Research Station In Antarctica Research Articles

SNOWTRAN: A Fast Radiative Transfer Model for Polar Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Applications

In this work, we develop a software suite for studies of atmosphere–underlying SNOW-spaceborne optical receiver light TRANsmission calculations (SNOWTRAN) with applications for the solution of forward and inverse radiative transfer problems in polar regions. Assuming that the aerosol load is extremely low, the proposed theory does not require the numerical procedures for the solution of the radiative transfer equation and is based on analytical equations for the spectral nadir reflectance and simple approximations for the local optical properties of atmosphere and snow. The developed model is validated using EnMAP and PRISMA spaceborne imaging spectroscopy data close to the Concordia research station in Antarctica. A new, fast technique for the determination of the snow grain size and assessment of the snowpack vertical inhomogeneity is then proposed and further demonstrated on EnMAP imagery over the Aviator Glacier and in the vicinity of the Concordia research station in Antarctica. The results revealed a large increase in precipitable water vapor at the Concordia research station in February 2023 that was linked to a warming event and a four times larger grain size at Aviator Glacier compared with Dome C.

From Antarctic prototype to ground test demonstrator for a lunar greenhouse

The Moon has returned into the focus of human endeavors regarding human spaceflight, e.g., with NASA's Artemis program, ESA's Moon Village, and the Russian/Chinese International Lunar Research Station. In difference to the pathfinding missions of the Apollo-era, the goal for these future missions is to stay on the lunar surface for longer durations and inhabit the lunar environment (near-)permanently. This requires a different approach to be affordable, i.e., instead of resupply as mostly used on e.g., the International Space Station, resource management has to include recycling and in-situ utilization. The former especially calls for the application of so-called BLSS to allow providing essential life-support services to the crew without prohibitive resource consumption, which is economically not feasible to achieve with resupplies. Bio-regenerative-life-support systems have been researched for decades, yet the system complexity, technology advancements, and singular aspects as e.g., plant biology require more research, especially if combined as in a greenhouse. For instance, the understanding of how a microbiome develops in a closed environment and what implications the microbiome has on plant growth is still insufficient. Within the EDEN project, the German Aerospace Center built a lunar analogue greenhouse and operated it at the Neumayer-III research station in Antarctica for four years, testing the technology – which was not space hardware – and operations. Derived from this experience the next step in the project is to design and subsequently operate a ground test demonstrator for a lunar greenhouse, as close as possible to the actual space hardware and operations. This paper explains the current design and trade-offs that led to it. Furthermore, the concept of operations is shown to illustrate the demonstrator's utility for researching bioregenerative-life-support. Overall, the system presented is feasible and useful to close the gaps, currently still existing in this field of research, and thus a mission enabler for future long-duration human space exploration missions.

The role of Antarctic overwintering teams and their significance for German polar research

Abstract. Germany has been operating permanently crewed research stations in Antarctica for more than 45 years. The opening of the Georg Forster Station (1976) and Georg von Neumayer Station (1981) initiated a period of continuous environmental monitoring that allowed both the former East Germany and West Germany to become contracting parties in, and achieve consultative status with, the framework of the Antarctic Treaty. This marked a milestone in German polar research. Continuous research at the Neumayer Station III, its two predecessors, and the now-dismantled former German Democratic Republic (GDR) Georg Forster Station is undertaken by teams of so-called “overwinterers”, presently with nine members, who stay at the base for longer than an entire Antarctic winter. Their long-term stay in Antarctica is defined by isolation, separation from civilization, routine work to sustain long-term scientific observations, and unique personal experiences. This article is dedicated to them and outlines their part and role in the German Antarctic research landscape.

Powering Research Stations in Antarctica [History

In the beginning of the 20th century, exploration on the continent of Antarctica greatly tested the capability of ship builders to construct rugged wooden ships specifically for polar work. The propulsion systems for these vessels were often equipped with triple-expansion steam engines using coal for fuel, and the ships were barquentine rigged so they could carry significant cargo while maintaining adequate speed under most wind conditions. Fuel oil from rendered whale blubber was carried on board to fire their blubber stoves for cooking and space heating [1]. The crew and passengers consisted of polar explorers, naturalists, scientists, sailors, and adventurers who navigated treacherous ice-packed waters to be the first to attempt to establish a land-based scientific station or to ultimately cross the entire South Polar continent from sea to sea. The experienced whalers who acquired first-hand experience sailing these waters in less sophisticated ships while pursuing their trade were often consulted by the unfamiliar explorers about the challenges they would face in these treacherous waters. They would also provide recommendations on safer seasonal routes to navigate to avoid dangerous ice conditions that could make ship travel near impossible, challenging human survival on the continent of Antarctica.

First record of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at a research station in Antarctica

AbstractWe report the first formal record of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella from a location within the Antarctic Treaty area, with the capture of a live adult male within the Brazilian Comandante Ferraz research station on King George Island, South Shetland Islands. This species is a well-known pest of stored products and is widely recorded in synanthropic situations such as food stores globally. No other adults or immature stages have been observed on the station. While there is no suggestion that P. interpunctella could survive or establish in the natural environment beyond the station, this observation highlights the ever-present threat of unintended anthropogenically assisted transfer of non-Antarctic species into human facilities on the continent, with some such species proving extremely difficult to eradicate if they successfully establish within these facilities.

Response to concerns regarding the role of Antarctic blue carbon habitats in a global context

We address Hunter (2021) concerns regarding our recent contribution to Global Change Biology on the quantification of blue carbon pathways contributing to negative feedback on climate change following glacier retreat in West Antarctic fjords (Zwerschke et al 2021).

Investigating optimum ship route in the Antarctic in presence of sea ice and wind resistances – A case study between Bharati and Maitri

This paper presents a technique of ship route optimization in the Antarctic sea ice region using Dijkstra's algorithm. It studies some of the major parameters that cause resistance to the ship movement through sea ice. It aims to optimize a safe ship route in the Antarctic sea ice between Bharati and Maitri (Indian Research Stations in Antarctica) coasts. The study region is divided into grids that results into unique nodes, which are studied for sea ice parameters and wind velocity. Resistances caused due to ice and wind are considered to calculate expected ship velocity between nodes. The calculated ship velocities are then used to estimate durations to cover distances from a node to all the neighboring nodes. It forms a mathematical route from source to destination through various nodes with time as weight that is then optimized through Dijkstra's algorithm to obtain optimal route. Satellite remote sensing data derived sea ice parameters (Scatsat-1 derived sea ice extent and NSIDC sea ice concentration) and modeled wind velocity (from ECMWF) have been used as inputs in this model. Ship parameters of Kapitan Khlebnikov (Russian icebreaker) are used to test and compare the proposed model. Results of model are validated with the actual ship route navigated by the 33rd Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (33ISEA) ship. The proposed algorithm, which provides an optimal route when ship parameters are known in advance, can be useful to support future ship navigation in the Antarctic sea ice including Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica.

Влияние режима сна и бодрствования на адаптационные возможности организма полярников в условиях антарктической зимовки

This article studies the influence of the sleep pattern (duration of uninterrupted sleep and rhythm of sleep periods) on the condition of the body’s adaptive resources during a year-round stay at a research station in Antarctica. We compared two cases that coincide in most parameters of daily life (living conditions, influence of environmental factors, level of social contacts, anthropometric data, and health status), but differ in terms of day regimen due to work activities. To assess the body’s adaptive capabilities, the index of regulatory and adaptive status (IRAS) was used, calculated by parameters obtained by the method of cardio-respiratory synchronism. The first subject (a radio operator) showed IRAS dynamics coinciding with deterioration and improvement of environmental conditions (daylight hours, weather conditions) affecting the Antarctic station staff, which was a predicted result. The second subject (a meteorologist) demonstrated a fundamentally different dynamics of the body’s adaptive capabilities: during deterioration of environmental conditions, the body’s adaptive resources increased due to lower work intensity and, as a result, a significant improvement in the sleep pattern. IRAS dynamics showed that the amount and quality of sleep has a more significant impact on human health than adverse weather conditions (storms). This opens up a wide range of opportunities to compensate for unavoidable adverse environmental conditions and help to preserve, as much as possible, the capacity for work in members of polar expeditions during wintering, as sudden decompensation can cause disruption to ongoing programmes at the research station. For citation: Dey V.A., Polishchuk S.V., Pokrovskiy V.M. Influence of Sleep–Wake Patterns on the Body’s Adaptive Capabilities During Antarctic Wintering. Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2021, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 138–144. DOI: 10.37482/2687-1491-Z051

Cold tolerance is similar but heat tolerance is higher in the alien insect Trichocera maculipennis than in the native Parochlus steinenii in Antarctica

Uncontrolled biological invasions have direct and indirect impacts on the structure and functioning of soil invertebrate communities in Antarctica. Among others, invasion success is strongly determined by the ability of species to tolerate broad thermal ranges. Yet, few studies have compared the thermal niches of native and invasive species. Physiological characterizations of upper and lower thermal tolerances are essential to test the extent to which eurythermality can benefit invasive species in a context of changing climates. Here, we compare cold and heat tolerance between adults of the alien winter crane fly Trichocera maculipennis and the native winged midge Parochlus steinenii in Antarctica. Specimens were collected in the field during the 2019/2020 austral summer, and ramping experiments controlling heating and cooling rates were performed to estimate upper and lower critical thermal limits of the two Diptera insect species. Adults of the alien fly remained active between − 5.3 °C and 30.1 °C. In turn, the native midge was active between − 5.0 °C and 28.6 °C. We observed no significant interspecific differences between lower critical thermal limits, but upper thermal limits were significantly higher for the alien species. Hence, the capacity to endure low summer temperatures in most of the Antarctic Peninsula is similar for adults of both species, but the alien crane fly is readily adapted to withstand warming scenarios. Therefore, the broad thermal tolerances exhibited by the alien crane fly can be taken as evidence to predict geographic range expansions, while also warn of high biosecurity risks for all operating research stations in Antarctica.

Levels of Protein and the Main Protein Fractions in Human Blood during a Year-long Exposure to Hypobaric Hypoxia, Hypokinesia, and Isolation

—Venous blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses from 16 members of a year-long expedition to the Vostok research station in Antarctica. The physiologically important factors were hypobaric hypoxia (Р = 460 mm Hg) due to the station location (the ice dome of Central Antarctica), hypokinesia due to prolonged stay indoor because of the extremely low temperatures outside the station, physical and social isolation from the outer world. The participants were divided into two groups: the experimental one, who periodically received a vitamin-amino acid complex for the prevention and correction of asthenia, and the control one, who received a placebo. Biochemical analysis revealed undulating blood levels of protein and main protein fractions within the physiological norm. Starting from month 4 of the expedition, concentrations of γ- and β-globulins showed a statistically significant increase. This increase persisted for 2 months after the expedition, therefore, there are sufficient body reserves. There were no differences in concentrations of the studied parameters between the experimental and control groups. It is speculated that hypobaric hypoxia plays a positive role in maintaining non-specific body resistance in the year-long period of life in isolation and hypokinesia.

Legacy and novel flame retardants from indoor dust in Antarctica: Sources and human exposure

The air humidity in Antarctica is very low and this peculiar weather parameter make the use of flame retardants in research facilities highly needed for safety reasons, as fires are a major risk. Legacy and novel flame retardants (nFRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), Dechlorane Plus (DP), and other nFRs were measured in indoor dust samples collected at research Stations in Antarctica: Gabriel de Castilla, Spain (GCS), Julio Escudero, Chile (JES), and onboard the RRS James Clark Ross, United Kingdom (RRS JCR). The GC-HRMS and LC-MS-MS analyses of dust samples revealed ∑7PBDEs of 41.5 ± 43.8 ng/g in rooms at GCS, 18.7 ± 11.6 ng/g at JES, and 27.2 ± 37.9 ng/g onboard the RRS JCR. PBDE pattern was different between the sites and most abundant congeners were BDE-183 (40%) at GCS, BDE-99 (50%) at JES, and BDE-153 (37%) onboard the RRS JCR. The ∑(4)HBCDs were 257 ± 407 ng/g, 14.9 ± 14.5 ng/g, and 761 ± 1043 ng/g in indoor dust collected in rooms at GCS, JES, and RRS JCR, respectively. The ∑9nFRs were 224 ± 178 ng/g at GCS, 14.1 ± 13.8 ng/g at JES, and 194 ± 392 ng/g on the RRS JCR. Syn- and anti-DP were detected in most of the samples and both isomers showed the highest concentrations at GCS: 163 ± 93.6 and 48.5 ± 61.1 ng/g, respectively. The laboratory and living room showed the highest concentration of HBCDs, DPs, BTBPE. The wide variations in FR levels in dust from the three research facilities and between differently used rooms reflect the different origin of furnishing, building materials and equipment. The potential health risk associated to a daily exposure via dust ingestion was assessed for selected FRs: BDEs 47, 99, and 153, α-, β-, and γ-HBCD, BTBPE, syn- and anti-DP. Although the estimated exposures are below the available reference doses, caution is needed given the expected increasing use of novel chemicals without a comprehensive toxicological profile.

Optimization and extraction of an operation strategy for the distributed energy system of a research station in Antarctica

Abstract A distributed energy system (DES) can integrate renewable resources and achieve efficient energy utilization, and it is a common form of energy system for isolated systems. However, a multienergy complementary energy supply scheme makes operating a DES complicated. To ensure the system operates efficiently, it is necessary to study its operation strategy. However, currently, the research on DES operation optimization mostly is in the optimization result itself, hence lacking the transferring of the optimized operation strategy to engineering applications, which is difficult to apply to the actual energy saving operation. Therefore, this paper takes the DES of a scientific research station in Antarctica as an example when it comes to the optimization of its operation strategy, extracting the control logic for engineering applications from the optimized operation strategy. Aiming for the lowest primary energy consumption of the DES across an entire year, a model for optimal operation is presented and formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP), and further solved by the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). The operation strategy of the DES is optimized and the energy saving space is analyzed. Furthermore, through strategy interpretation, the available control logic of the project is extracted from the optimized strategy, and the extraction effect is verified. The results show that the primary energy consumption of the optimized operation strategy can be reduced by 11.8% when compared with the original operation strategy. By using the engineering control logic extracted from the optimized operation strategy to adjust the original operation strategy, the primary energy consumption of the system can be reduced by 9.6%. The current study can provide a scientific and reasonable scheduling strategy for the actual operation of a DES and provide guidance and reference for the optimal operation of an existing DES.

Site selection of the Turkish Antarctic Research station using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Determination of the location of a research station in Antarctica is a very important issue, and necessary for countries to have sustainable Antarctic Scientific Program and expeditions. The suitable site selection is affected by long-term scientific work plan, its realization costs, and field experience on the continent. For this purpose, using a well-structured evaluation method is indispensable to handle decision uncertainties. This study focuses on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method with using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to detect the optimum probable location for an Antarctic research station. During the study, three main criteria groups and their sub-criteria were taken into account: spatial condition, accessibility, and international legal regime. The comparisons obtained from AHP method including GIS and surveys were used to find potentially suitable areas to demonstrate fitness-for-use of the allocation results. Finally, the suitability map was produced to identify the potential locations for the future Turkish Research Station by considering the climatic effects, environmental constraints, enabling logistics, cost and scientific interest. This study would help the decision-makers to take final steps for determining the potential Turkish Antarctic Station.

A likelihood for correlated extreme series

AbstractThis paper develops a likelihood for sequences of extremes when observations are dependent in time. The likelihood allows researchers to obtain more realistic standard errors of the generalized extreme‐value parameters. As a motivating example, annual minimum temperatures are examined from the Faraday/Vernadsky research station in Antarctica. Here, the year‐to‐year correlation in the series is about 0.46. Our likelihood allows the series to have temporal correlation but also keeps a generalized extreme‐value marginal distribution at each point in time. An analysis of the Faraday/Vernadsky annual minimum temperatures is conducted. While the standard error of the estimated trend increases when dependence is taken into account, it does not change the correlation‐ignored inference that annual minimum temperatures at the station are increasing.

An analysis of environmental incidents for a national Antarctic program

Research stations in Antarctica are concentrated on scarce ice-free habitats. Operating these stations in the harsh Antarctic climate provides many challenges, including the need to handle bulk fuel and cargo increasing the risk of environmental incidents. We examined 195 reports of environmental incidents from the Australian Antarctic Program, spanning six years, to investigate the impacts and pathways of contemporary environmental incidents. Fuel and chemical spills were most common, followed by biosecurity incursions. The majority of reports were assessed as having insignificant actual impacts. Either the incidents were small, or active, rapid response and mitigation procedures minimised impact. During the period only one spill report (4000 l) was assessed as a ‘high’ impact. This is despite over 13 million litres of diesel utilised. The majority of incidents occurred within the existing station footprints. The pathways leading to the incidents varied, with technical causes predominately leading to spills, and procedural failures leading to biosecurity incursions. The large number of reports with inconsequential impacts suggest an effective environmental management system with a good culture of reporting environmental incidents. Our findings suggest that the key to continual improvement in an ongoing environmental management system is to learn from incidences and take action to prevent them occurring again, with an end-goal of minimising the residual risk as much as possible.

Innovative transportable laboratories for polar science

ABSTRACTThe Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and the British Antarctic Survey have built a transportable laboratory facility, named the Dirck Gerritsz Laboratory, to accommodate new scientific research on and from the western Antarctic Peninsula. The design provides a flexible, modular, plug-and-play, innovative and sustainable laboratory setup. The docking station houses four 20-foot ISO standard high-cube containers, each of which contains a different laboratory. Special technological features were used to minimise the environmental impact. The four laboratory containers are flexible and can be installed and used as required, and renewed or removed when necessary. The container laboratories have provided, since opening in 2013, enhanced facilities for global climate change research through studying the community composition of phytoplankton; the ecological impact of virus-induced mortality in different phytoplankton groups; dimethylsulphide and brominated compound fluxes; and CO2 concentrations and trace elements in sea water. Transportable research laboratory facilities provide an effective and efficient approach for undertaking scientific research in challenging environments and might be the start of a new way of undertaking research, including exchanging laboratory modules between research stations in Antarctica.

Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi make up an important ecological niche in ecosystems, and knowledge of their diversity in extreme environments is still incipient. The objective of this work was to evaluate the density and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the soil of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, Antarctica. For that, soil and roots of Deschampsia antarctica were collected at the brazilian research station in Antarctica. The spore density, species diversity and mycorrhizal colonization in the roots were evaluated. There was a low density of spores (27.4 ± 17.7) and root mycorrhizal colonization (6 ± 5.1%), which did not present statistical difference. Four species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were identified, distributed in two genera: three species of the genus Glomus (Glomus sp1, Glomus sp2 and Glomus sp3) and one of the genus Acaulospora, which was identified at species level (Acaulospora mellea). Greater soil diversity was verified with pH 5.9 and phosphorus concentration of 111 mg dm-3, occurring two species of genus Glomus and A. mellea. Based on literature data, this may be the first record of this species of Acaulospora mellea in Antarctic soils, colonizing D. antarctica plants.

Polar Ice Sheet and Glacier Studies-Indian Efforts in last Five Years

Indian scientists have been involved in studies of cryosphere in Polar Regions from past 35 years. For continuous monitoring and expanding research in the fields of atmospheric science, geosciences, glaciology, environmental sciences, etc. specific to these regions, the ESSO - National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (ESSO-NCAOR) has established three permanent research stations in Antarctica. This paper addresses efforts by Indian scientists in last five years in cryospheric studies on the Antarctica using remote sensing data. Inventories of Antarctic glaciers and ice sheet features prepared by Indian researchers have facilitated for detailed long-term studies on glacier dynamics, sea ice, fluctuations of the continental ice margin and snouts of glaciers. For safe and optimal navigation of ships, a sea ice advisory has been also set up. This paper also addresses recent efforts of using high-resolution earth observation satellite data which were acquired for geospatial mapping of cryospheric features and glacial landforms and for delineation of wind induced snow deposition zones in part of the Antarctica. Spatiotemporal dynamics of surface melting over Antarctic was further studied by using moderate resolution satellite data.

Monitoring Wildlife and their Habitats in the Southern Ocean and around Indian Research Stations in Antarctica

Antarctica and its surrounding ocean are at the centre stage of rapid and extreme environmental events due to prevailing global climate change, which in turn necessitates long-term monitoring of wildlife and their habitats in this region. Systematic monitoring of seabirds and marine mammals were carried out during five austral summers (2008-09, 2009-10, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16). Vessel-based surveys for pelagic seabirds in the southern Indian Ocean, aerial surveys for seals and penguins and field surveys for locating nesting sites of Antarctic birds were conducted at Indian area of operation in Antarctica. Forty-nine species of seabirds were observed during the vessel-based surveys. Species richness peaked in the mid-latitudes but species abundances increased along higher latitudes towards Antarctica. Planktivorous species in the lower latitudes were replaced by mixed prey dependent species in the higher latitudes. Aerial surveys recorded a total of four species of seals viz. Weddell seal, Crabeater seal, Leopard seal and Ross seal and two penguin species viz. Emperor penguin and Adelie penguin. Out of 15 islands in Larsemann hills that were surveyed on-foot, the presence of nesting sites of seabirds is reported from 13 islands. The preliminary results from our study provide the baseline data for ecologically important species within Indian area of operation in Antarctica and will help design future research activities.

Bibliometric Analysis of Collaboration Network and the Role of Research Station in Antarctic Science

Due to the large scale of Antarctic science, scientific collaboration is required for conducting scientific research. In this study, we attempted to investigate collaboration network and the role of research station in Antarctic science based on bibliometric data from 1995 to 2014. We confirmed that geographical proximity tends to be important for scientific collaboration by employing community detection in the network. This result raises the question about what the role of research station in Antarctica is. We tried to reveal its role by focusing on five countries, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, India, and Korea that constructed new research stations during the last decade. Relative growth rate, a value to measure the growth of publications, didn't differ much around the construction period compared to those in other periods for these countries except Belgium. However, we found geographical keywords emerged around the construction for all five countries. These keywords were utilized to observe national research activities in Antarctica. They show where countries started to be concerned about after the construction.