Polar Research (E-Journal)
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Review of Exploring Antarctic values, by Daniela Liggett & Alan D. Hemmings
No full textFor over the past 50 years the tag line for Antarctica has been ‘‘A continent for peace and science,’’ leaving the rest of human activities rather adrift. Yes, there have been several valiant attempts to look at non-scientific subjects other than exploration history, geopolitics and international law but there was little on a continuing basis until the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) agreed to host the Social Sciences Action Group and the History Expert Group. These offered a focus for a growing diversity of humanities scholars to come together and develop a stream of ideas complementary to the river of science running alongside. This book is the output from the first SCAR Social Sciences Action Group Workshop held at Gateway Antarctica in December 2011.
(Published: 8 November 2013)
Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 23052, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.2305
Review of Shipwreck at Cape Flora: the expeditions of Benjamin Leigh Smith, England’s forgotten Arctic explorer, by P. J. Capelotti
No full textResearch for this biography has taken the author from the United States to various parts of the United Kingdom and to Franz Josef Land, as well as drawing on his field experiences from Svalbard. His thoroughness in digging up material has produced a detailed account of the rather amazing life of the British eccentric Benjamin Leigh Smith.
(Published: 12 September 2013)
Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 22576, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.2257
On-site and in situ remediation technologies applicable to metal-contaminated sites in Antarctica and the Arctic: a review
No full textEffective management of contaminated land requires a sound understanding of site geology, chemistry and biology. This is particularly the case for Antarctica and the Arctic, which function using different legislative frame- works to those of industrialized, temperate environments and are logistically challenging environments to operate in. This paper reviews seven remediation technologies currently used, or demonstrating potential for on-site or in situ use at metal-contaminated sites in polar environments, namely permeable reactive barriers (PRB), chemical fixation, bioremediation, phytoremediation, electrokinetic separation, land capping, and pump and treat systems. The technologies reviewed are discussed in terms of their advantages, limitations and overall potential for the management of metal-contaminated sites in Antarctica and the Arctic. This review demonstrates that several of the reviewed technologies show potential for on-site or in situ usage in Antarctica and the Arctic. Of the reviewed technologies, chemical fixation and PRB are particularly promising technologies for metal-contaminated sites in polar environments. However, further research and relevant field trials are required before these technologies can be considered proven techniques.Keywords: Polar; heavy metals; remediation; contaminants; in situ(Published: 31 December 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2014, 33, 21522, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v33.2152
Influence of winter sea-ice motion on summer ice cover in the Arctic
No full textSummer sea-ice cover in the Arctic varies largely from year to year owing to several factors. This study examines one such factor, the relationship between interannual difference in winter ice motion and ice area in the following summer. A daily-ice velocity product on a 37.5-km resolution grid is prepared using the satellite passive microwave sensor Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer*Earth Observing System data for the nine years of 2003-2011. Derived daily-ice motion reveals the dynamic modification of the winter ice cover. The winter ice divergence/convergence is strongly related to the summer ice cover in some regions; the correlation coefficient between the winter ice convergence and summer ice area ranges between 0.5 and 0.9 in areas with high interannual variability. This relation implies that the winter ice redistribution controls the spring ice thickness and the summer ice cover.Keywords: Sea ice; Arctic; satellite remote-sensing; interannual variability; AMSR-E data(Published: 8 November 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 20193, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.2019
Geophysical analysis at the Old Whaling site, Cape Krusenstern, Alaska, reveals the possible impact of permafrost loss on archaeological interpretation
No full textThe Old Whaling site at Cape Krusenstern, Alaska, has been the subject of contested interpretations stemming from an original theory proposed by J. Louis Giddings more than half a century ago. In an attempt to address recent suggestions that the occupational history is more complex than originally believed, the site was the subject of a non-invasive geophysical survey conducted by our team in 2011. The project served as a starting point for assessing the potential for archaeological remains at the site that had not been detected with previous investigations, and to gain a better understanding of site morphology. The investigation was implemented with two wellestablished geophysical methods, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometry. The survey revealed no unequivocal evidence of additional occupations as has been recently suggested, but did reveal a dynamic site morphology that may have implications for archaeological interpretation.Keywords: Cape Krusenstern; Old Whaling culture; geophysics; cryoturbation; archaeology; Alaska(Published: 17 September 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 19888, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.1988
The invertebrate fauna of anthropogenic soils in the High-Arctic settlement of Barentsburg, Svalbard
No full textThe terrestrial environment of the High Arctic consists of a mosaic of habitat types. In addition to the natural habitat diversity, various human-influenced types may occur. For the resident invertebrate fauna, these anthropogenic habitats may be either unusually favourable or detrimental. In the town of Barentsburg, Svalbard, soils were imported for the greenhouses from southern Russia. These soils were subsequently discarded outside the greenhouses and have become augmented with manure from the cowsheds. Both the greenhouse and the cowsheds are now derelict. This site represents an unusually nutrient-rich location with considerable development of organic soils, in stark contrast to the naturally forming organic soils in Svalbard, which are typically thin and nutrient poor. Few previous studies have examined the soil invertebrate communities of human-disturbed or -created habitats in the Arctic. In an often nutrient-poor terrestrial environment, it is unclear how the invertebrate fauna will react to such nutrient enhancement. In these soils, 46 species of invertebrates were determined. Eleven species have not been recorded from other habitats in Svalbard and are hence likely to have been introduced. The native species assemblage in the anthropogenic soils was not atypical for many natural sites in Svalbard. Despite the enriched organic soils and highly ameliorated winter temperature conditions, the soil invertebrate fauna biodiversity does not appear to be enhanced beyond the presence of certain probably introduced species.Keywords: Collembola; Enchytraeidae; Lumbricidae; Chironomidae; Oribatida; Gamasida(Published: 17 May 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 19273, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.1927
Bacterial community structure in High-Arctic snow and freshwater as revealed by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes and cultivation
No full textThe bacterial community structures in High-Arctic snow over sea ice and an ice-covered freshwater lake were examined by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of cultivated isolates. Both the pyrosequence and cultivation data indicated that the phylogenetic composition of the microbial assemblages was different within the snow layers and between snow and freshwater. The highest diversity was seen in snow. In the middle and top snow layers, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria dominated, although Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were relatively abundant also. High numbers of chloroplasts were also observed. In the deepest snow layer, large percentages of Firmicutes and Fusobacteria were seen. In freshwater, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were the most abundant phyla while relatively few Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were present. Possibly, light intensity controlled the distribution of the Cyanobacteria and algae in the snow while carbon and nitrogen fixed by these autotrophs in turn fed the heterotrophic bacteria. In the lake, a probable lower light input relative to snow resulted in low numbers of Cyanobacteria and chloroplasts and, hence, limited input of organic carbon and nitrogen to the heterotrophic bacteria. Thus, differences in the physicochemical conditions may play an important role in the processes leading to distinctive bacterial community structures in High-Arctic snow and freshwater.Keywords: Taxonomic diversity; microbial assemblages; bacterial density; DOC(Published: 25 April 2013)To access the supplementary material for this article, please see supplementary files in the column to the right (under Article Tools).Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 17390, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.1739
Impacts of winter feeding of reindeer on vegetation and soil in the sub-Arctic: insights from a feeding experiment
No full textThe overall impacts of winter feeding, including the effects of both forage and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), were studied in an experiment in the Hammastunturi herding cooperative (68°N), Finland, with 300 reindeer in a sub-xeric heath forest (35 ha) during March/April 2009 and 2010. The feeding practices on the 50 plots were: (1) feeding with grass silagehay with leftovers cleared in the spring; (2) feeding with grass silage+hay with leftovers not cleared; and (3) feeding with pellets. In addition, (4) unfenced and (5) fenced control plots were included, on which the reindeer were not fed. No invasive plant species introduced through grass silage+hay were observed on the plots. The coverage of Deschampsia flexuosa increased on grass silage+hay plots after the first winter, and both coverage and height of the grass increased after the second winter. The coverage of Dicranum sp. and Pleurozium schreberi was lower on plots where reindeer were fed with grass silage (leftover silage not cleared) vs. controls. Some dwarf shrubs, e.g., Calluna vulgaris, showed a similar response after the second winter. The N content of Empetrum nigrum was higher on grass silage plots (leftover silage not cleared) after the first winter vs. controls. After two winters, the N content of both E. nigrum and Vaccinium myrtillus was increased. Of the soil variables studied, C/N decreased on grass silage+hay plots vs. fenced controls. We conclude that even a moderate level of feeding may cause changes that can lead to a gradual shift from nutrient-poor heath forest towards a more nutrient-rich type.Keywords: Reindeer herding; supplementary winter feeding; sub-xeric heath forest; forage(Published: 20 March 2013)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 2013, 32, 18610, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.1861
Abundance and breeding distribution of seabirds in the northern part of the Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula
No full textSeabird abundances and breeding distribution have the potential to serve as ecological indicators. The western Antarctic Peninsula is one of the three sites in the world with the greatest increases in local temperature during the last 50 years. The aim of this study was to monitor the distribution and abundance of breeding populations of seabirds in the northern sector of the Danco Coast, north-west of the Antarctic Peninsula, during the breeding season 2010/11. The birds were the Wilson's storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), South Polar skua (Stercorarius maccormicki), kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata), snowy sheathbill (Chionis alba), chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica), southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), Cape petrel (Daption capense) and Antarctic shag (Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis). Annual breeding population growth increased in pygoscelids, southern giant petrel and sheathbill, and for the remaining species, breeding population trends were stable. Given that seabird populations can provide valuable information on the conditions of their feeding and nesting environments, this study highlights the need to maintain basics monitoring studies.Keywords: Seabird abundances; breeding distribution; Danco Coast; Antarctic Peninsula(Published: 28 February 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 11133, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.1113
Characterization and mapping of plant communities at Hennequin Point, King George Island, Antarctica
No full textKing George Island is the largest island and the principal area used for research bases in Antarctica. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Poland, Russia, South Korea and Uruguay have permanent open bases on this island. Other countries have seasonal summer stations on different parts of this island, which demonstrates that human impact is strong on King George Island relative to other areas in the maritime and continental Antarctica. The objective of this work was to present a phytosociological approach for ice-free areas of Hennequin Point, eastern coast of Admiralty Bay, King George Island. The study started with the classification and description of the plant communities based primarily on phytosociological and biodiversity data. The area was mapped using an Astech Promark II® DGPS, yielding sub-metric precision after post-processing with software. The plant communities were described as follows: (1) lichen and moss cushion formation; (2) moss carpet formation; (3) fellfield formation; (4) grass and cushion chamaephyte formation; and (5) Deschampsia Antarctica–lichen formation. Characterizations and distributions of the plant communities are presented on a map at a scale of 1:5000. The plant communities found at Hennequin Point, in general, differ from those found in other areas of the Admiralty Bay region, probably because of the concentration of skua nests in the area and the relief singularities. We conclude by highlighting the importance of the study of plant species found in the ice-free areas of the Antarctic with respect to environmental monitoring and for evaluating global climate and environmental changes.Keywords: Plant communities mapping; lichens; mosses; flowering plants; Antarctic(Published: 7 August 2013)Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32, 19261, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.1926