Interhemispheric observations of field line resonance frequencies as a continuous function of ground latitude in the auroral zones

In the austral summer of 2006–2007, the 48th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-48) installed two unmanned low-power magnetometers to form a closely spaced magnetometer network in combination with the permanent sites at Japan's Syowa Station in Antarctica. To identify field line resonances (FLRs), gradient methods are applied to the data from three adjacent sites in Antarctica and data from conjugate points in Antarctica and Iceland. By analyzing the data from the Antarctic and Icelandic sites individually, the structure of FLRs with high coherence is clearly identified. However, by analyzing the data from closely spaced Antarctic sites, it is more difficult to identify the signature of FLRs because of the inclusion of multiple signals related to the local geomagnetic pulsations over a broad frequency range. The frequency and resonance width of FLRs are determined by applying the amplitude phase gradient method (APGM) to the data from Antarctic sites. This yields the eigenfrequency as a continuous function of ground latitudes in the area surrounding Syowa Station. The mass density in the equatorial region at the L of the auroral zones is estimated from the obtained FLR frequency by numerically solving the standing Alfvén wave equation. The mass density thus obtained is consistent with observational results from previous in situ measurements by spacecraft. The results of the present study demonstrate that data from geomagnetic conjugate points are helpful in identifying FLR in cases in which the magnetometers are too close to each other to enable identification. Once FLR is identified, APGM can be applied to the identified FLR, yielding the FLR frequency as a continuous function of ground latitudes. Therefore, the magnetospheric equatorial mass density is readily estimated with high spatial resolution.     

The spatial and seasonal distributions of air-transport origins to the Antarctic based on 5-day backward trajectory analysis

Transport of moisture-bearing air to the Antarctic is one of the important factors that control the mass balance of the ice sheet. Here, we investigate the distribution of air-parcel transport using a backward trajectory analysis over the entire Antarctic ice sheet, based on whether the air parcel was located inside or outside of Antarctica at 5 days before arrival. At this time, we considered the air from outside Antarctica to be moisture rich. Oceanic air was found to dominate in West Antarctica throughout the year, whereas air from inland was more prominently distributed around East Antarctica, especially in summer. In East Antarctica, there was a significant seasonal variation: air from inland dominated in summer, while air of oceanic origin dominated in winter. The distribution of air parcels that came from oceanic/inland sources was similar to the accumulation map (based on satellite data), which indicates that oceanic air parcels could be a substitute for moisture transport to the Antarctic. To determine the future impacts of climate change (e.g., sea level rise), more precise predictions of the variations in the surface mass balance will be required. Our results contribute towards the improved understanding of the spatial distributions of accumulation and aerosols found in Antarctic snow and ice cores.     

论风险预防原则在南极环境管理中的适用

风险预防原则是国际环境法中重要的一般原则,但是《关于环境保护的南极条约议定书》中却没有明确地规定该原则。在对比分析环境法领域中现有的关于风险预防原则的解释基础之上,避开了科学不确定性所产生的一些适用上的矛盾,从环境脆弱性的角度提出了一种全新的风险预防原则构成要素的结构分析。该结构分析有助于应对南极环境管理过程中所面临的困境,尤其是避免了与议定书中相关规定的冲突,可以更好地解决南极环境管理中的累积性影响、外来物种应对等;同时,完善全面环境影响评价报告中关于"知识差距和不确定性"的规定,也有助于南极环境的有效保护。     

Spatial-temporal characters of Antarctic sea ice variation

Using sea ice concentration dataset covering the period of 1968-2002 obtained from the Hadley Center of UK, this paper investigates characters of Antarctic sea ice variations .The finding demonstrates that the change of mean sea-ice extent is almost consistent with that of sea-ice area, so sea-ice extent can be chosen to go on this research. The maximum and the minimum of Antarctic sea ice appear in September and February respectively. The maximum and the maximal variation of sea ice appear in Weddell Sea and Ross Sea, while the minimum and the minimal variation of sea-ice appear in Antarctic Peninsula. In recent 35 years, as a whole, Antarctic sea ice decreased distinctly. Moreover, there are 5 subdivision characteristic regions considering their different variations. Hereinto, the sea-ice extent of Weddell Sea and Ross Sea regions extends and area increases, while the sea-ice extent of the other three regions contracts and area decreases. They are all of obvious 2-4 years and 5-7 years significant oscillation periods. It is of significance for further understanding the sea-ice-air interaction in Antarctica region and discussing the relationship between sea-ice variation and atmospheric circulation.     

南极冰盖表面冰流速研究综述

冰川表面流速作为南极冰盖物质平衡估算的一项重要内容,对于研究全球变暖背景下的海平面上升具有重要意义。随着技术的进步,南极的冰流速监测方法已经从传统的花杆测量、光学仪器边角测量,发展到先进的GPS测量和遥感观测。南极冰盖冰流速总体特征是:海岸带冰流速快于内陆冰流速,冰架冰流速快于陆地冰流速,西南极冰流速快于东南极冰流速。未来加强对数据稀疏地区的冰流速监测,扩大冰流速研究的时间尺度,开发冰流速研究的新方法以及构建冰流速波动与气候变化相互关系模型等,成为南极冰流速研究的新热点。     

Mawson and Mirnyy Stations: the spatiality of the Australian Antarctic Territory, 1954–61

This article focuses on the spatiality of the Australian Antarctic Territory in the important 1954–61 period. Attending particularly to three key components of polar spatiality—geopolitics, international territorial law, and the built environment—the article analyses the development of the Territory as a unique Australian space. The 1954–61 period is particularly significant: during this period, the International Geophysical Year brought an unprecedented number of people to Antarctica; the continent's first permanent colonies were constructed; and, despite Cold War tensions, the 1961 Antarctic Treaty established the spatial configurations and rules which continue to govern the continent today. The article focuses particularly on two key stations in the Territory constructed during this period: Australia's Mawson Station and the Soviet Mirnyy Station. Mawson is a legal colony, designed to cement Australia's claim to 42 per cent of the Antarctic continent; Mirnyy, in contrast, is an anti-colony, designed to reject Australia's claim. How the individual spatialities of these two stations articulate to the broader politics of Antarctic territoriality—and particularly Australia's claim to the Australian Antarctic Territory—is the focus of this article.     

南极海冰的时空变化特征

依据Hadley中心提供的全球海冰密集度格点资料 ,利用诊断分析方法 ,对近 35年来南极海冰的时空变化特征进行了研究。研究表明 ,在南极地区 ,海冰平均北界和海冰总面积的变化基本一致 ,可以用海冰北界来研究南极海冰的时空变化特征。南极海冰最多和最少期分别出现在 9月和 2月 ;威德尔海和罗斯海地区海冰最多、变化最大 ,南极半岛地区海冰最少 ,变化也小 ;近 35年来环南极地区的海冰有明显的减少趋势。南极海冰变化的时空多样性十分明显 ,存在着 5个变化不同的区域 ,其中有两个区域近 35年来海冰范围扩大 ,面积增加 ,而另三个区域则海冰范围缩小 ,面积减少。不同区域的海冰都存在着较明显的 2- 3年和 5- 7年主振荡周期。南极海冰时空变化特征的研究对进一步认识南极地区海 冰 气相互作用的物理过程 ,讨论南极海冰变异与大气环流和天气气候的关系有重要意义     

Science, environment and resources in Antarctica

Earlier views regarding the relative insignificance of Antarctic science have been rudely shattered by recent developments. The International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–1958 represented a major turning point for research in Antarctica, even if it is a mistake to believe that no useful scientific work was performed during the pre-IGY period. The IGY provided a sound foundation for the development of Antarctic scientific activity in a wide range of disciplines, including glaciology, atmospheric sciences and medicine. The intrinsic value of research in Antarctica is reinforced by its relevance to an improved understanding of global environmental systems; stratospheric ozone depletion was first identified at Halley base station. Minerals, as yet unproven, have highlighted the conservation problems inherent in the utilization of any Antarctic resources. Marine living resources are at present under threat of over-exploitation in some areas. The 1990s hold the promise for a brighter scientific future for Antarctica, but only as long as the Antarctic Treaty system continues in operation.     

南极旅游业的发展与中国应采取的对策的思考

南极旅游是人类和平利用南极的方式之一。南极旅游始于上世纪五十年代末。在此后的半个多世纪中,南极旅游呈稳步发展趋势,游客人数明显上升,游览路线日渐成熟,交通方式逐步固化,多国经营者合作模式不断完善。与此同时,《南极条约》体系对南极旅游的环保规制也在不断加强。中国涉足南极旅游的时间较短,目前每年只有二三百人员赴南极旅游。鉴于南极旅游有利于提高人们欣赏自然景观、提高环保意识,有利于增进国际文化交流与环保合作,有利于促进产业结构的调整和优化,因此,建议中国加强对南极旅游问题的研究,尽快制订相应的法律法规,使南极旅游的开展与管理有法可依,有序进行;加快对国际规则的熟悉,加快与国际惯例的接轨;按照商业的发展规律去推动南极旅游业。     

基于Radarsat-2双极化数据的南极半岛冰盖冻融探测研究

南极冰盖的融化对全球海平面上升和气候环境变化具有重要影响,合成孔径雷达(SAR)用于划分南极冰盖冰川带及冻融探测具有不可替代的作用。本文以南极半岛地区为例,基于C波段星载SAR影像进行南极冰盖冻融探测方法研究。通过对于南极冰盖干雪带、渗浸带和湿雪带的后向散射特征的分析,采用基于后向散射因子阈值的决策树分类划分冰盖冰川带。统计分析表明,冰川带后向散射因子分布并不集中,尤其是融化强烈时的湿雪带受融化程度影响很大,与干雪带相近而不能仅从后向散射因子数值区分。为将冰盖的冰川带分类,引入干雪带分布和海拔高度作为辅助信息,分别发展了两种决策树分类方法并比较分析,同时利用微波辐射计冰盖冻融探测结果和自动气象站数据做验证。结果表明利用双极化SAR数据的后向散射因子基于两种决策树分类都能够有效地划分冰川带并区分冻融状态,实现高分辨率的冰盖冻融探测。     

南极和北极地区变化对全球气候变化的指示和调控作用——第四次IPCC评估报告以来一些新认知

政府间国际气候变化专门委员会（IPCC）2007年发布了第4次评估报告后,全球气候变化问题再次成为国际社会、科技界和社会公众关注的焦点之一,并迅速成为了一个重要的国际科学和政治议题。 2007年以来,尤其是第4次国际极地年的实施,越来越多的观测和研究事实表明,北极和南极地区正在出现快速地变化着,这些变化也正在从量上到质量变化,当在跨越这种变化的阈门时,可能出现：北冰洋会在2040年前后出现夏季无海冰所引起的北半球大范围的持续暴雪的寒冷冬季;2050年左右南极上空臭氧空洞可能消失并恢复到上世纪80年代水平,南极地区可能会快速升温并引起东南极冰盖和海冰快速融化,使海平面升高加速;极区海水温度快速升高会驱动极区表层海洋和上覆大气之间CO2分压平衡加速,极区海洋也会大量吸收大气CO2,并诱发海水酸化及对极区生态系统产生不可逆的破坏。因此,南极和北极地区的快速变化,正在扮演对全球气候变化的指示和调控作用。     

Reconstruction of the Ross Ice Drainage System, Antarctica, at the Last Glacial Maximum

We present here a revised reconstruction of the Ross ice drainage system of Antarctica at the last glacial maximum (LGM) based on a recent convergence of terrestrial and marine data. The Ross drainage system includes all ice flowlines that enter the marine Ross Embayment. Today, it encompasses one-fourth of the ice-sheet surface, extending far inland into both East and West Antarctica. Grounding lines now situated in the inner Ross Embayment advanced seaward at the LGM (radiocarbon chronology in Denton and Marchant 2000 and in Hall and Denton 2000a, b), resulting in a thick grounded ice sheet across the Ross continental shelf. In response to this grounding in the Ross (and Weddell) Embayment, ice-surface elevations of the marine-based West Antarctic Ice Sheet were somewhat higher at the LGM than at present (Steig and White 1997; Borns et al. 1998; Ackert et al. 1999). At the same time, surface elevations of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet inland of the Transantarctic Mountains were slightly lower than now, except near outlet glaciers that were dammed by grounded ice in the Ross Embayment. The probable reason for this contrasting behavior is that lowered global sea level at the LGM, from growth of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets, caused widespread grounding of the marine portion of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, whereas decreased LGM accumulation led to slight surface lowering of the interior terrestrial ice sheet in East Antarctica. Rising sea level after the LGM tripped grounding-line recession in the Ross Embayment, which has probably continued to the present day (Conway et al. 1999). Hence, gravitational collapse of the grounded ice sheet from the Ross Embayment, accompanied by lowering of the interior West Antarctic ice surface and of outlet glaciers in the Transantarctic Mountains, occurred largely during the Holocene. At the same time, increased Holocene accumulation caused a slight rise of the inland East Antarctic ice surface.     

南极冰架研究现状与埃默里冰架研究展望

南极冰架是揭示南极地区气候变化机制,预测全球气候变化的关键研究区域之一。概述了20世纪以来针对南极冰架所开展的科学研究工作,分别从冰架物质平衡过程、冰架形态特征及其内部结构监测、冰架海底海洋岩芯的沉积特征和冰架附近海域生态系统演化等方面总结了冰架研究所取得的丰硕成果。介绍了中国近几年在东南极洲埃默里冰架进行的科学考察活动,并依据南极冰架研究的国际未来计划提出了中国在埃默里冰架即将继续开展的研究工作。     

东南极普里兹湾海冰面地磁考察

中国第九次南极考察期间在中山站北部普里兹湾中面积约１３２ｋｍ２的测区内进行了地磁测量，为日后的南极内陆考察作前期准备。磁测资料表明，这里有一个宽约５－８ｋｍ、走向ＮＷ的磁异常，其幅度达５００ｎＴ。磁异常可能是由深成岩浆的侵入体或富含磁铁矿的地质体引起的，磁源物体的埋深在海冰面以下０．３－２．０ｋｍ。考察实践证明：只要经过充分准备，利用普里兹湾冬季冰封的有利条件，开展大范围的海冰面地球物理考察，在技术上是可行的。     

既有南极治理机制分析

以《南极条约》为基础而逐步形成的南极条约体系,是南极治理的法律机制和制度基础,在既有的南极治理机制的规制下,各种行为体之间通过相互制衡,使南极权力格局达到了基本的平衡,实现了各国南极权利形式上的平等,维持了南极长达半个世纪的和平和科学研究自由的状态。但是随着南极海域非法渔业捕捞活动的猖獗、南极资源开发趋势的明显和南极沿海国大陆架划界案的增多,既有的南极治理机制面临着严峻的挑战。     

南极洲政治前景浅析

南极洲的政治前景问题,即南极洲向何处去,或南极洲属于谁的问题。就这个问题的核心和实质而言,也可以说是在新的世界政治、经济格局中和南极条约体系运作的框架下,人类将如何应对和寻求解决南极洲的领土主权归属和资源开发利用的问题。自南极洲发现至今,乃至将来,这一问题都是各国政治家、外交家和社会历史学家们十分关注而又极难应对的棘手问题,也是人们普遍关注的热点问题。由于南极洲独特的自然地理、生态环境、富有资源的特殊性和政治背景的复杂性。时至今日,对南极洲国际事务处理和管理的最好办法,仍然是《南极条约》和南极条约协商国组织及其会议。那么,南极洲究竟属于谁呢?可以肯定,在相当长的时间里是很难找到肯定答案的。本文着重分析了过去和现在决定或影响南极洲政治前景的三种力量,尝试对“南极洲的政治前景”作一探索分析,以期对关注这一问题的人们有所裨益。     

The Antarctic contribution to Holocene global sea level rise

The Holocene glacial and climatic development in Antarctica differed considerably from that in the Northern Hemisphere. Initial deglaciation of inner shelf and adjacent land areas in Antarctica dates back to between 10-8 Kya, when most Northern Hemisphere ice sheets had already disappeared or diminished considerably. The continued deglaciation of currently ice-free land in Antarctica occurred gradually between ca. 8-5 Kya. A large southern portion of the marine-based Ross Ice Sheet disintegrated during this late deglaciation phase. Some currently ice-free areas were deglaciated as late as 3 Kya. Between 8-5 Kya, global glacio-eustatically driven sea level rose by 10-17m, with 4-8 m of this increase occurring after 7 Kya. Since the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets had practically disappeared by 8-7 Kya, we suggest that Antarctic deglaciation caused a considerable part of the global sea level rise between 8-7 Kya, and most of it between 7-5 Kya. The global mid-Holocene sea level high stand, broadly dated to between 8-4 Kya, and the Littorina-Tapes transgressions in Scandinavia and simultaneous transgressions recorded from sites e.g. in Svalbard and Greenland, dated to 7-5 Kya, probably reflect input of meltwater from the Antarctic deglaciation.     

Contrasting climate change in the two polar regions

The two polar regions have experienced remarkably different climatic changes in recent decades. The Arctic has seen a marked reduction in sea-ice extent throughout the year, with a peak during the autumn. A new record minimum extent occurred in 2007, which was 40% below the long-term climatological mean. In contrast, the extent of Antarctic sea ice has increased, with the greatest growth being in the autumn. There has been a large-scale warming across much of the Arctic, with a resultant loss of permafrost and a reduction in snow cover. The bulk of the Antarctic has experienced little change in surface temperature over the last 50 years, although a slight cooling has been evident around the coast of East Antarctica since about 1980, and recent research has pointed to a warming across West Antarctica. The exception is the Antarctic Peninsula, where there has been a winter (summer) season warming on the western (eastern) side. Many of the different changes observed between the two polar regions can be attributed to topographic factors and land/sea distribution. The location of the Arctic Ocean at high latitude, with the consequently high level of solar radiation received in summer, allows the ice-albedo feedback mechanism to operate effectively. The Antarctic ozone hole has had a profound effect on the circulations of the high latitude ocean and atmosphere, isolating the continent and increasing the westerly winds over the Southern Ocean, especially during the summer and winter.     

论南极条约体系的法律实施与执行

以1959年《南极条约》为核心的南极条约体系为缔约国确立了非军事化、南极环境保护、南极海洋生物资源养护等宽泛的国际法义务。随着南极条约体系的不断发展,南极人类活动的形式也从早期单一的政府组织的科学考察活动,朝着南极旅游、南极渔业以及南极生物资源勘探等多元化的商业活动方向发展。南极条约体系主要通过国际法层面的视察机制,以及敦促缔约国采取必要的国内立法或其他适当措施的形式具体实施和执行其所确立的原则与规则。不过因视察机制缺乏必要的救济措施、属人管辖限制而造成的对非缔约国执法真空,以及因地理位置遥远、气候环境严酷而导致的法律执行不能等问题依然困扰整个南极机制。面对挑战,南极条约体系应通过强化国际执法合作、完善南极视察机制以及加强公民极地教育等综合执法手段加以积极应对。     

南极冰盖物质平衡与海平面变化研究新进展

本文在简要介绍冰盖物质平衡及其对海平面影响的基础上,从整体法和分量法两个方面总结了南极冰盖物质平衡研究的最新进展,并分析了影响其物质平衡的不确定因素。研究表明,整个南极冰盖物质平衡呈现负增长的趋势,其中西南极Amundsen海湾附近的冰盖物质流失最为明显。另外,南极冰盖边缘的大部分地区还呈现变薄的趋势。南极冰盖物质流失是引起海平面上升的最大潜在因素之一,其冰架的缓冲作用、冰盖的不稳定性和冰盖底部融水的作用等不确定因素对南极冰盖物质平衡具有重要的影响。未来随着观测技术和数据处理技术的不断提高,南极冰盖物质平衡的估算及其不确定因素有望得到进一步的认识,从而为预测海平面的上升范围提供更多的理论和技术支撑。