Arctic Research Articles

Retraction Note: Structural features of ecotourism in the field of its implementation in the Arctic region

Retraction Note: Structural features of ecotourism in the field of its implementation in the Arctic region

Review of Central-Eastern European Propagation and Larvae Nursing Method for Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as a cultivated fish species has huge importance all over the world. According to FAO statistics, carp is the third most widely bred freshwater pond fish species; only two other Cyprinids (silver carp and grass carp) are bred in higher amounts. Carp is native all over Asia and in a large part of Europe. As a result of human intervention, at present, carp are widespread all over the world, except for the Arctic region. Carp breeding was launched in the antique period, in the ancient Chinese Empire and the Roman Empire. The presently applied method of breeding of common carp has a long evolution. From the effectiveness point of view, the propagation and early-life nursing are crucial parts of carp production, as they provide seed stocks for the further growing section. Without effective propagation, there is no intensive carp production. Nowadays, more advanced propagation methods are available all over the world; however, in the current review, only the main milestones and production efficiency of the propagation and nursing method used in the ponds of Eastern Central Europe are discussed. In the historical overview of carp reproduction, first the natural reproduction, then the semi-extensive and intensive hatchery propagation are presented and investigated in detail. The analysis focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of the method. In particular, the different important milestones of the advanced hatchery method are shown and explained. The effectiveness is proven even with practical calculations. Not only the reproduction, but the pond nursing method is also presented and discussed, concentrating on the management of evolutionarily adapted natural feeds (Zooplankton) and their effect on the survival of fish larvae.

Experimental Determination of the Ionospheric Effects and Cycle Slip Phenomena for Galileo and GPS in the Arctic

The ionosphere can impair the accuracy, availability and reliability of satellite-based positioning, navigation and timing. The Arctic region is particularly affected by strong ionospheric gradients and phase scintillation, posing a safety issue for critical infrastructure and operations. Ionospheric warning and impact maps can provide support to Arctic operations, but to produce such maps threshold values have to be determined. This study investigates how such thresholds can be derived from the GPS and Galileo satellite signals. Rapid changes in total electron content (TEC) or scintillation-induced receiver tracking errors could result in cycle slips or even loss of lock. Cycle slips and data outages are used as a measure of impact on the receiver in this paper. For Galileo, 73.6% of the impacts were cycle slips and 26.4% were outages, while for GPS, 29.3% of the impacts were cycle slips and 70.7% were outages. Considering the sum of cycle slips and outages, it is worth noting that the sum of impacts for Galileo signals is larger than for GPS. A range of possible explanations have been examined through hardware-in-the-loop simulations. The simulations showed that the GPS L2 signal was not adequately tracked during rapid TEC changes and TEC changes were underestimated, thus the GPS cycle slips, derived from L1 and L2 derived TEC changes, were not all registered. These results are important in designing threshold values for TEC and for scintillation impact maps as well as for the operation of GNSS equipment in the Arctic. In particular, the results show that ionospheric changes could be underestimated if GPS L1 and L2 were used in isolation from other dual frequency combinations. It is the first time this analysis has been made for Greenland and the first time that the dual frequency derivation of ionospheric delay using GPS L1 and L2 has been shown to underestimate large TEC gradients. This has important implications for informing GNSS operations that rely on GPS to provide reliable estimates of the ionosphere.

Study of the Impact of Climatic Changes in 1980–2021 on Railway Infrastructure in the Central and Western Russian Arctic Based on Advanced Electronic Atlas of Hydrometeorological Parameters (Version 2, 2023)

Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) is the region of intensive economic development. In this regard, it is critical to give an adequate assessment of natural factors that may have a negative impact on the growing technological infrastructure. Rapid climate change effects show a significant influence on this activity, including the railway network development. Hence, the decision-making community requires relevant information on climatic variations that can put at hazard the construction and operation of railway facilities. This paper presents the analysis of climatic changes within the region of Central and Western Russian Arctic in 1980–2021. It was performed using the new electronic Atlas of climatic variations in main hydrometeorological parameters, created for the Russian Railways in 2023. This geoinformatic product includes about 400 digital maps reflecting the variability of seven climatic parameters over more than four decades within the studied region. These parameters are air temperature, total precipitation, wind speed, soil temperature, soil moisture content, air humidity, and snow cover thickness. The analysis of climatic maps and their comparison between selected periods showed spatial and temporal heterogeneity of climatic variations in this region. This justifies the feasibility of further research using additional analytical instruments, such as Hovmöller diagrams, time series graphs, etc. The implementation of advanced geoinformatic products in the practice of the Russian Railways will facilitate sustainable development of its infrastructure in rapidly altering climatic conditions.

Spatial distribution of selenium-mercury in Arctic seabirds

Mercury (Hg) is a metallic trace element toxic for humans and wildlife that can originate from natural and anthropic sources. Hg spatial gradients have been found in seabirds from the Arctic and other oceans, suggesting contrasting toxicity risks across regions. Selenium (Se) plays a protective role against Hg toxicity, but its spatial distribution has been much less investigated than that of Hg. From 2015 to 2017, we measured spatial co-exposure of Hg and Se in blood samples of two seabird species, the Brünnich's guillemot (Uria lomvia) and the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) from 17 colonies in the Arctic and subarctic regions, and we calculated their molar ratios (Se:Hg), as a measure of Hg sequestration by Se and, therefore, of Hg exposure risk. We also evaluated concentration differences between species and ocean basins (Pacific-Arctic and Atlantic-Arctic), and examined the influence of trophic ecology on Hg and Se concentrations using nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes. In the Atlantic-Arctic ocean, we found a negative west-to-east gradient of Hg and Se for guillemots, and a positive west-to-east gradient of Se for kittiwakes, suggesting that these species are better protected from Hg toxicity in the European Arctic. Differences in Se gradients between species suggest that they do not follow environmental Se spatial variations. This, together with the absence of a general pattern for isotopes influence on trace element concentrations, could be due to foraging ecology differences between species. In both oceans, the two species showed similar Hg concentrations, but guillemots showed lower Se concentrations and Se:Hg than kittiwakes, suggesting a higher Hg toxicity risk in guillemots. Within species, neither Hg, nor Se or Se:Hg differed between both oceans. Our study highlights the importance of considering Se together with Hg, along with different species and regions, when evaluating Hg toxic effects on marine predators in international monitoring programs.

Domestic Reindeer Herding in Arctic Regions of Yakutia in Second Half of 1990s: Experience of Decision-Making on Socio-Economic Issues in Industry

The experience ofsolving social and economic problems related to domestic reindeer herding in the Arctic regions of Yakutia during the early post-Soviet period is being studied. Attention is given to the adoption of the first program document in the republic— Resolution No. 521, dedicated to comprehensive support for traditional industries and social protection of workers in the Arctic regions. Archive documents on the activities of the relevant ministry in developing recommendations on wage payment in reindeer herding, adopting new decisions on one-time payments to reindeer herders and tent workers, and statistical data on some general economic indicators in reindeer herding are presented. The approach to calculating labor standards for reindeer herders and attempts at their social protection through professional tariffication of wage payment are presented in detail. Social directions included officially in the program for the development of domestic reindeer herding are highlighted. At the local level, it is shown that representatives of the relevant ministry responsible for managing traditional industries could not always rely on a positive experience in making decisions on socio-economic development of domestic reindeer herding as a leading traditional occupation of indigenous people, but they were fully aware of the real social situation of workers in the industry.

Spreading process and characteristics of silicone oil with multi-viscosities on calm liquid surface with low temperature: Spreading length, stable thickness and morphology

Oil spreading on the sea has been a great focus, especially along with the intensification of oil development activities in arctic regions, leading to an increase in the frequency of oil spills in extremely cold regions. Currently, the effect of extreme low temperature on oil spreading behavior has not been fully studied, and the applicability of existing models of oil spreading characteristics in low temperature scenarios is not clear. An experimental platform was customized to set up low temperature liquid substrate environments (−20∼20 °C). A series of oil spreading experiments of silicone oil with viscosities of 50, 100, 350 and 1000 cs and five released volumes (1–5 ml) on low temperature substrates were carried out. The effects of experimental variables including temperature, viscosity and volume on oil spreading characteristics of spreading length, stable thickness, morphology, and cone angle were investigated. The entire spreading process of oil was displayed from the top and side views, and gave the variation curves of oil thickness and cone angle with time. Summarized the spreading law for multi-viscosity silicone oils, the values of the pre-exponential coefficient and the power-law exponent were determined, and detailed formulas for calculating the spreading length was proposed. An stable thickness prediction model that integrates all the forces on the oil spreading process was constructed, including surface tension, viscous force, inertia force and gravity. These forces all weakening with time, especially the inertial and viscous forces, which contain time terms, and weaken the most. The heat transfer between the oil and the liquid substrate was also monitored and discussed in the experiments, proposed that low temperatures may hinder the spreading behavior of the oil by decreasing the spreading coefficient of the oil. The findings of this study can provide a theoretical support for the oil spill cleanup.

Axiomatic approach to ensuring nuclear safety and nuclear deterrence in the interests of the Russian Arctic region sustainable development

The article studies two closely related modern problems such as nuclear deterrence and nuclear security. The aim of the study is to develop and substantiate an Axiom for the scientific field of knowledge about coupled dynamic assessments of nuclear deterrence possibility and the need for guaranteed nuclear safety in the interests of the Russian Arctic region sustainable development. Actual aspects of ensuring nuclear safety and nuclear deterrence in modern conditions in the interests of the Russian Arctic region sustainable development and the Russian national security have been considered. The differentiation of countries and results of comparing the USA and Russia in the light of nuclear safety have been presented. Three stages of nuclear protection have been identified, within the framework of which it is necessary to solve issues of ensuring nuclear safety. An axiomatic approach to ensuring nuclear safety and nuclear deterrence in the interests of the Russian Arctic region sustainable development has been presented, and possibilities of its use described. Special, universal, and general scientific methods of scientific cognition were used in the work.

Columnar optical-radiative properties and components of aerosols in the Arctic summer from long-term AERONET measurements

Aerosols as an external factor have an important role in the amplification of Arctic warming, yet the geography of this harsh region has led to a paucity of observations, which has limited our understanding of the Arctic climate. We synthesized the latest decade (2010–2021) of data on the microphysical–optical–radiative properties of aerosols and their multi-component evolution during the Arctic summer, taking into consideration the important role of wildfire burning. Our results are based on continuous observations from eight AERONET sites across the Arctic region, together with a meteorological reanalysis dataset and satellite observations of fires, and utilize a back-trajectory model to track the source of the aerosols. The summer climatological characteristics within the Arctic Circle showed that the aerosols are mainly fine-mode aerosols (fraction >0.95) with a radius of 0.15–0.20 μm, a slight extinction ability (aerosol optical depth ∼ 0.11) with strong scattering (single scattering albedo ∼0.95) and dominant forward scattering (asymmetry factor ∼ 0.68). These optical properties result in significant cooling at the Earth's surface (∼−13 W m−2) and a weak cooling effect at the top of the atmosphere (∼−5 W m−2). Further, we found that Arctic region is severely impacted by wildfire burning events in July and August, which primarily occur in central and eastern Siberia and followed in subpolar North America. The plumes from wildfire transport aerosols to the Arctic atmosphere with the westerly circulation, leading to an increase in fine-mode aerosols containing large amounts of organic carbon, with fraction as high as 97–98 %. Absorptive carbonaceous aerosols also increase synergistically, which could convert the instantaneous direct aerosol radiative effect into a heating effect on the Earth–atmosphere system. This study provides insights into the complex sources of aerosol loading in the Arctic atmosphere in summer and emphasizes the important impacts of the increasingly frequent occurrence of wildfire burning events in recent years.

A Novel Data-Driven Prediction Framework for Ship Navigation Accidents in the Arctic Region

Arctic navigation faces numerous challenges, including uncertain ice conditions, rapid weather changes, limited communication capabilities, and lack of search and rescue infrastructure, all of which increase the risks involved. According to an Arctic Council statistical report, a remarkable 2638 maritime accidents were recorded in Arctic waters between 2005 and 2017, showing a fluctuating upward trend. This study collected and analyzed ship accident data in Arctic waters to identify the various accident scenarios and primary risk factors that impact Arctic navigation safety. By utilizing data-driven algorithms, a model for predicting ship navigation accidents in Arctic waters was constructed, providing an in-depth understanding of the risk factors that make accidents more likely. The research findings are of practical significance for enhancing quantitative risk assessment, specifically focusing on the navigational risks in Arctic waters. The results of this study can assist maritime authorities and shipping companies in conducting risk analysis and implementing accident prevention measures for safe navigation in Arctic waters.

Low-level mixed-phase clouds at the high Arctic site of Ny-Ålesund: a comprehensive long-term dataset of remote sensing observations

Abstract. We present a comprehensive quality-controlled 15-month dataset of remote sensing observations of low-level mixed-phase clouds (LLMPCs) taken at the high Arctic site of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway. LLMPCs occur frequently in the Arctic region and extensively affect the energy budget. However, our understanding of the ice microphysical processes taking place in these clouds is incomplete. The dual-wavelength and polarimetric Doppler cloud radar observations, which are the cornerstones of the dataset, provide valuable fingerprints of ice microphysical processes, and the high number of cases included allows for the compiling of robust statistics for process studies. The radar data are complemented with thermodynamic retrievals from a microwave radiometer, liquid base height from a ceilometer, and wind fields from large-eddy simulations. All data are quality controlled, especially the cloud radar data, which are accurately calibrated, matched, and corrected for gas and liquid-hydrometeor attenuation, ground clutter, and range folding. We finally present an analysis of the temperature dependence of Doppler, dual-wavelength, and polarimetric radar variables, to illustrate how the dataset can be used for cloud microphysical studies. The dataset has been published in Chellini et al. (2023) and is freely available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7803064.

Justice, Mining, and Legal Reforms in the Finnish Arctic

This paper assesses the extent to which the justice concerns of local stakeholders in the Arctic region of Finland are reflected in recent legal reforms. The reforms concern the Mining Act, the Act on a Mined Minerals Tax, the Nature Conservation Act, the Environmental Damages Fund, and the Act on the Sámi Parliament. The assessment is made from the perspectives of distributive, procedural, recognition, and intergenerational justice. We identified the justice concerns by conducting 21 interviews and a workshop, after which we analysed the legal reforms and discussed whether they reflected the justice concerns expressed by local stakeholders. We concluded that most of the justice concerns had been addressed, but only to a certain extent. Still, the most fundamental features of the governance of mining activities have not changed. By its very nature, the Finnish system of mineral ownership has remained a claim system, albeit not an entirely pure one. The reforms were not designed to limit the total volume of mining activities, and the mineral industry, backed by the EU and national policies, is likely to grow in the region. The most important legal change concerns the position of the municipal council. Today, a local land use plan is a precondition for granting a mining permit. The national Parliament did not approve a government proposal to reform the Sámi Parliament Act, which was a significant failure in recognition justice.

The complete chloroplast genome of an Arctic lycophyte, Huperzia arctica (Tolm.) Sipliv. 1973 (Lycopodiaceae)

Huperzia arctica (Tolm.) Sipliv. 1973 is a lycophyte species belonging to the Lycopodiaceae family, which is widely distributed in the Arctic region of Svalbard, Norway. To determine its taxonomic position, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of H. arctica. The complete chloroplast genome of H. arctica is 153,956 bp in length with 122 annotated genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 31 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. To evaluate its evolutionary position, we performed phylogenetic analysis using 36 conserved orthologous protein-coding gene sequences from the chloroplast genomes of H. arctica and publicly available data from other Lycopodiaceae. H. arctica formed a monophyletic group with four other Huperzia species: H. lucidula, H. serrata, H. crispata, and H. javanica. However, it appeared as a separate species with a highly supported bootstrap value.

Impact of and solutions to effects of climate changes for Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway

Climate changes forces us to make significant mitigation and adaptation measures. As temperature rises and the environmental conditions changes, a variety of challenges occur. Across the whole globe, harming consequences are already being experienced. The Arctic region is particularly vulnerable to changes in Earth’s climate system, especially because of the albedo effect, and the region is already heavily impacted. Primarily through the melting of ice, both sea ice and glaciers, permafrost thawing and changing precipitation patterns. Longyearbyen, Svalbard, is one examples of a society having to change as a direct result of global warming. This paper focuses on the challenges Longyearbyen will be facing and possible adaption methods and solutions. Because of environmental changes, the risk of natural hazards will increase, infrastructure will get damaged and traditional engineering methods will be impossible to implement. This is threatening to human lives as well as the habitat and survival of mammals, birds, and plants. It will be essential to find ways to predict and limit the effects of climate challenges, by protecting people and infrastructure from them. This will require innovation, adaption and risk-taking. By investigating the climate challenges facing Longyearbyen and possible ways to address them, this paper emphasizes the urgency of tackling the effects of climate changes in the Arctic in order to protect the communities in the Arctic region.

Экологические проблемы моногородов российской Арктики в оценках населения

The article considers the environmental problems of single-industry towns in the Russian Arctic via population assessments. When assessing environmental problems, a whole range of studies is applied — a sociological survey of respondents living in the single-industry towns of Kirovsk and Kostomuksha, economic statistics and desk research. Desk research makes it possible to draw conclusions about environmental complaints of mono-town residents and the environmental responsibility of the largest enterprises in the Arctic. The results of the study show that situation in Arctic regions with waste sorting and recycling is very acute. Almost all Arctic regions are among the outsiders. In conclusion, the authors formulate recommendations to improve environmental policy pursued in the Arctic mono-towns taking into account the population opinion. The proposed recommendations include the development of a migration model for the Arctic mono-towns, implementation of measures for the disposal and recycling of municipal solid waste, strengthening public environmental control, economic incentives for the use of clean technologies, development of ecological tourism, etc.

Exploring the Economic Significance of Arctic Routes in the Supply Chain Field by Contrasting with Traditional Route

With global climate warming, the reduction of Arctic ice and the opening of shipping routes during the summer season, the Arctic route has gradually become an important choice in the field of supply chains as it connects Asia, Europe, and North America. It offers the advantages of reducing shipping time, lowering transportation costs, expanding trade opportunities, and diversifying supply chain routes. This article collected data from websites such as the Clarksons and the Shanghai Shipping Exchange to investigate the current number of voyages along the Arctic route and various factors that impact the cost of navigation. By comparing the navigation costs between the Arctic route and the traditional Suez Canal route, it was found that the Arctic region has higher voyage transportation costs compared to the Suez route, indicating that the Suez route still holds an economic advantage. However, choosing the Arctic route can shorten the delivery lead time and reduce certain supply chain costs.

SMAP Sea Surface Salinity Improvement in the Arctic Region Using Machine Learning Approaches

SMAP Sea Surface Salinity Improvement in the Arctic Region Using Machine Learning Approaches

Arctic fashion

The Arctic region is facing cultural, environmental and political transformation. These transformations raise urgent issues of independence, identity and climate crisis. Fashion provides a unique entry point to further understand the complexity of living in the remote regions of the Arctic, while being globally connected in a digital era. Reconciling with history, adapting to modernity, decolonization and governances present key themes, some of which will be addressed in this Special Issue. Fashion is understood here as a cultural, material and economic phenomenon in the form of dress and body adornment. More than ever, fashion is distributed and consumed on a global scale across even remote regions and extreme climates. This Special Issue brings together scholars from the region to share their research on fashion in the Arctic. The aim is to invite further studies of the practice and interpretation of fashion that reflect the immense diversity of the regions in terms of historical, cultural, ethnic and geographical realities and narratives.

Chic in knit: Youth, yarn and the comeback of the Faroese sweater

This article explores the recent revitalization of Faroese knitwear production and fashion in what I have called the ‘woollen turn’ in the Faroe Islands. I examine and analyse the reinvention of the Faroese knitting styles and cultural identities through the lens of an anthropologist reflecting on the role of the multifaceted globalization process in present-day craftsmanship and entrepreneurship in the context of a North Atlantic archipelago. The revival of the patterned sweater is a story about slow fashion, local knowledge and the search for new Faroese expressions inspired by the world beyond the ocean. The patterned sweater, locally embedded yet also immersed in global flows of fashion, has the potential of endless variation as handmade woollen garment. The sweater is not just a sweater anymore. It has a story of value chains and of local–global connections in the Arctic region, but it is also an environmental footprint and a point of identification. This article draws on material from TV documentaries, newspapers, fashion magazines and websites, as well as semi-structured interviews with fashion designers and knitting-connoisseurs in the Faroe Islands.

Asymmetric Arctic and Antarctic Warming and Its Intermodel Spread in CMIP6

Abstract Under the background of global warming, the Arctic region has warmed faster than the Antarctic, which is referred to as asymmetric Arctic and Antarctic warming. The new generation of model simulations from the CMIP6 offers an opportunity to identify the major factors contributing to the asymmetric warming and its intermodel spread. In this study, the preindustrial and abrupt-4 × CO2 experiments from 18 CMIP6 models are examined to extract the asymmetric warming and its intermodel spread. A climate feedback-response analysis method is applied to reveal the contributions of external and internal feedback processes to the asymmetric warming and its intermodel spread, by decomposing total warming into the partial temperature changes caused by individual factors. It is found that a seasonal energy transfer mechanism (SETM) dominates in both polar warmings. The direct consequence of the sea ice declining in response to the anthropogenic forcing is an increase in the effective heat capacity of the ocean surface layer. Such an increase in the effective heat capacity temporally withholds most of the extra solar energy absorbed during summer and then releases it during winter, contributing to stronger warming in winter. However, the background oceanic circulation in the Southern Ocean, namely, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, continually transports energy equatorward, resulting in a suppressed SETM and surface warming in the Antarctic. The key factor that accounts for intermodel spread in the asymmetric warming is the difference in their strengths of SETM. The poleward atmospheric transport and water vapor feedback also contribute to the intermodel spread. Significance Statement The asymmetric Arctic and Antarctic warming, as a response to the increase in CO2, can regulate global atmospheric and oceanic circulations via meridional temperature gradient. Previous studies have all ascribed the key role of the ocean in the asymmetric warming over the two poles with a lack of comprehensive understanding of the roles of other feedback processes. This study emphasizes that oceanic circulation is the root of the asymmetric warming via suppressing sea ice retreat and the associated SETM in the Antarctic, instead of increasing ocean heat uptake and equatorward transport only. For the intermodel spread in the asymmetric warming over two poles, the differences in the strength of all processes involving the SETM among models are the prominent issue.