Polar Research (E-Journal)
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Anthropogenic noise in terrestrial Antarctica: a short review of background information, challenges and opportunities
No full textAnthropogenic noise is an inevitable by-product of human activities. However, the potential effects of human noise on terrestrial Antarctica’s ecosystems have been understudied. Documented impacts encompass stress, alterations in behavioural patterns, auditory masking, and, in severe instances, mortality. This Perspective note aims to call attention to human-generated noise as potential sources of impact on Antarctic wildlife and to highlight the potential of soundscape analysis as a flexible, cost-effective tool for environmental monitoring across Antarctica, complementing other non-invasive approaches. Acoustic monitoring in terrestrial environments has been extensively used in different parts of the world to assess biodiversity, monitor populations’ status and trends, and identify and monitor sources of anthropogenic disturbance. Technological advances in passive acoustic monitoring allow for the gathering of detailed information with little need of human attention, and powerful processing tools and algorithms enable researchers to analyse large collections of audio data. Cold climates limit battery-operated instruments, but solar panels in Antarctic summer trials revealed over 100 days of unattended operation, which is promising for the incorporation of acoustic monitoring in Antarctica’s environmental management toolbox
The relationship between Antarctic sea-ice extent change and the main modes of sea-ice variability in austral winter
No full textAccompanying global warming, Antarctic sea-ice extent shows a somewhat increasing trend from 1979 to 2014, followed by an abrupt decrease after 2016. Our previous study examined the change of Antarctic sea-ice extent in austral summer, autumn and spring. In this study, we turn our attention to the austral winter, relating the main modes of sea-ice variability to sea-ice extent in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. We find that the modes with the strongest correlation with the sea-ice extent are the third, first and first modes in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian sectors, respectively. Atmospheric circulation anomalies of zonal wavenumber three over the Southern Ocean, related to planetary wave trains induced by the SST anomalies over the south-western Pacific and the southern Indian oceans, can explain sea-ice concentration anomalies of the third mode in the Pacific sector through thermodynamic and dynamic processes. Sea-ice anomalies of the first modes in the Atlantic and Indian sectors result from atmospheric circulation anomalies of a positive and negative phases of the Southern Annular Mode, respectively. The anomalous Southern Annular Mode is also associated with wave trains over the Southern Ocean excited by SST anomalies over the southern Indian Ocean and the south-western Pacific Ocean. The relationship between SST anomalies and Antarctic sea-ice anomalies can provide a reference for the prediction of Antarctic sea-ice anomalies in austral winter on interannual and decadal timescales
Evidence of a narwhal (Monodon monoceros) summer ground in Nares Strait
No full textOur limited knowledge of the marine mammal fauna in northernmost Greenland and Canada, specifically north of 80°N, relies largely on opportunistic observations collected during expeditions with different objectives. The narwhal (Monodon monoceros) migrates long distances in response to ice formation and decay and is notoriously skittish, avoiding areas with ice breakers. Scattered observations from the past 20 years, assessed together with historical observations after 1881, suggest that there is a population of narwhals that uses Hall Basin and its adjacent fjord systems—for example, Nares Strait—as a summer ground. Dating the tusks and bones that have been found shows that narwhals were present in this area as far back as nearly 7000 years ago. The wintering locations of these narwhals remain unknown, highlighting the need to investigate whether they are vulnerable to hunting activities in north-west Greenland. By gaining a better understanding of the narwhals’ winter behaviour and potential hunting risks, we can develop more informed conservation and management strategies for this population
Some issues related to the Svalbardian tectonic event (Ellesmerian Orogeny) in Svalbard
No full textSvalbard has long been thought to represent the easternmost realm of the Ellesmerian Orogeny in the late Devonian or early Mississippian (Svalbardian tectonic event). Several authors do not agree and present alternative interpretations of the observed structures in older and more recent articles. This article discusses a number of issues that, in our opinion, are not sufficiently considered in those works, but which are essential for the understanding of the Svalbardian tectonic event: (1) the possibility of re-deposited palynomorphs in the discussion of the deformational ages, (2) the age and structural setting of the crucial Adriabukta Formation in southern Spitsbergen, and (3) the presence and nature of the Svalbardian angular unconformity in central and southern Spitsbergen
Carbon exchange and primary production in a High-Arctic peatland in Svalbard
No full textMoss tundra with a thick peat layer dominated by bryophytes is one of the most important ecosystems in the High Arctic of Svalbard, but little is known about the carbon dynamics of moss tundra. Here, we estimated the net primary production (NPP) and net ecosystem production (NEP) of moss tundra on Brøggerhalvøya (Brøgger Peninsula) of north-western Svalbard (79°N). The net photosynthetic and respiration rates of the two dominant moss species, Calliergon richardsonii and Tomenthypnum nitens, were measured under laboratory conditions. On the basis of the photosynthetic and respiration characteristics and climatic data, we estimated the cumulative NPP of the dominant moss species during the growing season to be 143–207 gC m-2. Net CO2 exchange, which was determined by subtracting the respiration of the brown moss layer from NPP, was similar to that estimated using field gas flux measurements. The field measurements indicated that methane emissions contributed little to carbon flow. The NEP estimated in this study was much larger than the long-term carbon accumulation rate reported in a previous study. These data suggest that a significant amount of fixed carbon was lost from the peat layer or that carbon accumulation has recently increased. The NPP and NEP values of the moss tundra are larger than those reported for other vegetation types in this area, suggesting that moss tundra is an active site with high rates of carbon fixation
An observation of white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) mating behaviour in the wild
No full textHerein we describe mating behaviour observed in a group of 20 white whales in Svalbard, Norway. A single female was the centre of attention during the 45-minute encounter, which was observed, photographed and videotaped at an ice edge in Storfjorden in June 2022. Several males surrounded the female and vigorously herded her from all sides. The female spy-hopped regularly, and sometimes her whole body was pushed out of the water by the other animals. High tail-lifts and tail-slapping were frequently performed by males, and erect penises were observed many times. Trumpet calls were also heard. At one point, three males with erect penises pressed themselves against the female simultaneously. The female was bleeding from wounds on her head and neck that were seemingly inflicted by bites from the other whales. She was also bleeding from her genital slit. A single copulation was seen at the surface, but it is likely that multiple males mated successfully with the female during the encounter. The event was more boisterous and violent than what has been described in captive white whales. We cannot assess how representative this observation is of typical reproductive behaviour for the species. But the encounter was remarkably similar to what has been described for several species of bottlenose dolphins that have male alliances that consort with individual females, restricting the female’s escape and keeping her accessible to mating only by members of the group
Identifying invertebrate species in Arctic muskox dung using DNA barcoding
No full textThe Arctic is undergoing strong environmental changes, affecting species and whole biological communities. To assess the impact on these communities, including their composition and functions, we need more information on their current distribution and biology. In the High-Arctic tundra, dung from animals, such as muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), is a relatively understudied microhabitat that may be attractive for organisms like dung-feeding insects as well as gastrointestinal parasites. Using a DNA barcoding approach, we examined muskox droppings from two Greenlandic regions for dung-dwelling invertebrates. In 15% of all samples, we found the DNA of insect species in the orders Diptera and Lepidoptera. The saprophagous Diptera colonized dung differently in west versus north-east Greenland and summer versus winter. In addition, we found muskox dung harbouring endoparasitic nematodes in samples from both regions. However, we could not find traces of saprophagous arthropods, such as collembolans and mites, from the soil sphere. Our pilot study sheds a first light on the invertebrates living in this neglected Arctic microhabitat
Review of Five journeys through the Arctic and a new Russia in search of Willem Barents, by JaapJan Zeeberg (2023). Soesterberg, Netherlands: Aspekt Publishers. 372 pp. ISBN 978-9-46462-914-9.
No full textBenthic foraminiferal investigations in Middle to Late Quaternary sections of Kongsfjordhallet, north-west Svalbard
No full textStratigraphic sites in north-west Svalbard record at least six significant glacial advances in the last 200 Ky, and sediments deposited under locally high relative sea level during intervening interstadials or interglacials contain abundant benthic foraminifera. We present a biostratigraphic record from the Kongsfjordhallet site in the Kongsfjorden area that covers five high relative sea-level events and stretches back to the Middle Pleistocene (>195 Kya). Five foraminiferal assemblages have been identified: (1) Cassidulina reniforme – Elphidium clavatum — Islandiella helenae; (2) Cassidulina neoteretis – Cassidulina reniforme; (3) Cassidulina reniforme – Cibicides lobatulus – Cassidulina neoteretis; (4) Cibicides lobatulus – Cassidulina reniforme – Elphidium clavatum; and (5) Cassidulina reniforme – Elphidium clavatum assemblages. The assemblages suggest a distal glaciomarine environment with variable influence of seasonal sea ice and nutrient availability in the Kongsfjorden region during the five deglaciation events. The foraminiferal data are also compared with foraminiferal records from other sites in Svalbard and the adjacent Arctic Ocean
Local temperature near native vascular plants in the Argentine Islands–Kyiv Peninsula region, Antarctic Peninsula: annual variability and approximation using standard meteorological measurements
No full textWe describe the main features of LT variability that influence native vascular plants in the Antarctic and examine the relationship between the temperature regime at the micro-level and meteorological conditions at the macro-level. We used a period of over a year, during which 37 specialized mini-loggers recorded LT near vascular plants in the Argentine Islands–Kyiv Peninsula region of the Antarctic Peninsula. Rather than measuring standard air or soil temperature, these loggers detect the temperature near the ground, in the microhabitats that harbour vascular plants. On a daily scale, LT correlates with standard (2-m) air temperature, with the values higher at rock slopes than at rock terraces and ledges. A moderate correlation was found with wind and radiation parameters. Seasonality accounted for 75–93% of total LT variability, with better results on open rock terraces compared to protected areas and clefts. LT day-to-day variability during the cold season is mostly responsible for differences in R2 of the annual cycle. We estimated daily mean LT using regression dependencies from 2-m air temperature and wind speed measured at a nearby meteorological station. R2 for these statistical models varies from 0.46 to 0.68. However, they underestimate the observed LT. LT measured on rock slopes showed better modelling results with air temperature, whereas wind speed was a better predictor on rock ledges. This study contributes to our understanding of the micro-scale temperature regime that influences native vascular plants and provides a method for its rough approximation using standard meteorological parameters