Dear Readers:Antarctica,with its unparalleled atmospheric transparency,extended polar nights,and unique geographical position,has become a premier site for modern astronomical observation.Two decades ago,the Chinese A...Dear Readers:Antarctica,with its unparalleled atmospheric transparency,extended polar nights,and unique geographical position,has become a premier site for modern astronomical observation.Two decades ago,the Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition(CHINARE)team reached Dome A,the highest point of the Antarctic ice sheet,marking the beginning of a new era for astro-nomical research from the Antarctic plateau.展开更多
This review compiles studies on paleoceanographic and paleoenvironmental changes in the high-latitude Southern Ocean during the late Quaternary based on Chinese Antarctic Expeditions.Four major findings are summarized...This review compiles studies on paleoceanographic and paleoenvironmental changes in the high-latitude Southern Ocean during the late Quaternary based on Chinese Antarctic Expeditions.Four major findings are summarized as follows.(1)Diatom compositions in sediment record sea surface condition changes in the Bransfield Strait and Cosmonaut Sea,indicating an increase in sea ice cover since the Mid-Holocene for both areas,possibly linked to cold water mass injection from the Weddell Sea ice shelf.(2)Export productivity records from Antarctic marginal seas show a glacial-interglacial variation pattern,with higher and lower productivity during the interglacial and glacial periods,respectively,controlled by both the intensity of Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling and sea ice cover.An overall increase of export productivity from Marine Isotope Stage(MIS)12 to MIS 6 is noticed.(3)Ventilation state of the abyssal Southern Ocean is closely related to global climate change and atmospheric CO_(2) concentrations,with elevated ventilation efficiency during deglacial periods responsible for elevated atmospheric CO_(2) concentrations.(4)Antarctic marine-based ice sheets/glaciers wax and wane in line with global and regional ice volume changes,predominantly subject to oceanic forcing,while land-based ice sheets might only reorganize in specific glacial intervals.Despite significant progress in understanding the role of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic Ice Sheet within the global climate system,challenges remain in sample collection and research methods.Future studies should aim to collect samples from a broader range of latitudes,ensure higher quality and longer temporal span,resolve dating issues,reconstruct seawater temperature,and focus on reconstructions of Southern Ocean carbon cycling and changes of intermediate to deep water masses.展开更多
As a crucial component of the Earth’s climate system,Antarctic sea ice has demonstrated significant variability over the satellite era.Here,we identify a remarkable decadal transition in the total Antarctic Sea Ice E...As a crucial component of the Earth’s climate system,Antarctic sea ice has demonstrated significant variability over the satellite era.Here,we identify a remarkable decadal transition in the total Antarctic Sea Ice Extent(SIE).The stage from 1979 to 2006 is characterized by high-frequency(i.e.,seasonal to interannual)temporal variability in SIE and zonal asymmetry in Sea Ice Concentration(SIC),which is primarily under the control of the Amundsen Sea Low(ASL).After 2007,however,sea ice changes exhibit a more spatially homogeneous pattern in SIC and a more temporally long-lasting mode in SIE.Further analysis reveals that sea ice-ocean interaction plays a major role in the low-frequency(i.e.,multiannual)variability of Antarctic sea ice from 2007−22.The related physical process is inferred to manifest as a strong coupling between the surface and the subsurface ocean layers,involving enhanced vertical convection and the downward delivery of the surface anomalies related to ice melting and freezing processes,thus maintaining the SIE anomalies for a longer time.Furthermore,this process mainly occurs in the Amundsen-Bellingshausen Sea(ABS)sector,and the weakened subsurface ocean stratification is the key factor triggering the coupling process in this region.We find that the Circumpolar Deep Water(CDW)over the ABS sector continued to shoal before 2007 and remained stable thereafter.It is speculated that the shoaling of the CDW may be a possible driver leading to the weakening of the subsurface stratification.展开更多
This study investigates the influence of major climatic modes on the interannual variability of the annual minimum extent of Antarctic sea ice.It shows that the Southern Annular Mode(SAM),the Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD),...This study investigates the influence of major climatic modes on the interannual variability of the annual minimum extent of Antarctic sea ice.It shows that the Southern Annular Mode(SAM),the Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD),and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation(ENSO),along with the total sea ice condition during the preceding spring,serve as precursor signals of February sea ice extent(SIE).These climate modes interact,energizing the Pacific-South American pattern(PSA),which deepens and shifts the Amundsen Sea Low(ASL)westward in spring.This pattern generates a dipole sea ice anomaly characterized by an increase in sea ice in the northern Ross Sea but a decrease in ice in the Bellingshausen and northern Weddell Seas.However,as the season transitions into summer,the ASL exerts a pronounced delayed effect,contributing to widespread sea ice loss across West Antarctica.Strong southerly winds on the western flank of the ASL push sea ice away from the inner Ross Sea,exposing coastal waters that absorb solar radiation,thereby accelerating ice melt through positive ice-albedo feedback.Simultaneously,northwesterly winds on the eastern flank transport warm air toward the Bellingshausen and northern Weddell Seas,intensifying ice loss in these regions.Furthermore,the active PSA is accompanied by a tripole sea surface temperature pattern characterized by warming in the Weddell Sea,which promotes continued ice melt.The co-occurrence of an exceptionally positive SAM,a La Niña,and a strong negative IOD during spring 2022,combined with lower-than-normal total spring SIE,ultimately contributed to the record-low Antarctic SIE observed in February 2023.展开更多
Life in the Antarctic is tough indeed.The extremely cold temperatures,fierce winds and vast stretches of ice make it a challenging environment for most life forms.But all these creatures come here because the Southern...Life in the Antarctic is tough indeed.The extremely cold temperatures,fierce winds and vast stretches of ice make it a challenging environment for most life forms.But all these creatures come here because the Southern Ocean is one of the richest oceans on Earth.When the continent separated from South America and moved south 30 million years ago,strong currents began to move in circles right around it.展开更多
Antarctic krill(Euphausia superba)is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean;however,seasonal variations in reproductive development for krill are complex and remains unknown.A histological investigation with observa...Antarctic krill(Euphausia superba)is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean;however,seasonal variations in reproductive development for krill are complex and remains unknown.A histological investigation with observations of external secondary sex features of krill in the south Scotia Sea region was carried out using a multi-seasonal dataset for detail reproductive descriptions for this commercially important species.The monthly development of secondary sexual characteristics,the thelycum,as well as of oocytes over a period of two years were described.It was observed that krill have diverse reproductive development characteristics within the ovary,and that this function differently between the juvenile,sub-adult,and adult stages.During the summer,adult krill ovaries are large and ripe with oocytes rich in yolk ready for release in late summer.Post spawning,the ovaries resorb,fragment,and regress throughout the autumn and winter.During reproductive diapause period,krill focus on absorbing nutrients.Un-released eggs are reabsorbed by the ovary,the permanent germinal zone is active,and early oocytes begin to develop in preparation for the egg production phase.Krill that are about to spawn have an ovary that fills the space between the digestive gland and muscle.The ovarian development of krill is divided into 10 sexual developmental stages.As a part of this study,data on the carapace thickness with similar development patterns in krill size and carapace width,was investigated for the first time to help understand krill growth and development.展开更多
The winter temperature variability of the Antarctic Peninsula(AP)has been proven to be influenced by sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies over the Tasman Sea.Using outputs over an extended time period from historical...The winter temperature variability of the Antarctic Peninsula(AP)has been proven to be influenced by sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies over the Tasman Sea.Using outputs over an extended time period from historical experiments,the skills of CMIP6 models in simulating the atmospheric responses to Tasman Sea SST are evaluated in this study,with an emphasis on the relationships with AP temperatures.The spatial correlation coefficient and normalized standard deviation are used as the evaluation metrics.Corresponding results suggest that the majority of CMIP6 models can capture the basic spatial distributions of Tasman Sea-related teleconnections across the Southern Hemisphere extratropical region,featuring a Pacific–South America-like pattern.However,the overestimation of atmospheric interannual variability and the underestimation of oceanic interannual variability in CMIP6 models result in a considerable amplification of the atmospheric responses to SST anomalies.The model uncertainty in depicting the relationships between Tasman Sea SSTs and AP surface temperatures,as well as the associated teleconnections,can partially be attributed to variations in grid resolutions among models.Additionally,further analysis of the Antarctic sea ice shows that the Tasman Sea SST may contribute to the interannual variability of the Antarctic dipole in CMIP6.展开更多
The SCAR XIV International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences(ISAES), which has been held every four years, will be held in Punta Arenas, Chile from 18 to 25 August 2025. ISAES aims to provide a comprehensive overv...The SCAR XIV International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences(ISAES), which has been held every four years, will be held in Punta Arenas, Chile from 18 to 25 August 2025. ISAES aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of Antarctic Earth Sciences. The XIV ISAES calls for researchers from around the globe to share their latest research and insights on the Antarctic region's geology, climate, and ecosystems.展开更多
In November 1984,China launched its first expedition to the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic continent,culminating in the establishment of its first year-round research station—Great Wall Station—on the Antarctic Pe...In November 1984,China launched its first expedition to the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic continent,culminating in the establishment of its first year-round research station—Great Wall Station—on the Antarctic Peninsula in February 1985.Forty years later,in February 2024,China’s fifth research station,Qinling Station,commenced operations on Inexpress-ible Island near Terra Nova Bay.展开更多
The otolith nucleus captures a fish’s life history during egg and hatching stages,offering insights into species-specific differences in element types and concentrations as well as the endogenous and exogenous factor...The otolith nucleus captures a fish’s life history during egg and hatching stages,offering insights into species-specific differences in element types and concentrations as well as the endogenous and exogenous factors shaping these variations.This study aimed to investigate the variation in the types and concentrations of elements within the otolith nuclei of three Antarctic fish species,including Pagothenia borchgrevinki,Trematomus hansoni,and Trematomus bernacchii,collected from Prydz Bay,East Antarctica.Nine elements,^(23)Na,^(24)Mg,^(29)Si,^(31)P,^(39)K,^(57)Fe,^(66)Zn,^(88)Sr,and^(137)Ba,were selected for analyses because of their concentrations and ecological significance.Ratios of each element to Ca(Me/Ca)were used for analysis,and Me/Ca in the otolith nuclei of these species were analyzed to explore species-specific variations in element types.Significant differences in element composition,except for Fe/Ca and Ba/Ca,were found in different species.Temperature,salinity,reproduction,pelagic larval lifestyle,and diet composition were considered as key endogenous and exogenous factors influencing these differences.Decision tree discriminant analysis,based on the variation of the types and concentrations of elements,was used to identify P.borchgrevinki,T.hansoni,and T.bernacchii with accuracy rates of 86.54%,82.61%,and 73.33%,respectively.Principal component analysis showed overlapping 95%confidence el-lipses for the three species at 79.96%,67.31%,and 56.71%,respectively.As these species belong to the Nototheniidae family and share a similar hatching period,the accuracy of species discrimination is reduced.Considering the high probability of error in distin-guishing species using otolith nucleus elements,we recommend otolith shape should also be considered to improve identification ac-curacy.展开更多
Antarctic telescopes,especially those located at Dome A,face significant reliability challenges owing to the extremely harsh working environment,among which the reliability of the control system is critical in ensurin...Antarctic telescopes,especially those located at Dome A,face significant reliability challenges owing to the extremely harsh working environment,among which the reliability of the control system is critical in ensuring stable operation.This paper describes various factors affecting the reliability of Antarctic telescopes,as well as the challenges of reliability improvement.Combined with the development of Antarctic telescopes and the experience of Antarctic scientific expeditions,we introduce,in detail,the optimization strategy for reliability enhancement,including the hardware layer,software layer,modular design to facilitate maintenance,and reliability management.The current status of the Antarctic Survey Telescope(AST3)is also briefly introduced,along with future development plans.We aim to provide ideas for the reliability design of Antarctic telescopes and provide technical support for the development of future Antarctic telescopes.展开更多
This paper evaluates a representation of winter stratospheric circulation in the Antarctic that is based on CRA-40, a 40-year global reanalysis dataset released by the China Meteorological Administration, and compares...This paper evaluates a representation of winter stratospheric circulation in the Antarctic that is based on CRA-40, a 40-year global reanalysis dataset released by the China Meteorological Administration, and compares it with representations based on two other state-of-the-art reanalysis datasets: the fifth-generation atmospheric reanalysis provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ERA-5) and the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2(MERRA-2). In terms of climatology, we find that CRA-40 portrays a stronger and colder polar vortex in the middle and lower stratosphere than ERA-5, but a weaker and warmer one than MERRA-2. However, disagreement among the three reanalyses is confined mainly to the period before1999, and is largely reduced after that time. On the interannual timescale, portrayals of the intensity and area of the 10-hPa polar vortex are quite consistent among the three reanalyses, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9 between each pair of reanalyses. In addition, the central dates of most sudden stratospheric deceleration(SSD) events at 10 hPa in the three reanalyses differ by less than one day, indicating that CRA-40 is also highly consistent with the other two reanalysis datasets regarding daily evolution. Our analyses suggest that CRA-40 performs comparably to ERA-5 and MERRA-2 in characterizing winter circulation in the Antarctic middle and lower stratosphere.展开更多
Antarctica contains numerous scientific mysteries,and the Antarctic ice sheet and its underlying bedrock contain important information about the geological structure of Antarctica and the evolutionary history of the i...Antarctica contains numerous scientific mysteries,and the Antarctic ice sheet and its underlying bedrock contain important information about the geological structure of Antarctica and the evolutionary history of the ice sheet.In order to obtain the focus of these scientific explorations,the Antarctic drilling engineering is constantly developing.The drilling fluid performance directly determines the success or failure of drilling engineering.In order to enhance the poor performance for drilling fluids due to poor dispersion stability and easy settling of organoclay at ultra-low temperatures,the small-molecule wetting agent(HSR)for drilling fluid suitable for Antarctica was prepared by oleic acid,diethanolamine and benzoic acid as raw materials.Its chemical structure,properties and action mechanism were investigated by various experimental methods.The experimental results showed that 2%HSR could improve the colloidal rate for drilling fluid from 6.4%to 84.8%,and the increase rate of yield point was up to 167%.Meanwhile,it also made the drilling fluid excellent in shear dilution and thixotropy.In addition,2%HSR could increase the density from 0.872 to 0.884 g/cm^(3) at-55 ficial.And the drilling fluid with 2%HSR had a good thermal conductivity of 0.1458 W/(m·K)at-55 ficial.This study gives a new direction for the research of drilling fluid treatment agents suitable for the Antarctic region,which will provide strong support for the scientific exploration of the Antarctic region.展开更多
Inexpressible Island is a small rocky island in Terra Nova Bay,Victoria Land,Antarctica,which is an area with limited human activities.Understanding the distribution of antibiotic-resistance genes(ARGs)and virulence f...Inexpressible Island is a small rocky island in Terra Nova Bay,Victoria Land,Antarctica,which is an area with limited human activities.Understanding the distribution of antibiotic-resistance genes(ARGs)and virulence factor genes(VFGs)in this environment can provide key information on their potential risks to humans and their roles for microbial survival.In this study,we investigated the ARGs and VFGs in lake sediments from Inexpressible Island using metagenomic sequencing.We identified 11,502,071 open-reading frames(ORFs),with 1,749 classified as ARGs and 6,838 as VFGs.The dominant ARGs were associated with antibiotic target alteration and efflux pump mechanisms,while the VFGs were related to adher-ence and immune modulation functions.While associated within microbial genomes,these ARGs and VFGs were mobile genetic elements like viruses and insertion sequences,distinct from ecosystems with strong human influence.We identified 974 metagenome-assembled genomes(MAGs),with 465 being medium-to-high quality.Of these,325(69.9%)contained ARGs,primarily affiliated with Actinomycetota and Pseudomonadota.Additionally,269 MAGs contained VFGs,with 174 MAGs carrying both ARGs and VFGs,highlighting significant microbial antibiotic resistance and pathogenic potential.Our findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of ARGs and VFGs in Antarctica,particularly in light of increasing human activity and climate change.展开更多
Effective motors are crucial for driving astronomical telescopes,especially for those operating in Antarctica,where the harsh environment and operating conditions,including extreme low temperature,ice/snow accumulatio...Effective motors are crucial for driving astronomical telescopes,especially for those operating in Antarctica,where the harsh environment and operating conditions,including extreme low temperature,ice/snow accumulation,low power consumption,and unattended operation,introduce challenges to the design and development of motor drives.We present the design of a permanent magnet synchronous motor suitable for this environment,conducting a quantitative analysis on the impacts of cryogenic conditions on lubricant performance,differential thermal contraction of metallic components,and remanent flux density of neodymium iron boron(N52)permanent magnets.We also implement a labyrinth seal structure,combined with silicone sealing rings,to mitigate ice crystal intrusion risks.Finite element analysis and laboratory tests demonstrate a maximum torque output of 25 Nm.This kind of motor is used in the Antarctic 15 cm Near Infrared Telescope at Dome A,Antarctica.Operation data shows a total encoder feedback error of 0.0678"for the telescope control system with 15"s^(−1)tracking speed at−56.79°C.These results comprehensively validate the high reliability and precision of the motor under the extreme conditions of the polar environment.展开更多
Sea ice and snow are the most sensitive and important crucial components of the global climate system,affecting the global climate by modulating the energy exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere.The sea near Zh...Sea ice and snow are the most sensitive and important crucial components of the global climate system,affecting the global climate by modulating the energy exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere.The sea near Zhongshan Station in Antarctica is covered by landfast sea ice,with snow depth influenced by both thermal factors and wind.This region frequently experiences katabatic winds and cyclones from the westerlies,leading to frequent snow blowing events that redistribute the snow and affects its depth,subsequently impacting the thermodynamic growth of sea ice.This study utilized the one-dimensional thermodynamic model ICEPACK to simulate landfast sea ice thickness and snow depth near Zhongshan Station in 2016.Two parameterization schemes for snow blowing,the Bulk scheme,and the ITDrdg(ITD/ridges)scheme are evaluated for their impact on snow depth.The results show that simulations using snow blowing schemes more closely align with observed results,with the ITDrdg scheme providing more accurate simulations,evidenced by root mean square errors of less than 10 cm for both snow depth and sea ice thickness.Snow blowing also impacts the thermodynamic growth of sea ice,particularly bottom growth.The sea ice bottom increases by 9.0 cm using the ITDrdg scheme compared to simulations without the snow blowing,accounting for 12.5%of total sea ice bottom growth.Furthermore,snow blowing process also influences snow ice formation,highlighting its primary role in affecting snow depth.Continued field observations of snow blowing are necessary to evaluate and improve parameterization schemes.展开更多
Dome A,in Antarctica,offers an exceptional site for ground-based infrared astronomy,with its extremely low atmospheric infrared background noise and excellent seeing conditions.However,deploying near-infrared telescop...Dome A,in Antarctica,offers an exceptional site for ground-based infrared astronomy,with its extremely low atmospheric infrared background noise and excellent seeing conditions.However,deploying near-infrared telescopes in the harsh environment of Antarctica faces the critical challenge of frost accumulation on optical mirrors.While indium tin oxide heating films effectively defrost visible-band Antarctic astronomical telescopes,their thermal radiation at infrared wavelengths introduces significant stray light,severely degrading the signal-to-noise ratio for infrared observations.To address this limitation,we have designed a mechanical snow-removal system capable of efficiently clearing frost from sealing window surfaces at temperatures as low as–80°C.Aperture photometry of target sources,Canopus and HD 2151,revealed that after six days without intervention,floating snow extinction reduced target brightness by up to 3 magnitudes.Following mechanical defrosting,the source flux recovered to stable levels,with measured magnitudes showing rapid initial improvement followed by stabilization.Data analysis indicates that a frost removal strategy operating every 48 h,with each operation consisting of 4–6 cycles,enables efficient removal of frost and snow without introducing additional thermal noise.Future work will focus on optimizing the adaptive control algorithm and exploring novel low-temperature defrosting materials to extend the periods during which Antarctic infrared telescopes can operate unattended.展开更多
The Antarctic Slope Current(ASC)links the processes occurring in the coast area with the global ocean by modulating the flow across the continental slope,which influences global overturning circulation and the mass ba...The Antarctic Slope Current(ASC)links the processes occurring in the coast area with the global ocean by modulating the flow across the continental slope,which influences global overturning circulation and the mass balance of the Antarctic ice shelves.This paper aims to explore the effects of wind and buoyancy fluxes on the long-term changes in the ASC using observation and reanalysis datasets.From 1993 to 2022,the ASC accelerated in all seasons,particularly in austral autumn,and was accompanied with the advancement of the strong flow.The positive buoyancy flux anomaly generates a low-density anomaly,which is accumulated by the prevailing surface easterly,maintaining a sharp density front along the continental slope.The heat flux intensifies the positive trend of buoyancy flux in summer and autumn,increasing the input of the lighter density anomaly into the ocean and advancing the strong flow of ASC.Compared with the annual mean,the additional acceleration of the ASC in autumn is mainly due to the contribution of the barotropic component,which could be explained by the local momentum input from the weakly enhanced local surface wind.The acceleration of the ASC is primarily driven by the positive trend of the buoyancy flux,while the influence of the wind on its seasonal variability becomes more significant due to the contribution of the local surface wind in autumn.展开更多
On 19 June 2023,the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction(BBNJ Agreement)was a...On 19 June 2023,the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction(BBNJ Agreement)was adopted.The BBNJ Agreement aims to regulate the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction,including the high seas and the international seabed area.The BBNJ Agreement enters into an already crowded institutional landscape as a global authority with broad objectives,inevitably interacting with existing institutions,frameworks,and bodies(IFBs).Existing research has primarily focused on two areas:the first examines the impact of the institutions established by the BBNJ Agreement on existing marine governance IFBs;the second explores its influence on issues currently lacking institutional arrangements.However,comparatively little attention has been given to the Agreement’s potential impact on governance gaps within established systems.This paper takes the case of marine genetic resource(MGRs)management in the Antarctic Treaty Area to explore how the BBNJ Agreement may address regulatory gaps in a competent governance framework.Due to shortcomings in addressing core issues,concerning the legal status of MGRs access regulations,benefit-sharing mechanisms,and disclosure of origin,the Agreement is unlikely to have a significant impact on the governance of MGRs in the Antarctic Treaty System(ATS)in the short term.On the other hand,the ATS,as an effective governance framework for the Antarctic Treaty Area,has mature regulations and practical experience in Antarctic governance.Over the years,the ATS has focused on regulating bioprospecting activities as scientific research ones and strict environmental impact assessment procedures.However,there has not been an effective consensus on the regulation of commercial biological prospecting.This paper further explores the coordination issue between the BBNJ Agreement and the ATS,suggesting that in the future,MGRs governance in the Antarctic Treaty Area may evolve into a polycentric governance system.展开更多
British Antarctic Survey(BAS)data collected near the Antarctic Peninsula area were used in this1988/1989 study on the length frequency of three Antarctic fish species(Pleuragramma antarcticum,Electrona antarctica and ...British Antarctic Survey(BAS)data collected near the Antarctic Peninsula area were used in this1988/1989 study on the length frequency of three Antarctic fish species(Pleuragramma antarcticum,Electrona antarctica and Protomyctophum bolini)showing that the standard length(SL)of P.Antarcticumranged from 26.0 mm to 161.0 mm,that the 26.0 mm to 54.0 mm SL juveniles could be considered tobe the age group 1 fish,and that the SL of E.antarctica ranged from 39.4 mm to 89.7 mm for themales and 48.0 mm to 118.0 mm for the females,which may contain at least 6 age groups.This ismore than previously thought.P.Bolini had 29.2 mm to 60.2 mm SL and complicated age com-position.展开更多
文摘Dear Readers:Antarctica,with its unparalleled atmospheric transparency,extended polar nights,and unique geographical position,has become a premier site for modern astronomical observation.Two decades ago,the Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition(CHINARE)team reached Dome A,the highest point of the Antarctic ice sheet,marking the beginning of a new era for astro-nomical research from the Antarctic plateau.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42030401 and 42276077the Open Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology,Tongji University under contract No.MGK202207+1 种基金the Open Foundation Project of the Key Laboratory of Polar Geology and Marine Mineral Resources of Ministry of Education,China University of Geosciences (Beijing),under contract Nos PGMR-2024-102 and PGMR-2023-304the Start-up Foundation of Guangdong Ocean University under contract No.060302032110
文摘This review compiles studies on paleoceanographic and paleoenvironmental changes in the high-latitude Southern Ocean during the late Quaternary based on Chinese Antarctic Expeditions.Four major findings are summarized as follows.(1)Diatom compositions in sediment record sea surface condition changes in the Bransfield Strait and Cosmonaut Sea,indicating an increase in sea ice cover since the Mid-Holocene for both areas,possibly linked to cold water mass injection from the Weddell Sea ice shelf.(2)Export productivity records from Antarctic marginal seas show a glacial-interglacial variation pattern,with higher and lower productivity during the interglacial and glacial periods,respectively,controlled by both the intensity of Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling and sea ice cover.An overall increase of export productivity from Marine Isotope Stage(MIS)12 to MIS 6 is noticed.(3)Ventilation state of the abyssal Southern Ocean is closely related to global climate change and atmospheric CO_(2) concentrations,with elevated ventilation efficiency during deglacial periods responsible for elevated atmospheric CO_(2) concentrations.(4)Antarctic marine-based ice sheets/glaciers wax and wane in line with global and regional ice volume changes,predominantly subject to oceanic forcing,while land-based ice sheets might only reorganize in specific glacial intervals.Despite significant progress in understanding the role of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic Ice Sheet within the global climate system,challenges remain in sample collection and research methods.Future studies should aim to collect samples from a broader range of latitudes,ensure higher quality and longer temporal span,resolve dating issues,reconstruct seawater temperature,and focus on reconstructions of Southern Ocean carbon cycling and changes of intermediate to deep water masses.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation China(Grant No.42176222).
文摘As a crucial component of the Earth’s climate system,Antarctic sea ice has demonstrated significant variability over the satellite era.Here,we identify a remarkable decadal transition in the total Antarctic Sea Ice Extent(SIE).The stage from 1979 to 2006 is characterized by high-frequency(i.e.,seasonal to interannual)temporal variability in SIE and zonal asymmetry in Sea Ice Concentration(SIC),which is primarily under the control of the Amundsen Sea Low(ASL).After 2007,however,sea ice changes exhibit a more spatially homogeneous pattern in SIC and a more temporally long-lasting mode in SIE.Further analysis reveals that sea ice-ocean interaction plays a major role in the low-frequency(i.e.,multiannual)variability of Antarctic sea ice from 2007−22.The related physical process is inferred to manifest as a strong coupling between the surface and the subsurface ocean layers,involving enhanced vertical convection and the downward delivery of the surface anomalies related to ice melting and freezing processes,thus maintaining the SIE anomalies for a longer time.Furthermore,this process mainly occurs in the Amundsen-Bellingshausen Sea(ABS)sector,and the weakened subsurface ocean stratification is the key factor triggering the coupling process in this region.We find that the Circumpolar Deep Water(CDW)over the ABS sector continued to shoal before 2007 and remained stable thereafter.It is speculated that the shoaling of the CDW may be a possible driver leading to the weakening of the subsurface stratification.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.42288101 and 42375045)
文摘This study investigates the influence of major climatic modes on the interannual variability of the annual minimum extent of Antarctic sea ice.It shows that the Southern Annular Mode(SAM),the Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD),and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation(ENSO),along with the total sea ice condition during the preceding spring,serve as precursor signals of February sea ice extent(SIE).These climate modes interact,energizing the Pacific-South American pattern(PSA),which deepens and shifts the Amundsen Sea Low(ASL)westward in spring.This pattern generates a dipole sea ice anomaly characterized by an increase in sea ice in the northern Ross Sea but a decrease in ice in the Bellingshausen and northern Weddell Seas.However,as the season transitions into summer,the ASL exerts a pronounced delayed effect,contributing to widespread sea ice loss across West Antarctica.Strong southerly winds on the western flank of the ASL push sea ice away from the inner Ross Sea,exposing coastal waters that absorb solar radiation,thereby accelerating ice melt through positive ice-albedo feedback.Simultaneously,northwesterly winds on the eastern flank transport warm air toward the Bellingshausen and northern Weddell Seas,intensifying ice loss in these regions.Furthermore,the active PSA is accompanied by a tripole sea surface temperature pattern characterized by warming in the Weddell Sea,which promotes continued ice melt.The co-occurrence of an exceptionally positive SAM,a La Niña,and a strong negative IOD during spring 2022,combined with lower-than-normal total spring SIE,ultimately contributed to the record-low Antarctic SIE observed in February 2023.
文摘Life in the Antarctic is tough indeed.The extremely cold temperatures,fierce winds and vast stretches of ice make it a challenging environment for most life forms.But all these creatures come here because the Southern Ocean is one of the richest oceans on Earth.When the continent separated from South America and moved south 30 million years ago,strong currents began to move in circles right around it.
基金Supported by the Inter-governmental Science and Technology Innovation(STI)Cooperation Special Program of the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2023YFE0104500)the NIWA-SHOU-Otago Joint Research Center on Antarctic Marine Science。
文摘Antarctic krill(Euphausia superba)is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean;however,seasonal variations in reproductive development for krill are complex and remains unknown.A histological investigation with observations of external secondary sex features of krill in the south Scotia Sea region was carried out using a multi-seasonal dataset for detail reproductive descriptions for this commercially important species.The monthly development of secondary sexual characteristics,the thelycum,as well as of oocytes over a period of two years were described.It was observed that krill have diverse reproductive development characteristics within the ovary,and that this function differently between the juvenile,sub-adult,and adult stages.During the summer,adult krill ovaries are large and ripe with oocytes rich in yolk ready for release in late summer.Post spawning,the ovaries resorb,fragment,and regress throughout the autumn and winter.During reproductive diapause period,krill focus on absorbing nutrients.Un-released eggs are reabsorbed by the ovary,the permanent germinal zone is active,and early oocytes begin to develop in preparation for the egg production phase.Krill that are about to spawn have an ovary that fills the space between the digestive gland and muscle.The ovarian development of krill is divided into 10 sexual developmental stages.As a part of this study,data on the carapace thickness with similar development patterns in krill size and carapace width,was investigated for the first time to help understand krill growth and development.
基金jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42375027)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(Grant No.2023A1515010889)。
文摘The winter temperature variability of the Antarctic Peninsula(AP)has been proven to be influenced by sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies over the Tasman Sea.Using outputs over an extended time period from historical experiments,the skills of CMIP6 models in simulating the atmospheric responses to Tasman Sea SST are evaluated in this study,with an emphasis on the relationships with AP temperatures.The spatial correlation coefficient and normalized standard deviation are used as the evaluation metrics.Corresponding results suggest that the majority of CMIP6 models can capture the basic spatial distributions of Tasman Sea-related teleconnections across the Southern Hemisphere extratropical region,featuring a Pacific–South America-like pattern.However,the overestimation of atmospheric interannual variability and the underestimation of oceanic interannual variability in CMIP6 models result in a considerable amplification of the atmospheric responses to SST anomalies.The model uncertainty in depicting the relationships between Tasman Sea SSTs and AP surface temperatures,as well as the associated teleconnections,can partially be attributed to variations in grid resolutions among models.Additionally,further analysis of the Antarctic sea ice shows that the Tasman Sea SST may contribute to the interannual variability of the Antarctic dipole in CMIP6.
文摘The SCAR XIV International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences(ISAES), which has been held every four years, will be held in Punta Arenas, Chile from 18 to 25 August 2025. ISAES aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of Antarctic Earth Sciences. The XIV ISAES calls for researchers from around the globe to share their latest research and insights on the Antarctic region's geology, climate, and ecosystems.
文摘In November 1984,China launched its first expedition to the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic continent,culminating in the establishment of its first year-round research station—Great Wall Station—on the Antarctic Peninsula in February 1985.Forty years later,in February 2024,China’s fifth research station,Qinling Station,commenced operations on Inexpress-ible Island near Terra Nova Bay.
基金supported by the Impact and Response of Antarctic Seas to Climate Change(No.IRASCC 2020-2025)from the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Peo-ple’s Republic of China.
文摘The otolith nucleus captures a fish’s life history during egg and hatching stages,offering insights into species-specific differences in element types and concentrations as well as the endogenous and exogenous factors shaping these variations.This study aimed to investigate the variation in the types and concentrations of elements within the otolith nuclei of three Antarctic fish species,including Pagothenia borchgrevinki,Trematomus hansoni,and Trematomus bernacchii,collected from Prydz Bay,East Antarctica.Nine elements,^(23)Na,^(24)Mg,^(29)Si,^(31)P,^(39)K,^(57)Fe,^(66)Zn,^(88)Sr,and^(137)Ba,were selected for analyses because of their concentrations and ecological significance.Ratios of each element to Ca(Me/Ca)were used for analysis,and Me/Ca in the otolith nuclei of these species were analyzed to explore species-specific variations in element types.Significant differences in element composition,except for Fe/Ca and Ba/Ca,were found in different species.Temperature,salinity,reproduction,pelagic larval lifestyle,and diet composition were considered as key endogenous and exogenous factors influencing these differences.Decision tree discriminant analysis,based on the variation of the types and concentrations of elements,was used to identify P.borchgrevinki,T.hansoni,and T.bernacchii with accuracy rates of 86.54%,82.61%,and 73.33%,respectively.Principal component analysis showed overlapping 95%confidence el-lipses for the three species at 79.96%,67.31%,and 56.71%,respectively.As these species belong to the Nototheniidae family and share a similar hatching period,the accuracy of species discrimination is reduced.Considering the high probability of error in distin-guishing species using otolith nucleus elements,we recommend otolith shape should also be considered to improve identification ac-curacy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12303089, 11973065)the Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent (2022ZB449)the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) for their support and help with the Antarctic telescope project
文摘Antarctic telescopes,especially those located at Dome A,face significant reliability challenges owing to the extremely harsh working environment,among which the reliability of the control system is critical in ensuring stable operation.This paper describes various factors affecting the reliability of Antarctic telescopes,as well as the challenges of reliability improvement.Combined with the development of Antarctic telescopes and the experience of Antarctic scientific expeditions,we introduce,in detail,the optimization strategy for reliability enhancement,including the hardware layer,software layer,modular design to facilitate maintenance,and reliability management.The current status of the Antarctic Survey Telescope(AST3)is also briefly introduced,along with future development plans.We aim to provide ideas for the reliability design of Antarctic telescopes and provide technical support for the development of future Antarctic telescopes.
基金jointly supported by the NSFC project (42088101, 41975048, 42361144843, 42175069)。
文摘This paper evaluates a representation of winter stratospheric circulation in the Antarctic that is based on CRA-40, a 40-year global reanalysis dataset released by the China Meteorological Administration, and compares it with representations based on two other state-of-the-art reanalysis datasets: the fifth-generation atmospheric reanalysis provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ERA-5) and the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2(MERRA-2). In terms of climatology, we find that CRA-40 portrays a stronger and colder polar vortex in the middle and lower stratosphere than ERA-5, but a weaker and warmer one than MERRA-2. However, disagreement among the three reanalyses is confined mainly to the period before1999, and is largely reduced after that time. On the interannual timescale, portrayals of the intensity and area of the 10-hPa polar vortex are quite consistent among the three reanalyses, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9 between each pair of reanalyses. In addition, the central dates of most sudden stratospheric deceleration(SSD) events at 10 hPa in the three reanalyses differ by less than one day, indicating that CRA-40 is also highly consistent with the other two reanalysis datasets regarding daily evolution. Our analyses suggest that CRA-40 performs comparably to ERA-5 and MERRA-2 in characterizing winter circulation in the Antarctic middle and lower stratosphere.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52274021)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFA0719102)。
文摘Antarctica contains numerous scientific mysteries,and the Antarctic ice sheet and its underlying bedrock contain important information about the geological structure of Antarctica and the evolutionary history of the ice sheet.In order to obtain the focus of these scientific explorations,the Antarctic drilling engineering is constantly developing.The drilling fluid performance directly determines the success or failure of drilling engineering.In order to enhance the poor performance for drilling fluids due to poor dispersion stability and easy settling of organoclay at ultra-low temperatures,the small-molecule wetting agent(HSR)for drilling fluid suitable for Antarctica was prepared by oleic acid,diethanolamine and benzoic acid as raw materials.Its chemical structure,properties and action mechanism were investigated by various experimental methods.The experimental results showed that 2%HSR could improve the colloidal rate for drilling fluid from 6.4%to 84.8%,and the increase rate of yield point was up to 167%.Meanwhile,it also made the drilling fluid excellent in shear dilution and thixotropy.In addition,2%HSR could increase the density from 0.872 to 0.884 g/cm^(3) at-55 ficial.And the drilling fluid with 2%HSR had a good thermal conductivity of 0.1458 W/(m·K)at-55 ficial.This study gives a new direction for the research of drilling fluid treatment agents suitable for the Antarctic region,which will provide strong support for the scientific exploration of the Antarctic region.
基金supported by the National Natu-ral Science Foundation of China(42171138 and 32241037)the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China(2021YFC2300904).
文摘Inexpressible Island is a small rocky island in Terra Nova Bay,Victoria Land,Antarctica,which is an area with limited human activities.Understanding the distribution of antibiotic-resistance genes(ARGs)and virulence factor genes(VFGs)in this environment can provide key information on their potential risks to humans and their roles for microbial survival.In this study,we investigated the ARGs and VFGs in lake sediments from Inexpressible Island using metagenomic sequencing.We identified 11,502,071 open-reading frames(ORFs),with 1,749 classified as ARGs and 6,838 as VFGs.The dominant ARGs were associated with antibiotic target alteration and efflux pump mechanisms,while the VFGs were related to adher-ence and immune modulation functions.While associated within microbial genomes,these ARGs and VFGs were mobile genetic elements like viruses and insertion sequences,distinct from ecosystems with strong human influence.We identified 974 metagenome-assembled genomes(MAGs),with 465 being medium-to-high quality.Of these,325(69.9%)contained ARGs,primarily affiliated with Actinomycetota and Pseudomonadota.Additionally,269 MAGs contained VFGs,with 174 MAGs carrying both ARGs and VFGs,highlighting significant microbial antibiotic resistance and pathogenic potential.Our findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of ARGs and VFGs in Antarctica,particularly in light of increasing human activity and climate change.
基金supported by the Space Debris Resear-ch Project,China(KJSP2020010102)the NationalKey R&D Program of China(2022YFC2807300).
文摘Effective motors are crucial for driving astronomical telescopes,especially for those operating in Antarctica,where the harsh environment and operating conditions,including extreme low temperature,ice/snow accumulation,low power consumption,and unattended operation,introduce challenges to the design and development of motor drives.We present the design of a permanent magnet synchronous motor suitable for this environment,conducting a quantitative analysis on the impacts of cryogenic conditions on lubricant performance,differential thermal contraction of metallic components,and remanent flux density of neodymium iron boron(N52)permanent magnets.We also implement a labyrinth seal structure,combined with silicone sealing rings,to mitigate ice crystal intrusion risks.Finite element analysis and laboratory tests demonstrate a maximum torque output of 25 Nm.This kind of motor is used in the Antarctic 15 cm Near Infrared Telescope at Dome A,Antarctica.Operation data shows a total encoder feedback error of 0.0678"for the telescope control system with 15"s^(−1)tracking speed at−56.79°C.These results comprehensively validate the high reliability and precision of the motor under the extreme conditions of the polar environment.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42306255 and 41976217the National Key R&D Program of China under contract No.2018YFA0605903。
文摘Sea ice and snow are the most sensitive and important crucial components of the global climate system,affecting the global climate by modulating the energy exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere.The sea near Zhongshan Station in Antarctica is covered by landfast sea ice,with snow depth influenced by both thermal factors and wind.This region frequently experiences katabatic winds and cyclones from the westerlies,leading to frequent snow blowing events that redistribute the snow and affects its depth,subsequently impacting the thermodynamic growth of sea ice.This study utilized the one-dimensional thermodynamic model ICEPACK to simulate landfast sea ice thickness and snow depth near Zhongshan Station in 2016.Two parameterization schemes for snow blowing,the Bulk scheme,and the ITDrdg(ITD/ridges)scheme are evaluated for their impact on snow depth.The results show that simulations using snow blowing schemes more closely align with observed results,with the ITDrdg scheme providing more accurate simulations,evidenced by root mean square errors of less than 10 cm for both snow depth and sea ice thickness.Snow blowing also impacts the thermodynamic growth of sea ice,particularly bottom growth.The sea ice bottom increases by 9.0 cm using the ITDrdg scheme compared to simulations without the snow blowing,accounting for 12.5%of total sea ice bottom growth.Furthermore,snow blowing process also influences snow ice formation,highlighting its primary role in affecting snow depth.Continued field observations of snow blowing are necessary to evaluate and improve parameterization schemes.
基金supported by the Space Debris Research Project,China(KJSP2020010102)the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFC2807300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(12573081)。
文摘Dome A,in Antarctica,offers an exceptional site for ground-based infrared astronomy,with its extremely low atmospheric infrared background noise and excellent seeing conditions.However,deploying near-infrared telescopes in the harsh environment of Antarctica faces the critical challenge of frost accumulation on optical mirrors.While indium tin oxide heating films effectively defrost visible-band Antarctic astronomical telescopes,their thermal radiation at infrared wavelengths introduces significant stray light,severely degrading the signal-to-noise ratio for infrared observations.To address this limitation,we have designed a mechanical snow-removal system capable of efficiently clearing frost from sealing window surfaces at temperatures as low as–80°C.Aperture photometry of target sources,Canopus and HD 2151,revealed that after six days without intervention,floating snow extinction reduced target brightness by up to 3 magnitudes.Following mechanical defrosting,the source flux recovered to stable levels,with measured magnitudes showing rapid initial improvement followed by stabilization.Data analysis indicates that a frost removal strategy operating every 48 h,with each operation consisting of 4–6 cycles,enables efficient removal of frost and snow without introducing additional thermal noise.Future work will focus on optimizing the adaptive control algorithm and exploring novel low-temperature defrosting materials to extend the periods during which Antarctic infrared telescopes can operate unattended.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42376256,42230405,and 41576020.
文摘The Antarctic Slope Current(ASC)links the processes occurring in the coast area with the global ocean by modulating the flow across the continental slope,which influences global overturning circulation and the mass balance of the Antarctic ice shelves.This paper aims to explore the effects of wind and buoyancy fluxes on the long-term changes in the ASC using observation and reanalysis datasets.From 1993 to 2022,the ASC accelerated in all seasons,particularly in austral autumn,and was accompanied with the advancement of the strong flow.The positive buoyancy flux anomaly generates a low-density anomaly,which is accumulated by the prevailing surface easterly,maintaining a sharp density front along the continental slope.The heat flux intensifies the positive trend of buoyancy flux in summer and autumn,increasing the input of the lighter density anomaly into the ocean and advancing the strong flow of ASC.Compared with the annual mean,the additional acceleration of the ASC in autumn is mainly due to the contribution of the barotropic component,which could be explained by the local momentum input from the weakly enhanced local surface wind.The acceleration of the ASC is primarily driven by the positive trend of the buoyancy flux,while the influence of the wind on its seasonal variability becomes more significant due to the contribution of the local surface wind in autumn.
基金funded by China Arctic and Antarctic Administration(Contract no.JDB2024060701014).
文摘On 19 June 2023,the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction(BBNJ Agreement)was adopted.The BBNJ Agreement aims to regulate the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction,including the high seas and the international seabed area.The BBNJ Agreement enters into an already crowded institutional landscape as a global authority with broad objectives,inevitably interacting with existing institutions,frameworks,and bodies(IFBs).Existing research has primarily focused on two areas:the first examines the impact of the institutions established by the BBNJ Agreement on existing marine governance IFBs;the second explores its influence on issues currently lacking institutional arrangements.However,comparatively little attention has been given to the Agreement’s potential impact on governance gaps within established systems.This paper takes the case of marine genetic resource(MGRs)management in the Antarctic Treaty Area to explore how the BBNJ Agreement may address regulatory gaps in a competent governance framework.Due to shortcomings in addressing core issues,concerning the legal status of MGRs access regulations,benefit-sharing mechanisms,and disclosure of origin,the Agreement is unlikely to have a significant impact on the governance of MGRs in the Antarctic Treaty System(ATS)in the short term.On the other hand,the ATS,as an effective governance framework for the Antarctic Treaty Area,has mature regulations and practical experience in Antarctic governance.Over the years,the ATS has focused on regulating bioprospecting activities as scientific research ones and strict environmental impact assessment procedures.However,there has not been an effective consensus on the regulation of commercial biological prospecting.This paper further explores the coordination issue between the BBNJ Agreement and the ATS,suggesting that in the future,MGRs governance in the Antarctic Treaty Area may evolve into a polycentric governance system.
文摘British Antarctic Survey(BAS)data collected near the Antarctic Peninsula area were used in this1988/1989 study on the length frequency of three Antarctic fish species(Pleuragramma antarcticum,Electrona antarctica and Protomyctophum bolini)showing that the standard length(SL)of P.Antarcticumranged from 26.0 mm to 161.0 mm,that the 26.0 mm to 54.0 mm SL juveniles could be considered tobe the age group 1 fish,and that the SL of E.antarctica ranged from 39.4 mm to 89.7 mm for themales and 48.0 mm to 118.0 mm for the females,which may contain at least 6 age groups.This ismore than previously thought.P.Bolini had 29.2 mm to 60.2 mm SL and complicated age com-position.
