The sediments of lake on the Ardley Island, Antarctica:Identification of penguin-dropping soil Sun Liguang

During CHINARE-15(Dec. 1998 - Mar. 1999), a lake core 67. 5 cm in length, was sampled in Y2 lake, which is located on the Ardley Island, Antarctica.The concentrations of some chemical elements in Y2 lake sediments were analyzed.According to comparative research on elementary characters of sediments in Antarctic West Lake, fresh penguin dropping as well as guano soil on the Ardley Island and Pacific Island in South China Sea, it presents that the Y2 lake sediments were ameliorated by penguin dropping. The result of element cluster analysis shows that the type elements in the sediment impacted by penguin dropping include Sr, F, S,P,Ca,Se,Cu, Zn and Ba. This can provide a base for further interpreting the climatic and environmental event recorded in the sediment.     

Study on ecological structures of coastal lakes in Antarctic continent

Coastal region on the Antarctic continent, where it is under the influences both of ocean and ice sheet, as well as frequent human activities, could be considered as a fragile zone in Antarctic ecological environment. There are many lakes in coastal region, showing much differences from each other in physical-chemical features because of individual evolutionary history in their geographical environments, and suffering from different outside factors, such as climate changes and precipitation. Thus, it results in respective biological distribution and ecological structure in lakes. The present paper reports the results from the studies of chemical components, species distributions and community structures, which mainly consisted of planktons in lakes in the Vestfold Hills (68°38＇S, 78°06＇E), and the Larsemann Hills (69°30＇S, 76°20＇E), East Antarctica. It also treats the biological diversities and nutrient relationships of these different types of lakes. So as to provide more scientific basis for monitoring of climate changes and environmental protection in Antarctica.     

From sea to land: assessment of the bio-transport of phosphorus by penguins in Antarctica

In Antarctica, the marine ecosystem is dynamically interrelated with the terrestrial ecosystem. An example of the link between these two ecosystems is the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. Biovectors, such as penguins, transport phosphorus from sea to land, play a key role in this cycle. In this paper, we selected three colonies of penguins, the most important seabirds in Antarctica, and computed the annual quantity of phosphorus transferred from sea to land by these birds. Our results show that adult penguins from colonies at Ardley Island, the Vestfold Hills, and Ross Island could transfer phosphorus in the form of guano at up to 12 349, 167 036, and 97 841 kg/a, respectively, over their breeding period. These quantities are equivalent to an annual input of 3.96×109–1.63×1010 kg of seawater to the land of Antarctica. Finally, we discuss the impact of phosphorus on the ice-free areas of the Antarctica.     

Holocene environmental change according to lake core in Fildes Peninsula of King George Island,Antarctica

Lake core sampled from Xihu in Fildes Peninsula of King Gorge Island, Antarctica could reveal the environmental change of the district. The lake core( GA7) , 9.28 meters long , was sectioned at an interval of 2 cm. Through measuring the organic carbon, magnetic susceptibility, granularity and organic carbon isotope of GA7, by use of 14C age it was estimated that there were four periods of high temperature in Fildes Peninsula; 4800-4400 aB. P. , 3600-3350 aB. P. ,2100 - 1800 aB. P. and 900 aB. P. - present. Meanwhile, results showed that there was a strikingly positive correlation between the content of organic carbon and that of organic carbon isotope (δC01213 ) which could be the substitute indicators of environmental temperature.     

Feasibility of using reflectance spectroscopy for the analysis of bio-element concentrations in Antarctic ornithogenic sediments

Compared with traditional chemical analysis methods, reflectance spectroscopy has the advantages of speed, minimal or no sample preparation, non-destruction, and low cost. The present study explored the application of the reflectance spectroscopy within near ultraviolet-visible-near infrared region to predict bio-element compositions in the ornithogenic sediments from the maritime Antarctic. A total of 106 samples were taken from four ornithogenic sediment cores on the Ardley Island of Antarctica, 68 samples were used for building calibration equation, and 38 for prediction of nine bio-elements including P, Ca, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Ba, F and S. Three multivariate statistical analysis techniques, including stepwise multiple linear regression (Stepwise-MLR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLS) were used to develop mathematical relationships between the spectral data and the chemical reference data. The results showed that the regression models constructed by PCR and PLS models have no significant differences, and obviously supervisor to Stepwise-MLR. The correlations between spectra-predicted and chemically analyzed concentrations of nine bio-elements are statistically significant, and the concentration-versus-depth profiles predicted from reflectance spectra using PLS calibration model are consistent with those from actual chemical analysis. These results demonstrated the feasibility of using reflectance spectroscopy to infer bio-element concentrations in the ornithogenic sediments, and thus it is suggested that the reflectance spectroscopy could provide a rapid and valuable technique to indirectly identify whether the sediments were influenced by penguin droppings in the Antarctic region.     

The Upper 1000-m Slope Currents North of the South Shetland Islands and Elephant Island Based on Ship Cruise Observations

While the Antarctic Slope Current(ASC) has been intensively studied for the East Antarctica slope area and the Weddell Sea, its fate in the western Antarctic Peninsula(WAP) region remains much less known. Data from two cruises conducted near the South Shetland Islands(SSIs) and the Elephant Island(EI), one in austral summer of 2004 and one in austral winter of 2006, were analyzed to provide a broad picture of the circulation pattern over the continental slope of the surveyed area, and an insight into the dynamical balance of the circulation. The results indicate that southwestward currents are present over the upper slope in the study area, indicating the ASC in the WAP region. Near the Shackleton Gap(SG) north of the EI, the southwestward slope currents near the shelf break are characterized by a water mass colder and fresher than the ambient water, which produces cross-slope density gradients and then vertical shear of the along-slope(or along-isobath) velocity. The vertical shear is associated with a reversal of the along-slope current from northeastward at surface to southwestward in deeper layers, or a depth-intensification of the southwestward slope currents. The water mass with temperature and salinity characteristics similar to the observed cold and fresh water is also revealed on the southern slope of the Scotia Sea, suggesting that this cold and fresh water is originated from the Scotia Sea slope and flows southwestward through the SG. Over the shelf north of the SSIs, the cold and fresh water mass is also observed and originates mainly from the Bransfield Strait. In this area, vertical structure of the southwestward slope currents is associated with the onshore intrusion of the upper Circumpolar Deep Water that creates cross-slope density gradients.     

Distribution and reproductive behavior of penguins on Ardley Island and their environmental impact factors

During the 2006/07 Antarctic summer, the species population, distribution and reproductive behavior of penguins in areas near the Great Wall Station were investigated. Five species of penguin were recorded: gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), adelie penguin (P. adeliae), chinstrap penguin (P. antarctica), King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and Emperor penguin (A. forsteri). The first three species bred locally, while the other two species were observed occasionally. Ardley Island is one of the most important breeding areas for penguins. After the breeding season of 2006/07, there were a total of about 17 234 penguins and the breeding success rate was 0.40-141. Comparing with historical data, changes in penguin species populations and distribution were analyzed, and their relationships with the environment, climate change and human activity were investigated.     

Sea level change and environmental evolution of coastal lakes in Vestfol d Hills, Antarctica

Ecological end palaeoecological studies were carried out in a series of lakes in the Vestfold Hills (68°38＇S, 78°06＇E) on eastern Antarctic continent. Dynamics types of the lakes in environmental geomorphology and physic-chemistry, as well as features of biological community structures in different lakes were analyzed. Marine macro- and micro-fossils collected from the terraces and beaches surrounding these lakes and determined in 14C radiocarbon ages to be the Late Pleistocene, were used as evidences tc show the evolutionary processes of the lakes after sea level changes and transgressions since 18000 a B.P.. Basic modals of evolution for the lakes given in the paper could be regarded as not only explaining the history of environmental and ecological changes in VH lakes, and also reflecting of local environmental evolution in Antarctic region and global climate changes from past to present time.     

Characteristics of metals in the aerosols of Zhongshan Station, Antarctica

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was applied to analyze the bulk, high-volume aerosol samples, collected at Zhongshan Station in the Eastern Antarctica, during 1998-2001, to study the chemical species. .A graphical technique was applied to the INAA data. Results showed that Na, Cl, Mg, Ca, Sr, Br, I, Sr and Rb were marine elements while Al, Sc, Fe and Mn were crustal elements. Compared to marine and crustal elements, five elements (Se、Co、Sb、Zn、Cr) were highly abundant in the aerosols collected at Zhongshan station, which indicated that they might come from the petroleum burning, heating and equipment operation. The presence of pollutant elements suggested that human activities have affected the local environments in Antarctica.     

Hydrochemistry of the meltwater streams on Fildes Peninsula,King George Island,Antarctica

King George Island, situated in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, is one of the most visited sites in Antarctica. Antarctica attracts much attention because it is one of the most sensitive areas under the influence of global warming. To understand its hydrochemistry characteristics, we collected various types of water samples, including samples from streams, meltwaters, ground waters, snow and ice from around the Great Wall Station, Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, from January to February, 2015. Major ions, alkalinities, silicate, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and electric conductivities were measured. Several approaches were applied to identify processes that af fect the hydrochemistry on Fildes Peninsula, including ternary diagrams, principal components analysis and cluster analysis. Our data suggest that atmospheric seasalt deposition is the main factor controlling the hydrochemistry on Fildes Peninsula. After atmospheric influences were corrected for seasalt, we defined the weathering of local rocks to be another important factor on the Peninsula's hydrochemistry. Processes such as Ca dissolution from the Ca-bearing basalt, Si loss through secondary mineralization and biological uptake influence the chemical composition of runof fs on the peninsula. Cluster analysis identified 4 groups of streams based on their hydrochemical features, which reflect their original weathering characters under icecap and the combined effects with melt snow, biological activity and the anthropogenic input.     

The concentration variation features of sea salt ions and non sea salt ions in a firn core recovered from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

1　Introduction Thestudyonthefeaturesofatmosphericenvironmentbyglaciochemistryisthemajor contentofsnow iceandglobalchangeresearch.Antarcticicesheetisfarfromtheregions pollutedbyhumanactivities,andsurroundedbyocean,andtheAntarcticCircumpolarCur rentisthewideseawaterandatmospherebarrierbetweenAntarcticaandtheoutsideworld. AlloftheuniquegeographicalfeaturesmaketheimpuritiesinsnowandiceinAntarcticice sheetissimple.Therefore,itissignificanttostudytheorigins,transmissionpathsanddep ositionalst…     

Preliminary study on the spore-pollen assemblages found in the Cenozoic sedimentary rocks in Grove Mountains, east Antarctica and its climatic implications

Glaciogene sedimentary rocks have been found in modem tills of the Grove Mountains, east Antarctica during the 1998 - 1999 Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition （CHNARE）. Based on the lithilogic and sedimentary features, these sedimentary rocks are correlated with Cenozoic sedimentary strata of the Pagodroma Group in the neighboring Prince Charles Mountains and the Sorsdal Formation in VestFold Hills. Sedimentary clasts contain sparsely Late Tertiary spores and pollens, including ： Toroisporis （ Lygodiaceae）, Osmunda, Granulatisporites （ Pteridaceae？） , Polypodiaceae, Podocarpus , Araucariaceae, Artemisia , Rhus , Nothofagidites , Proteacidites （Proteaceae） , Quercus , Fraxinoipollenites （ Oleaceae ） , Oleoidearumpollenites（ Oleaceae ）, Operculumpollis, and Tricolpopollenites. Most of the pollen and spores contained in these samples originate from local sources according to the conditions of their preservations as well as correlations with the microfossil assemblages found in the neighboring areas. The majority of the pollen assemblages, as represented by Podocarpus and Nothofagus, belong to the Weddellian biogeocenose, however some exotic components from the old sedimentary basement rocks may have been included during erosion of the proximal ice sheet. If the source areas of glaciogenic sedimentary rocks that bear the pollen and spores are assumed to be local, or in the up glacier areas, the pollen assemblages in these samples might represent an inland flora during a warmer period of the ice-sheet evolutionary history. The finding of the Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae in the pollen assemblages implies that they may belong to late Tertiary （most probably Pliocene）. The absence of diatoms in the samples analyzed may indicate that there are no Cenozoic marine strata in the interior of the east Antarctica beyond the Grove Mountains. The significances of the finding of the Nothofagus in these pollen assemblages are discussed on the basis of current knowledge about the age, distribution and ecological conditions of this kind of fossils found in Sirius Group or other strata outcropped in Antarctica. As a preliminary conclusion, we think that the existence of the Cenozoic glaciogenenic rocks and their pollen assemblages present new evidence for a large scale glacial retreat history in Grove Mountains of east Antarctica, and thus support a dynamic East Antarctic Ice Sheet （EAIS）. This is consistent with the interpretations of Webb et al. （1984）.     

The 137Cs activity and its geographical significance in terrestrial ecosystem of Great Wall Station, Antarctica

The radioactive isotope——137 Cs is one of the important tracers for studying the physical processes and the human impacts on the environment. Based on the investigation results of the terrestrial ecosystem of Great Wall Station, Antarctica, it was shown that there are some artificial radioactive elements——137Cs in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystem. The sequence of 137Cs specific activities is as follows: crustaceous lichen>fruticose lichen>surface-moss>surface soil, and the crustaceous lichen is one of the most sensitive ways in monitoring the impact of the long-term diffusion of 137Cs on the environment.     

Antarctica Sea-ice Oscillation and Its Possible Impact on Monsoon of South Sea

Antarctic sea-ice oscillation index with a seesaw pattern is defined using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis girds data of monthly Antarctica sea-ice concentration from 1979 to 2002. The relationships between the index of winter and the summer precipitations in China as well as the onset date of the summer East Asia monsoon are presented. The study result shows that the grids of correlation coefficients passed 5% confidence level between Antarctic sea-ice oscillation index and Antarctic sea-ice concentration are more than 1/3 of all grids of Antarctica sea-ice, that means the index can represent 1/3 sea-ice area. The winter index has a significant correlation with abnormal summer (June-August) precipitation in China. The area of positive correlation lies in the Yangtze River basin and its south, and that of negative correlation lies mainly in the north of Yangtze River basin. While the winter index is positive (negative), the onset date of South China Sea monsoon is earlier (later), with a probability of 79% (80%). Consequently, a conceptual model is given in term of discussing the possible process between the winter Antarctic sea ice and the monsoon precipitation in China.     

南极帝企鹅种群栖息地动态变化遥感分析

帝企鹅是南极生态的指示器,其种群栖息地分布变化对研究南极气候具有重要意义,但传统的人工实地调查难以获取全面、准确的种群栖息地信息。本文依据帝企鹅种群排泄物在卫星影像上的蓝、红波段和近红外与短波红外波段的反射率差异,提出2种可以有效判别种群排泄物的光谱指数（NDII、EI）,据此精确识别帝企鹅种群排泄物并确定其种群栖息地位置。根据2009年195景时相合适、质量较好的Landsat 7 ETM+卫星影像,获取了南极共计38个帝企鹅种群栖息地,其中新发现7处（Bowman Island , Dibble Glacier , Auster, Point Geologie , Cape Crozier , Brownson Islands和Rupert Coast）,消失2处（Amundsen Bay 和Ledda Bay）,另外25处（除Thuston Glacier, Luitpold, Sanae, Gould, Ragnhild和Beaufort Island外）位置未发生明显变化,实现了全南极帝企鹅种群栖息地的识别与定位。种群栖息地提取的正确率为94%,提取结果受限于影像质量和种群规模,且随着种群规模的提高,该方法的提取效果也越好。帝企鹅种群栖息地的分布与气候要素息息相关,种群栖息地往往倾向于气温较低和海冰密集度较高的区域,气候变化对每个种群栖息地的影响不同,因此气候与种群栖息地变化的具体关系需要长时间、区域性的观测进行研究。随着气温持续上升和海冰密集度的变化,南纬70°以北的种群栖息地面临较大的威胁,帝企鹅种群呈现向极点逐渐收缩的趋势。     

Softs of Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, the maritime Antarctic: Part I. Formation processes and pedogenetic particularities

Based on the data obtained from tens of the investigated soil profiles scattered over the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, the maritime Antarctic, the soil-forming processes were discussed. It was concluded that on the weathering crusts resulted from various physical courses, the strong freeze-thaw action within regolith, significant organic matter accumulation, evident leaching and illuviation, as well as initial argillification dominated the formation and development of the soils on the Fildes Peninsula. Furthermore, this study indicated that the juvenility of genesis, poor profile-expression, variation in column thickness, etc. characterized the pedogenetic features of the soils of the Fildes Peninsula.     

The study on the depositional styles of major ions and the climatic effect of nssSO2-4 in Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica

Snow samples collected from a 50 m firn core and two snow pits along the route of the 1996/1997 Chinese First Antarctic Inland Traverse Expedition in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica, have been analyzed for chemical composition and oxygen isotope ratio. Analyzing the relationship between the concentration and flux of major ions and accumulation rate can draw the following conclusions. 1 ) The concentrations of major ions in the atmosphere in the study region is big enough so that the concentrations of the ions do not vary with snow accumulation rate, that is to say, the concentrations of major chemical species are independent of snow accumulation rate. 2) The results of analyzing the depositional styles of major chemical species suggest that wet deposition dominates the major ions flux. In addition, there is no apparent correlation between nssSO2-4 fluctuations and isotope profile. This would indicate the short-term climatic effect of volcanism is not evident in the region.     

Geochemical features of aquatic environment in crater and barrier lakes in northeast of China

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Ecological differences of south polar skua populations from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and eastern Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

A study has been done on the comparison of nesting and feeding behavior, population variances as well as breeding success between two populations of south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) from near Great Wall station on Fildes Peninsula and near Zhongshan station in Eastern Larsemann Hills, Antarctica. There are evident differences in their population ecology. The foraging habit is much related to regional ecosystem and food resources near their territorial area. Dependence on human food waste influences skua‘s diet,which considerably affects their behavior even population variation in both areas. The skuas in Zhongshan Station,could shorten and/or regulate the timing for their egg laying and hatching, and take precedence of one chick brooding, for keeping their breeding success, and subsequent species continuation.     

GRACE估计南极冰川质量变化的泄露影响及其改正

利用2003-01～2013-12期间GRACE数据反演得到地球表面质量变化,使用全球正向建模恢复法改正泄露影响,获得南极冰盖质量变化。比较GRACE直接估计和泄露影响改正后的结果发现,南极冰盖在2003～2013年质量变化信号衰减20.3%,西南极有26.4%的质量消融信号泄露到了周边,东南极的泄露影响更高达70%。改正后的结果表明,南极冰盖绝大部分质量消融发生在西南极和南极半岛,质量积累发生在东南极的Ronne冰架和Amery冰架;西南极冰盖质量变化速度达到-152.47±2.00 Gt/a,基本上等同于南极全岛的质量消融速度,而南极半岛的冰盖融化速度为-27.44±0.75 Gt/a,基本与东南极的冰盖质量积累速度27.27±5.12Gt/a抵消;南极全岛冰川整体质量以-152.64±7.00 Gt/a速度消失,并以-18.85±4.87 Gt/a2的加速度加速融化,导致海平面以0.41 mm/a的速度上升。