Arctic Circle Research Articles

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of the Arctic Cultural Circle in Three Ethnographic Works from China, Russia, and Canada

This paper analyzes the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) within the Arctic Cultural Circle by comparing three influential texts: the Russian travelogue Dersu, the Trapper (1923); the Canadian memoir People of the Deer (1952); and the Chinese novel The Last Quarter of the Moon (2005). By examining these texts, which depict the Indigenous cultures of the Nanai, the Ihalmiut, and the Ewenki, the study identifies shared ecological perspectives. These include an emphasis on the sacredness of nature, as seen in their animistic worship and spiritual connection to the environment; a holistic relationship between humans and nature, characterized by a wise and sustainable use of resources and a minimal sense of ownership; and a sense of reciprocity among all living beings, fostering mutual care and respect within the natural world. The paper further contends that the TEK of the circle offers valuable reference for addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, particularly in the context of modernization and globalization.

The imaginaries of the city of Norilsk, from the Soviet industrial utopia to the contemporary nickel legend

Norilsk is a polar city in Russia, located to the South of the Taimyr Peninsula in the Arctic Circle. The city’s surroundings are rich in unique deposits of polymetallic ores, and life in the city is organised around metal extraction. This is a reason why Norilsk is an interesting object for analysis of the social representation of the city’s image. Social representation is a fairly new socio-philosophical concept. By the word ‘representation’ we mean perceptions that are formed on the basis of reality. In the case of Norilsk, it is the result of all perceptions of the city and its environment. The study is based on contemporary documentary films, geographical, historical and journalistic documents. The analysis of perceptions of Norilsk allows us to understand the reasons for ideological debates around the history of Russia, such as discussions about memorials to victims of political repressions. Statements about Norilsk are contradictory. Negative statements are related to negative perceptions of the city, while positive statements are related to the residents’ love for their city. The analysis of representations related to the architecture of Norilsk allows us to identify gaps in the official discourse about the foundation of the city and explore its historical background. The study has revealed that the Soviet architectural heritage is well-preserved and documented, while statements about buildings associated with the Gulag are relegated to a marginalised space. Consideration of external and local representations of Norilsk allows us to understand the process of rewriting the history of the city.

Sustainable Strategies to Current Conditions and Climate Change at U.S. Military Bases and Other Nations in the Arctic Region: A 20-Year Comparative Review

Amidst the backdrop of growing great power competition, heightened United States presence via military bases has manifested in the Arctic. However, the then design and implementation have hampered the resilience of these bases in a region warming at nearly four times the rate of the rest of the globe. Two-thirds of the United States’ 79 military bases in the Arctic remain underprepared against permafrost thaw and rising sea levels despite rampant calls for sustainable strategies. Damages emanating from climate-related failures will continue to cost the U.S. billions of dollars and render crucial infrastructure unusable. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive literature review of the extent of Arctic warming and its significance for U.S. bases, the negative implications of military infrastructure deterioration, and methods to adapt both existing and forthcoming bases to a rapidly warming atmosphere. Eighty published papers that directly or indirectly referenced U.S. military bases or climate-oriented engineering in the aforementioned contexts were identified and analyzed over a 20-year period from 2004 to 2024. The literature review concludes that warming concerns were often not taken into much account by civil engineers during initial base construction, an oversight that now jeopardizes runways, docks, and highways. Other nations that have a sizeable footprint in the Arctic Circle, such as Canada and Russia, have demonstrated progress by utilizing pile-driven substructures, thawing permafrost before construction, and ventilated crawlspaces. Alternative solutions, such as cooling permafrost via thermosiphons or refrigeration systems, employing spatially oriented foundations composed of specific materials, and preventative measures such as floodwalls and revetments, have also shown considerable promise in simulations and practice. A table illustrating a holistic literature summary of sustainable strategies to current conditions and climate change at U.S. Military Bases in the Arctic region is also developed. Modeling successful engineering concepts and incorporating existing innovations into military infrastructure should be at the forefront of the United States’ sustainable policy.

Evaluation of the potentially toxic elements and radionuclides in the soil sample of Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic Circle

The study presented here elucidate the concentrations of radionuclides and potentially toxic elements in the soil samples around the Novaya Zemlya in the Russian Arctic zone, determined using HPGe gamma spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and direct mercury analyzer. The average detected concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 235U and 137Cs were 36.40, 46.06, 768, 2.06 and 4.71 Bq/kg, respectively. At many sampling sites, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr) were higher than the natural levels. Positive Matrix Factorization analysis revealed the contribution of oil dumps (32%), natural sources (16%), bird colonies (32%) and atmospheric deposition (20%) for elevated elements content. In the case of radionuclides, the natural occurring contamination (38%) was primary source followed by dumped material (32%) and bird colonies (30%). The radiological risk from radionuclides was relatively high, yet still under permissible levels. For potentially toxic elements, Fe was predominant non-carcinogenic pollutant and Ni emerged as major carcinogenic contaminant. Keeping in view the high content of some elements, future studies are required to keep the human and ecological risk low, and to establish scientific grounds for the contribution of settled bird species. The findings of the study advance the present knowledge about the contamination of the study area and lays the path for further effort.

IT IS SNOWING MICROPLASTICS IN WESTERN SIBERIA

The atmosphere is an important transport medium for polymeric anthropogenic particles such as microplastics (MPs). The analysis of particles deposited on the snowpack enables monitoring the abundance and transport of MPs and semi-synthetic fibers. In the current study, the abundance of MPs and man-made textile fibers in deposited snow in Western Siberia, Russia, was investigated in a large area ranging from the Altai Mountains (52°01"N) to the Arctic Circle (66°30"N). Rayon fibers accounted for 44 % of all detected particles, while the remaining 66 % were MPs made of PET, PA, PC, PP and other plastics. The highest number of MPs and fibers per unit area was 2,817 ± 915 items m-2 with an estimated daily deposition rate of 25.8 items m-2 d-1. The maximum calculated mass particle load was 4,444 ± 1,530 mg m-2 or 34.9 ± 12 mg L-1 of melted snow. Particle concentrations in snow were generally higher in the southern parts of Western Siberia but did not significantly correlate with population density. The Lagrangian dispersion model FLEXPART was used to estimate the geographical patterns of potential sources of the fibers detected in the snow in Western Siberia. Our analysis shows that particles can reach the sampling sites via both short-range and long-range atmospheric transport, including the possibility of cross-border transport for the smaller particle sizes.

Chromosomal Polymorphism of Malaria Mosquitoes of Karelia and Expansion of Northern Boundaries of Species Areas

Chromosomal variability in peripheral populations of malaria mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles (Diptera, Culicidae) inhabiting the territory of Karelia was studied. The modern northern limits of the ranges of sibling species of malarial mosquitoes An. beklemishevi, An. daciae, An. messeae s. s. and An. maculipennis were established. After 2010, the distribution boundary of malaria mosquitoes shifted northward by 170 km, from the 65th parallel to the Arctic Circle. Inversion heterozygotes XL1, XL2, 2R2, 3R1 and 3R5 were found in peripheral populations of An. beklemishevi. Peripheral populations of An. messeae s. s. were homozygous for inversion of sex chromosome XL1 and differed in the frequencies of autosome inversions from the middle taiga populations. The frequency of heterozygotes for autosomal inversions 2R1, 3R1, and 3L1 increased in populations at the edge of the species area. Chromosomal variability in peripheral populations contributes to the dispersal of malaria mosquitoes in high latitudes under warming climate conditions.

Pitching the Tent: Understanding the Arctic Circle 2013–2023

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to examine in greater detail the Arctic Circle at the end of its first decade. Gaining more and better insight into the Arctic Circle’s own roles and significance is not just a useful contribution in its own right, but is also likely to shed fresh light on the Arctic conferencing and Arctic governance academic literature. Through an analysis of Arctic Circle assembly programmes and other materials, it is argued here that the Arctic Circle has emerged playing a multidimensional role on the world stage. Thus, the Arctic Circle’s importance is best understood from a range of different perspectives, the most apparent of which are articulated and discussed here.

Fighting and winning in the Arctic: improving polar warfare capabilities

ABSTRACT The U.S. and its Arctic allies are facing a strategic dilemma in the Arctic. With Russia having a predominance of cold weather capable forces and bases inside the Arctic Circle, and with China showing greater economic and military interest in the region, in tandem with Russia, the U.S. is failing to compete around the North Pole. However, for the United States to project effectively military force in the harsh Arctic environment, numerous lessons about polar warfare need to be relearned by the American military. This article provides context on the issues of Arctic operations, presents five historical case studies of military operations in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, and identifies how to improve U.S. military capabilities for polar warfare.

Atlantic bluefin tuna tagged off Norway show extensive annual migrations, high site-fidelity and dynamic behaviour in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT; Thunnus thynnus) is a highly migratory species. To investigate the migrations and vertical behaviours of ABFT migrating to Nordic waters, we deployed pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags on 25 ABFT off Norway (curved fork length: 228-292 cm). We obtained 16 full-year migrations, which differed between individuals, and physically recovered 13 tags, which provided 4699 days of archival depth and temperature data. ABFT occupied waters from the Arctic Circle to as far south as Cabo Verde, Africa, and occupied depths down to 1190 m and temperatures from 0.5 to 27.8°C. During their annual migrations, ABFT spent, on average, 68 days in Norwegian waters, 65 days in the Newfoundland Basin, 35 days around the Canary Islands and 33 days in the West European Basin. Most ABFT entered the Mediterranean Sea with a mean entry date of 13 May and visited known spawning grounds, staying, on average, 44 days. All ABFT with full-year deployments returned to Norwegian waters. ABFT displayed high site-fidelity and dynamic vertical diving behaviours that varied between hotspots and seasons. These spatiotemporal data provide important ecological knowledge for sustainable management and the conservation of the recently recovered eastern ABFT stock.

Индивидуальная и географическая изменчивость шишек Picea obovata в российской части ареала в связи с количеством семян в них

The cone length of Picea obovata Ledeb. is closely related to the seeds quantity that causes the importance of full-scale study of this indicator. Studies were carried out in the entire Russian part of the P. obovata range from Murmansk region to Transbaikalia and Yakutia. It was found that geographical variability of cone length is relatively small (44–77 mm) and significantly inferior to individual variability (45–110 mm). The coefficient of a variation is 10 and 14%, respectively. We found that in the total population of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and P. obovata determined by their strong introgressive hybridization, cones of P. obovata is the category small and average. It is reasonable to distinguish an additional category of very small cones. The established categories of cones are characterized by the following length: very small 50 (54 mm and less), small 60 (55–64 mm) and medium 70 (65 mm and more). The approximate number of full seeds in them at good yields is 76 (less in extreme conditions of the Far North), 78–92 and 94–108 pieces, respectively. These figures are important for assessing the processes of spruce forest regeneration. Geographical distribution of average cone length in the studied territory it is not clearly expressed. The smallest cones are characteristic of spruce populations along Arctic Circle and in the Polar Regions, while in populations of the southern part of the range they are much larger. The majority of the Russian populations of P. obovata (about 2/3) have cones 65–70 mm long. The content of full seeds in cones is rather small.

Functional Analysis of the Channelrhodopsin Genes from the Green Algae of the White Sea Basin

Optogenetics, the method of light-controlled regulation of cellular processes is based on the use of the channelrhodopsins that directly generate photoinduced currents. Most of the channelrhodopsin genes have been identified in the green microalgae Chlorophyta, and the demand for increasing the number of functionally characterized channelrhodopsins and the diversity of their photochemical parameters keeps growing. We performed the expression analysis of cation channelrhodopsin (CCR) genes in natural isolates of microalgae of the genera Haematococcus and Bracteacoccus from the unique Arctic Circle region. The identified full-length CCR transcript of H. lacustris is the product of alternative splicing and encodes the Hl98CCR2 protein with no photochemical activity. The 5′-partial fragment of the B. aggregatus CCR transcript encodes the Ba34CCR protein containing a conserved TM1-TM7 membrane domain and a short cytosolic fragment. Upon heterologous expression of the TM1-TM7 fragment in CHO-K1 cell culture, light-dependent current generation was observed with the parameters corresponding to those of the CCR. The first discovered functional channelrhodopsin of Bracteacoccus has no close CCR homologues and may be of interest as a candidate for optogenetics.

Activity of predators in seabird colonies decreases during the darkest compared to the brightest phase of the diel cycle below, but not above, the Arctic Circle

ABSTRACT Predator activity can structure communities temporally and influence the spatial distribution of prey. Yet, despite the influence this may have on prey species’ activity or geographic persistence, our understanding of whether diel predator activity changes geographically remains limited. Here, we conduct a case study to test whether predator activity during the darkest phase of the diel cycle increases with the duration of daylight (i.e. photoperiod) at high latitudes during summer, aligning with the photoperiod constraint hypothesis. Using both observations and experiments at one seabird colony above and one below the northern polar (Arctic) circle, we compared predator activity between the brightest and darkest phases of the diel cycle. Avian predator counts were greater and nest predation events were more common during the brightest phase of the diel cycle below the Arctic Circle (i.e. where the sun goes below the horizon) but similar across phases during polar summer (i.e. above the Arctic Circle when the sun does not set). Our results highlight the potential influence of light on activity of predator communities and suggest a possible latitudinal limit to the advantage gained by dark-active strategies for avoidance of visually hunting predators.

Подходы к управлению человеческими ресурсами в Арктической зоне России и циркумполярных странах Европы

The article presents an overview of approaches to human resource management in the Arctic zone of Russia and the circumpolar countries of Europe. The importance of high-quality human resources for the sustainable development of the circumpolar zone of Russia is considered, modern human resource management practices in Russia and European countries with territories beyond the Arctic circle are studied. All these countries need to attract, motivate, improve the skills and control the working staff. At the same time, their approaches to human resource management are not the same. The main differences are due to cultural factors, peculiarities of legislation, the economic situation in the country, the system of relations with employees, etc.

Последний приют первых мурманчан (к вопросу о первом городском кладбище Мурманска

The first cemetery of Murmansk was built on the slope of a hill between the second and third terraces of the future city. It did not operate for long, only a few years, but during this time there were large-scale upheavals that transformed the country and more than once radically changed the fate of the newly established settlement in the Arctic Circle. The article, based on sources available to the author (mainly documents from the State Archive of the Murmansk Region), is the first attempt to present the history of the cemetery, talks about the outstanding ersonalities who found rest there, traces the most characteristic causes of mortality in Murmansk at that time, and presents the memories of old-timers.

Was the 600-ship navy a chimera? Budgets, force structure, and the political realities behind Reagan-era naval strategy

ABSTRACT In 2018, Secretary of the Navy John Lehman admitted that the daring Ocean Venture operation of 1981 – when U.S. and Royal Navy ships as part of a wider NATO exercise proceeded north of the Arctic Circle and penetrated within bombing range of Soviet naval bases – was in fact a ‘bluff’ because various technologies necessary for U.S. naval forces to operate deep in Soviet waters were not yet ready. They eventually were, but what about the fleet that would use them? The Reagan Administration championed the construction of a 600-Ship Navy with fifteen aircraft carrier battlegroups as central to its defense buildup, but Lehman recognized that the fleet was only viable if he implemented reforms to limit rising weapons costs. The planners responsible for long-term analysis of the Navy’s budget countered that Lehman’s plans were unrealistic and pressed him to ask Congress for more money. This was impossible because it would have run contrary to the Reagan Administration’s wider defense policies, which focused on the defense of Central Europe, and upset the delicate budgetary truce between the U.S. military services. Ultimately, political and budgetary realities were as important as strategic imperatives in shaping the size and composition of the U.S. Navy during its 1980s ‘renaissance’.

No Optimal Weight to Survive the Winter in a Northern Island Population of Water Voles <i>Arvicola amphibius</i>

Growth and body size of mammals are commonly correlated with many life history strategies, including those related to survival and reproduction. However, in certain circumstances suboptimal growth rates and smaller size may be advantageous and adaptive. The water vole <i>Arvicola amphibius</i> is a large vole, about three times the size of a field vole <i>Microtus agrestis</i>, but with similar ecological and reproductive characteristics. Island populations were studied on the coast of northern Norway, just below the Arctic Circle, during 2003-2018, by capture-mark-recapture. The main aims were to study growth rates, asymptotic weight and survival, expecting that the “optimal” weight for surviving the winter would be 140-160 g. The smallest juveniles caught weighed only 21 g and were assumed, based on data from the literature, to be around 14 days old. This age was used as starting point for the growth curve. This, however, may have been about one week too early, as juveniles are more likely not fully weaned and leave their nest of birth until 30-40 g. Initial growth rates in juveniles was relatively high but declined from around 100-120 g or 40-50 days old. The asymptotic weight was not clearly defined, but its maximum was around 150-160 g. Most juveniles that survived the winter weighed between 100 and 160 g in their first summer. Large individual variations in growth rates were found. Overwintered subadults in spring weighed about the same as juveniles did in the autumn but grew quickly in April and May to reach adult size. A specific “optimal” weight for juveniles that survived the winter was not found. The range could be given as 100-160 g, too broad to define an “optimal” weight range. However, those that survived tended to be slightly heavier than those that died. Reproducing adults generally weighed 180-220 g and did not reduce their weight toward the autumn, i.e., to increase winter survival, but very few adults survived even the summer and almost none survived their second winter. Juveniles postponed reproduction until next spring, most likely to take advantage of fresh vegetation growth and less competition.

Риск срыва адаптационных перестроек и развития сердечно-сосудистых катастроф у жителей Европейского Севера и Арктики Российской Федерации

The paper presents the results on the risk criteria for disruption of adaptive restructuring and the development of cardiovascular disasters in residents of the European North and the Arctic of the Russian Federation. 980 people aged 21 to 55 years were examined, including 191 people living in the Arctic, beyond the Arctic Circle (the villages of Revda and Lovozero of the Murmansk region). The comparison group included 789 people of the specified age range living in the Arkhangelsk region. It has been established that the risk of disruption of adaptive rearrangements in Arctic residents is due to the absence of a compensatory reaction to normalize lipid metabolism with a deficiency in the content of HDL, ApoA-I ligand, the accumulation of metabolic products: cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL occurs with an increase in cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disasters in Arctic residents of the Russian Federation.

Field science and scientific collaboration in the Svalbard Archipelago: beyond science diplomacy

Abstract The presence of non-Arctic and non-European countries in the Arctic has been growing over the past two decades. Given the geographic distance of these countries from the polar region, their presence in the High North may seem surprising. In this article, we study the presence in Svalbard of scientists from different origins and how they interact through an analysis of the field missions in which they are involved. Combining network analysis and interviews, we highlight the role of the stations located in the archipelago for access to the field and the cooperation strategies of scientists, including those from countries that do not have stations above the Arctic Circle. We tackle issues of integration in this area by empirically discussing three logics: (1) scientific autonomy, (2) core-periphery structure, and (3) regional patterns of cooperation, thus going beyond an approach strictly limited to the analysis of science diplomacy policies.

Effect of changes in the fuel type of thermal power plants on the spatial distribution and levels of PAH pollution in the Vorkuta agglomeration beyond the Arctic Circle

The paper is a study of the composition of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the snow cover of Vorkuta (Komi Republic) in the impact zone of the fuel and energy complex in 2017 and 2023. We have identified high aerotechnogenic pollution of the Vorkuta city and adjacent territories with PAHs during heating with fuel oil and coal, with a mean concentration of 301.6 ng/L (meltwater plus particles) and spatial distribution of 85.2 μg/m2. There is a significant decrease in PAH levels when the fuel for thermal power plants has been changed to natural gas, with a mean concentration of 26.1 ng/L (meltwater plus particulates) and spatial distribution of 4.9 μg/m2. The deposition areas of different PAH fractions are identified in the impact zones of Thermal Power Plants 1 and 2, the Central Boiler House and the urbanised areas of the Vorkuta agglomeration. 2-4-ring PAHs dominate in the emissions, accounting for 92–100 % of the sum of PAHs from coal/oil combustion and 66–93 % from natural gas combustion. The indicator ratios of PAHs in the snow cover of Vorkuta in both 2017 and 2023 indicate their predominantly pyrogenic genesis. The environmental risk coefficients of PAHs in the snow cover and their change from 2017 to 2023 are calculated. TEQ changed from 2.1 ng/L (mean) in the 2017 season to 1.7 ng/L (mean) in the 2023 season. The risk quotients have been reduced from moderate risk to low risk. Reconstruction of thermal power plants when replaced by more environmentally friendly fuel (natural gas) reduces the amount of atmospheric emissions of organic pollutants.

NDVI time-series data reconstruction for spatial-temporal dynamic monitoring of Arctic vegetation structure

ABSTRACT Spatial-temporal dynamics monitoring of Arctic vegetation structure (i.e. distribution range of tundra and forest) is of great significance for evaluating global warming effect. Currently, time-series monitoring of Arctic vegetation structure relies primarily on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which is derived from optical remote sensing images. However, because of factors such as the long revisit period of satellites and the impact of climate, optical observations are severely lacking in the Arctic region. This results in NDVI time-series data highly discontinuous and difficult to reflect actual variations in Arctic vegetation structure, and the traditional time-series reconstruction method would usually fail for severe missing conditions. Therefore, this study developed a Time Series Reconstruction method considering Periodic Trend (TSR-PT), which is specifically for alleviating the severe missing observation condition in the Arctic region. It can separate the phenological change and trend change of the incomplete time series NDVI, and borrow the information from the neighboring unchanged years for compensate of the missing observations in current years, based on the learned inter-annual and intra-annual correlation. We explore its usability in monitoring vegetation structure variation in Vorkuta region (transition zone of tundra and taiga in the Arctic Circle) based on MODIS data. It is found that the proposed TSR-PT is able to reconstruct NDVI with reasonable phenological feature even the missing rate reaches over 70%, which is usually falsely constructed by traditional filtering or fitting method, and suppress them by 0.038 in terms of RMSE; besides, we find that since 21-century, the Arctic trees have continued to increase and encroach the original tundra ecosystem, which caused a largely Arctic vegetation structural change, and we believe the proposed method would largely promote the Arctic vegetation research.