DNA to deep time: micropaleontology examples from the ANZIC Continent and Ocean Research & Education (CORE) grant scheme unlocking the secrets of ocean archives

The ANZIC* Continent and Ocean Research & Education (CORE) grant, previously known as the ANZIC-IODP Legacy Analytical Funding (AILAF) scheme, began in 2012 with a visionary initiative: to provide "Special Funding" for innovative analytical research in Australia and New Zealand on existing samples collected throughout the DSDP, ODP, IODP I, and IODP II—many during expeditions undertaken by the JOIDES Resolution. Since its inception, this grant program has been pivotal in advancing scientific research related to ocean drilling and micropaleontology, creating a bridge between archived materials and groundbreaking new discoveries.

In this talk we will highlight three exemplary micropalaeontology projects from the ANZIC community that were supported by the CORE grant scheme, showcasing the enduring value of archived ocean drilling materials:

• Improving Species Identification from Short Sedimentary Ancient DNA (sedaDNA) Sequences. This project develops ‘sedaDNA-at-1.0,’ a new bioinformatics tool for assembling short sedaDNA sequences into longer fragments, enabling more accurate species-level identification. By comparing outputs from traditional and enhanced computational approaches, this tool provides a valuable resource for sedaDNA researchers, with implications for reconstructing past ecosystems.
• Ecosystem Change Through the Neogene in Australia: Documenting the rise of C4 vegetation by using leaf wax isotope ratios from marine sediments collected during DSDP Leg 90 and ODP Leg 122, this project documents the timing of the C3 to C4 plant transition in central and northwestern Australia. The transition occurred at ~3.5 Ma, significantly later than on other continents, highlighting regional variations in vegetation thresholds and offering insights into the future vulnerabilities of Australian ecosystems.
• Extension of Stable Isotope Records at Site U1361 on Wilkes Land Continental Rise, East Antarctica: This project presents a complete ~4-million-year nitrogen and organic carbon isotope record from IODP Site U1361. The results highlight an isotopically light period between ~1.6–0.35 million years, followed by an increase in the last 0.35 Ma. These findings provide new insights into ocean circulation changes in the Indo-Pacific Sector of the Southern Ocean during the Mid-Pleistocene and Mid-Brunhes Transitions.

These three projects represent just a fraction of the outcomes from more than 100 CORE-funded studies, totaling nearly $2 million in grants. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the diverse scientific potential of archived materials and reinforce the enduring legacy of the JOIDES Resolution.

The CORE grant is particularly valuable for early-career researchers (ECRs) and students, offering them an opportunity to conduct meaningful research without requiring extensive sea-time. By leveraging the extensive archives of IODP’s sub-seafloor samples, recipients are addressing globally significant questions, advancing our understanding of Earth's processes, and developing critical research skills.

 

*ANZIC: Australian & New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium