A comparative analysis of β-mannanases of bacteria from Antarctica and Malaysia

β-mannanase is an enzyme that is commonly expressed in environmental bacteria. It degrades hemicellulose found in plant material and recycles nutrients back into the environment. Because this enzyme significantly contributes to biodegradation and has recently been applied in industry, we conducted a comparative analysis of bacterial isolates found in soil samples from Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, and Sabah, Malaysia that were capable of degrading mannan. A total of 9 bacterial isolates from Antarctica and 30 bacterial isolates from Malaysia exhibited β-mannanase activity. These bacteria were differentiated and clustered using their random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） profiles, and the β-mannanase activity of these isolates was tested at different temperatures and pH. Five out of 9 Antarctica isolates and seven out of 30 Malaysian isolates were identified based on their 16S rDNA sequences. Identified bacterial isolates from Antarctica were： MP1 （Bacillus amyloliquefaciens）, MP2 （Bacillus pumilus）, MP5 （Bacilluspumilus）, A40 （Arthrobacter sp.）, and C27 （Arthrobacter oxydans）. Identified bacterial isolates from Ma- laysia were： Y1 （Paenibacillus sp.）, Y2 （Bacillus sp.）, Y16 （Paenibacillus sp.）, Y18 （Paenibacillus sp.）, A7 （Paenibacillus sp.）, B26 （Streptomyces sp.）, and D4 （Paenibacillus amylolyticus）. β-mannanases produced by the Antarctica bacterial isolates MP1 （Bacillus amyloliquefaciens） and A40 （Arthrobacter sp.） were active at 5℃ and 20℃, respectively, while the β-mannanase pro- duced by the bacterial isolate from Malaysia, A7 （Paenibacillus sp.）, was active at 35 ℃.     

Progress and prospects in Chinese Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing studies

Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing is one of the important aspects of the Chinese Antarctic geoscience research program that stretch back over 25 years, since the first Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition （CHINARE） in 1984. During the 1980＇s, the geodetic datum, height system and absolute gravity datum were established at the Great Wall and Zhongshan Stations. Significant contributions have been made by the construction of the Chinese Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun Stations in Antarctica. Geodetic control and gravity networks were established in the King George Islands, Grove Moun- tains and Dome Argus. An area of more than 200 000 km2 has been mapped using satellite image data, aerial photogrammetry and in situ data. Permanent GPS stations and tide gauges have been established at both the Great Wall and Zhongshan Stations. Studies involving plate motion, precise satellite orbit determination, the gravity field, sea level change, and various GPS applications for atmospheric studies have been carried out. Based on remote sensing techniques, studies have been undertaken on ice sheet and glacier movements, the distributions of blue ice and ice crevasses, and ice mass balance. Polar digital and visual mapping tech- niques have been introduced, and a polar survey space database has been built. The Chinese polar scientific expedition manage- ment information system and Chinese PANDA plan display platform were developed, which provides technical support for Chi- nese polar management. Finally, this paper examines prospects for future Chinese Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sens- ing.     

Russian researchers reach subglacial Lake Vostok in Antarctica

Opening a new scientific frontier lying under the Antarctic ice, Russian researchers have drilled down and finally reached the surface of the gigantic freshwater lake, Lake Vostok. The mission chief likened the achievement to placing a man on the moon. Drilling in the area of the lake began 22 years ago in 1990, but progressed slowly as a result of funding shortages, equipment breakdowns, difficulties of drilling in the ＂warm＂ ice, and environmental concerns. In 1996, six years after drilling was started, a group of Russian and British scientists discovered the lake believed to be one of the largest fresh water reservoirs on the planet. This lake is among the last unexplored places on Earth. Sealed from the Earth＇s atmosphere for millions of years, it may provide vital information about microbial evolution, the past climate of the Earth, and the formation of the Antarctic ice sheet. Russian experts waited several years for international approval of their drilling technology before proceeding. As anticipated, lake water under pressure rushed up the borehole, pushing the drilling fluid up and away, then froze, forming a protective plug that prevented contamination of the lake. In December of the next Antarctic season, 2012--2013, researchers plan to re-drill the frozen sample of subglacial water for analysis.     

Phytoplankton community changes indicated by biomarker from sediment in Prydz Bay, Antarctica

Biomarkers including brassicasterol, dinosterol and alkenone in sediments are used as indicators to reconstruct changes to the phytoplankton community in surface and sub-aerial sediments of Prydz Bay, Antarctica. The results indicate that the bio- marker records in surface and core sediment samples changed with time and space. The total content of phytoplankton biomarkers ranges from 391.0--1 470.6 ng.g-l. The phytoplankton biomass has increased in Prydz Bay over the past 100 years. This variation may be mainly related with climate change in the region. The total biomarker contents in surface sediments from 5 stations in Prydz Bay are in the range of 215.8--1 294.3 ng.g4. The phytoplankton biomass in Prydz Bay is higher than that outside of the bay. This is similar to the distributions of chlorophyll a, organic carbon and biogenic silica in surface waters determined through in situ investigation. Such consistency indicates a coupling between the bottom of the ocean and biogeochemical processes in the upper water.     

Dating a 109.9 m ice core from Dome A(East Antarctica) with volcanic records and a firn densification model

A 109.9 m ice core was extracted at a location about 300 m away from the Dome A summit(80°00′S,77°21″E) by the Chinese team of the International Trans-Antarctic Science Expedition(ITASE) during the 21st Chinese National Antarctica Research Expedition(CHINARE) in January 2005.Two independent methods were used for dating the ice core,volcanic event markers shown by prominent non-sea-salt sulfate(nss-SO42) and the Herron and Langway(H-L) firn densification model.Six promi-nent volcanic events(Agung 1963 AD,Tambora 1815 AD,Kuwae 1453 AD,Unknown 1259 AD,Taupo 186 AD and Pinatubo 1050 BC) were identified by comparison with other Antarctic ice cores.Based on the mean accumulation rates be-tween adjacent events,we estimate the age at the firn pore close-off depth(102 m) was 3516±100 a BP.This is the oldest close-off age ever reported from the Antarctic and the Greenland ice sheets.Calculations using the H-L model show that the age at the same depth is 3581±100 a BP.The two dating techniques differ by 65 years,or～1.8% of the record.We calculated the bottom age of the ice core as 4009±150 a BP using the volcanic dating method and 4115±150 a BP using the H-L model method.     

海山当地物源和南极底层水对富钴结壳成矿作用的影响——来自海山周围水柱化学分析的证据

为了了解海山富钴结壳中金属元素的来源及其形成环境,对中太平洋某海山周围两个站位(一个位于海山斜坡上部,另一个位于海山外围较远处)进行了海水水柱综合水化学分析,发现两个站位溶解氧、pH及营养盐的分布是一致的,反映了两个站位海水化学环境的相似性,而剖面上金属元素含量却存在很大差异,位于海山斜坡上部站位的金属元素含量明显高于离海山较远的站位,说明海山结壳的主要金属来源于海山当地的水岩反应甚至低温热液活动。尽管存在差异,但在两个不同站位均存在近底层金属元素含量高,这印证了通过势温分布推断的本区存在南极底层水(AABW)影响的判断,说明AABW在本研究区确实存在,并且是维持海山斜坡强氧化环境的主要因素,AABW可能同时起着输运部分成矿元素的作用,但两个站位水柱金属元素含量的差异主要揭示了海山区存在水岩反应或者低温热液等当地物质的输入。     

南极长城站_1985_2008_和中山站_1989_2008_地面温度变化

利用长城站1985-2008年和中山站1989-2008年逐月气温资料,分析了两站短期气候特征及其变化趋势,评估了两站地面温度观测资料的代表性。结果表明,长城站和别林斯高晋站同期的年平均温度均为-2.1℃,温度趋势变化速率分别为0.27℃/10a.和0.33℃/10a,呈现出南极半岛具有明显的气候变暖趋势。中山站和戴维斯站的同期温度变化速率分别为0.12℃/10a.和0.07℃/10a,显示的气候变暖趋势不明显。两站温度变化趋势与邻近站相比基本相似,表明两站观测的温度资料具有南极乔治王岛和东南极沿岸区的代表性。长城站四季平均气温都呈上升趋势,且秋季增温速率最大,冬季次之,其它季节不明显。中山站春季和冬季具有降温趋势,秋季和夏季具有升温倾向,其中以秋季升温趋势和冬季降温趋势最为显著。     

南极长城站(1985—2008)和中山站(1989—2008)风和降水等要素的气候特征

利用南极长城站和中山站的降水、风、湿度、气压和云量等高质量的地面气象观测资料,对两站基本气候特征和变化趋势进行了分析。结果显示,长城站年降水量为503mm,年际变化呈减少趋势,变化速率为-27mm/10a。长城站和中山站年降水日数均呈下降趋势,变化速率分别为-2.9d/10a和-12.1d/10a。长城站和中山站年平均相对湿度分别为88%和58%。长城站年平均湿度总体上呈不明显下降趋势,中山站没有趋势。长城站盛行风向为西北风,中山站为偏东风,年平均风速分别为7.3m/s和7.1m/s。两站年平均风速呈减小趋势,变化速率分别为-0.09m/s/10a和-0.23m/s/10a。长城站平均大风日数为137d,记录的极大风速为37.2m/s。中山站平均大风日159d,记录的极大风速为50.3m/s。长城站和中山站年平均气压分别为990hPa和985hPa,变化速率分别为0.65hPa/10a和-0.80hPa/10a。其变化趋势相反,并与两站风速和大风日数及降水日数的变化倾向基本相同。长城站和中山站月平均云量分别为8.8和6.2,其差异显示了两站所处气候带的特点,即长城站地区全年阴天多、云量大,中山站则与此相反。     

南极半岛地区GPS坐标时间序列噪声分析及形变模式初探

有色噪声广泛存在于各种连续GPS站坐标时间序列,对GPS时间序列分析有重要影响.利用GAMIT/GLOBK软件解算了南极半岛地区8个GPS测站2010—2014年的实测数据,对坐标时间序列使用主分量分析法(PCA)进行了空间滤波,利用CATS软件估计了不同噪声模型下和空间滤波前后的噪声量级、站坐标时间序列参数及其不确定度,最后对南极半岛地区水平和垂向的形变模式进行了分析和讨论.结果表明,南极半岛地区GPS时间序列不仅存在白噪声,还存在较大量级的闪烁噪声,部分测站E方向在滤波前可能存在随机游走噪声;空间滤波能够有效降低这三种噪声的量级,从而有效减小线性项和周期项估计的不确定度;南极半岛地区在水平方向主要表现为板块运动,还可能存在局部性构造运动;在垂直方向上由冰川均衡调整(Glacial Isostatic Adjustment,GIA)因素引起的抬升较小,主要表现为现今冰雪质量损失引起的弹性抬升运动.