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30 June 2015, Volume 27 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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A MOBILE POLAR ATMOSPHERIC PARAMETER MEASUREMENT SYSTEM.I. DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE TESTING Tian Qiguo, Chai Bo, Wu Xiaoqing, Jiang Peng,Ji Tuo, Jin Xinmiao, Zhou Hongyan 2015, 27 (2):  125-131.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.125 Abstract ( 1321 )   PDF (2778KB) ( 1364 )   A mobile polar atmospheric parameter measurement system has been developed for measurement of Cn2, carrying out atmospheric optical turbulence measurements by micro-thermal sensors and a three dimensional sonic anemometer, respectively. This system has been tested for about 500 hours in Hefei and Shanghai, with Cn2 measurements using independent methods agreeing well. The instrument will be used to determine Cn2 at Taishan Station during summer and Zhongshan Station during winter for the first time during the 30th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) through the 2013/2014 season. We envisage boundary layer turbulence intensity measurements at Kunlun Station will be performed using this instrument for the 31st CHINARE during the 2014/2015 season. Related Articles | Metrics

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LOWER THERMOSPHERIC NEUTRAL WIND FIELD AT CHINESE ARCTIC YELLOW RIVER STATION RESPONSE TO AN INTERPLANETARY SHOCK Chen Yao, Zhang Yange, Ai Yong, Liu Jue, Xiong Bo, Zhang Guohua 2015, 27 (2):  132-139.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.132 Abstract ( 1050 )   PDF (3592KB) ( 1282 )   Interplanetary shocks can have a great impact on the thermospheric space environment through interaction with the thermosphere. We report the behavior of lower thermospheric neutral wind field at the Chinese Arctic Yellow River Station (78.92°N, 11.93°E) using data collected by the All-sky Fabry-Perot Interferometer (All-sky FPI) for observations of the 557.7 nm oxygen atom layer (about 97 km) on November 26 and 28, and December 1, 2011, and compare these data to those for the neutral atmosphere horizontal wind field and Horizontal Wind Model 2007 (HWM07) for the same period. We report the horizontal wind field can change dramatically in both magnitude and direction within 30 minutes of interplanetary shocks being monitored by ACE satellites; causes of change may be related to Joule heating. Analysis of the sight wind field(the direction is from All-sky FPI to the observed thermosphere atmosphere) at 557.7 nm oxygen atom layer on November 28 suggests ion drag can also affect wind field actions during interplanetary disturbances. Related Articles | Metrics

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ANALYSIS OF SHORT-TERM CLIMATOLOGY AT INEXPRESSIBLE ISLAND, ROSS SEA, ANTARCTICA Zhao Jiechen, Cheng Jingjing, Meng Shang, Zhang Lin, Zhang Tijun, Sun Qizhen, Hui Fengming, Ding Zhuoming 2015, 27 (2):  140-149.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.140 Abstract ( 1624 )   PDF (6687KB) ( 1614 )   Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, has been proposed as a site for a new Antarctic station for China. Here we present an analysis of temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and wind direction records of AWS Manuela at Inexpressible Island. Multi-year averaged temperature is −18.5°C, with a significant warming trend during summer. Multi-year averaged humidity is 45%, with significant increasing trends apparent in all seasons. Multi-year averaged pressure is 979.7hPa, though no significant trend is apparent. Multi-year averaged wind speed is 12.0m/s and dominant wind direction is WNW. The cold and dry katabatic wind is the dominant feature in this area, with most katabatic events occurring in winter (49.8%). During the typical winter katabatic event, wind speed varied between 25 and 45m/s and mean duration exceeded more than 10 hours. Compared with Zhongshan Station, the temperature and humidity at Inexpressible Island are lower, and wind speeds greater, posing considerable challenges to scientific activities there especially in winter. Related Articles | Metrics

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ENRICHMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF METALS IN PLANTS AND SURFACE SOILS IN FILDES PENINSULA, ANTARCTICA Li Wenjun, Na Gangshui, He Guangkai, Wang Lijun, Ma Xindong 2015, 27 (2):  150-158.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.150 Abstract ( 1029 )   PDF (1411KB) ( 1205 )   The chemical composition of plants and surface soils from Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica, was determined by wet digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chemical features, such as element content, enrichment coefficient, bivariate correlation and pollution index, are discussed. Variance coefficients of Ni, Li, As and Cs were high in both soils and plants, but regional variation of elements in soils was lower than in plants. In plants, the concentrations of Fe, Al and Mn were affected primarily by high background levels in soils, whereas Ca, K and Cu were selectively absorbed; concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were all highly enriched. These results demonstrate the Fildes Peninsula has been polluted, with Cu widespread, Cd and As occurring at relatively low levels, and with Cd posing the greatest potential ecological risk. Related Articles | Metrics

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CHANGING SOURCES OF ORGANIC CARBON IN LATE QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS FROM THE ALPHA RIDGE (ARCTIC OCEAN), AND ITS PALEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS Xu Dong, Ye Liming, Yu Xiaoguo, Ge Qian, Lei Jijiang 2015, 27 (2):  159-167.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.159 Abstract ( 1127 )   PDF (2766KB) ( 1081 )   Links between organic carbon preservation, sea ice condition and oceanic current distribution in the Arctic Ocean are reported through analysis of Mn and Ca content, grain-size composition, content and isotopic composition of organic carbon in sediments from core 08B85-D collected at Alpha Ridge, Arctic Ocean. Glacial-interglacial cycles in sedimentary layers of organic carbon content are not apparent. Four sources of organic carbon are identified, with concentration in sediments controlled primarily by sea ice density and the strength of Beaufort Gyre. During several periods in MIS7, sea ice density in the western Arctic appears to have been low and the Beaufort Gyre particularly active, resulting in transportation of terrestrial-sourced organic carbon to the Alpha Ridge. To the contrary, in that time between MIS6 and MIS1 (especially MIS6 and MIS4–MIS3), the contribution of oceanic organic carbon to sediments exceeds that of the terrestrial carbon, during a time dense sea ice likely restricted transport of terrestrial organic carbon by limiting the Beaufort Gyre. Related Articles | Metrics

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ANTARCTIC KRILL AGE STRUCTURE BASED ON BODY LENGTH AND EYE DIAMETER Li Lingzhi, Yang Qiao, Huang Hongliang, Qu Taichun, Chen Shuai, Liu Jian, Wu Yue 2015, 27 (2):  168-173.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.168 Abstract ( 1127 )   PDF (2187KB) ( 1122 )   Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) population age structure was determined using the Bhattachaya method, with data on compound eye diameter and body length taken from krill collected from Prydz Bay between February and March 2013. Of four apparent age groups, the most dominant was 2+, with eye diameter measurements better differentiating age cohorts than body length. Average eye diameter of 1+–3+ krill ranged 1.21–1.40 mm, 1.59–1.76 mm and 1.93–2.08 mm respectively, with those of 4+ krill being approximately 2.23 mm. Since the 1980s, body-length characteristics of Antarctic krill have remained stable, suggesting krill resources around Prydz Bay have not been over-explored. Related Articles | Metrics

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INTERANNUAL AND INTERDECADAL VARIABILITY OF ARCTIC SEA ICE EXTENT FROM 1979–2012 Sui Cuijuan, Zhang Zhan Hai, Wu Huiding, Li Yi 2015, 27 (2):  174-182.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.174 Abstract ( 1416 )   PDF (6363KB) ( 1458 )   Using sea ice concentration data published by National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC), interannual and interdecadal variability in the extent of Arctic sea ice between 1979 and 2012 is analyzed. We demonstrate: 1) the linear rate of decline of sea ice extent (SIE) is fastest during autumn, followed by summer, winter and spring. Melt speed from 2000 is greater throughout the year with the exception of spring, compared with the period of time between 1979 and 2000. 2) Melt speed in the Pacific sector is greater during summer and autumn due to loss of multiyear ice, whereas in the Atlantic sector, melt speed is greater during spring and winter because of rising sea temperatures. 3) The extent of melting is greater in the Eastern Hemisphere than in the Western Hemisphere, rendering the Northeast Passage navigable earlier than the Northwest Passage. The decrease of melting rates in spring months over the recent years was attributed to the factors in the Western Hemisphere.  4) The ice cover between 1989 and 1998 was found to be identical with its climatological pattern, while between 1979 and 1988 the spatial range in Barents Sea and East Siberian Sea was greatest. In contrast, significant decrease of sea ice concentration was observed between 2009 and 2012 with a larger magnitude in the East Hemisphere, especially in Chukchi Sea during summer and autumn. The concentration of sea ice in the Bering Sea, however, was greater during spring due to southward wind driven. Finally, 5), the abrupt change in Arctic sea ice cover is more obvious during winter and spring than during summer and autumn. The abrupt year change in 2003. According to the wavelet analysis, the periodicity of sea ice extent change is almost 6 years. Related Articles | Metrics

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THE CAPACITY EVALUATION THAT USE POLARIZATION CHARACTERISTIC PARAMETERS OF SAR TO DISTINGUISH SEA ICE AND SEAWATER WITH SIR-C DATA Zhang Ting, Zhang Jie, Liu Meijie, Zhang Xi 2015, 27 (2):  183-193.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.183 Abstract ( 1259 )   PDF (9131KB) ( 965 )   The sea ice identification capability of 13 kinds of polarization characteristic parameters on L-Band and C-Band using SIR-C images in Antarctica are assessed. Six parameters best distinguish sea ice from seawater on L-band: entropy, cross polarization ratio HV/VV, polarization ratio VV/HH, polarization correlation coefficient ρHH-VV, HV polarization backscatter coefficient, and Alpha angle. Additionally, HH polarization backscatter coefficient and cross-polarization ratio HV/HH differentiate sea ice from seawater, whereas other parameters experience difficulty doing so. Four parameters best distinguish sea ice and seawater on C-band: entropy, polarization correlation coefficient ρHH-VV, HV polarization backscatter coefficient, and polarization ratio VV/HH; HH polarization backscatter coefficient, cross-polarization ratio HV/VV, Alpha angle and VV polarization backscattering coefficient can also differentiate sea ice and seawater, but the remaining five parameters have difficulty doing so. Overall, L-band capabilities distinguish sea ice from seawater better than C-band. This provides a useful reference for sea ice detection studies. Related Articles | Metrics

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SEA ICE MONITORING AND XUELONG TRACK ANALYSIS BASED ON TIME-SERIES REMOTE SENSING DATA: A CASE IN SURROUNDING AREA OF ZHONGSHAN STATION Zhu Jingjing, Zhou Chunxia, Ai Songtao, Liu Shuaibin, Wang Zemin 2015, 27 (2):  194-202.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.194 Abstract ( 1249 )   PDF (3252KB) ( 1403 )   Polar sea ice is an important component of the global climate system, and has a great impact on polar expeditions. Using binary images of ice and water with supervised classification by MODIS L1B data, we analyzed seasonal and interannual variations in sea ice around Zhongshan Station between 2000 and 2014, combined with Landsat images and voyage data for an icebreaker (MV Xuelong) between 2007–2012. We demonstrate that for that area surrounding Zhongshan Station between 2000 and 2014, interannual variation in sea ice was consistent, and the seasonal variation of sea ice between August and March was significant. The area of sea ice reached a maximum in late September or early October, and a minimum in mid to late February. The arrival time of Xuelong at Zhongshan Station was consistent with the initial stage of sea ice melt, and the track characteristics of Xuelong closely related to the distribution of sea ice. Related Articles | Metrics

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Navigation strategy and economic research of the Northeast Passage in the Arctic Yan Xinping, Cheng Junlin, Zhang Lingjie, Yao Zhimin 2015, 27 (2):  203-211.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.203 Abstract ( 1446 )   PDF (2200KB) ( 1668 )   Compared with traditional commercial navigational routes through the Suez or Panama canals, the Arctic channel represents a convenient route for navigating between eastern Asia, North America and Europe. Advantages of the new route include reductions in distance, transit time, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Analyzes of Northeast Passage geographic data and the economics of navigating ships enable development of appropriate routes and optimal navigation strategies. Navigation through the Northeast Passage will improve the balance of foreign trade for China and have important strategic significance in the economic development of trade not only between China and Europe, but globally. Related Articles | Metrics

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APPLICATION OF THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: A DISCUSSION Liu Huirong, Jiang Maozeng 2015, 27 (2):  212-218.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.212 Abstract ( 1206 )   PDF (467KB) ( 1168 )   The Precautionary Principle, one of the most important principles in International Environmental Law, is accepted by many international legal instruments, including both hard law and soft law. It has been deemed an effective tool for protecting the environment. Despite this, no articles explicitly formulating this principle exist in the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991), impeding effective management of Antarctica and its resources. Any activity in Antarctica may damage this fragile environment, and as such we should be particularly cautious of what activities are permitted in it. However, the Precautionary Principle requires an activity to proceed with caution only where the impact or consequences of an action are poorly known or unknown, rather than to proceed cautiously in an environment in which the effects of an action might be well understood. From a management perspective, the Precautionary Principle might not apply in Antarctic conditions. We propose a modified conceptual framework of the Precautionary Principle that considers the fragility of the Antarctic environment. Our interpretation of the Precautionary Principle avoids conflict with current regulations in the Protocol, and promotes effective management of cumulative impacts. Comparing the CEE Reports (Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation) of four countries regarding their scientific research stations, we recommend detailed rules be made and instructive cases provided as a guide for subsequent activities. Related Articles | Metrics

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CURRENT EXPLOITATION AND THE DEVELOPING COUNTERMEASURES OF FISHERY RESOURCES IN THE ARCTIC WATERS Jiao Min, Chen Xinjun, Gao Guoping 2015, 27 (2):  219-227.  DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.2.219 Abstract ( 1659 )   PDF (5467KB) ( 2434 )   With rising global temperatures, the extent to which sea ice covers the Arctic has decreased gradually each year. With declines in global fishery resources, we are seeing increased international interest and research conducted by countries seeking to exploit potentially new Artic fisheries. Although the Arctic fish biomass and diversity are not rich compared with other regions, it is possible that new large-scale fisheries could be developed with the retreat of sea ice. Based on existing literature and FAO statistics, we analyze the status of Arctic fisheries resources, and suggest strategies for developing fisheriest. Related Articles | Metrics