Polar Research (E-Journal)
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Technological and environmental challenges of Arctic shipping - a case study of a fictional voyage in the Arctic
No full textShipping in Arctic seas is challenging and poses an environmental risk. This paper presents a fictional case involving a multipurpose supply vessel transporting one large object (a 750-tonne compressor) and 24 containers loaded with chemicals and equipment for use by the petroleum industry in western Siberia. With technical details representative of vessels navigating the Arctic today, the fictitious ship Oleum has an ice class sufficient for navigating unaccompanied in the Barents and Kara seas, so no assistance is in range when, in late October, clogged fuel filters cause engine failure and the vessel eventually drifts ashore. Heeling over, Oleum loses both cargo and marine diesel oil. The scenario includes a successful helicopter rescue of the 16 crewmembers and a partial recovery of oil and chemicals by booms and skimmers. Recovery of chemicals with physical properties not allowing mechanical collection is not attempted. The scenario ends as the abandoned wreck is broken down at the stranding location, and containers rupture and discharge their cargo. The scenario postulates a moderate and short-lived environmental impact. The most visible effects of the grounding are the hull itself, the compressor and the spreading effects and degradation of oil and chemicals unmanageable for the clean-up operations.Keywords: Arctic shipping; technology; scenario; grounding; Northern Sea Route; environmental impact.(Published: 26 May 2016)To access the supplementary material for this article, please see the supplementary file in the column to the right (under Article Tools).Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 27977, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2797
Corrigendum
No full textNo abstract available.(Published: 9 May 2016)Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 31998,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.3199
Adjustment of pigment composition in Desmarestia (Desmarestiaceae) species along a sub-Antarctic to Antarctic latitudinal gradient
No full textPhotosynthesis at high latitudes demands efficient strategies of light utilization to maintain algal fitness and performance. The fitness, and physiological adaptation, of a plant or algae species depends in part on the abundance and efficiency of the pigments it can produce to utilize the light resource from its environment. We quantified pigment composition and concentration in six species of the brown macroalgal genus Desmarestia, collected from sub-Antarctic sites (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel–Cape Horn Province) and sites on the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands. Sub-Antarctic Desmarestia species exhibited lower concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c and fucoxanthin than endemic Antarctic species. Antarctic samples of D. menziesii and D. antarctica collected along a decreasing latitudinal gradient showed spatial and interspecific differences in light-harvesting pigment composition. Our results suggest distinct physiological adjustments in Desmarestia species in response to heterogeneous abiotic environmental conditions. The marine sub-Antarctic and Antarctic ecosystems are characterized by harsh environments (e.g., extreme irradiance, photoperiod, temperature, salinity) to which the physiology of macroalgal species must adapt.Keywords: Macroalgae; Phaeophyceae; photosynthesis; physiology; environmental heterogeneity; Chile.(Published: 4 August 2016)Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 29383,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2938
Vegetation composition and shrub extent on the Yukon coast, Canada, are strongly linked to ice-wedge polygon degradation
No full textChanging environmental and geomorphological conditions are resulting in vegetation change in ice-wedge polygons in Arctic tundra. However, we do not yet know how microscale vegetation patterns relate to individual environmental and geomorphological parameters. This work aims at examining these relations in polygonal terrain. We analysed composition and cover of vascular plant taxa and surface height, active layer depth, soil temperature, carbon and nitrogen content, pH and electrical conductivity in four polygon mires located on the Yukon coast. We found that vascular plant species composition and cover correlates best with relative surface height. Ridges of low-centred polygons and raised centres of high-centred polygons support the growth of mesic and wetland species (e.g., Betula glandulosa, Salix pulchra, S. reticulata, Rubus chamaemorus, various ericaceous dwarf shrubs, Eriophorum vaginatum, Poa arctica). Wetland and aquatic plant species (e.g., E. angustifolium, Carex aquatilis, C. chordorrhiza, Pedicularis sudetica) grow in low-lying centres of polygons and in troughs between polygons. We also found a relationship between vascular plant species composition and substrate characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity and total organic carbon, although the individual influence of these parameters could not be determined because of their correlation with relative surface height. Our findings stress the regulatory role of microtopography and substrate in vegetation dynamics of polygonal terrain. Ongoing warming in this region will lead to changes to polygonal terrain through permafrost degradation and subsequent conversion of low-centred into high-centred polygons. Our results indicate that shrubs, particularly Betula glandulosa and heath species, have the potential to expand most.Keywords: Ice-wedge polygon mires; western Canadian Arctic; modern vegetation; microtopography; permafrost.(Published: 17 June 2016)To access the supplementary material for this article, please see the supplementary files in the column to the right (under Article Tools).Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 27489, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2748
Tourism and Arctic Observation Systems: exploring the relationships
No full textThe Arctic is affected by global environmental change and also by diverse interests from many economic sectors and industries. Over the last decade, various actors have attempted to explore the options for setting up integrated and comprehensive trans-boundary systems for monitoring and observing these impacts. These Arctic Observation Systems (AOS) contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of environmental change and responsible social and economic development in the Arctic. The aim of this article is to identify the two-way relationship between AOS and tourism. On the one hand, tourism activities account for diverse changes across a broad spectrum of impact fields. On the other hand, due to its multiple and diverse agents and far-reaching activities, tourism is also well-positioned to collect observational data and participate as an actor in monitoring activities. To accomplish our goals, we provide an inventory of tourism-embedded issues and concerns of interest to AOS from a range of destinations in the circumpolar Arctic region, including Alaska, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Svalbard, the mainland European Arctic and Russia. The article also draws comparisons with the situation in Antarctica. On the basis of a collective analysis provided by members of the International Polar Tourism Research Network from across the polar regions, we conclude that the potential role for tourism in the development and implementation of AOS is significant and has been overlooked.Keywords: Arctic; Antarctic; citizen science; observation systems; tourism; IPTRN(Published: 1 March 2016)Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 24980, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2498
Review of The greatest show in the Arctic: the American exploration of Franz Josef Land, 1898-1905, by P. J. Capelotti (2016).
No full textNo abstract available.
(Published: 26 October 2016)
Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 33648,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.3364
Barents Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus): population biology and anthropogenic threats
No full textThis paper examines how anthropogenic threats, such as disturbance, pollution and climate change, are linked to polar bear (Ursus maritimus) population biology in the Svalbard and Barents Sea area, with the aim to increase our understanding of how human activity may impact the population. Overharvesting drastically reduced the population of polar bears in the Barents Sea region from about 1870 to 1970. After harvesting was stopped—in 1956 in Russia and 1973 in Norway—the population grew to an estimated 2650 individuals (95% confidence interval 1900–3600) in 2004, and maternity denning in the Svalbard Archipelago became more widely distributed. During recent decades, the population has faced challenges from a variety of new anthropogenic impacts: a range of pollutants, an increasing level of human presence and activity as well as changes in ice conditions. Contaminants bioaccumulate up through the marine food web, culminating in this top predator that consumes ringed, bearded and harp seals. Females with small cubs use land-fast sea ice for hunting and are therefore vulnerable to disturbance by snowmobile drivers. Sea-ice diminution, associated with climate change, reduces polar bears’ access to denning areas and could negatively affect the survival of cubs. There are clear linkages between population biology and current anthropogenic threats, and we suggest that future research and management should focus on and take into consideration the combined effects of several stressors on polar bears.
Keywords: Top predator; environmental threats; climate warming; contamination; disturbance; habitat change.
(Published: 12 July 2016)
Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 26029,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2602
Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic
No full textArctic terrestrial ecosystems are heterogeneous because of the strong influences of microtopography, soil moisture and snow accumulation on vegetation distribution. The interaction between local biotic and abiotic factors and global climate patterns will influence species responses to climate change. Salix arctica (Arctic willow) is a structuring species, ubiquitous and widespread, and as such is one of the most important shrub species in the High Arctic. In this study, we measured S. arctica reproductive effort, early establishment, survival and growth in the Zackenberg valley, north-east Greenland. We sampled four plant communities that varied with respect to snow conditions, soil moisture, nutrient content and plant composition. We found large variability in reproductive effort and success with total catkin density ranging from 0.6 to 66 catkins/m2 and seedling density from <1 to 101 seedlings/m2. There were also major differences in crown area increment (4–23 cm2/year) and stem radial growth (40–74 µm/year). The snowbed community, which experienced a recent reduction in snow cover, supported young populations with high reproductive effort, establishment and growth. Soil nutrient content and herbivore activity apparently did not strongly constrain plant reproduction and growth, but competition by Cassiope tetragona and low soil moisture may inhibit performance. Our results show that local environmental factors, such as snow accumulation, have a significant impact on tundra plant response to climate change and will affect the understanding of regional vegetation response to climate change.Keywords: Herbivory; nutrient; plant colonization; vegetation; shrub; water availability.(Published: 27 June 2016)To access the supplementary material for this article, please see the supplementary files in the column to the right (under Article Tools).Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 24126, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2412
Environmental significance of Ophiomorpha in a transgressive - regressive sequence of the Spitsbergen Paleocene
No full textThe study focuses on occurrences of Ophiomorpha burrows in a transgressive–regressive succession composing the Early Paleocene Firkanten Formation deposited in paralic, prodelta to delta front conditions in the Central Basin of Spitsbergen. The burrows colonize sandstones of the Todalen Member at four sites and belong to two ichnospecies: Ophiomorpha cf. nodosa, forming dominantly vertical shafts; and O. cf. irregulaire, consisting of horizontal sinuous tunnels ending in subconical shafts. Both species are observed in shoreface sandstones deposited as a barrier bar. Lithological features and stratigraphic positions suggest that the trace-makers preferentially colonized high-energy sand environments. Foraminiferal faunas occurring below and above the barrier sandstones indicate brackish water conditions for the Ophiomorpha levels, which accordingly are of restricted, monospecific nature. It is inferred that the trace-makers had a dominantly suspension feeding habit as a modern analogue Calianassa major. Portrayed in a sequence stratigraphic framework, the Ophiomorpha-bearing sandstones in middle reaches of the Central Basin were deposited in the final stage of the transgressive systems tract, which drowned the underlying coal-bearing paralic facies. Moreover, in the northern, coal-rich parts of the basin, occurrence of Ophiomorpha signals marine ingression into the paralic system.Keywords: Trace fossils; Paleocene; shoreface sandstones; brackish water; transgression signal.(Published: 6 April 2016)Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 24192, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.2419
In memory of Torgny Vinje - a genuine polar scientist
No full textNo abstract available.(Published: 31 May 2016)Citation: Polar Research 2016, 35, 32211,http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.3221