Showing 13455 items
30 July, 2015 by Robert Mulvaney
Volcanic eruptions contribute to climate variability, but quantifying these contributions has been limited by inconsistencies in the timing of atmospheric volcanic aerosol loading determined from ice cores and subsequent cooling…Read more on Timing and climate forcing of volcanic eruptions for the past 2,500 years
29 July, 2015 by Jean-Baptiste Sallee
Iron availability in the Southern Ocean controls phytoplankton growth, community composition and the uptake of atmospheric CO2 by the biological pump. The KEOPS-2 experiment took place around the Kerguelen plateau…28 July, 2015 by Jean-Baptiste Sallee
The seasonal cycle of phytoplankton biomass in the Southern Ocean (SO) is characterized by a period of rapid accumulation, known as bloom, that is typical of high-latitude regions. Recent studies…Read more on Onset, intensification, and decline of phytoplankton blooms in the Southern Ocean
28 July, 2015 by Mark Clilverd
Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves have been suggested to be a cause of radiation belt electron loss to the atmosphere. Here simultaneous, magnetically conjugate measurements are presented of EMIC wave…27 July, 2015 by Anna Jones, Howard Roscoe, Neil Brough
Aerosol particle number concentrations have been measured at Halley and Neumayer on the Antarctic coast, since 2004 and 1984 respectively. Sulphur compounds known to be implicated in particle formation and…Read more on Particles and iodine compounds in coastal Antarctica
23 July, 2015 by Eric Wolff, Robert Mulvaney
Relief of iron (Fe) limitation in the Southern Ocean during ice ages, with potentially increased carbon storage in the ocean, has been invoked as one driver of glacial–interglacial atmospheric CO2…
17 July, 2015 by Hoi Ga Chan, Markus Frey
Snow photochemical processes drive production of chemical trace gases in snowpacks, including nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) and hydrogen oxide radical (HOx = OH + HO2), which are…
17 July, 2015 by Howard Roscoe, Markus Frey
Mixing ratios of the atmospheric nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 were measured as part of the OPALE (Oxidant Production in Antarctic Lands & Export) campaign at Dome C, East Antarctica…16 July, 2015 by Hilmar Gudmundsson, Jan De Rydt
Following the disintegration of the Larsen B Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, in 2002, regular surveillance of its ~20 tributary glaciers has revealed a response which is varied and complex in…
16 July, 2015 by Dominic Hodgson
Sub-Antarctic islands are ideally placed to reconstruct past changes in Southern Hemisphere westerly wind behaviour. They lie within their core belt (50–60°S) and the strong winds deliver sea salt ions…13 July, 2015 by Peter Convey
In the Arctic, areas close to seabird colonies are often characterized by exceptionally rich vegetation communities linked with the high nutrient subsidies transported by seabirds from the marine environment to…13 July, 2015 by Richard Phillips
According to niche theory, mechanisms exist that allow co-existence of organisms that would otherwise compete for the same prey and other resources. How seabirds cope with potential competition during the…Read more on Spatial distribution and ecological niches of non-breeding planktivorous petrels
6 July, 2015
The numerous glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula are highly sensitive to environmental changes, with potential to make a significant contribution to sea-level rise, and yet they have been distinctly under…1 July, 2015 by Rosie Williams, Robert Arthern, Richard Hindmarsh, Richard Hindmarsh
Accurate dynamical models of the Antarctic ice sheet with carefully specified initial conditions and well-calibrated rheological parameters are needed to forecast global sea level. By adapting an inverse method previously…1 July, 2015 by Claire Allen, Dominic Hodgson, Victoria Peck
Recent intensification of wind-driven upwelling of warm upper circumpolar deep water (UCDW) has been linked to accelerated melting of West Antarctic ice shelves and glaciers. To better assess the long…1 July, 2015 by Richard Phillips
The Brown Skua Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi is an opportunistic species that displays a high degree of flexibility in foraging tactics. We deployed global positioning system (GPS) and immersion (activity) loggers…1 July, 2015 by Iain Staniland, Philip Trathan
The foraging strategy of many animals is thought to be determined by their past experiences. However, few empirical studies have investigated whether this is true in diving animals. We recorded…Read more on The influence of preceding dive cycles on the foraging decisions of Antarctic fur seals
1 July, 2015 by Richard Phillips
Plastics and other marine debris affect wildlife through entanglement and by ingestion. We assessed the ingestion of marine debris by seven albatross species in the southwest Atlantic by analyzing stomach…Read more on Marine debris ingestion by albatrosses in the southwest Atlantic Ocean
1 July, 2015 by Lloyd Peck, Michael Thorne, Melody Clark, Simon Morley
Selection acts on individuals, specifically on their differences. To understand adaptation and responses to change therefore requires knowledge of how variation is generated and distributed across traits. Variation occurs on…Read more on Variability among individuals is generated at the gene expression level
1 July, 2015 by Hilmar Gudmundsson
Understanding grounding-line dynamics is necessary for predictions of long-term ice-sheet stability. However, despite growing observations of the tidal influence on grounding-line migration, this short-timescale migration is poorly understood, with most…Read more on An improved model for tidally modulated grounding-line migration
1 July, 2015 by Gareth Marshall, Scott Hosking, John Turner, Thomas Bracegirdle, Tony Phillips
In contrast to the Arctic, total sea ice extent (SIE) across the Southern Ocean has increased since the late 1970s, with the annual mean increasing at a rate of 186×103 km2…1 July, 2015 by Richard Phillips
We measured mercury concentrations ([Hg]) and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N) in the primary feathers of Short-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) that were tracked year-round. The [Hg] were highest in 14…1 July, 2015 by Alistair Crame
In Mexico, the Upper Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous La Casita and coeval La Caja and La Pimienta formations are well-known for their abundant and well-preserved marine vertebrates and invertebrates. The…1 July, 2015 by Richard Horne
Although most studies of the effects of EMIC waves on Earth's outer radiation belt have focused on events in the afternoon sector in the outer plasmasphere or plume region, strong…1 July, 2015 by Jean-Baptiste Sallee
In this study, we document the regional variations of bloom phenology in the Southern Ocean, based on a 13-year product of ocean colour measurements co-located with observation-based estimates of the…Read more on Characterization of distinct bloom phenology regimes in the Southern Ocean
1 July, 2015 by John Turner, Thomas Bracegirdle
Climate model results suggest that future climate change in Antarctica will be accompanied by continued strengthening and poleward contraction of the Southern Ocean westerly wind belt. Paleoclimate records suggest past…Read more on Potential for Southern Hemisphere climate surprises
1 July, 2015
Antarctic crews have been transporting plants and their supporting infrastructure to Antarctic field sites since as early as 1902. More than 46 distinct plant production facilities have, at one time…1 July, 2015 by Mark Clilverd
The EISCAT (European Incoherent SCATer) Scientific Association has provided versatile incoherent scatter (IS) radar facilities on the mainland of northern Scandinavia (the EISCAT UHF and VHF radar systems) and on…1 July, 2015 by Gareth Marshall
The International Surface Pressure Databank (ISPD) is the world's largest collection of global surface and sea-level pressure observations. It was developed by extracting observations from established international archives, through international…Read more on The International Surface Pressure Databank version 2
25 June, 2015 by Andrew Clarke
Antarctic biodiversity is much more extensive, ecologically diverse and biogeographically structured than previously thought. Understanding of how this diversity is distributed in marine and terrestrial systems, the mechanisms underlying its…24 June, 2015 by Katrin Linse
Hydrothermal vents in the Southern Ocean are the physiologically most isolated chemosynthetic environments known. Here, we describe Kiwa tyleri sp. nov., the first species of yeti crab known from the…23 June, 2015 by Emilie Capron, Robert Mulvaney
The stratospheric degradation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) releases chlorine, which is a major contributor to the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3). A recent study reported strong chlorine isotope fractionation during the…22 June, 2015 by Chester Sands, David Barnes
The Southern Ocean is anomalously rich in benthos. This biodiversity is native, mostly endemic and perceived to be uniquely threatened from climate- and anthropogenically- mediated invasions. Major international scientific effort…18 June, 2015 by Katrin Linse
Introduction The ‘scaly-foot gastropod’ (Chrysomallon squamiferum Chen et al., 2015) from deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems of the Indian Ocean is an active mobile gastropod occurring in locally high densities, and…18 June, 2015 by Philip Trathan
Reproductive investment during the chick-rearing period is an important contributor to lifetime fitness. Key to chick-rearing is the success of parental foraging, as food deliveries affect chick growth and survival…18 June, 2015 by Richard Phillips
Although cephalopods play a critical role in marine food webs both as predators and prey, there is a limited knowledge of several basic aspects of their ecology, including their habitat…Read more on Habitat and trophic ecology of Southern Ocean cephalopods from stable isotope analyses
17 June, 2015 by Markus Frey
During the 2011/12 and 2012/13 austral summers, HCHO was investigated for the first time in ambient air, snow, and interstitial air at the Concordia site, located near Dome C on…16 June, 2015 by David Jones, Hilmar Gudmundsson
Icebergs are a natural hazard to maritime operations in polar regions. Iceberg populations are increasing, as is the demand for access to both Arctic and Antarctic seas. Soon the ability…Read more on Tracking B-31 iceberg with two aircraft deployed sensors
15 June, 2015 by Paul Holland
An established rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf, formerly constrained by a suture zone containing marine ice, grew rapidly during 2014 and is likely in the near future to…5 June, 2015 by David Pearce
Viruses constitute the most abundant biological entities and a large reservoir of genetic diversity on Earth. Despite the recent surge in their study, our knowledge on their actual biodiversity and…Read more on Biodiversity and distribution of polar freshwater DNA viruses
5 June, 2015 by Markus Frey
The regional climate model MAR was run for the region of Dome C located on the East Antarctic plateau, during Antarctic summer 2011–2012, in order to refine our understanding of…1 June, 2015 by Emma Boland, Emily Shuckburgh
We test the use of a measure to diagnose a sub-mesoscale isopycnal diffusivity by determining the best match between observations of a tracer and simulations with varying small-scale diffusivities. Specifically,…1 June, 2015 by Paul Rodhouse
Some 290 species of squids comprise the order Teuthida that belongs to the molluscan Class Cephalopoda. Of these, about 30–40 squid species have substantial commercial importance around the world. Squid…1 June, 2015 by Peter Convey
The diversity and distribution of Antarctic life has been strongly influenced by climatic events, in particular by large scale extension of ice sheets onto the continental shelf during repeated glacial…1 June, 2015 by Jonathan Kingslake
A model subglacial drainage system, coupled to an ice-dammed reservoir that receives a time-varying meltwater input, is described and analysed. In numerical experiments an ice-marginal lake drains through a subglacial…1 June, 2015 by Adrian Fox
We report on the activities related to the IAG Subcommission 1.3f “Regional Reference Frame for Antarctica”. Campaign-style GPS observations have been carried out since 1995. Based on the Bernese GNSS…Read more on The Antarctic Regional GPS Network Densification: Status and Results
1 June, 2015 by Roger Worland
Seasonal changes in the FA composition of triacylglycerols and phospholipids prepared from the whole body of non-diapausing and diapausing fifth instar larvae of Ostrinia nubilalis, Hubn. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were determined…1 June, 2015 by Zhaomin Wang
Carbon (C) sequestration following afforestation is regarded as economically, politically, and technically feasible for fighting global warming, whereas the afforested area which will contribute more efficiently as sinks for CO2…Read more on Effects of regional afforestation on global climate
1 June, 2015 by Eugene Murphy, Emma Young, Mark Belchier, Michael Meredith
Understanding the key drivers of population connectivity in the marine environment is essential for the effective management of natural resources. Although several different approaches to evaluating connectivity have been used,…1 June, 2015 by Philip Trathan
The relationship between population structure and demographic history is critical to understanding microevolution and for predicting the resilience of species to environmental change. Using mitochondrial DNA from extant colonies and…1 June, 2015 by Geraint Tarling
Arctic primary production is sensitive to reductions in sea ice cover, and will likely increase into the future. Whether this increased primary production (PP) will translate into increased export of…1 June, 2015 by Melody Clark
Ocean Sampling Day was initiated by the EU-funded Micro B3 (Marine Microbial Biodiversity, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology) project to obtain a snapshot of the marine microbial biodiversity and function of the world’s…28 May, 2015 by Michael Meredith
Approximately 15 million km2 of the Southern Ocean is seasonally ice covered, yet the processes affecting carbon cycling and gas exchange in this climatically important region remain inadequately understood. Here,…Read more on The seasonal cycle of ocean-atmosphere CO2 flux in Ryder Bay, west Antarctic Peninsula
18 May, 2015 by Chester Sands, Huw Griffiths, Jennifer Jackson, Katrin Linse, Paul Geissler
Information regarding the echinoids in this dataset is based on the Agassiz Trawl (AGT) and epibenthic sledge (EBS) samples collected during the British Antarctic Survey cruise JR275 on the RRS…Read more on East Weddell Sea echinoids from the JR275 expedition
16 May, 2015 by Richard Horne
The presence of the plasmaspheric hiss emission around the Earth has been known for more than 50 years but its origin has remained unknown in terms of source location and…Read more on Identifying the source region of plasmaspheric hiss
16 May, 2015 by Michael Meredith
The impact of a mesoscale eddy on the magnitude and spatial distribution of diapycnal ocean mixing is investigated using a set of hydrographic and microstructure measurements collected in the Southern…Read more on Modification of turbulent dissipation rates by a deep Southern Ocean eddy
13 May, 2015 by Andrew Fleming, Alex Brisbourne, Hugh Corr, Paul Holland
The catastrophic collapses of Larsen A and B ice shelves on the eastern Antarctic Peninsula have caused their tributary glaciers to accelerate, contributing to sea-level rise and freshening the Antarctic…Read more on Oceanic and atmospheric forcing of Larsen C Ice-Shelf thinning
9 May, 2015 by Hilmar Gudmundsson, Jan De Rydt
We use repeat-pass SAR data to produce detailed maps of surface motion covering the glaciers draining into the former Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, for different epochs between 1995…1 May, 2015
Background Complete and timely health information is essential to inform public health decision-making for maternal and child health, but is often lacking in resource-constrained settings. Electronic medical record (EMR) systems…1 May, 2015 by Paul Rodhouse
This paper explores the contribution that women past and present have made to cephalopod research. It includes short biographies of eight female cephalopod researchers who are now deceased: Jeanne Villepreux-Power,…Read more on The role of female cephalopod researchers: past and present
1 May, 2015 by Mark Clilverd, Roger Duthie, Roger Duthie
On 31 May 2013 several rising-tone electromagnetic ion-cyclotron (EMIC) waves with intervals of pulsations of diminishing periods (IPDP) were observed in the magnetic local time afternoon and evening sectors during…Read more on Electron precipitation from EMIC waves: a case study from 31 May 2013
1 May, 2015 by Mark Clilverd
Very low frequency (VLF) transmissions propagating between the conducting Earth's surface and lower edge of the ionosphere have been used for decades to study the effect of space weather events…1 May, 2015 by Jane Francis
A late Oligocene plant macrofossil assemblage is described from the Río Leona Formation, Argentinian Patagonia. This includes a fern, “Blechnum turbioensis” Frenguelli, one species of conifer, and sixteen angiosperm taxa.…Read more on The late Oligocene flora from the Río Leona Formation, Argentinian Patagonia
1 May, 2015 by Kevin Hughes, Peter Convey
Until recently the Antarctic continent and Peninsula have been little impacted by non-native species, compared to other regions of the Earth. However, reports of species introductions are increasing as awareness…1 May, 2015 by Katrin Linse
Based on a phylogenetic analysis of undescribed taxa within the Forcipulatacea, a new family of deep-sea forcipulatacean starfishes, Paulasteriidae fam. nov., is described from deep-sea settings. Paulasterias tyleri gen. et sp. nov. was observed at recently…1 May, 2015 by Emilie Capron
Polar ice cores provide exceptional archives of past environmental conditions. The dating of ice cores and the estimation of the age-scale uncertainty are essential to interpret the climate and environmental…1 May, 2015 by Lloyd Peck, Melody Clark
How ocean acidification affects marine life is a major concern for science and society. However, its impacts on encrusting biofouling communities, that are both the initial colonizers of hard substrata…Read more on Acidification effects on biofouling communities: winners and losers
1 May, 2015 by Peter Convey
The pravastatin-producing potential of rhizosphere soil microorganisms from mangrove forests has not been investigated in detail. In this study, a total of 20 Penicillium isolates were tested for pravastatin production.…1 May, 2015 by Lloyd Peck, Michael Thorne, Melody Clark, Simon Morley
1.This study examined the effects of long-term culture under altered conditions on the Antarctic sea urchin, Sterechinus neumayeri. 2.Sterechinus neumayeri was cultured under the combined environmental stressors of lowered pH…1 May, 2015 by Zhaomin Wang
Using an earth system model of intermediate complexity (EMIC), the McGill Paleoclimate Model-2 (MPM-2), this paper examines the climatic biogeophysical effects of afforestation in the southern hemisphere (SH) with a…Read more on Global warming caused by afforestation in the Southern Hemisphere
1 May, 2015 by Lloyd Peck
In the current context of environmental change, ocean acidification is predicted to affect the cellular processes, physiology and behaviour of all marine organisms, impacting survival, growth and reproduction. In relation…1 May, 2015 by Richard Phillips
The food and feeding ecology of albatrosses during the nonbreeding season is still poorly known, particularly with regard to the cephalopod component. This was studied in black-browed Thalassarche melanophris and…22 April, 2015 by Jaume Forcada
Quantifying prey consumption by top predators is a crucial component of ecosystem-based management in the Southern Ocean. In this study, we developed a bioenergetics model to estimate prey consumption by…20 April, 2015 by Helen Peat, Jeremy Robst, Michael Dunn, Mark Preston, Steven Bremner, Stacey Adlard, Vsevolod Afanasyev
A fully automated weighbridge using a new algorithm and mechanics integrated with a Radio Frequency Identification System is described. It is currently in use collecting data on Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes…17 April, 2015 by Mark Clilverd
We analyze observations of subionospherically propagating very low frequency (VLF) radio waves to determine outer radiation belt energetic electron precipitation (EEP) flux magnitudes. The radio wave receiver in Sodankylä, Finland…9 April, 2015
Two volcanic cones in the degraded caldera of East Diamante submarine volcano (Mariana Arc) were surveyed and sampled in April 2004 as part of the ‘Submarine Ring of Fire 2004’…9 April, 2015 by Philip Trathan
Spatial and temporal variability in marine biological productivity may drive heterogeneity in seasonal resources available for marine animals in temperate waters. Migratory seabirds are expected to adjust their annual cycle…8 April, 2015 by Huw Griffiths, Jennifer Jackson, Katrin Linse, Rowan Whittle
Philobryids (Bivalvia: Arcoida) are one of the most speciose marine bivalve families in the Southern Ocean and are common throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Considering this diversity and their brooding reproductive…6 April, 2015 by Liz Thomas, Thomas Bracegirdle
Ice cores provide a wealth of information about past climate and atmospheric circulation however a good understanding of the precipitation patterns, potential source regions and transport pathways is essential in…Read more on Precipitation pathways for five new ice core sites in Ellsworth Land, West Antarctica
2 April, 2015 by Melody Clark
A comparative thermal tolerance study was undertaken on two sister species of Euphausiids (Antarctic krills) Euphausia superba and Euphausia crystallorophias. Both are essential components of the Southern Ocean ecosystem, but…