls, K. W., E. P. Abrahamsen, K. J. Heywood, K. Stansfield, and S. Østerhus, 2008. High-latitude oceanography using the Autosub autonomous underwater vehicle, Limnology and Oceanography 53 (5, part 2), 2309-2320, https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2008.53.5_part_2.2309.

Nicholls, K. W., E. P. Abrahamsen et al., 2006. Measurements beneath an Antarctic ice shelf using an autonomous underwater vehicle. Geophysical Research Letters 33, L08612, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL025998.

Abrahamsen, E. P., T. Gammelsrød and S. Østerhus, 2006. Ice draft and current measurements from the north-western Barents Sea, 1993-96. Polar Research 25 (1), 25-37, https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v25i1.6236.

Data sets published with DOI

Sanders, R. and P. Abrahamsen, 2025. Temperature, salinity and current velocity data from two oceanographic moorings in the South Sandwich Trench [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17141550.

Abrahamsen, P., 2025. Current, temperature, conductivity, and pressure time series from moorings deployed in Orkney Passage (2019-2023). NERC EDS British Oceanographic Data Centre NOC. https://doi.org/10.5285/38df159e-dd9e-fa53-e063-7086abc00d73.

Abrahamsen, P., G. Tarling, Y. Firing, B. King, A. Marzocchi, A. Burson, K. Hendry, S. Henley, C. Liszka, C. Manno, M. Woodward, M. Wootton, M. Brunetta, Y. Song, and S. Thorpe, 2024. Dissolved nutrient and particulate material concentrations and phytoplankton abundance and community composition from cruise JC211 to South Georgia, Southern Ocean, February 2021 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/eef71670-f6dc-46f6-9143-7569599854e5.

Zhou, S., P. Dutrieux, C. Guilivi, A. Silvano, C. Auckland, P. Abrahamsen, M. Meredith, I. Vanková, K. Nicholls, S. Østerhus, A. Gordon, T. Sebaginazzi Dotto, T. Scambos, K. Gunn, S. Rintoul, S. Aoki, C. Stevens, C. Liu, T.-W. Kim, and W. S. Lee, 2024. Southern Ocean moored time series (south of 60°S) version 1 (OCEAN:ICE D1.1). SEANOE. https://doi.org/10.17882/99922.

Firing, Y. L., P. Abrahamsen, M. Leng, M. C. Barham, M. P. Meredith, and C. Arrowsmith, 2022. CTD sensor temperature and salinity and CTD Niskin bottle salinity and oxygen isotope data from cruise DY113, February – March 2020. NERC EDS British Oceanographic Data Centre NOC. https://doi.org/10.5285/e7efa26d-1fda-26e8-e053-6c86abc074c3.

Abrahamsen, P., Y. L. Firing, B. A. King, A. Marzocchi, M. P. Meredith, M. C. Barham, C. Arrowsmith, and M. Leng, 2022. Oxygen isotope, dissolved oxygen, and salinity data from JC211 CTD Niskin bottle samples, February-March 2021. NERC EDS British Oceanographic Data Centre NOC. https://doi.org/10.5285/e4e45cd9-f1c1-5b7a-e053-6c86abc0c363.

Abrahamsen, P., H. J. Venables, M. P. Meredith, M. C. Barham, C. Arrowsmith, and M. Leng, 2022. Oxygen isotope and salinity data from JR17003 CTD Niskin bottle samples, January-February 2018. NERC EDS British Oceanographic Data Centre NOC. https://doi.org/10.5285/e4c8d396-13d0-3186-e053-6c86abc09138.

Hogan, K. A., et al., 2020. A multibeam-bathymetric compilation for the southern Amundsen Sea shelf, 1999-2019 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/F2DFEDA9-BF44-4EF5-89A3-EE5E434A385C.

Abrahamsen, E. P., 2020. Gridded bathymetric compilation of selected areas within the Orkney Passage, Scotia Sea from multibeam echosounder data collected by multiple vessels (1989 – 2017) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/1221bbbd-843e-46d6-b96c-9c559aecfb20.

Abrahamsen, E. P., 2019. A bathymetric compilation around the South Orkney Islands, 1987-2017 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/1158843c-d238-439a-ad42-9645f37ac582.

Bauch, D., M. M. Rutgers van der Loeff, N. Andersen, S. Torres-Valdés, K. Bakker, and E. P. Abrahamsen, 2011. Physical oceanography, nutrients, and δ¹⁸O measured on water bottle samples during POLARSTERN cruise ARK-XXII/2. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.763451.

Cruise reports

SS24 (ed. E. P. Abrahamsen). FV Argos Georgia, 30 Jan – 1 Mar 2024. In prep.

DY158 (ed. R. Saunders). RRS Discovery, 22 Dec 2022 – 29 Jan 2023.

PS129 (ed. M. Hoppema). RV Polarstern, 3 Mar – 28 Apr 2022.

JC211 (ed. E. P. Abrahamsen). RRS James Cook, 2 Feb – 7 Mar 2021.

DY113 (ed. Y. L. Firing). RRS Discovery, 3 Feb – 13 Mar 2020.

JR18004 (ed. J. A. Brearley). RRS James Clark Ross, 6 Jan – 17 Feb 2019.

JR17003 (ed. E. P. Abrahamsen). RRS James Clark Ross, 26 Jan – 18 Feb 2018.

JR16005 (ed. A. Forryan; PSO A. Naveira Garabato). RRS James Clark Ross, 17 Mar – 8 May 2017.

ANA06B (ed. S. H. Lee). RV Araon, 6 Jan – 23 Feb 2016.

JR310/JR272D (ed. E. P. Abrahamsen). RRS James Clark Ross, 9 Mar – 14 Apr 2015.

JR294/JR295 (ed. K. J. Heywood). RRS James Clark Ross, 26 Jan – 8 Mar 2014.

JR272A (ed. H. J. Venables). RRS James Clark Ross, 27 Mar – 24 Apr 2012.

ANA02C (ed. S. H. Lee), RV Araon, 31 Jan – 20 Mar 2012.

JR252/JR254C (ed. E. P. Abrahamsen). RRS James Clark Ross, 19 Mar – 6 Apr 2011.

NBP1005 (ed. P. L. Yager), RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer, 25 Nov 2010 – 18 Jan 2011.

JR235/JR236/JR239 (ed. M. P. Meredith). RRS James Clark Ross, 19 Mar – 24 Apr 2010.

NABOS 2008 (ed. V. Ivanov & I. Polyakov). IB Kapitan Dranitsyn, 2 – 30 Oct 2008.

ES031 (ed. K. W. Nicholls). RRS Ernest Shackleton, 16 Jan – 6 Mar 2007.

JR151 (ed. E. P. Abrahamsen). RRS James Clark Ross, 26 – 27 Dec 2005.

JR097 (ed. K. W. Nicholls). RRS James Clark Ross, 3 Feb – 11 Mar 2005.

ES006 (ed. P. Abrahamsen, B. Hansen, and C. Moore). RRS Ernest Shackleton, 6 – 19 Feb 2003.

Other publications

Sanders, R. and P. Abrahamsen, 2025. Recovery of moorings in South Sandwich Trench (Milestone MS10). Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15190926.

Abrahamsen, P., 2024. Deployment of moorings in South Sandwich Trench (Milestone MS9). Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10955998.

Tarling, G., P. Abrahamsen, N. Lucas, A. Brearley, A. Fleming, A. Shepherd, C. Liszka, C. Manno, E. Murphy, M. Meredith, N. Ratcliffe, A. Braakmann-Folgmann, and L. Gerrish, 2022. The birth and death of ‘megaberg’ A68. The Marine Biologist, 22, 25-26.

Abrahamsen, P., 2021. Field notes: Iceberg A-68: On the trail of icy ocean invaders. New Scientist, 249 (3323), 16, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0262-4079(21)00312-2.

Dever, M., P. Abrahamsen, M. Barham, and S. Forbes, 2020. Performance of the RBRconcerto3 CTD on extended Antarctic deployment: mooring PIG_S. RBR technical report.

Bricher, P., J. Beja, P. ten Hoopen, P. Abrahamsen, M. Alba, T. de Bruin, S. Fawcett, S. Henley, K. Meiners, L. Newman, B. Pasquer, Y. Pei, B. Queste, I. Schloss, R. Sherrell, S. Swart, M. Williams, P. Yager, and M. Zweng, 2019. SOOS Datathon Incheon, South Korea, 15 May 2019. SOOS Report Series, 14, Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4433109.

Garzoli, S., P. Abrahamsen, I. Ansorge, A. Biastoch, E. Campos, M. Mata, C. Meinen, J. Pelegri, R. Perez, A. Piola, C. Reason, M. Roberts, S. Speich, J. Sprintall, and R. Watts, 2012. South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (SAMOC) – Fourth Workshop. CLIVAR Exchanges, 58 (17), 2-4.

Abrahamsen, E. P., 2012. Oceanographic conditions beneath Fimbul Ice Shelf, Antarctica. University of Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, Doctoral Thesis, 147pp.

Makinson, K., K. W. Nicholls, E. P. Abrahamsen, 2007. Oceanographic processes near the Filchner Sill – plans for fieldwork in 2007. Forum for Research into Ice Shelf Processes (FRISP) Report, 17, 42-47.

Abrahamsen, E. P., 2003. Ice Thickness in the Barents Sea: Measurements and Modeling. University of Bergen, Master’s Thesis, 58pp.

The list below is automatically generated from NORA:

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

• Abrahamsen, P., Tarling, G., Firing, Y., King, B., Marzocchi, A., Burson, A., Hendry, K., Henley, S., Liszka, C., Manno, C., Ward, F., Woodward, M., Wootton, M., Brunetta, M., Song, Y., & Thorpe, S. (2024). Dissolved nutrient and particulate material concentrations and phytoplankton abundance and community composition from cruise JC211 to South Georgia, Southern Ocean, February 2021 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/eef71670-f6dc-46f6-9143-7569599854e5

• Abrahamsen, E. (2020). Gridded bathymetric compilation of selected areas within the Orkney Passage, Scotia Sea from multibeam echosounder data collected by multiple vessels (1989 – 2017) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/1221bbbd-843e-46d6-b96c-9c559aecfb20

• Hogan, K., Larter, R., Graham, A., Nitsche, F., Kirkham, J., Totten Minzoni, R., Clark, R., Fitzgerald, V., Anderson, J., Hillenbrand, C., Simkins, L., Smith, J., Gohl, K., Arndt, J., Hong, J., Heywood, K., Abrahamsen, E., Thompson, A., Dunbar, R., & Wellner, J. (2020). A multibeam-bathymetric compilation for the southern Amundsen Sea shelf, 1999-2019 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/f2dfeda9-bf44-4ef5-89a3-ee5e434a385c

• Abrahamsen, E. (2019). A bathymetric compilation around the South Orkney Islands, 1987-2017 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/1158843c-d238-439a-ad42-9645f37ac582

1. Polar Ocean Mixing by Internal Tsunamis

   POLOMINTS investigates how glacier calving triggers internal tsunamis, reshaping polar ocean mixing and influencing climate, ecosystems, and carbon cycling.

   Read more of: Polar Ocean Mixing by Internal Tsunamis

   

2. Measuring ocean-ice interactions from space

   The European Space Agency (ESA) Southern Ocean-Ice Shelf Interactions (SO-ICE) project is a collaborative research project bringing together the ESA Polar+ Ice Shelves and 4D Antarctica projects, and the European Commission Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Impact on Climate (SO-CHIC) project, in order to improve understanding of the processes controlling ice-ocean interactions in Antarctica.

   Read more of: Measuring ocean-ice interactions from space

   

3. Orkney Passage Long Term Monitoring

   As part of the BAS Polar Oceans team’s long-term monitoring programme, we have been observing this outflow using moored instruments since 2007, in collaboration with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory , who have been observing this region since 2004.

   Read more of: Orkney Passage Long Term Monitoring

   

4. Greenland’s Past, Our Future

   KANG-GLAC studies past and present glacier-ocean changes in southeast Greenland to predict how ice loss will affect ocean circulation, ecosystems and climate.

   Read more of: Greenland’s Past, Our Future

   

5. Heat and carbon regulation in the Southern Ocean

   SO-CHIC is a European research project investigating how the Southern Ocean regulates global climate through heat and carbon exchanges.

   Read more of: Heat and carbon regulation in the Southern Ocean

   

6. Reducing uncertainty in sea-level predictions

   OCEAN:ICE studies how Antarctic ice and Southern Ocean processes drive sea-level rise and influence global climate, using new data and advanced ice–ocean–climate models.

   Read more of: Reducing uncertainty in sea-level predictions

   

7. Tracking Antarctica’s Ice Fluctuations

   The recent extreme swings in Antarctic sea ice extent emphasise the need to increase our knowledge of the drivers and climate implications of Antarctic sea ice loss.

   Read more of: Tracking Antarctica’s Ice Fluctuations

   

8. Biogeochemical processes in polar ecosystems

   BIOPOLE studies how climate change is affecting the release of nutrients from the polar regions, and their redistribution around the world’s oceans.

   Read more of: Biogeochemical processes in polar ecosystems

   

9. Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Regulation

   Understanding the Ocean Regulation of Climate by Heat, Carbon Sequestration and Transports

   Read more of: Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Regulation

   

10. Antarctic Bottom Water in the Orkney Passage

    DynOPO investigated the flow of Antarctic Bottom Water through the Orkney Passage, a submarine valley connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Weddell Sea. The project tested whether winds over the Weddell Sea regulate the volume and temperature of this deep, cold water mass by altering turbulent mixing.

    Read more of: Antarctic Bottom Water in the Orkney Passage

    

11. A23 repeat section

    Understanding Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) and its affect on global ocean circulation.

    Read more of: A23 repeat section

    

12. iSTAR – Stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

    Science on the move – the mission to understand the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

    Read more of: iSTAR – Stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

    

Current projects:

• POLOMINTS (Polar Ocean Mixing by Internal Tsunamis), Jan. 2025 – Dec. 2029. This NERC large grant investigates the impact of internal waves caused by glacier calving events, on the mixing and heat transfer within the ocean. I am working on the observations for the project, deploying moorings and autonomous profilers in Ryder Bay, near Adelaide Island, Antarctica.
• KANG-GLAC (Assessing ocean-forced, marine-terminating glacier change in Greenland during climatic warm periods and its impact on marine productivity), Apr. 2024 – Dec. 2027. This NERC grant addressing the highlight topic of marine-terminating glaciers, will be looking at the ocean circulation in and around Kangerlussuaq Fjord in East Greenland, linking the present conditions (both physical and biological) to geological records of ice sheet retreat. The first cruise for this project took place on RRS Sir David Attenborough in July-August 2024.
• OCEAN ICE (Ocean-Cryosphere Exchanges in ANtarctica: Impacts on Climate and the Earth System), Nov. 2022 – Oct. 2026. This Horizon Europe/UKRI-funded programme aims to study the interactions between the ice and sea in the Southern Ocean. As part of this project, we deployed moored instrumentation in South Sandwich Trench to evaluate the exports from this rarely sampled deep export pathway from the Weddell Sea.
• BIOPOLE (Biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems and their global impacts), 2022-2027, is a five-year NERC multi-centre programme investigating changes in the biochemical and physical systems in the Antarctic and Arctic. My involvement is with physical observations using moorings, autonomous vehicles, and oxygen isotope sampling.
• Orkney Passage, 2005-present: I have designed, and regularly deploy and service oceanographic moorings in Orkney Passage, as part of BAS’s ongoing Long-term Monitoring and Survey (LTMS) activities in this area, and part of the ORCHESTRA/ENCORE project 2016-2022 and BIOPOLE 2022-2027.
• A23, 2013-present: I am currently coordinating BAS’s annual repeats of the northern part of the WOCE A23 hydrographic section from the Weddell Sea to South Georgia. This section has been occupied a total of 15 times since 1995, with BAS cruises taking place most years since 2012. It was incorporated into the ORCHESTRA/ENCORE project in 2016-2022 and BIOPOLE in 2022-2027.

Previous projects:

• SO-CHIC (Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Impact on Climate), Nov. 2019 – Oct. 2024. The overall objective of SO-CHIC is to understand and quantify variability of heat and carbon budgets in the Southern Ocean through an investigation of the key processes controlling exchanges between the atmosphere, ocean and sea ice using a combination of observational and modelling approaches. More specifically, I worked with colleagues from other European and partner nations to draw together our observations from around the Weddell Sea.
• SO-ICE (Southern Ocean – Ice Shelf Interaction), Sep. 2021 – Aug. 2023, is an ESA collaborative research project linking the ESA Polar+ Ice Shelves and 4D Antarctica projects with SO-CHIC, in order to improve understanding of the processes controlling ice-ocean interactions in Antarctica.
• ORCHESTRA (Ocean Regulation of Climate through Heat and Carbon Sequestration and Transports), 2016-2021, and its one-year extension ENCORE (‘Encore is the National Capability ORchestra Extension’), 2021-2022. This large NERC cross-centre project studied heat and carbon fluxes in the Southern Ocean. It combined sustained observations in Orkney Passage and along the A23 section with sections across Drake Passage and across the South Atlantic, and remote sensing and computer modelling. My involvement was mainly on the observational side.
• DynOPO (Dynamics of the Orkney Passage Outflow), 2014-2018. This project aims to study the processes controlling and affecting the properties and strength of the outflow of Weddell Sea Deep Water through Orkney Passage, a deep channel in the South Scotia Ridge.
• iSTAR (NERC’s Ice Sheet Stability programme), 2010-2018. My role has been to coordinate the design, procurement, and deployment of oceanographic moorings in the Amundsen Sea, as well as assisting with project management/coordination and the iSTAR website.
• Operation Iceberg, 2012. I participated in the filming of the second episode of BBC documentary Operation Iceberg, looking at the breakup of Petermann Ice Island B-1 in Baffin Bay. While much of the work didn’t go to plan (largely because of bad weather and a glut of polar bears), we did gain some very interesting insights into how icebergs break up.
• Arctic Synoptic Basinwide Oceanography (ASBO), 2007-2010. I investigated the freshwater composition and pathways in the Laptev and East Siberian Seas using stable oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O) and dissolved barium samples.
• Oceanographic conditions and processes beneath Ronne Ice Shelf (OPRIS; part of the Autosub Under Ice programme), 2004-2007. I studied the circulation and melt beneath Fimbul Ice Shelf, Antarctica, using data from the Autosub-2 AUV and other nearby measurements, as well as using an ice shelf-enabled Regional Circulation Model, POLAIR. This work formed the basis for my PhD thesis.

1. Blog: Mission to investigate A68a iceberg

   Preparations are underway: a team of researchers are quarantining in the Falkland Islands before they begin their mission on board RRS James Cook bound for the giant A68a iceberg. The […]

   Read more of: Blog: Mission to investigate A68a iceberg

   

1. World Oceans Day at the National Maritime Museum

   Find out what it takes to carry out vital climate research in some of the toughest conditions in the world. British Antarctic Survey scientists will be bringing both our expertise and our equipment to the National Maritime Museum this June, giving explorers of all ages a taste of what it’s like to be a polar scientist.

   Read more of: World Oceans Day at the National Maritime Museum

   

2. Study underway as Antarctic sea ice extent at record level

   A £5m project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to investigate the complex changes seen in sea ice around the Antarctic begins this month (March 2022) as the […]

   Read more of: Study underway as Antarctic sea ice extent at record level

   

3. End of giant iceberg A-68

   The mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on the important marine ecosystem of sub-Antarctic South Georgia is a success.

   Read more of: End of giant iceberg A-68

   

4. Giant iceberg mission begins

   A research mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on one of the world’s most important ecosystems departs from Stanley in the Falkland Islands today (2 February […]

   Read more of: Giant iceberg mission begins

   

5. Boaty McBoatface sheds light on warming ocean abyss

   The debut mission involving the autonomous submarine Autosub Long Range – affectionately  known as Boaty McBoatface –  has for the first time shed light on a key process linking increasing […]

   Read more of: Boaty McBoatface sheds light on warming ocean abyss

   

6. Boaty McBoatface returns home with unprecedented data

   Researchers have captured unprecedented data about some of the coldest abyssal ocean waters on earth – known as Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) – during the first voyage of the yellow […]

   Read more of: Boaty McBoatface returns home with unprecedented data

   

7. The first dive of Boaty McBoatface

   The unmanned submersible Boaty McBoatface was deployed in the Antarctic for the first time.

   Read more of: The first dive of Boaty McBoatface

   

8. Local weather plays part in retreat of glacier

   Local weather plays an important part in the retreat of the ice shelves in West Antarctica, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications today (Friday 17 February). […]

   Read more of: Local weather plays part in retreat of glacier

   

9. Oceanographic facilities

   Interactions of ocean and atmosphere

   Read more of: Oceanographic facilities

   

10. NEWS STORY: Glacier thinning at point of no return

    Focus on Pine Island Glacier, Antarctica Pine Island Glacier, on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is the largest single contributor to sea-level rise in Antarctica.  The stability of the […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: Glacier thinning at point of no return

    

11. PRESS RELEASE: Pine Island Glacier and climatic variability

    Pine Island Glacier sensitive to climatic variability A new study published in Science this month suggests the thinning of Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is much more susceptible to […]

    Read more of: PRESS RELEASE: Pine Island Glacier and climatic variability

    

12. NEWS STORY: BAS on the BBC

    Scientists take part in BBC expedition “Operation Iceberg” This summer two British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists head to the Arctic to take part in the BBC expedition ‘Operation Iceberg’. Oceanographers […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: BAS on the BBC

    

• Member, Challenger Society for Marine Science
• Member, Danish Physical Society (Geophysics section)
• Member, Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Data Management Sub-Committee