Russian Antarctic Expedition Research Articles

Functional status of the human cardiorespiratory system during a one-year expedition at Vostok station in central Antarctica as a model of a long-term lunar base

Investigation of the cardiorespiratory system status in the conditions of yearlong wintering at Vostok station provided new data on the development of long-term adaptation of the human body under the influence of combined factors of the extreme environment of Central Antarctica, where this climatic zone was considered as a model of the extreme environment of the lunar base. During the 64th Russian Antarctic Expedition (2019), extended studies, including a dynamic assessment of the state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of polar expeditioners were carried out at Vostok station. New information was obtained regarding the peculiarities of the functioning of the cardiorespiratory system under the conditions of hypobaric hypoxia depending on age during the annual adaptation to the extreme climatic conditions of Central Antarctica.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ПСИХИЧЕСКОЙ РАБОТОСПОСОБНОСТИ И ГРУППОВОЙ ДИНАМИКИ В АВТОНОМНЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ ЗИМОВКИ НА СТАНЦИИ «ВОСТОК»

The paper deals with the investigation of psychic performance and group dynamics during Russian Antarctic expedition RAE66. Eight winterers were tested 7 times with the use of the cognitive Master-Test. Group dynamics was assessed by sociometry and cohesion diagnostics on the basis of common goals and values. Psychophysiological status was assessed weekly using the actigraphy and HR data, and questionnaires. At the end of the polar day and in early autumn, it was the mood that went down first (autumn and winter), then accuracy of sensorimotor reactions degraded (winter) and mistakes in a simple math test became more frequent (winter and spring). On the contrary, performance of short-term memory tests improved in winter and spring. Motor activity reduced during the first half of the expedition and started increasing gradually at the beginning of the polar night. Though the sleeping time was normally from 7 to 8.5 hours, sleep quality subjectively changed during the wintering it correlated with physical activity and consequent changes of heart rate variability (stress) and blood oxygen saturation. The latter remained low throughout the period of life on station Vostok in comparison to measurements made on the ship. Cohesion was high but for some slackening by the third quarter of wintering; at the end of wintering cohesion grew strong again. The sociometric status of winterers varied with intensity of negative emotions.

Влияние ограничения или отказа от табакокурения на адаптационные возможности организма в условиях антарктической зимовки

The research was conducted by a member of the 60th Russian Antarctic Expedition at the all-yearround Mirny Station. The purpose was to study the effect of changed patterns of tobacco smoking on the adaptive capabilities of polar station staff. Materials and methods. Adaptive capabilities were evaluated using the method of cardio-respiratory synchronism, assessing the index of regulatory and adaptive status (IRAS). It is based on recording the synchronization parameters of controlled high respiratory rate and heart rate. IRAS dynamics was compared in four subjects (three regular smokers and one non-smoker as a control) over the course of one year of wintering. The subjects had comparable anthropometric data, health status and working conditions at the station. They were exposed to a similar amount of adverse environmental factors due to their professional activities and lived according to the station’s standard schedule without any personalized changes in their day regimen. Smoking patterns were determined by independent decisions of each expedition member and by the size of personal stocks of tobacco products prepared for the wintering. Results. In polar expedition members faced with smoking cessation or inability to adequately meet this need, IRAS decrease, being a marker of human adaptive capabilities, allowed us to determine the relationship between pronounced changes in the dynamics of regular tobacco smoking and body’s adaptive capabilities. The authors assume that organizational arrangements (sufficient stocks of nicotine-containing products such as cigarettes and tobacco) at the station as well as educational activities (dissuading expedition members from abrupt non-supervised changes in their smoking patterns during Antarctic wintering and properly explaining the reasons why such actions are undesirable) may contribute to improving the health of expedition members and optimizing their living conditions at the polar station. Completing a smoking cessation programme with medical supervision in advance (while preparing for a polar expedition) as well as upon returning from the station (at the end of the adaptation period) can be recommended.

СТРУКТУРА ВОД МОРЕЙ ДЕЙВИСА И МОУСОНА ПО ДАННЫМ ОКЕАНОГРАФИЧЕСКИХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ, ВЫПОЛНЕННЫХ В ХОДЕ 67-й РАЭ

We present the results of oceanographic studies from 64 stations occupied on the slope and shelf in the Davis Sea and the Mawson Sea during the 67th Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) from the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” in January–February 2022. The analysis of unique highprecision CTD data and hydrochemical indicators, together with a comparison with the results of previous studies, allowed us to obtain valuable information about the interannual variability of thermohaline characteristics of Antarctic shelf water on the shelf in the central part of the Davis Sea, to determine the structure of water masses on the slope and shelf in the western part of the Davis Sea and the eastern part of the Mawson Sea. Cascading and dense Antarctic shelf water not been recorded during the research. The thermohaline characteristics of Antarctic shelf water recorded in the central part of the Davis Sea in 2001, 2017, 2021 and dense Antarctic shelf water presence in the basins in February 2022 suggest the participation of Davis Sea shelf water in the ventilation of deep waters and suggest an irregular nature of the source of Antarctic bottom waters in the Davis Sea.

Larsemann Hills: Geomorphometric modeling and mapping

Geomorphometric modeling is widely used in geosciences. However, geomorphometric modeling and mapping of Antarctic oases has not been performed so far. This article presents the first results of our work on geomorphometric modeling and mapping of the Larsemann Hills obtained in the frameworks of the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition in January–April 2023. As input data, we used a fragment of the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA). From the extracted and edited digital elevation model, we derived digital models and maps of the following 17 morphometric variables: slope, aspect, horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, mean curvature, Gaussian curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, unsphericity curvature, difference curvature, vertical excess curvature, horizontal excess curvature, ring curvature, accumulation curvature, catchment area, topographic index, and stream power index. We also conducted a field geomorphometric interpretation work to provide correct physical geographic, geological, and geomorphological interpretations of morphometric maps. In the fieldwork, we carried out 54 foot routes with the total length of about 422 km. During the routes, we collected 150 rock samples for further petrological and mineralogical analyses as well as three-dimensional modeling of the samples. Derived morphometric maps can be useful for structural geological and process-oriented hydrological studies. The ultimate goal of the ongoing work is to create a large-scale geomorphometric atlas of Antarctic oases and other ice-free Antarctic territories.

О присвоении новых географических названий в оазисе Холмы Ларсеманн (Восточная Антарктида)

The author makes a summary for a series of geomorphometric, geological, and biological field studies by a complex team of the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition performed at two areas of the Larsemann Hills oasis (Ingrid Christensen Coast, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica) in February 2023. The areas (a rocky island and a cape) are located to the south of the Stornes Peninsula, at the western border of the oasis with the Polararboken Glacier, on the Wilcock Bay coast. At the time of filed studies, both the areas were white spots on large scale topographic and geological maps, unexplored, and without any names given before. Guided by traditions of land explorers as well as considering the mapping practice of new territories, the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition complex team assigned seven toponyms to the areas and their particular elements.

Геоморфометрическое моделирование и картографирование антарктического оазиса Холмы Ларсеманн

Geomorphometric modeling is widely used in geosciences. However, geomorphometric modeling and mapping of Antarctic oases has not been performed so far. This article presents the first results of geomorphometric modeling and mapping of the Larsemann Hills oasis obtained in the 68th Russian Antarctic Expedition in January–April 2023. As input data, we used a fragment of the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA). From the extracted and edited digital elevation model, we derived models and maps of the following 17 morphometric variables: slope, aspect, horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, mean curvature, Gaussian curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, unsphericity curvature, difference curvature, vertical excess curvature, horizontal excess curvature, ring curvature, accumulation curvature, catchment area, topographic index, and stream power index. We conducted a field geomorphometric interpretation to provide with correct physical geographic, geological, and geomorphological interpretations of morphometric maps. In this fieldwork, we carried out 54 foot routes with the total length of about 422 km. During the routes, we collected 150 rock samples for further petrological and mineralogical analyses and three-dimensional modeling of the samples. Morphometric maps can be useful for geological, geomorphological, soil, biological, and hydrological studies. The ultimate goal of the author’s multiyear project is to create a digital geomorphometric atlas of Antarctic oases and other ice-free Antarctic territories.

An araphid diatoms from marine Miocene deposits of the Fisher Massif (Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica)

The Late Cenozoic history of Antarctica is reflected in the few ice-free ground deposits of the continental marginal zone. While the planktonic diatom flora of the Cenozoic Antarctic, which has dominated the biocenoses of the Southern Ocean since the Eocene, has been fairly well studied based on Deep-Sea Drilling, the benthic diatoms found in sediments have been studied extremely poorly. In the materials collected during the 52nd and 53rd Russian Antarctic expeditions in 2006–2008 from deposits of the Fisher Massif (central part of the Prince Charles Mountains), a rich fossil diatom complexes were found, including more than 80 mainly benthic taxa. Of these, 13 species of araphid diatoms have been studied and described.

Experimental research on the thermal method of drilling by melting the well in ice mass with simultaneous controlled expansion of its diameter

During the seasonal work of the 64th Russian Antarctic Expedition in 2018-2019 at the “Vostok” drilling facility named after B.B.Kudryashov (“Vostok” station, Antarctic) specialists of Saint Petersburg Mining University conducted experimental investigations on the process of drilling by melting with simultaneous expansion of wells in the ice mass. A test bench and a full-scale model of a thermohydraulic reamer-drilling tool were developed, manufactured and tested for the research. The first bench tests of the full-scale model proved its efficiency and suitability for experimental drilling with simultaneous expansion of wells in ice mass; its operational capabilities were determined and the drawbacks that will be taken into account in future were found out. The article substantiates the choice of constructive elements for thermohydraulic reamer-drilling tool. It is determined that the technology of full diameter drilling with simultaneous expansion of the well in ice mass can be implemented by combining contact drilling by melting and convective expansion with creation of forced near-bottomhole annular circulation of the heated heat carrier. Dependencies of expansion rate on main technological parameters were determined: active heat power of heating elements in penetrator and circulation system, mechanical drilling rate, pump flow rate. According to the results of investigations, the experimental model of thermohydraulic reamer-drilling tool will be designed and manufactured for testing in conditions of well 5G.

Spatial Distribution of Aerosol Characteristics over the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean Using Multiyear (2004–2021) Measurements from Russian Antarctic Expeditions

Since 2004, we have carried out yearly measurements of physicochemical aerosol characteristics onboard research vessels at Southern Hemisphere high latitudes (34–72° S; 45° W–110° E). In this work, we statistically generalize the results from multiyear (2004–2021) measurements in this area of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) of the atmosphere, concentrations of aerosol and equivalent black carbon (EBC), as well as the ionic composition of aerosol. A common regularity was that the aerosol characteristics decreased with increasing latitude up to the Antarctic coast, where the aerosol content corresponded to the global background level. Between Africa and Antarctica, AOD decreased from 0.07 to 0.024, the particle volume decreased from 5.5 to 0.55 µm3/cm3, EBC decreased from 68.1 to 17.4 ng/m3, and the summed ion concentration decreased from 24.5 to 2.5 µg/m3. Against the background of the common tendency of the latitude decrease in aerosol characteristics, we discerned a secondary maximum (AOD and ion concentrations) or a plateau (aerosol and EBC concentrations). The obtained spatial distribution of aerosol characteristics qualitatively agreed with the model-based MERRA-2 reanalysis data, but showed quantitative differences: the model AOD values were overestimated (by 0.015, on average); while the EBC concentrations were underestimated (by 21.7 ng/m3). An interesting feature was found in the aerosol spatial distribution in the region of Antarctic islands: at a distance of 300 km from the islands, the concentrations of EBC decreased on average by 29%, while the aerosol content increased by a factor of 2.5.

Беспилотная аэрофотосъемка в летний сезон 67-й Российской антарктической экспедиции

The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in glaciology and cryology, as well as studying and monitoring of polar regions is one of the most rapidly developing areas of the unmanned aerial industry. An aerial photogeodetic team of the 67th Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) solved two main interrelated tasks: 1) field tests of the newest Russian UAS Geoscan 701 in Antarctic conditions and 2) carrying out unmanned aerial surveys of two Antarctic territories, characterized by fundamentally different natural conditions, in order to obtain their high-precision orthomosaics and digital elevation models (DEMs) of an ultra-high resolution. On 15 January 2022, we carried out an unmanned aerial survey of two adjacent Antarctic maritime oases Molodezhny and Vecherny and surrounding areas of the glacier (Enderby Land, East Antarctica). From 26 January to 16 February 2022, we performed an unmanned aerial survey of the Fildes Peninsula (the southwestern, free of ice cover portion of the King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica). The survey was complicated by severe meteorological conditions (low clouds, fog, strong winds, and precipitation). Field tests of UAS Geoscan 701 have shown that the system can be successfully used for unmanned aerial survey in polar regions. After in-office photogrammetric processing of the obtained materials, orthomosaics and DEMs of the indicated territories will be obtained with a resolution of 10 and 25 cm, respectively. These will be used for creation of modern large-scale topographic maps, photographic maps, three-dimensional and geomorphometric modeling of these territories, as well as operational and scientific activities of the RAE.

Methods of snowmelt calculation in the Antarctic oasis Larsemann Hills

The paper studies the validity of snowmelt calculation methods, which are mostly used in hydrology, for the Larsemann Hills oasis (East Antarctica). The study bases on snow surveys data obtained on catchments of Low Lake, Reid Lake and Stepped Lake during the 65th season of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) in 2019-2020. Materials of the fond of Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) are also used: snow surveys data collected on the catchment of Stepped Lake during the 57th RAE season in 2012 and on catchments of Low Lake, Reid Lake, Scandrett Lake and Stepped Lake during the 62th RAE season in 2017. Considered three methods of snowmelt calculation were derived by Kuz'min P.P., Popov E.G., Vinogradov Yu.B. Results of calculation are compared with snowmelt value obtained according to snow surveys. The paper shows two variants of calculations: in the first albedo of snow is determined from function of snow age as different values for each day, in the second albedo is determined from remote sensing data as average value for all period. Results of snowmelt calculation depend on the method which sets value of snow albedo: relative inaccuracies of results obtained of all discussed methods are smaller when albedo is determined as average value. The equation by Kuz'min P.P. gives the smallest inaccuracies of snowmelt calculation results in relative to real snowmelt values estimated from snow survey data. This snowmelt calculation method in the majority of cases reviewed gives satisfactory results and should be recommended for estimation of snowmelt values for this Antarctic territory.

Оценка прорывоопасности озер Антарктических оазисов с использованием композитных индексов на основе территориальных детерминант

Lake outbursts floods is belonging to the hydrometeorological hazards. They occur as a result of destruction of snow-ice or earth dams and are most typical for lakes of alpine and polar regions. Glacial lakes outbursts floods (GLOF) are widely spread on water bodies of Antarctic oases. Methods for GLOF’s hazard assessment include monitoring, component analysis, point-by-point estimates, etc.) often overestimate the degree of the GLOF’s hazard compare to the real situation. The article presents the first experience of using the method of constructing composite indices (CI) based on territorial determinants for assessing the GLOF’s hazard. The case study of using of CI on water bodies located in the Larsemann Hills Oasis (Brocknes Peninsula, East Antarctica) is presented in the article. The study is based on the incito data obtained by the authors and the archival materials of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) in 2008–2021, collected in the PAULAS database. The calculations of CI show that the results are generally consistent with the in-cito measurements. The results are presented as maps showing the degree of GLOF’s hazard and the most vulnerable sections of the routes connecting wintering stations to the airfield. The intervals of changes for most of the considered criteria, used for CI calculation, were determined by expert method, and, therefore, largely depended on the experience of researchers and their understanding of the natural processes. The future studies will be supposed to refine and possibly supplement the list of criteria. Nevertheless, in the conditions of shortage of water level field measurements, the considered method can be used to assess the GLOF’s hazard of poorly studied and unstudied water bodies not only of Antarctic oases, but also of high-mountain glacial lakes.

Таксономический состав и численность планктонных водорослей в водах Западной Антарктики (февраль–март 2020 г.)

Diversity, quantitative development and distribution of phytoplankton species were investigated. The study area included southeastern part of the Ross Sea (near Roosevelt Island) (station 3), transect 1 along the 156°W (Ross Sea at Cape Colbeck), near Russkaya station (transect 2) along the 138°W and the Bransfield Strait (transect 3) in February-March 2020, based on the data of 65th Russian Antarctic Expedition. 49 algae taxa from 7 divisions with a predominance of diatoms were identified in the phytoplankton. The spatial distribution of phytoplankton was characterized by heterogeneity which is associated with currents in the study areas, ice conditions, climatic and thermohaline factors. Development of diatoms is typical to the entire studied area. The dominant species (more than 10% of the algae population) were representatives of the genera Fragilariopsis, Chaetoceros, Actinocyclus, Corethron and Phaeocystis. The highest phytoplankton abundance (up to 264×103 cells/l) were obtained for transect 2 stations.

Current-controlled sedimentation in the north-western Weddell Sea

The sedimentary basins of the north-western Weddell Sea are characterized by a variety of contourite drifts. This study is aimed at their identification, spatial mapping and temporal evolution and based on the integration of a large amount of seismic data collected by different countries including the recent data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition. Most of the drifts in the region being studied are classified as separated, confined, plastered or sheeted. The chain of sediment wave fields is mapped in the western and northern Powell Basin. The earliest contourite drifts started to form in the Early Miocene or, possibly, in the Late Oligocene. The changes in the depositional pattern in the Middle Miocene and then in the Late Pliocene are thought to have resulted from successive intensification of the bottom currents.

Device for fusion drilling with simultaneous or follow-up reaming of wells in ice

The paper deals with a new opening technology for subglacial reservoirs, which ensures environmentally friendly geological exploration. The technology is based on the results of the first openings of the subglacial Lake Vostok in Antarctica (February 2012 and January 2015). The primary goal of further studies of the subglacial Lake Vostok is to take clean samples of lake water and bottom sediments, which requires direct penetration into the lake. There is a number of conditions to be met in order to conduct further studies of the lake using a clean access well at the Vostok drilling complex. The article summarizes the main results including technological and engineering solutions protected by the patent of the Russian Federation. A detailed consideration is given to a new device for fusion drilling with simultaneous reaming of an ice hole. This device combines two technological processes: drilling due to contact melting, and an increase in the diameter of the well due to the creation of a vortex flow of a continuously heated coolant in the bottomhole zone. The thermal method of ice breaking ensures the ecological cleanliness when opening subglacial reservoirs and is a priority method that favorably differs from the existing ones. The device was named a “thermal drill reamer” (TDR). During the seasonal work of the 64th Russian Antarctic Expedition bench tests of the TDR 132/400 were carried out, the results of which confirmed that the device is capable to ensure 132 mm drilling with simultaneous reaming up to 400 mm.

Formation factors of surface inflow to antarctic lakes of the Larsemann Hills oasis

The study aims to identify formation factors of water inflow to the Antarctic lakes of the Larsemann Hills oasis (East Antarctica). The objects of study are 11 lakes of the oasis. The analysis was performed based on the expeditionary data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE): 63rd season (23 December 2017 – 3 February 2018), 64th season (12 January 2019 – 27 February 2019), 65th season (2 November 2019 – 24 March 2020). Data of lakes water level observations, aerial photography of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and route surveys are given, the results of identifying the boundaries of the lakes catchments are presented. The factors that determine the formation of water inflow to the lakes in this region were identified based on the analysis of the materials. The most significant are the meteorological conditions, the presence of perennial snowfields and glacial areas in the catchments, and the presence of lakes that can cause outburst flood. The seasonally thawed layer also has an impact on the formation of the inflow to the lakes. The vegetation cover is not so important for inflow formation in this region due to the physical and geographical conditions. As for anthropogenic activity, it mainly affects the environmental situation of the catchments and water quality, while the anthropogenic influence on the formation of water inflow to the lakes in the oasis is limited to the territories of polar stations. The factors identified should be taken into account in the further study of hydrological processes, the creation of models that describe them, and the organization of field observations.

Влияние интенсивности контактов с внешней средой на уровень адаптационных возможностей полярников в условиях антарктической зимовки

The research was conducted by a member of the 60th Russian Antarctic Expedition at the all-yearround Mirny Station. The aim was to study what influence contact intensity with the outside environment has on adaptive capabilities of polar station staff. The level of adaptive capabilities was evaluated using the method of cardio-respiratory synchronism, assessing the index of regulatory and adaptive status (IRAS). This method had been developed at the Normal Physiology Department of Kuban State Medical University under the supervision of Prof. V.M. Pokrovsky. It is based on recording the synchronization parameters of controlled high respiratory rate and heart rate. We compared IRAS dynamics of two aerologists during one year of wintering. The subjects had similar anthropometric data, health status and working conditions, the same length of Antarctic wintering (6 years) and were in the same age group. Contact intensity with the outside environment was determined by varying periods spent outside the station premises, mostly due to the lay-out of the residential and amenity buildings (canteen, leisure area, medical unit, gym). This period ranged from 2 to 7 hours on different days. The negative IRAS dynamics, being a marker of human adaptive capabilities, allowed us to identify the relationship between the intensity of environmental influence and the level of the body’s adaptive abilities in one of the expedition members who had been exposed to stronger environmental effects. The authors conclude that proper organization of off-duty periods aimed to decrease the influence of the outside environment will contribute to improving the health of the station staff and optimize their living conditions.

Assessing <i>Serratia</i> spp. pathogenic potential from cryogenic habitats

The genus Serratia are opportunistic bacteria widely spread in natural environment. At the same time, this bacterial genus consists of the species associated with outbreaks of nosocomial infections. Serratia species are found in extreme habitats, but pathogenic potential of polyextremophilic strains in this genus remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to compare the genomes of two Serratia strains isolated in polar regions, primarily examining genetic factors of virulence and adaptation to cryogenic environment. During the 56th Russian Antarctic Expedition the Serratia liquefaciens 72 strain was isolated from a guano sample of the Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony on Tokarev Island (Haswell Archipelago, East Antarctica). The Serratia fonticola 5l strain was isolated from the frozen carcass of moose (Alces alces) fossils found on the Buor-Khaya Peninsula near the Laptev Sea coast (Yakutia Region, Russia). The whole-genome sequencing of such strains allowed to reveal genetic structures evidencing about their successful adaptation to low temperatures. Thus, it was found that both genomes contain genes encoding the main cold shock proteins, phylogenetically close to the corresponding genes in the hypobarotolerant Serratia liquefaciens strain ATCC 27592. Furthermore, both strains bear a cluster of tc-fABCD genes determining the bacterial adhesion to epithelial tissues, and the genes for RTX toxins — adhesins, crucial factors of biofilm formation in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. Experimental studies confirmed the ability of Serratia liquefaciens 72 and Serratia fonticola 5l to actively form biofilms in a wide temperature range (from 6°C to 37°C). The results obtained indicate that the examined genus Serratia strains isolated in Arctica and Antarctica exert overall similar adaptation strategies to polar climate, including the ability to produce pili, show active adhesion, and biofilm formation under low temperatures. Genetic adaptive factors may also act as pathogenicity factors allowing extremotolerant Serratia strains to exert traits of opportunistic and nosocomial pathogens and spread via chilled food-borne transmission. The wide use of food technologies, such as cooling and vacuum sealing, can potentially create a new ecological niche favourable for selection of psychrotolerant and hypobarotolerant pathogens. The data obtained allow to raise a question about necessity of further studies to monitor genetic diversity among psychrophilic hypobarotolerant microbial populations possessing pathogenic and epidemic potential.

Content of Trace Elements in Soils of Eastern Antarctica: Variability Across Landscapes.

Although Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine areas on Earth, an accelerating human presence in this remote continent, such as scientific operations and functioning of numerous scientific stations, logistics, and tourism activities, has increased the risks of environmental impacts in recent decades. During the 63rd Russian Antarctic expedition, 42 samples from topsoil horizons were collected from Larsemann Hills, Mirny station, and Fulmar Island, Eastern Antarctica. The purpose of this work was to analyze the accumulation levels 8 trace elements and to assess possible environmental risks associated with contamination of Antarctic soils. Various human activities have been found to be responsible for increase of metal levels in studied Antarctic environments. Our study also revealed a specific role of ornithogenic factor and moss cover in distribution of contaminants in severe conditions of Eastern Antarctica soils. Ornithogenic soils were characterized by higher rates of accumulation of some trace metals and metalloids (especially zinc and copper) compared with other investigated "pristine" sites without significantly visible traces of guano inputs. In general term, obtained geoaccumulation index for trace elements in all samples were under or slightly above the 0 level, indicating low to moderate pollution of the studied soils. Results of principal component analysis revealed the necessity for further detailed research on interactions of trace metals with soil organic matter for better understanding of their biogeochemistry in the Antarctic environment. Although most of contaminated sites were found in anthropogenically affected areas, accumulation of some elements in guano-derived and moss materials were associated with higher values for soil pollution indices in natural soils, as well.