Rafael Gonçalves-Araujo

Project title

WaterColor: Unraveling the shades of change in Greenlandic marine waters

What is your project about?

Temperatures in Arctic, including Greenland, are increasing faster than on the rest of the planet, making it a sentinel for climate change. The impacts climate change will have on the marine ecosystem are still largely uncharted, since there are multiple factors influencing these changes. Some important components of the marine carbon cycle, such as phytoplankton, suspended particles and dissolved organic molecules, are colored and thus alter the color of the water, making them detectable by optical sensors, including those onboard satellites. In this project, I will combine local field measurements from water samples and deployed autonomous instruments with large-scale satellite data to provide an unprecedented overview of the changes in Greenlandic marine systems over the past decades, inferred from the spectral properties (color) of the water.

How did you become interested in your particular field of research?

Ever since I first saw the ocean, I have been captivated by its vastness. In high school, I attended a professional school where I first learned about satellite remote sensing for monitoring the oceans and I was completely hooked by the idea. During my studies, I had the opportunity to join an expedition to Antarctica and it was when I fell in love with the polar regions. Since then, I have been fortunate to merge my passion for the oceans and satellite technology with the thrill of studying polar environments. This project will enable me to further explore this exciting intersection.

What are the scientific challenges and perspectives in your project?

Greenland is a remote and difficult to access, making field work planning and logistics very challenging. Consequently, the major challenge of this project is to gather sufficient field measurements to achieve a comprehensive and representative understanding of Greenland’s diverse environments and to calibrate satellite data accurately. Once we have calibrated the satellite data, this will significantly enhance our observational capabilities of the Greenlandic waters, potentially leading to a scientific breakthrough.

What is your estimate of the impact, which your project may have to society in the long term?

The project studies key components of the marine carbon cycle in Greenland, including phytoplankton, microscopic algae that form the basis of the marine food web and are essential for sustaining life in the oceans. Therefore, changes in phytoplankton communities can disrupt the carbon cycle and impact fisheries, with large implications to the Greenlandic economy and livelihoods. Thus, by developing a new tool to monitor the Greenlandic marine system on a large scale using satellite data, I hope the project’s results will significantly influence decision-making in Greenland by providing science-based advice to stakeholders.

Which impact do you expect the Sapere Aude programme will have on your career as a researcher?

Being awarded a Sapere Aude: DFF-Starting Grant is a pivotal moment in my career. Beyond the honour of receiving this prestigious grant, it will enable me to establish my own research group and mentor the next generation of marine scientists. Additionally, the recognition as a Sapere Aude: DFF-Starting Grant recipient will likely boost my career and open up new opportunities for collaboration. Furthermore, I anticipate that the project will attract promising candidates to work on it, thereby leveraging DTU’s and Danish research overall.

Background and personal life

I am originally from Brazil and grew up in the country side. After moving to the coast for my studies, I discovered that my true place was by the ocean. Therefore, adapting to Denmark was easy for me, despite missing the tropical sunny days. I live in Brøndby Strand with my husband and many plants that keep us busy. I love to travel and explore different cultures, taste new food and enjoy beautiful landscapes. As a true Brazilian, I love to dance and spend time on the beach, but I also have a passion for martial arts and hold a black belt in karate.