Definition of Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Variation Index

1　Introduction Itiswellknownthatseaiceinthepolarregionplaysanimportantroleintheglobal climatechangesasapartofclimatesystem(Carleton1989;YuanandMartinson2000, 2001;ChengandBian2002;LiuandMartinson2002;LiuandZhang2004;Gigorand Wallace2002etal).Infact,numerousmodelingstudiessuggestanimportantinfluence throughtheseaicefieldsalone(Grumbine1994,Meehl1990,Rindetal.1995).Inor dertounderstandthevariabilityofArcticandAntarcticseaicealongwiththepossiblecon nectionswithclimaticanomaliesindetail…     

Impact of the El Nino on the Variability of the Antarctic Sea Ice Extent

1　IntroductionManymeteorologistsandoceanographerspaidmuchattentiontothestudyofthemechanismofENSOformanyyears,suchasBjerknes(1 966) ,Wyrtki(1 975) ,McCreary(1 983 ) ,Philander(1 984) ,ZhangandChao(1 993 )andMcCPhaden(1 998)havemadegreatdevelopmentinthestudyofENSO .Especiallyinthe 1 990’s,withtheincreasingofthedatainthedeepocean ,thesomeonearguedthattheENSOepisodehadcloserelation shipwiththeeasterntransportationoftheanomalousseasurfacetemperatureinthewestPacific(LiandMu 1 999;Huang 2…     

Spatial-temporal characters of Antarctic sea ice variation

1　Introduction Nowadaysglobalclimatechangehasbeenanimportantissueintheworld.Antarctic areaisjustthekeyandsensitiveregion,fromwhichscientistsaretryingtheirbesttofind theomenofglobalclimatechange.Andfortherevolvingglobalatmosphere,PolarRegions arecoldsource.TheoceanicandatmosphericconditionofPolarRegionsisimportantto globalatmosphericcirculationandclimatechange.Antarcticareaisoneofthecoldsources ofglobalearth atmospheresystem,whileequatorialareaisitsmainheatsource(seeZhou andLuetal.1996).…     

Influence of sea ice and sea surface temperature on the abundance of Antarctic krill in Area 48.2

In this paper we examine the relationship between Antarctic krill catch, sea ice concentration, and sea surface tempera- ture （SST）. Data on the Antarctic krill catch from 2003 to 2010 in CCAMLR Area 48.2 were combined with sea ice and SST data. Results showed that krill fishing in Area 48.2 took place from February to August each year but the catch was concentrated from March to July, with production during this period accounting for about 99.3% of the annual catch. Regression analysis showed that the catch per unit effort （CPUE） was clearly related to sea ice concentration and SST intervals. CPUE was negatively correlated with the area of sea ice among years （R2=0.64）, and the correlation was strongest （R2=0.71） when sea ice concentration was greater than 90%. Over the months the CPUE initially increased, then decreased as the area of sea ice increased. The relationship was strongest （R2=0.88） when the concentration of sea ice was 60%--70%. There was no negative correlation among years between CPUE and the ice-free area when S ST was between -2 ℃ and 3 ℃ （R2=0.21）, but there was a significant negative correlation when SST was between 1 ℃ and 2℃ （R2=0.82）. Over the months, CPUE initially increased then decreased with increasing sea ice-free area, and the relationship was strongest （R2=0.94） when SST was between 0℃and 1 ℃. This study shows that sea ice concentra- tion and SST have significant effects on the abundance of krill in Area 48.2, and the findings have practical significance for the use and conservation of Antarctic krill resources.     

Seasonal variations of the near surfacelayer parameters over the Antarctic ice sheet in Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica

Analysis of sensible heat flux(Qh),latent heat flux(Qe),Richardson number(Ri),bulk transport coefficient(Cd) and katabatic winds are presented by using the meteorological data in the near surface layer from an automatic weather station(AWS) in Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica ice sheet and the data of corresponding period at Zhongshan station in 2002.It shows that annual mean air temperature at LGB69 is-25.6°C,which is 16.4°C lower than that at Zhongshan,where the elevation is lower and located on the coast.The temperature lapse rate is about 1.0°C/110 m for the initial from coast to inland.The turbulence heat flux at LGB69 displays obvious seasonal variations with the average sensible heat flux-17.9 W/m2 and latent heat flux-0.9 W/m2.The intensity(Qh Qe) of coolling source is-18.8 W/m2 meaning the snow surface layer obtains heat from atmosphere.The near surface atmosphere is near-neutral stratified with bulk transport coefficients(Cd) around 2.8×10-3,and it is near constant when the wind speed higher than 8 m/s.The speed and the frequency of easterly Katabatic winds at LGB69 were higher than that at Zhongshan Station.     

Analysis of recent climate change over the Arctic using ERA-Interim reanalysis data

This study investigates recent climate change over the Arctic and its link to the mid-latitudes using the ERA-Interim global atmospheric reanalysis data from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast （ECMWF）. Since 1979, sub- stantial surface warming, associated with the increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gases, has occurred over the Arctic. The great- est warming in winter has taken place offshore in the Kara-Barents Sea, and is associated with the increase in turbulent heat fluxes from the marginal ice zone. In contrast to the marked warming over the Arctic Ocean in winter, substantial cooling appears over Siberia and eastern Asia, linked to the reduction of Arctic sea ice during the freezing season （September-March）. However, in summer, very little change is observed in surface air temperature over the Arctic because increased radiative heat melts the sea ice and the amount of turbulent heat gain from the ocean is relatively small. The heat stored in the upper ocean mixed layer in summer with the opening of the Arctic Ocean is released back to the atmosphere as turbulent heat fluxes during the autumn and through to the following spring. This warming of the Arctic and the reduced sea ice amplifies surface cooling over Siberia and eastern Asia in winter.     

2003~2016年南极地区冰盖质量变化时间序列分析

利用CSR提供的GRACE时变重力场数据反演2003~2016年南极地区冰盖质量变化。结果表明,南极地区冰盖整体呈现消融趋势,消融速率为（-101.27±7.02） Gt/a,且在不断加速。EA以质量积累为主,速率为（69.09±2.64） Gt/a,但近期速率大幅减小;WA冰盖消融速率为（-148.35±6.78） Gt/a,表现为加速消融趋势,为南极冰盖质量消融的主要地区;AP消融速率为（-22.01±1.44） Gt/a,变化相对平稳。     

GLIMMER Antarctic Ice Sheet Model,an experimental research of moving boundary condition

A 3-D coupled ice sheet model, GLIMMER model is introduced, and an idealized ice sheet experiment under the EISMINT-1 criterion of moving boundary condition is presented. The results of the experiment reveal that for a steady-state ice sheet profile the characteristic curves describe the process of evolution which are accordant with theoretical estimates. By solving the coupled thermodynamics equations of ice sheet, one may find the characteristic curves which derived from the conservation of the mass, energy and momentum to the ice flow profile. At the same time, an agreement, approximate to the GLIMMER case and the confirmed theoretical results, is found. Present study is explorihg work to introduce and discuss the handicaps of EISMINT criterion and GLIMMER, and prospect a few directions of the GLIMMER model.     

An assessment of variations in mercury deposition to Antarctica over the past 34,000 years

We performed a comparison analysis of the variations .in Mercury ( Hg) concentrations and the precipitation proxies ( e. g. , 18 O values and 10 Be concentrations) in the Dome C ice core. The results showed that there were significant correlations between Hg and δ 10O values, 10Be concentrations, indicating that the accumulation rate in Dome C is one of the key factors controlling the variations of Hg concentrations in the past 34 ,000 years, and implying that Hg concentrations in ice core can be used as another reliable proxy of precipitation rate in Antarctica. Based upon the high-resolution δ 18O values, we estimated the variations in mercury deposition flux to Antarctica over the past 34,000 years. The highest mercury deposition flux is about 3. 80 pg cm-2 yr-1 during the Last Glacial Maxium (LGM) as high as 3. 5 times of the mercury deposition flux ( about 1. 08 pg cm -2 yr -1) in Holocene due to the fluctuations in natural mercury emissions such as the oceanic biological emissions.     

Preliminary results on relationship between thermal diffusivity and porosity of sea ice in the Antarctic

The in situ sea-ice temperature, salinity and density observed from Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station have been applied to calculate the vertical profile of sea ice porosity. Based on numerical method, a number of schemes on sea-ice thermal diffusivity versus porosity have been accessed and one optimized scheme is identified by an optimal control model with an advanced distributing parameter system. For simplicity, the internal heating source item was neglected in the heat conduction equation during the identification procedure. In order to illustrate the applicability of this identified scheme, the vertical ice temperature profiles have been simulated and compared with measurements, respectively by using identified scheme and by classical thermodynamic formulae.The comparisons indicated that the scheme describing sea-ice thermal diffusivity and porosity is reasonable. In spite of a minor improvement of accuracy of results against in situ data, the identified scheme has a more physical meaning and could be used potentially in various applications.     

The progress in the study of Arctic pack ice ecology

The sea ice community plays an important role in the Arctic marine ecosystem. Because of the predicted environmental changes in the Arctic environment and specifically related to sea ice, the Arctic pack ice biota has received more attention in recent years using modem ice-breaking research vessels. Studies show that the Arctic pack ice contains a diverse biota and besides ice algae, the bacterial and protozoan biomasses can be high. Surprisingly high primary production values were observed in the pack ice of the central Arctic Ocean. Occasionally biomass maximum were discovered in the interior of the ice floes, a habitat that had been ignored in most Arctic studies. Many scientific questions, which deserve special attention, remained unsolved due to logistic limitations and the sea ice characteristics. Little is know about the pack ice community in the central Arctic Ocean. Almost no data exists from the pack ice zone for the winter season. Concerning the abundance of bacteria and protozoa, more studies are needed to understand the microbial network within the ice and its role in material and energy flows. The response of the sea ice biota to global change will impact the entire Arctic marine ecosystem and a long-term monitoring program is needed. The techniques, that are applied to study the sea ice biota and the sea ice ecology, should be improved.     

Study on changes of plasmalemma permeability and some primary inorganic ions of Antarctic ice microalgae （Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L） in the low-temperature stress

The changes of plasmalemma permeability and some primary inorganic ions of Antarctic ice microalgae （ Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L） in the low-temperature stress were examined. The plasmalemma of 1CE-L could maintain the stability at the freezing condition of -6 ℃. That signifies that it could maintain the proper function of plasmalemma and stability of the intracellular environment during sea ice formation. The function of inorganic ions on low-temperature adaptation of ICE-L was investigated by using the X-ray microanalysis method. Low temperature （0 - -6 ℃ ） induces Ca^2 ＋ concentration increment of cytoplasm, but after 24 h the content decrease quickly to normal value. As a matter of fact, Ca^2 ＋ plays an important role as the second messenger in the low temperature adaptation of ICE-L. In addition, low temperature also influences on the other primary inorganic ions transfer and the cell maintains activity by keeping ratio balance among different ions. Above all, it is necessary for Antarctic ice microalgae to survive and breed by maintaining the stability of K^ ＋ content and the balance of Na^ ＋/Cl^ -.     

Characteristics of change of the SST in the tropical western Pacific and the tropical Indian Ocean and its response to the change of the Antarctic ice area

In this paper, by using ocean surface temperature data (COADS), the study is made of the characteristics of the monthly and annual changes of the SST in the tropical western Pacific and Indian Oceans, which have important influences on the climate change of the whole globe and the relation between ENSO(E1 Nino-Southern Oscillation) and the Antarctic ice area is also discussed. The result indicates that in the tropical western Pacific and the Indian Oceans the change of Sea Surface Temperture (SST) is conspicuous both monthly and armaully, and shows different change tendency between them. This result may be due to different relation in the vibration period of SST between the two Oceans. The better corresponding relationship is obvious in the annual change of SST in the tropical Indian Ocean with the occurrence El Nino and LaNlra. The change of the SST in the tropical western Pacific and the tropical Indian Oceans has a close relation to the Antarctic ice area, especially to the ice areas in the eastern-south Pole and Ross Sea, and its notable correlative relationship appears in 16 months when the SST of the tropical western Pacific and the Indian Oceans lag back the Antarctic ice area.     

Mirror seeing of the Antarctic survey telescope

Site testing results indicate that Antarctic Dome A is an excellent ground-based astronomical site suitable for observations ranging from visible to infrared wavelengths. However, the harsh environment in Antarctica, especially the very low temperature and atmospheric pressure, always produces frost on the telescopes＇ mirrors, which are exposed to the air. Since the Dome A site is still unattended, the Antarctic telescope tubes are always designed to be filled with dry nitrogen, and the outer surfaces of the optical system are heated by an indium-tin oxide thin film. These precautions can prevent the optical surfaces from frosting over, but they degrade the image quality by introducing additional mirror seeing. Based on testing observations of the second Antarctic Survey Telescope （AST3-2） in the Mohe site in China, mirror seeing resulting from the heated aspheric plate has been measured using micro-thermal sensors. Results comparing the real-time atmospheric seeing monitored by the Differential Image Motion Monitor and real-time examinations of image quality agree well.     

Effect of high salinity on cell growth and protein production of Antarctic ice microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L

Antarctic ice microalgae Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L can survive and thrive in Antarctic sea ice. In this study, Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L could survive at the salinity of 132‰ NaCl. SDS-PAGE showed that the density of 2 bands (26 and 36 kD) decreased obviously at the salinity of 99‰ NaCl compared to at the salinity of 33‰ NaCl. The soluble proteins in Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L grown under salinity of 33‰ and 99% NaCl were compared by 2-D gel electrophoresis. After shocking with high salinity, 8 protein spots were found to disappear, and the density of 28 protein spots decreased. In addition, 19 protein spots were enhanced or induced, including one new peptide (51 kD). The changes of proteins might be correlated with the resistance for Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L to high salinity.     

Population distribution,structure and growth condition of Antarctic krill （Euphausia superba Dana） during the austral summer in the Southern Ocean

Antarctic krill （Euphausia superba Dana） was collected using a High Speed Collector and an Isaac-Kidd midwater trawl （IKMT） net during the austral summer of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 in the circumpolar and Prydz Bay regions of the Southern Ocean, respectively. Combined with the simultaneous recording of environmental factors, spatial distribution, population structure and growth condition of E. superba were studied. The abundance of E. superba in the Weddell Sea was higher than in Prydz Bay. However, the abundance of E. superba in both the Weddell Sea and Prydz Bay was lower than figures reported in previous krill surveys for the same time period. With respect to the total study area, E. superba displayed a normal growing state during the two expeditions. E. superba grew relatively poorly in some stations, which may be due to the late retreat of sea ice or lower chlorophyll a concentrations. The number of juvenile E. superba collected using the High Speed Collector was proportionally greater in stations located at the edge of the sea ice, while adults dominated in long-term non-ice regions. This phenomenon reflects the different distribution pattern between juvenile and adult krill. The population structure of E. superba differed between sea regions, which may affect recruitment.     

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.     

Vertical structure of low-level atmosphere over the south- east Indian Ocean fronts

During the 25th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition, GPS radiosondes were launched to detect the atmos- pheric vertical structure over the southeast Indian Ocean frontal region. Some low-level characteristics along the cruise are studied based on in-situ observation. The observations reveal that vertical distributions of the low-level wind field and air temperature field on both sides of the Subantarctic Front are very different. A stronger （weaker） vertical gradient is on the cold （warm） side, which demonstrates that the mid-latitude ocean-atmosphere interaction is active in the southeast Indian Ocean frontal region. A low-level jet is observed over the Subantarctic Front, with speed up to 14 m＇s-1. For the Antarctic polar front, low-level wind speed near the sea surface is greater than that aloft, in contrast with the situation of the Subantarctic Front. Comparing satellite remote sensing data and widely-used reanalysis datasets with our in-situ observations, differences of varying magnitudes are found. Air temperature from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder （AIRS） data has a limited difference. The European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts Interim Re-Analysis （ERA Interim） dataset is much more consistent with the observations than the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research （NCEP/NCAR） Reanalysis 1 in the southeast Indian Ocean frontal region.