Ice extent in the Greenland Sea 1978–1995

During the European Subpolar Ocean Programme (ESOP) project from 1993 to 1995, very little ice was formed in the central Greenland Sea. The large-scale ice cover in the area during the period October 1978 to June 1995 has been mapped using passive microwave data from the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR) and the special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I). Special emphasis is put on the last three years of the period (the ESOP years), from the summer of 1992 to the summer of 1995. The results for the three winters compared with the average winter of the previous 12 yr show unusually little ice in the Greenland Sea during the winters of 1993–1995. In particular, the winters of 1994 and 1995 saw no ice (i.e. no Odden) in the central Greenland Sea at all. Another result is an observed upper limit of approximately 250,000 km² to the seasonal ice cover in the study region (the Odden Area) within the central Greenland Sea over the period 1978–1995.     

Study of Lake Baikal Ice Cover from Radar Altimetry and In–Situ Observations

Comparison of ENVISAT and SARAL missions data shows that AltiKa can be successfully used for ice discrimination methodology and extension of ice conditions time series. Due to shorter wavelength and large bandwidth (480 MHz) which leads to a higher sensitivity to different surface conditions, AltiKa shows more clearly the separation between open water and various ice types. We observe significant decrease of backscatter (25–30 dB) in late spring for both ENVISAT and SARAL and discuss it in the context of ice metamorphism. There is a clear need to continue and expand our dedicated field studies of lake Baikal ice cover to better assess influence of ice structure on altimetric signal.     

Research in dynamic meteorology in Russia in 2011–2014

This review outlines the most significant results of research in dynamic meteorology performed by Russian scientists in 2011–2014. It is part of the Russian National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences submitted to the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS). The report was considered and approved at the 26th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).¹ The review is followed by a list of key publications on dynamic meteorology of Russian scientists in 2011–2014.     

Russian climate studies in 2011–2014

The results of Russian climate studies (published in 2011–2014) based on the review prepared for the National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences submitted to the 26th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (Prague, June 22–July 2, 2015)¹ are presented.     

Variation of freshwater components in the Canada Basin during 1967–2010

As a conservative tracer, oxygen isotopes in seawater are widely used for water mass analysis, along with temperature and salinity. In this study, seawater oxygen-18 datasets in the Canada Basin during 1967–2010 were obtained from the four cruises of the Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition(1999, 2003, 2008, and 2010) and the NASA database. Fractions of sea ice meltwater and river runoff were determined from the salinity-18O system. Our results showed that the river runoff decreased from the south to the north in the Canada Basin. The enhanced amount of river runoff observed in the southern Canada Basin may originate from the Mackenzie River, transported by the Beaufort Gyre. The river runoff component showed maximum fractions during 1967–1969, 1978–1979, 1984–1985, 1993–1994, and 2008–2010, indicating the refresh time of the river runoff was 5.0–16.0 a in the Canada Basin. The temporal variation of the river runoff was related to the change of the Arctic Oscillation(AO) index, suggesting the freshwater stored in the Canada Basin was affected by surface sea ice drift and water mass movement driven by atmospheric circulation.     

Phylogenetic diversity of TypeⅠpolyketide synthase genes from sediments of Ardley Island in Antarctica

The diversity of modular polyketide synthase (PKS) genes in sediments of Ardley Island in Antarctica, was studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of 14 amino acid (AA) sequences indicates that the identified ketosynthase (KS) domains were clustered with those from diverse bacterial groups, including Cyanobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and some unidentified microorganisms from marine sponge, bryozoan and other environmental samples. ...     

Interannual Sea Level Variations in the South China Sea Over 1950–2009

Spatial patterns of interannual sea level variations in the South China Sea (SCS) are investigated by analyzing an EOF-based 2-dimensional past sea level reconstruction from 1950 to 2009 and satellite altimetry data from 1993 to 2009. Long-term tide gauge records from 14 selected stations in this region are also used to assess the quality of reconstructed sea levels and determine the rate of sea level along the coastal area. We found that the rising rate of sea levels derived from merged satellite altimetry data during 1993–2009 and past sea level reconstruction over 1950–2009 is about 3.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr and 1.7 ± 0.1 mm/yr, respectively. For the longer period, this rate is not significantly different from the global mean rate (of 1.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr). The interannual mean sea level of the SCS region appears highly correlated with Niño 4 indices (a proxy of El Niño-Southern Oscillation/ENSO), suggesting that the interannual sea level variations over the SCS region is driven by ENSO events. Interpolation of the reconstructed sea level data for 1950–2009 at sites where tide gauge records are of poor quality (either short or gapped) show that sea level along the Chinese coastal area is rising faster than the global mean rate of 1.8 mm/yr. At some sites, the rate is up to 2.5 mm/yr.     

The temporal and spatial variations in the Pacific wind and wave fields for the period 2002–2011

本文利用第三代海浪模式（WAVEWATCH III）分析了2002-2011年太平洋风速和海浪场的时空变化特征。首先,使用浮标观测数据对模式模拟的有效波高结果进行验证。结果表明模式可以有效地后报太平洋的有效波高。模式偏差较大的区域为中低纬度地区。随后将太平洋分为多个子区域,分别讨论了其风速和有效波高的时空变化特征。多年平均太平洋风速和有效波高存在类似的纬向分布特征,各子区域之间风速和有效波高的季节变化存在差别。模式刻画的太平洋有效波高年际变化最大的区域为南半球中高纬区域。进一步,我们研究了波浪能量的输入与耗散。相应的源函数项的各区域平均值显示了量化的表面波的变化。最后,对日平均的风速与有效波高值进行功率谱分析寻找序列的显著周期。结果表明有效波高时间变化对应的频谱和风速谱具有一定的差异。     

Russian studies of atmospheric ozone in 2011–2014

This review contains the most important results obtained in Russian studies on atmospheric ozone in 2011–2014. It is part of the Russian National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences that was prepared for the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS). This report was considered and approved at the XXVI General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).¹ The list of Russian publications on atmospheric ozone and its precursors for 2011–2014 is appended to this review.     

Russian studies of atmospheric ozone in 2007–2011

This review contains the most important results obtained in studies of atmospheric ozone in 2007–2010. It is part of the Russian national report on meteorology and atmospheric sciences that was prepared for the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS). This report was considered and approved at the XXV General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). The list of publications by Russian scientists for 2007–2010 is appended to this review. Not all of these publications are cited here, but all of them are devoted to this topic and contain results that may be of interest to specialists in the fields of meteorology and atmospheric sciences.     

Russian investigations in atmospheric chemistry for 2011–2014

This review covers the most significant Russian studies in atmospheric chemistry conducted from 2011 to 2014. This is part of the Russian National Report on the Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences prepared for the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS). The report was considered and approved by the XXVI General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).¹ The review is appended by a list of publications by Russian scientists for 2011–2014 covering the field of atmospheric chemistry research.     

Russian studies of atmospheric electricity in 2011–2014

This review contains the most significant results of Russian studies in the field of atmospheric electricity in 2011–2014. It is part of the Russian National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences to the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS). The report was presented and approved at the XXVI General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).¹ The review is followed by a list of the main published works on the studies of atmospheric electricity of Russian scientists in 2011–2014.     

Assumption and elimination of trace elements in Adélie penguins from Antarctica: a preliminary study

The concentration and distribution of some trace elements were determined in stomach contents, excreta and feathers of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding at Edmonson Point (Terra Nova Bay-Antarctica). In these materials obtained by non-destructive methods, concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead measured were used to establish natural levels of these metals in the penguins' diet. An intake-excretion hypothesis was formulated.     

Russian investigations in the field of atmospheric radiation in 2011–2014

A short survey prepared by the Russian Commission on Atmospheric Radiation contains the most significant results of work in the field of atmospheric-radiation studies performed in 2011–2014. It is part of the Russian National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences prepared for the International Association on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS)¹. During this period, the Russian Commission on Atmospheric Radiation, jointly with the concerned departments and organizations, organized two International Symposiums on Radiation and Dynamics (ISARD-2011 and ISARD-2013). At these conferences, the central problems in modern atmospheric physics were discussed: radiative transfer (RT) and atmospheric optics; greenhouse gases, clouds, and aerosols; remote methods of measurements; and new measurement data. This survey presents six directions covering the whole spectrum of investigations performed in the field of atmospheric radiation.     

Russian studies on clouds and precipitation in 2011–2014

The results obtained in Russian studies on clouds and precipitation in 2011–2014 are presented. These results are part of the Russian National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences that was prepared for the XXVI General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).     

Trends in world and extended-length cruising (1985–2002)

This paper documents recent activity of the world and extended-length cruise markets—a neglected area of research within the scholarly literature. A comparative empirical analysis is provided that identifies and reviews the status and trends of these two markets. It also tests and supports three broad hypotheses regarding cruise ship attributes and cruise characteristics. Additional findings of the research are reported regarding change.     

Characteristics of Winter Surface Air Temperature Anomalies in Moscow in 1970–2016 under Conditions of Reduced Sea Ice Area in the Barents Sea

On the basis of observational data on daily mean surface air temperature (SAT) and sea ice concentration (SIC) in the Barents Sea (BS), the characteristics of strong positive and negative winter SAT anomalies in Moscow have been studied in comparison with BS SIC data obtained in 1949–2016. An analysis of surface backward trajectories of air-particle motions has revealed the most probable paths of both cold and warm air invasions into Moscow and located regions that mostly affect strong winter SAT anomalies in Moscow. Atmospheric circulation anomalies that cause strong winter SAT anomalies in Moscow have been revealed. Changes in the ways of both cold and warm air invasions have been found, as well as an increase in the frequency of blocking anticyclones in 2005–2016 when compared to 1970–1999. The results suggest that a winter SIC decrease in the BS in 2005–2016 affects strong winter SAT anomalies in Moscow due to an increase in the frequency of occurrence of blocking anticyclones to the south of and over the BS.     

Heavy Metals in Atmospheric Air in the Kara Sea Water Area in September–October 2011

Oceanology - The article presents the results of measurements of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co Cr, As, and Fe concentrations in atmospheric aerosols in the surface layer over the Kara Sea. The data were...