Global warming and its impact on Antarctica is being further investigated by local researchers.

University of Otago scientists are leading several studies which have just received funding to proceed.

They'll look at how ice floating at the edge of Antarctica interacts with the surrounding Southern Ocean.

Half a million dollars is being spent on the work, through the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute.

Preliminary findings are expected to be released towards the end of 2017.

The work's likely to reveal just how much change the frozen continent is being subjected to, following thousands of years of climatic stability.