West Coast Of Spitsbergen Research Articles

Hexabromocyclododecanes in soils, plants, and sediments from Svalbard, Arctic: Levels, isomer profiles, chiral signatures, and potential sources

This study investigated the occurrence, stereoisomeric behavior, and potential sources of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in topsoil and terrestrial vegetation from Svalbard and ocean sediment samples from Kongsfjorden, an open fjord on the west coast of Spitsbergen. The mean levels of total concentrations (Σ3HBCDs) were comparable to those in other remote regions and were lower than those in source regions. Elevated proportions of α-HBCD with an average of 41% in the terrestrial samples and 25% in ocean sediments compared to those in commercial products (10–13% for α-HBCD) were observed, implying isomerization from γ- to α-HBCD in the Arctic environment. In addition, the extensive deviations of enantiomeric fractions (EFs) from the racemic values reflected the effect of biotransformation on HBCD accumulation. Linear correlation analysis, redundancy analysis, and back-trajectory were combined to infer possible HBCD sources, and the results showed the important role of global production and long-range environmental transport (LRET) for the entry of HBCDs into the Arctic at an early stage. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the diastereoisomer- and enantiomer-specific profiles of HBCDs in the Arctic terrestrial environment and sheds light on the transport pathways and environmental fate for more effective risk management related to HBCDs in remote regions.

Atmospheric Climatologies Over Isfjorden, Svalbard

AbstractThe Isfjorden region at the west coast of Spitsbergen is the most easily accessible area in the Svalbard Archipelago, making it a perfect outdoor laboratory for Arctic research. Due to its location in the high Arctic together with its complex terrain, the climatic conditions vary substantially both in time and space. Based on a new high‐resolution reanalysis, we present climatologies of five major atmospheric variables over the Isfjorden region during 2011–2021 with special focus on local effects. For example, we find that topographic channeling effects often lead to differences in near‐surface wind speeds of several m s−1 over small horizontal distances. During winter, the fjord acts as a heat and moisture island, ultimately impacting the adjacent low‐elevation land areas. These land–sea gradients reverse during summer. High mountain areas surrounding the fjord experience substantially different climatic conditions, with for example, seasonal precipitation doubling from sea level to approximately 700 m. The spatial variability over the Isfjorden region is in general found to be smaller than its temporal counterpart but larger than the diurnal cycle. Besides these findings, this study furthermore demonstrates the importance of high‐resolution regional atmospheric reanalyses compared to global products for the characterization of the local micro‐climate over Arctic fjords and the interaction with surrounding land areas.

Environmental distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on Svalbard: Local sources and long-range transport to the Arctic

The environmental distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water, snow, sediment and soil samples taken along the west coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, Norwegian Arctic, was determined. The contribution of potential local primary sources (wastewater, firefighting training site at Svalbard airport, landfill) to PFAS concentrations and long-range transport (atmosphere, ocean currents) were then compared, based on measured PFAS levels and composition profiles. In remote coastal and inland areas of Spitsbergen, meltwater had the highest mean ΣPFAS concentration (6.5 ± 1.3 ng L−1), followed by surface snow (2.5 ± 1.7 ng L−1), freshwater (2.3 ± 1.1 ng L−1), seawater (1.05 ± 0.64 ng L−1), lake sediments (0.084 ± 0.038 ng g−1 dry weight (dw)) and marine sediments (<method detection limit (MDL)–0.46 ng g−1 dw, median 0.015 ng g−1 dw). Perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTSA) were predominant in water and soil samples influenced by local sources, while perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCA) were predominant in water and sediment from remote coastal and inland areas of Svalbard. The PFAS composition profiles observed in remote areas indicated that atmospheric transport and oxidation of volatile precursors is an important source of PFCA on Svalbard. Shorter-chain PFAS such as perfluorobutanoate (PFBA) were the predominant PFAS in freshwater, reflecting replacement of C8-chained PFAS with shorter-chained compounds. The comparatively high PFAS (especially PFBA) concentration in meltwater indicated that melting of snow and ice during the Arctic spring is an important diffuse local PFAS source. This source may become even more important with climate warming-induced melting of Arctic glaciers and ice sheets. Further studies of mobilisation and transport of PFAS in the Arctic region are needed to confirm this trend.

Tracing the footprints of Arctic pollution: Spatial variations in toxic and essential elements in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) faeces

The Arctic is an accumulation zone of long-range transported pollution. In addition, local anthropogenic activities further contribute to regional pollution levels. The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) is a suitable organism for studying and monitoring exposure to anthropogenic pollutants at the base of the terrestrial Arctic food web, and reindeer faeces have been promoted as non-invasive means of biomonitoring contaminant exposure. This study used HR-ICP-MS to analyse levels and composition of 16 elements in Svalbard reindeer faeces (n = 96) and soil (n = 9) from two locations on Svalbard, with the aim to assess whether local anthropogenic pollution influences element bioavailability. One of the sampling areas, the Nordenskiöld coast, is situated on the west coast of Spitsbergen, close to the Arctic Ocean and relatively far from local anthropogenic sources. The other sampling area, Adventdalen, is located further inland and close to Longyearbyen, the largest settlement of the archipelago. There was a significant difference in faecal elemental concentration and composition between the Adventdalen and Nordenskiöld coast reindeer populations. Elements of geogenic origin (e.g., Al, Cu and Fe) were found at higher levels in faeces from Adventdalen. In comparison, levels of Ca, Se and the toxic elements Cd and Pb were higher in faecal samples from the Nordenskiöld coast. The significantly higher levels of faecal Cd and Pb at Nordenskiöld coast may be due to marine input, dietary differences between the populations, or possible anthropogenic influence from the nearby settlement of Barentsburg. There was, however, a decoupling in elemental composition between faecal and soil samples, which may derive from a selective vegetational uptake of elements from the soil. The results suggest that reindeer are exposed to a range of elements and that faeces can be used to monitor the exposure to bioavailable environmental levels of both essential and toxic elements in terrestrial ecosystems.

Seasonal plankton dynamics in Kongsfjorden during two years of contrasting environmental conditions

Seasonal plankton time-series data are presented from Kongsfjorden from two years with contrasting environmental conditions. Kongsfjorden (west coast of Spitsbergen – 79°N) integrates inputs from Atlantic and Arctic waters, and glacier run-off, and is thus a prime location to study impacts on ecosystem dynamics of key environmental drivers that are relevant across the Arctic. Despite extensive research in Kongsfjorden, seasonally-resolved data are scarce. From late April/early May to early September 2019 and 2020, we conducted pelagic sampling at a mid-fjord station at mostly weekly to bi-weekly resolution investigating the environmental drivers of phyto- and zooplankton community composition and phenology. During spring 2019, Atlantic water masses with temperatures > 1 °C were found throughout the upper 250 m of the water column, and little sea ice occurred in the fjord. Spring 2020, in turn, was characterized by the presence of local water masses with sub-zero temperatures and relatively extensive sea-ice cover. The most striking contrast between the two years was the difference in phytoplankton spring bloom composition. In 2019, the spring bloom was dominated by the colonial stage of the haptophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii and diatoms played a minor role, while the spring bloom in 2020 was dominated by diatoms of the genus Thalassiosira succeeded by P. pouchetii. Selective grazing by large copepods and water mass structure seem to have been the decisive factors explaining the marked difference in diatom spring bloom biomass between the years while similar spring abundances of P. pouchetii in both years indicated that this species was less impacted by those factors. Our data suggest that differences in spring bloom composition impacted trophic transfer and carbon export. Recruitment of the dominant copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis, Cirripedia and euphausiid larvae as well as the export of carbon to the seabed was more efficient during the diatom-dominated compared to the P. pouchetii–dominated spring bloom. In summer, the plankton composition shifted towards a flagellate-dominated community characterized by mixo- and heterotrophic taxa adapted to a lower nutrient regime and strong top-down control by copepod grazers. However, residual silicic acid after the P. pouchetii–dominated spring bloom fueled a late summer diatom bloom in 2019.Our data provide a first glimpse into the environmental drivers of plankton phenology and underline that high-resolution monitoring over many annual cycles is required to resolve the ephemeral variations of plankton populations against the backdrop of climate change.

Cetacean spatial trends from 2005 to 2019 in Svalbard, Norway

This study uses cetacean sighting data, acquired via a citizen science programme, to update distributions and spatial trends of whales and dolphins in waters around the Svalbard Archipelago during the period 2005–2019. Distributions, based on kernel density estimates, from an early period (2005–2019) and a recent period (2015–19) were compared to identify potential shifts in distribution in this area, which is experiencing rapid warming and concomitant sea-ice losses. Among the three Arctic endemic cetaceans, white whales (Delphinapterus leucas, also known as beluga) had a stable, coastal distribution throughout the study, whereas narwhals (Monodon monoceros) and bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) were observed only north of the archipelago, but with increasing frequency during the recent period. White-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) had a stable distribution along the continental shelf break, west and south of Svalbard. Sperm whale observations shifted from west of Bjørnøya during the early period to being concentrated around the north end of Prins Karls Forland, west of Spitsbergen during the recent period. The four summer-resident baleen whales—blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)—have shifted their distributions from the continental shelf break west of Spitsbergen during the early period into fjords and coastal areas during the recent period. These changes coincide with increased inflows of Atlantic Water into the fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen and across the north of the archipelago.

Increased presence of Atlantic Water on the shelf south-west of Spitsbergen with implications for the Arctic fjord Hornsund

Atlantic Water is a major contributor to the largest zonal variability in ocean properties and air-sea-ice interaction in the Nordic Seas and the European Arctic. Climate change has amplified warming and intensified extreme events, in both the ocean and the atmosphere, with severe implications for the marine environment. Here, we present our long-term (1999–2020) hydrographic observations from the shelf south-west of Spitsbergen, focusing on the extent of Atlantic and Arctic waters, and we examine their impact on the water masses in Hornsund fjord. Our results show an 8% y−1 increase of the Atlantic Water volume fraction on the shelf during the period 1999–2020, especially noticeable in the last decade. Although this does not imply a significant increase in the amount of waters of the Atlantic origin in the fjord, the greater role of Atlantic Water is attributed to changes in water properties (volume and temperature) of the upper water layer in Hornsund. The strong controlling effect of Arctic Water, transported by the Spitsbergen Polar Current, on the salinity of the fjord surface and intermediate layers is helping to preserve the Arctic character of Hornsund. Nevertheless, ongoing Atlantification of the Nordic and Barents Seas may reduce supply of Arctic Water, thereby diminishing the role of the Spitsbergen Polar Current as the agent mitigating the impact of Atlantic Water on the west Spitsbergen fjords. In the future, this may contribute to the disappearance of the gradation in hydrographic conditions currently observed in the fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen.

Waterside convection and stratification control methane spreading in supersaturated Arctic fjords (Spitsbergen)

Seasonally ice covered in the past, the fjords in West Spitsbergen turn into being perennially ice free in the present. This feedback to Arctic amplification of global warming changes gas fluxes at the atmosphere-ocean interface. Furthermore, in this Polar region, coupled feedbacks likely enhance Arctic amplification of global warming as numerous gas seepages provide evidence for active gas emissions at the sediment-water interface. We present a time series (2015–2017) of dissolved methane concentrations combined with hydrographic data in Adventfjorden and Tempelfjorden, two sub-fjords of Isfjorden located at the west coast of Spitsbergen. While both sub-fjords remained permanently supersaturated, we detected pronounced temporal and spatial variations in the methane excess level. Our study revealed that seasonal water transformations were key to seasonally changing methane pathways including potential sea-air flux (efflux). We suggest that a cascade of feedback processes, seasonally triggered by waterside convection and stratification, adjusts the amount of methane released and transported within fjord water. When sea ice was missing, strong winter cooling affected the methane supersaturation in contrary directions: first a drop and then a strong increase. In early winter, convective mixing favoured efflux, which reduced the supersaturation. Later in winter, the thermal convection resulted in a continuous overturning of the water column. When the thermal convection reached the bottom, sediment resuspension by turbulence increased, which in turn encouraged enhanced methane release. Subsequently transported along vertical isopycnals, methane from the bottom water reached the water-atmosphere interface. These coupled events created a steady state, simultaneously maintaining supersaturation and efflux. During the warm season, the fjord water became stratified and methane transport occurred mainly laterally in the bottom water. The seasonally changing hydrographic conditions strongly triggered the methane spreading in both sub-fjords and point to a switch between the atmosphere and ocean as main sinks in winter and summer, respectively. Upcoming variations in seasonality, i.e. warmer/cooler summer compared to colder/warmer winter will influence these pathways and the final fate of methane discharged into Arctic fjords.

Ringed seal (Pusa hispida) diet on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway: during a time of ecosystem change

Global warming is causing Atlantification of water masses and concomitant changes in food webs in the Barents Sea region. To determine whether changes that have been documented at lower trophic levels are impacting the diet of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) from 99 coastal-feeding ringed seals, collected in western Spitsbergen, Svalbard, were analysed via identification of hard-parts. The study animals were shot in spring (n = 30; April–July) or autumn (n = 69; August–October) during four consecutive years (2014–2017). Thirty different prey types were identified, but most seals (55.6%) had consumed between 2 and 4 different types of prey. Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) dominated the diet of the ringed seals in terms of relative biomass (Bi = 60.0%) and frequency of occurrence (FOi = 86.9%), followed by pricklebacks (Stichaeidae; Bi = 23.4%; FOi = 79.8%). Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that year was the only significant predictor explaining variance in autumn diet composition (RDA, F3 = 4.96, AIC = − 76.49, p ≤ 0.0050; blubber content and maturity/sex group were not significant). Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) occurred in the diet in small quantities; this Atlantic fish species has not previously been documented in the ringed seals’ diet. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) had the highest Bi (9.2%) among Atlantic prey types. However, despite major changes in the last decade in the fish and zooplankton community in western Svalbard, and consumption of a few Atlantic prey types, the ringed seals’ diet in Svalbard continues to be dominated by Arctic prey, especially polar cod.

Glacial influence on the iron and sulfur cycles in Arctic fjord sediments (Svalbard)

Arctic fjord sediments of Svalbard receive terrestrial material from glacial runoff and organic matter from marine primary productivity. Organic carbon mineralization proceeds primarily through sulfate and iron reduction in the fjord sediment. The ongoing retreat of glaciers in the high Arctic is altering the input of glacial material to the fjords, with unknown consequences for the iron and sulfur cycles in the fjord sediments. We measured sulfate reduction rates in sediment cores and analyzed porewater geochemistry, then compared these results to long-term sediment incubations to determine the rates of iron reduction and sulfide oxidation in three glacially influenced fjords on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Despite an abundance of glacially-sourced Fe(III)-oxide minerals, active sulfate reduction took place throughout the sediment. Analyses of the sulfur and oxygen isotopic composition of porewater sulfate and sulfate concentrations suggest that sulfide produced from biological sulfate reduction is reoxidized to sulfate. Long-term sediment incubations indicated sulfide oxidation at all three stations. The rate of sulfide oxidation was controlled by both the rate of sulfate reduction and the quantity and reactivity of Fe(III)-oxides. In our experimental incubations, we detected a decrease in Fe(III) content of the 0.5 M HCl and ascorbate-extractable fractions, but not in the 6 M HCl fraction, indicating that the highly reactive Fe(III) fraction is utilized by microorganisms and serves as the oxidant for sulfide oxidation. Our results show that sulfide oxidation in glacially-influenced fjord sediments is a wide-spread geochemical process. Further warming will drive glacial retreat onto land, where sediment-laden glacial meltwater will be altered during flow through proglacial streams and lakes before entering the marine environment. Fjord sediments will likely become more sulfidic, as glaciers deliver less particulate, highly-reactive metal oxides to the marine environment.

Life on the Edge: Ecological Genetics of a High Arctic Insect Species and Its Circumpolar Counterpart.

Arctic ecosystems are subjected to strong environmental constraints that prevent both the colonization and development of many organisms. In Svalbard, few aphid species have established permanent populations. These high arctic aphid species have developed peculiar life-history traits such as shortened life cycles and reduced dispersal capacities. Here, we present data on the distribution and population genetics of Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum in Spitsbergen, the main island of the Svalbard archipelago, and compared its genetic structure with that of its close relative Acyrthosiphon brevicorne, sampled in the top of Scandinavian mainland. We found that A. svalbardicum is common but heterogeneously distributed along the west coast of Spitsbergen. We recorded this species up to 79°12’, which constitutes the northernmost location for any aphid. Genetic structure examined using microsatellite markers showed more pronounced spatial differentiation in A. svalbardicum than in A. brevicorne populations, presumably due to reduced dispersal capacities in the former species. Although populations of A. brevicorne and A. svalbardicum were well-delineated at nuclear loci, they shared similar cytoplasmic DNA haplotypes as revealed by sequence analysis of two DNA barcodes. These results raise questions about whether these two taxa are different species, and the colonization sources and history of the Svalbard archipelago by A. svalbardicum.

Assessment of periglacial response to increased runoff: An Arctic hydrosystem bears witness

AbstractIn the general context of global warming, the cryosphere appears as an environment that exhibits a strong sensitivity to climate variations. Overall, glacier systems are now known to be reliable indicators of climate trends. Although glacier dynamics are subject to international monitoring networks, periglacial environments are much less observed. However, these newly deglaciated areas get wider since glaciers are retreating, and their dynamics become increasingly significant. The observed increase in water fluxes, temperature and precipitation, permafrost melting, and reduced cold periods induce a combined control on modifications of the glacier and periglacial dynamics. Such consequences are also visible on the landscape, hinting at an adaptation of the environment to the climatic forcing.The work carried out focuses on Austre Lovénbreen area, a small 10‐km2 glacier basin (Svalbard, 78.87°N, 12.15°E, west coast of Spitsbergen) exhibiting typical arctic glacial retreat trends. Its geomorphological characteristics as well as its observatory status make it an appropriate control area. Our investigations are based on a combination of classical on‐site snow, ice, and geomorphological measurements, combined with innovative methods using aerial photography (e.g., from unmanned aerial systems) and digital photogrammetric image processing. Such data currently complement classical remote sensing methods (satellite imagery), providing both improved resolution and high temporal repeatability. Indeed, short acquisition time and flexibility allows measurements within very short time intervals, a requirement when short events are significant in the whole system evolution: The speed at which climatic change‐related events occur requires such fine‐grained spatial and temporal monitoring.This work highlights an increase of sediment transfers during the last decade that ties in with the increasing liquid precipitation as well as a trend of rising temperatures. The newly deglaciated area, particularly at the glacier front, is in constant and fast reshaping, which is quantifiable from 1 year to another, assessing the increase of periglacial landscape modification. This small‐scale detailed analysis enlightens on global processes occurring in Arctic regions demonstrating ongoing geomorphological and landscape changes as a consequence of glacier retreat and newly exposed periglacial environments.

The longer the better: the effect of substrate on sessile biota in Arctic kelp forests

Kelps are ecosystem engineers and thus enhance biodiversity and subsidize food webs in nearshore areas. Numerous studies describing diversity and abundance of biota associated with kelp have focused on sub-tropical and temperate waters while kelp forests at high latitudes, where kelp is predicted to expand in distribution, remain mostly unexplored. Kelp forests contribute significantly to regional biodiversity, and associated fauna and the kelp themselves play ecologically important roles as habitat and feeding areas. Here, we report patterns in diversity, abundance and seasonal dynamics of fouling organisms associated with different regions of Saccharina latissima and nearby substrates (including stones of the barren ground). The study was conducted in Kongsfjorden, a high Arctic fjord on the west coast of Spitsbergen; and samples were taken five times between September 2013 and January 2015. Trends in species richness of epifauna were similar for stones and holdfasts: higher in winter (due the presence of rare species), and lower in spring and autumn. Species richness and abundance demonstrated a clear tendency to increase in accordance with substrate stability. Stones housed the most diverse biota compared to living substrates. Holdfasts demonstrated similar patterns in species composition and abundance as stones due their close spatial arrangement and presence of demersal larvae in most of fouling organisms. Similarly, assemblages on blades in prostrate kelp forests are influenced by the species inhabiting stones of the barren ground. Both biotic and abiotic factors, including habitat stability and proximity to source populations, contribute to these spatial and temporal patterns in faunal abundance and diversity.

The Araneae of Svalbard: the relationships between specific environmental factors and spider assemblages in the High Arctic

As top predators in the Arctic invertebrate fauna, spiders in Svalbard are key components of the terrestrial ecosystem. However, most descriptions consist of observations of species occurrence and few repeated sampling campaigns investigating these heterogeneous assemblages, or the relationship between microhabitats and seasonality, exist. Spider assemblages were evaluated along four altitudinal transects (c. 10–300 m above mean sea level) on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, throughout the summer of 2012. The slopes were selected to include most of the vegetation types typical for this region of Svalbard. Eleven of the known 15 native spider species were collected (10 Linyphiidae and 1 Gnaphosidae). We used Generalised Linear Models (GLM) for each spider species to identify the factors best explaining spider species abundance and distribution. The distribution of the majority of spider species was best described by vegetation or topography and none was accurately predicted by temperature. Only two species (Erigone arctica palaearctica and Hilaira glacialis) were common at all four sites and these two constituted 54% (1650 and 639 individuals, respectively) of the total spider individuals trapped. That assemblages of linyphiid spiders can differ greatly over small local and temporal scales further demonstrates the complexity of the Arctic terrestrial invertebrate community.

Contrasting glacial meltwater effects on post-bloom phytoplankton on temporal and spatial scales in Kongsfjorden, Spitsbergen

Glacial meltwater discharge in fjords on the west coast of Spitsbergen is increasing due to climate change. The influence of this discharge on phytoplankton nutrient limitation, composition, productivity and photophysiology was investigated in central (M) and inner (G) Kongsfjorden (79°N, 11°40’E). Freshwater influx intensified stratification during June 2015, coinciding with surface nutrient depletion. Surface nutrient concentrations were negatively correlated with stratification strength at station M. Here, nitrate addition assays revealed increasing N limitation of surface phytoplankton during the second half of June, which was followed by a pronounced compositional change within the flagellate-dominated phytoplankton community as dictyochophytes (85% of chl a) were replaced with smaller haptophytes (up to 60% of chlorophyll a) and prasinophytes (20% of chlorophyll a). These changes were less pronounced at station G, where surface phosphate, ammonium and nitrate concentrations were occasionally higher, and correlated with wind direction, suggesting wind-mediated transport of nutrient-enriched waters to this inner location. Therefore, glacial meltwater discharge mediated nutrient enrichment in the inner fjord, and enhanced stratification in inner and central Kongsfjorden. Surface chlorophyll a and water column productivity showed 3–4-fold variability, and did not correlate with nutrient limitation, euphotic zone depth, or changed taxonomic composition. However, the maximum carbon fixation rate and photosynthetic efficiency showed weak positive correlations to prasinophyte, cryptophyte, and haptophyte chlorophyll a. The present study documented relationships between stratification, N limitation, and changed phytoplankton composition, but surface chlorophyll a concentration, phytoplankton photosynthetic characteristics, and water column productivity in Kongsfjorden appeared to be driven by mechanisms other than N limitation.

Where Swedish polar research began: the Linnaean apostle Anton Rolandson Martin's voyage to Spitsbergen in 1758

ABSTRACTIn 1758 the renowned Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus sent his student Anton Rolandson Martin to the Arctic on-board a whaler to collect scientific specimens. He became the first Swedish scientist to sail these northern waters and to set foot on Spitsbergen. But what route did the ship take and where exactly did he land? By using a combination of geographical information in Martin's diary together with latitude and wind directions from his meteorological records the ship's voyage has been reconstructed. The whaler set course directly to the west coast of Spitsbergen and then patrolled waters from there to the eastern flank of the ice fields off Greenland. The ship then returned to Spitsbergen as the whaling season drew to an end. Martin got the chance to set foot on land only once and for just two hours. After recent field work at the presumed locality 258 years after Martin's visit, his descriptions of the islets were checked and a first-hand comparison was made between the rock sample Martin brought home and the local bedrock. The author is now confident that the landing took place on Forlandsøyane islands, situated off the southwestern coast of Prins Karls Forland.

Primary producers and production in Hornsund and Kongsfjorden – comparison of two fjord systems

AbstractHornsund and Kongsfjorden are two similar-sized Arctic fjords on the West coast of Spitsbergen. They are influenced by cold coastal Arctic water (Hornsund) and warmer Atlantic water (Kongsfjorden). Environmental conditions affect the timing, quantity, spatial distribution (horizontal and vertical) of spring and summer blooms of protists as well as the taxonomic composition of those assemblages. Here, we compile published data and unpublished own measurement from the past two decades to compare the environmental factors and primary production in two fjord systems. Kongsfjorden is characterized by a deeper euphotic zone, higher biomass and greater proportion of autotrophic species. Hornsund seems to obtain more nutrients due to the extensive seabird colonies and exhibits higher turbidity compared to Kongsfjorden. The annual primary production in the analysed fjords ranges from 48 g C m−2y−1in Kongsfjorden to 216 g C m−2y−1in Hornsund, with a dominant component of microplankton (90%) followed by macrophytes and microphytobenthos.

Comparison of meteorological conditions in Svalbard fjords: Hornsund and Kongsfjorden

Summary This paper presents the results of a comparison of basic meteorological parameters in two Arctic fjords situated on the west coast of Spitsbergen, the main island of the Svalbard archipelago. Air temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity and cloud cover from the period 2005 to 2016 are described and compared with previous (from 1975) analyses of meteorological conditions in the investigated region. Such a choice of dates coincides with the time the GAME project measurements were carried out. The main goal of this study was to compare meteorological conditions in two fjords: Hornsund and Kongsfjorden, during the time of rapid climate changes. The results are collated with research results available in literature from previous years. We discovered that in the investigated period the climate of the Hornsund region is more oceanic than in Kongsfjorden. The stable level of the difference in climate elements is manifested and is evident mainly through greater amplitudes in air temperatures in Kongsfjorden, and in stronger winds in Hornsund.

Dynamic Holocene glacial history of St. Jonsfjorden, Svalbard

Evidence of a dynamic Holocene glacial history is preserved in the terrestrial and marine archives of St. Jonsfjorden, a small fjord‐system on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. High‐resolution, remotely sensed imagery from marine and terrestrial environments was used to construct geomorphological maps that highlight an intricate glacial history of the entire fjord‐system. The geomorphology and stratigraphy indicate an early Holocene local glacier advance constrained to the Lateglacial–early Holocene transition. Identification and 14C dating of the thermophilous bivalve mollusc Modiolus modiolus to 10.0±0.12 cal. ka BP suggest a rapid northward migration of the species shortly after deglaciation. Further evidence enhances the understanding of the onset and subsequent climax of the Neoglacial‐Little Ice Age in inner St. Jonsfjorden. The present‐day terminus of Osbornebreen, the dominating glacier system in St. Jonsfjorden, is located over 8.5 km up‐fjord from its Neoglacial maximum extent. Cross‐cutting relationships suggest subsequent advances of all the smaller glaciers in the area following the break‐up of Osbornebreen. Glacial deposits, landforms and their cross‐cutting relationships observed in both terrestrial and marine settings imply a complex and highly dynamic environment through the later part of the Holocene.

Change in geometry of a high Arctic glacier from 1948 to 2013 (Austre Lovénbreen, Svalbard)

ABSTRACTThe change of Austre Lovénbreen, a 4.5 km2 land-based glacier along the west coast of Spitsbergen, is investigated using geodetic methods and mass balance measurements over 1948–2013. For 2008−2013, annual mass balances computed on 36-stake measurements were obtained, in addition to annual mass balances reconstructed from the neighbouring glaciers, Midtre Lovénbreen (1968−2007) and Austre Brøggerbreen (1963−1967). The mean rate of glacier retreat for 1948–2013 is −16.7 ± 0.3 m a−1. Fluctuations in area (1948–2013 mean, −0.027 ± 0.002 km2 a−1) showed a slowing as the glacier recedes within its valley from 1990 to 1995. For 1962–2013, the average volume loss calculated by digital elevation model subtraction of −0.441 ± 0.062 m w.e. a−1 (or −0.54 ± 0.07% a−1) is similar to the average annual mass balance (−0.451 ± 0.007 m w.e. a−1), demonstrating a good agreement between the loss rates computed by both methods over 1962−2013. When divided in two periods (1962−1995 and 1995−2013), an increase in the rate of ice mass loss is statistically significant for the glacier volume change. The 0°C isotherm elevation (based on mean May–September air temperatures) is estimated to have risen by about 250 m up to the upper parts of the glacier between 1948 and 2013. The glacier area exposed to melting during May to September almost increased by 1.8-fold while the area reduced by a third since 1948. Within a few years, the glacier area exposed to melting will decrease, leading the upper glacier parts under the 0°C isotherm while the snout will keep on retreating.