Snow-covered mountains rise from the shoreline of a calm, dark-blue fjord beneath a cloudy Arctic sky. The sun glows through a break in the clouds, casting a soft reflection across the still water, while distant snowy valleys and rugged peaks stretch across the horizon. A faint blue lens flare appears near the left edge of the image.

Do you want ice with that? The impacts of climate change on nutrient cycling in polar coastal oceans - Public Lecture

High-latitude oceans are biologically rich and play a critical role in regional and global carbon and nutrient cycling. Glacial weathering is thought to be a significant source of nutrients to polar coastal waters and is especially important in regions of the Arctic and subantarctic that experience seasonal nutrient limitation. However, there are several complex interactions between water, glacial flour and particulates, and biological processes – both in the water column and at the seafloor – that can modulate the supply of nutrients to downstream ecosystems. Prof Kate Hendry will explore commonalities and geographic differences between vulnerable Arctic and Antarctic environments, allowing us to begin to disentangle the drivers of change and quantify how fjordic and coastal nutrient cycling will respond to future warming.

This Public Lecture will take place on Tuesday 15 September 2026

This is a hybrid event, which can be attended in person at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, or online via Zoom.

17:30–18:00: Guests arrive for the Public Lecture. Refreshments served in the Lower Library.

18:00–19:00: Talk takes place (including Q&A)

19:00-20:00: Drinks reception in Lower Library

20:00: Event end

Prof Kate Hendry is a chemical oceanographer and marine biogeochemist in the Polar Oceans Team of the British Antarctic Survey, and an honorary professor at the Universities of Bristol and East Anglia. Her research interests surround the impact on marine nutrient cycling of climate change in the polar regions. She won the Geological Society of London Bigsby Medal in 2025 for services to geosciences, the EAG Houtermans medal in 2016, and a Challenger Society fellowship in 2012. Kate is Chair of Antarctic Science Ltd, vice chair of the UK Arctic and Antarctic Partnership, and is honorary secretary of the Challenger Society for Marine Science. She has a keen interest in improving the sustainability of oceanographic research, and in multidisciplinary research, especially in working with researchers across social sciences and the humanities on perceptions of the sea.

Image credit: Alanna Grant

This lecture is free to attend.

You can register for both in-person and virtual attendance by clicking on the Book Now button above.

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