8 research outputs found
Probes for the study of icy and subglacial environment of planets
Get PDFThe article proposes a technology for increasing the thermic ice drilling rate under the influence of hydraulic force generated by the probe (or cryobot), which increases the coefficient of conversion of thermal energy into the energy of ice melting and allows increasing the power of thermal head of the probe. A single-wire Tesla system is proposed to use for the probe power supply, which makes it possible to reduce the volume of the cable and losses of transmitted energy. The method of the probe self-lifting to the ice surface without using the hydraulic force (traction), i.e. without a load on the cable, is proposed. To study thick (up to 5 km) ice sheets and subglacial water environments on the Earth, as well as the ice cover (up to 30 km thick) and the subglacial ocean of the Europe (the Jupiter’s satellite), conceptual principal designs of the probe (or cryobot) have been developed on the basis of thermic-hydraulic drilling (THD). Implementation of the THD‑cryobot designs will allow organizing systemic studies of glaciers and subglacial water environments on the Earth and other planets, not disturbing their ice isolation with multiple savings of financial and technical means, energy and time
WHOLE-GENOME SEQUENCING AS A TOOL FOR COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE PATHOGENIC POTENTIAL OF ANCIENT ARCTIC MICROBIOMES
No full textPolycyclic aromatic compounds in soil of Antarctic / E. V. Abakumov, E. D. Lodigin, D. N. Gabov, V. A. Krylenkov
No full textПоведены исследования накопления ПАУ в почвах Антарктиды. Пул полиаренов в изученных почвах представлен, главным образом, легкими ПАУ – нафталином, фенантреном, флуорантеном, пиреном и др. В процессе загрязнения изменяется состав ПАУ в почвах – происходит количественное накопление, как легких, так и тяжелых ПАУ при качественном увеличении доли тяжелых полиаренов. Содержание бенз(а)пирена во всех почвах исследованных не превышала уровня предельно допустимой концентрации. Проведенный первичный фактологический и статистический анализ данных позволил выявить, что загрязнение почв Антарктиды тяжелыми ПАУ находится в самой начальной стадии, не происходит устойчивого и статистически достоверного накопления ПАУ в почвах как маритимной, так и континентальной Антарктики. = Soils of Antarctic has been investigated with the special reference to the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) content in the fine earth. Data obtained shows that PAHs presented mainly by naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthe and pyrene. Soil contamination affects the PAH composition, the heavy fraction of PAH shows the trends of accumulation. Maximum allowable concentration of benzo(a)pyrene are not exceeded in all soils investigated. The soil contamination in Antarctic is on initial stage. Data obtained could be used as a reference levels for future investigations
Polycyclic aromatic compounds in soil of Antarctic / E. V. Abakumov, E. D. Lodigin, D. N. Gabov, V. A. Krylenkov
No full textПоведены исследования накопления ПАУ в почвах Антарктиды. Пул полиаренов в изученных почвах представлен, главным образом, легкими ПАУ – нафталином, фенантреном, флуорантеном, пиреном и др. В процессе загрязнения изменяется состав ПАУ в почвах – происходит количественное накопление, как легких, так и тяжелых ПАУ при качественном увеличении доли тяжелых полиаренов. Содержание бенз(а)пирена во всех почвах исследованных не превышала уровня предельно допустимой концентрации. Проведенный первичный фактологический и статистический анализ данных позволил выявить, что загрязнение почв Антарктиды тяжелыми ПАУ находится в самой начальной стадии, не происходит устойчивого и статистически достоверного накопления ПАУ в почвах как маритимной, так и континентальной Антарктики. = Soils of Antarctic has been investigated with the special reference to the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) content in the fine earth. Data obtained shows that PAHs presented mainly by naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthe and pyrene. Soil contamination affects the PAH composition, the heavy fraction of PAH shows the trends of accumulation. Maximum allowable concentration of benzo(a)pyrene are not exceeded in all soils investigated. The soil contamination in Antarctic is on initial stage. Data obtained could be used as a reference levels for future investigations
Microbiology: lessons from a first attempt at Lake Ellsworth
No full textDuring the attempt to directly access, measure and sample Subglacial Lake Ellsworth in 2012–2013, we conducted microbiological analyses of the drilling equipment, scientific instrumentation, field camp and natural surroundings. From these studies, a number of lessons can be learned about the cleanliness of deep Antarctic subglacial lake access leading to, in particular, knowledge of the limitations of some of the most basic relevant microbiological principles. Here, we focus on five of the core challenges faced and describe how cleanliness and sterilization were implemented in the field. In the light of our field experiences, we consider how effective these actions were, and what can be learnt for future subglacial exploration missions. The five areas covered are: (i) field camp environment and activities, (ii) the engineering processes surrounding the hot water drilling, (iii) sample handling, including recovery, stability and preservation, (iv) clean access methodologies and removal of sample material, and (v) the biodiversity and distribution of bacteria around the Antarctic. Comparisons are made between the microbiology of the Lake Ellsworth field site and other Antarctic systems, including the lakes on Signy Island, and on the Antarctic Peninsula at Lake Hodgson. Ongoing research to better define and characterize the behaviour of natural and introduced microbial populations in response to deep-ice drilling is also discussed. We recommend that future access programmes: (i) assess each specific local environment in enhanced detail due to the potential for local contamination, (ii) consider the sterility of the access in more detail, specifically focusing on single cell colonization and the introduction of new species through contamination of pre-existing microbial communities, (iii) consider experimental bias in methodological approaches, (iv) undertake in situ biodiversity detection to mitigate risk of non-sample return and post-sample contamination, and (v) address the critical question of how important these microbes are in the functioning of Antarctic ecosystems
Зонды для исследования ледяных и подлёдных сред планет
Get PDFThe article proposes a technology for increasing the thermic ice drilling rate under the influence of hydraulic force generated by the probe (or cryobot), which increases the coefficient of conversion of thermal energy into the energy of ice melting and allows increasing the power of thermal head of the probe. A single-wire Tesla system is proposed to use for the probe power supply, which makes it possible to reduce the volume of the cable and losses of transmitted energy. The method of the probe self-lifting to the ice surface without using the hydraulic force (traction), i.e. without a load on the cable, is proposed. To study thick (up to 5 km) ice sheets and subglacial water environments on the Earth, as well as the ice cover (up to 30 km thick) and the subglacial ocean of the Europe (the Jupiter’s satellite), conceptual principal designs of the probe (or cryobot) have been developed on the basis of thermic-hydraulic drilling (THD). Implementation of the THD‑cryobot designs will allow organizing systemic studies of glaciers and subglacial water environments on the Earth and other planets, not disturbing their ice isolation with multiple savings of financial and technical means, energy and time. Для исследования ледяных массивных щитов (до 5 км) и подледниковых водных сред на Земле, а также ледяного покрова толщиной до 30 км и подлёдного океана Европы (спутника Юпитера) разработан концептуальный проект термогидравлического бура-зонда (TГБ‑зонда и ТГБ‑криобота) и представлены ключевые конструкторские решения. Реализация идеи такого зонда (криобота) позволит организовать системные исследования ледников и подледниковых водных сред на Земле и других планетах без нарушения ледяной изоляции при многократной экономии финансовых и технических средств, энергии и времени
Airborne fungi in arctic settlement Tiksi (Russian Arctic, coast of the Laptev Sea)
Get PDFBiodiversity and number of airborne fungi isolated from indoor and outdoor air of different location in the areas of arctic settlement Tiksi (Russian Arctic) are described. Different locations (coastal areas, landscape, streets of Tiksi, abandoned empty houses, flats, public buildings) were observed. Aeromycota characterized by a significant biodiversity (50 species), but only several species were abundant. Airborne fungal spores concentration (CFU) in Tiksi locations was found low. The maximum spore concentrations were observed in air of the abandoned empty houses (inhabited in the past). Many species common for soil were observed at the samples taken at streets and abandoned buildings. Most of them are also known as inhabitants of building materials. Microfungi CFU at settlement territory was twice as high as natural territory. Phospholipase, albuminase and hemolytic activities of microfungi isolates as well as their relation to temperature were studied. Most of the tested isolates demonstrated high levels of all the tested activities. It was concluded that there is a risk of ‘‘mold’’ allergy diseases for the people especially with weakening of immunity at arctic settlement Tiksi. Main sources of the air contamination in arctic settlements and houses could be many anthropogenic substrates which were colonized by soil fungi.</jats:p
Факторы формирования поверхностного притока к озерам антарктического оазиса Холмы Ларсеманн
Get PDFThe study aims to identify formation factors of water inflow to the Antarctic lakes of the Larsemann Hills oasis (East Antarctica). The objects of study are 11 lakes of the oasis. The analysis was performed based on the expeditionary data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE): 63rd season (23 December 2017 – 3 February 2018), 64th season (12 January 2019 – 27 February 2019), 65th season (2 November 2019 – 24 March 2020). Data of lakes water level observations, aerial photography of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and route surveys are given, the results of identifying the boundaries of the lakes catchments are presented. The factors that determine the formation of water inflow to the lakes in this region were identified based on the analysis of the materials. The most significant are the meteorological conditions, the presence of perennial snowfields and glacial areas in the catchments, and the presence of lakes that can cause outburst flood. The seasonally thawed layer also has an impact on the formation of the inflow to the lakes. The vegetation cover is not so important for inflow formation in this region due to the physical and geographical conditions. As for anthropogenic activity, it mainly affects the environmental situation of the catchments and water quality, while the anthropogenic influence on the formation of water inflow to the lakes in the oasis is limited to the territories of polar stations. The factors identified should be taken into account in the further study of hydrological processes, the creation of models that describe them, and the organization of field observations.Объектами исследования являются 11 водоемов антарктического оазиса Холмы Ларсеманн. Работа выполнена по материалам сезонных работ 63 — 65-й РАЭ: используются наблюдения за уровнем воды озер, аэрофотосъемки БПЛА, маршрутные обследования, приведены результаты выделения границ водосборных площадей озер. Наиболее значимыми выявленными факторами, определяющими формирование притока воды к озерам, являются метеорологические условия (количество твердых осадков, ветровой режим, температура воздуха), наличие многолетних снежников и ледниковых участков на водосборах, прорыв верхнего в системе озера. Сезонно-талый слой рыхлых отложений регулирует склоновый сток по мере протаивания и промерзания. Особенностью оазиса является то, что на формирование стока практически не влияют растительный покров и антропогенная деятельность
