Polar Science最新文献

{"title":"First record of an early ephyra of Desmonema glaciale (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) from the Northern Antarctic Peninsula","authors":"Letícia Cazarin Baldoni ,&nbsp;Guilherme von Montfort ,&nbsp;Douglas da Silva-Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Mayara Almeida Jordano ,&nbsp;Erik Muxagata ,&nbsp;Renato Mitsuo Nagata","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101359","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101359","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report an early ephyra of <em>Desmonema</em> observed for the first time in the central basin of the Bransfield Strait. The specimen, measuring 12.2 mm in diameter, was characterized by four thick and fully developed adradial tentacles, four tentacular buds, poorly developed oral arms, and smooth umbrellar lobes. Its smooth lobes and absence of digitiform oral arm structures (ruling out Ulmaridae) classified it within Semaeostomeae. Furthermore, its tentacle development pattern, marginal lobe shape, and circular musculature confirmed its placement within the genus <em>Desmonema</em>. We analyzed ontogenetic variation in tentacle number among <em>Desmonema</em> species, along with other morphological traits, and identified this individual as <em>Desmonema glaciale</em>. Although adults of this large (&lt;1.2 m bell diameter) scyphozoan medusa are common in Antarctic waters, this record represents the youngest specimen described for the species. The presence of a <em>D. glaciale</em> ephyra highlights the ecosystem's role in the development of gelatinous predators. Detecting early life stages provides insights into reproductive success and population dynamics in changing environments, as jellyfish blooms are increasingly recognized as indicators of ecosystem shifts. This record enhances understanding of cnidarian life cycles and underscores the importance of monitoring early stages to predict ecological responses to climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101359"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148230751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First limnological investigations of lakes at Cape Burks, Marie Byrd Land (West Antarctica)","authors":"A.V. Guzeva,&nbsp;A.E. Lapenkov","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101362","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The first comprehensive limnological survey of lakes at Cape Burks (Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica) was conducted in February 2022 and March 2025. Eighteen previously unexplored lakes were examined to characterize their morphometry, hydrochemistry, ice conditions, and biological features. The studied water bodies range from freshwater to hypersaline, with salinity varying between 0.3 and 33 g/L. The ionic composition spans chloride–sodium, sulfate–sodium, and chloride–magnesium water types. Chlorophyll-a concentrations varied from 0.2 to 3 mg/l. Underwater imaging revealed widespread benthic cyanobacterial mats, particularly in shallow lowland lakes with elevated salinity. The combination of freshwater and hypersaline systems, perennial ice covers, brine lenses, and widespread microbial mats highlights the ecological complexity of this small ice-free area. These findings indicate that Cape Burks represents a distinct Antarctic oasis with diverse aquatic environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101362"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148230752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lighting up the Arctic: Nighttime light data reveals economic growth in the north in Norway, Sweden and Finland","authors":"Zhenfu Li ,&nbsp;Haochen Yu ,&nbsp;Chunrui Song ,&nbsp;Xinli Qi ,&nbsp;Qiqi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101357","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101357","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The warming of the Arctic region has created conditions for expanding human activities. At the same time, Norway, Sweden and Finland have successively formulated strategic plans for the development of the Arctic region. To scientifically and accurately evaluate the phased achievements of the three countries in the process of Arctic development, it is particularly necessary to introduce quantitative analysis methods. Therefore, based on the NPP-VIIRS night light data, this study summarizes the economic development trends of the three countries from 2015 to 2023 and analyzes its influencing factors by calculating the center of gravity, standard deviation ellipse, hot spot analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results show that the center of gravity of Norway, Sweden and Finland has moved north by 122.3 km, 101.2 km and 23.4 km. The standard deviation ellipses of the three countries mainly expand to the northern coastal areas, and there are also multiple hot spots and high-high aggregation areas in the region. In addition, among the major cities north of 65°N, the majority where the area of built-up zones increased by more than 4 % are also port cities. This study can provide valuable experience for the development of the Arctic globally by evaluating the achievements of Arctic development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101357"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148230750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable polar shipping under climate change: A bibliometric review of emissions and efficiency","authors":"Mustafa Tuti","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric assessment of research on shipping emissions and energy efficiency in polar regions, aiming to overcome the fragmentation between environmental, technological, and policy perspectives. A dataset of 546 publications (1983–2025) indexed in the Web of Science within engineering and environmental sciences was systematically analyzed through citation, co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence mapping to examine temporal trends, leading contributors, intellectual influence, and evolving thematic clusters. Findings indicate a clear shift in scholarly focus, from early studies on black carbon and sea-ice interactions to more recent solution-oriented research emphasizing decarbonization, alternative fuels, and advanced emission modeling. Europe, led by Finland and Germany, has historically shaped the intellectual foundations, while China and the United States have become major contributors in recent years. Collaboration patterns reveal the global and interdisciplinary nature of the field, highlighting the role of joint research in driving both technological innovation and regulatory development. The results demonstrate that sustainable polar shipping requires not only technical improvements but also region-specific policies, coordinated international governance, and context-adapted efficiency strategies. By consolidating four decades of dispersed scholarship, this study clarifies the intellectual structure of polar shipping research and provides actionable insights for policymakers, engineers, and environmental scientists seeking to address the disproportionate climate risks of high-latitude maritime transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101392"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148184684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate-driven mobilization of rare earth elements and metals in Antarctica: Pathways, ecological exposure, and implications for trophic transfer","authors":"Muhamad Syahril Khamis ,&nbsp;Nurul Izreena Atasha Roslan ,&nbsp;Zurahanim Fasha Anual ,&nbsp;Siti Aqlima Ahmad ,&nbsp;Claudio Gomez-Fuentes ,&nbsp;Clara Manno ,&nbsp;Tengku Nilam Baizura Tengku Ibrahim","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101394","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101394","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is reshaping contaminant pathways in Antarctica by mobilizing rare earth elements (REEs) and heavy metals from the cryosphere into marine ecosystems. Thaw-driven changes in salinity, pH, stratification, and primary productivity modify contaminant behaviour and bioavailability. The ice-algae interface is hypothesized to concentrate these elements; for heavy metals this pathway is empirically supported, while for REEs it remains to be directly measured in krill Krill are the fundamental species of the food web in the Southern Ocean. Krill are well established as biovectors for metals and may represent an important pathway for future transfer of emerging contaminants, including REEs, although direct empirical evidence in Antarctic krill remains absent. Krill are established biovectors for metals and may represent a plausible exposure pathway for emerging contaminants, including REEs, although direct field measurements of REEs in Antarctic krill remain unavailable. Current evidence reveals substantial knowledge gaps in Antarctic contaminant research, particularly because mercury remains the only contaminant with comparatively coherent Southern Ocean datasets, whereas REE-specific field measurements in Antarctic krill remain entirely absent. This evidence gap continues to limit quantitative assessment of climate-driven contaminant mobilisation, ecological exposure pathways, and food-web transfer in Antarctic marine ecosystems. The lack of baseline data and long-term datasets necessitates advanced ultra-trace analytical approaches and sustained monitoring frameworks to enable comprehensive quantitative risk assessment and the detection of climate-driven trends in contaminant dynamics. Antarctica's protected status under the Antarctic Treaty System highlights the critical need for enhanced international cooperation and integrated governance frameworks to address REE and metal concerns in a rapidly warming Southern Ocean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101394"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148184685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic nature of an emerging paraglacial lagoon in Svalbard, Arctic: hydrological and geomorphological features","authors":"Andrius Šiaulys ,&nbsp;Aleksej Šaškov ,&nbsp;Jacek A. Urbański ,&nbsp;Greta Kilmonaitė ,&nbsp;Dzmitry Lukashanets ,&nbsp;Tobia Politi ,&nbsp;Aurelija Samuilovienė ,&nbsp;Anastasija Zaiko ,&nbsp;Sergej Olenin","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101363","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101363","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For the past century the temperature in Svalbard has been rising at substantial rates, resulting in rapid retreat of glaciers, shifting from marine-terminated towards land-based. These processes expose new coastal landscapes such as cliffs, beaches, tidal flats, deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons. Since the 1930s, 98 new lagoons emerged in Svalbard, and one of those is Eidemlaguna, situated between Eidembukta and Eidembreen in Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard. In this study, we carried out the first bathymetrical and hydrological surveys in Eidemlaguna during the 2022–2024 summer seasons. The size of the lagoon is approx. 6.6 km², with an average depth of 10.4 m (max. 41.3 m). The results revealed a complex and dynamic nature of the lagoon. It has six different parts, with distinct hydrology, separated from each other by shallow ridges. In most parts two water masses are present: freshwater to brackish waters on top, and cold (down to −0.8 °C) and saline (up to 28 PSU) below, separated by a strong halocline and thermocline. Turbidity is highest in areas closer to the glacier, which has a notable influence on availability of light for photosynthesis. Changes in salinity and temperature between surveyed years indicate that the formation of this ecosystem is still ongoing, and this study could serve as a reference point for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101363"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148230753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monitoring of patchy and sporadic permafrost in the southern territory of the Khentii Mountainous region, Mongolia","authors":"Sharkhuu Natsagdorj ,&nbsp;Anarmaa Sharkhuu ,&nbsp;Nandintsetseg Nyam-Osor","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101364","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101364","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For the first time, this article summarizes initial data from long-term monitoring of patchy and sporadic permafrost in the southern territory of the Khentii Mountainous region of Mongolia. Over the past 25-50 years, the active layer thickness (ALT) and mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) of patchy and sporadic permafrost have been monitored through regular ground-temperature measurements in about 30 boreholes situated under various natural and environmental conditions. The monitoring results show that both ALT and MAGT have increased under recent climate warming, with rates varying by permafrost type, local ecological conditions, and observation duration. Mean annual ground temperature at 10 m depth shows long-term warming trends of approximately 0.08–0.22 °C per decade across the monitoring sites.</div><div>In several boreholes, the formation of supra-permafrost taliks and the complete degradation of warm, shallow permafrost have recently been observed. In addition, at sites with specific hydrogeologic and geologic conditions, permafrost temperatures are increasing while permafrost thickness is reduced from the bottom upward. Results from long-term monitoring further show that ALT and MAGT have increased at average rates of approximately 2–4 cm/year and 0.01–0.02 °C/year, respectively. During the last 20–25 years, the onset of soil-surface thawing has advanced by 2–9 days per year, whereas the onset of refreezing has been delayed by 0–1 day per year.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101364"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148230754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Earlier lake ice breakup in response to warming in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, Russian High Arctic: Evidence from MODIS data (2000-2024)","authors":"Dean R. Maraldo ,&nbsp;Woonsup Choi ,&nbsp;Ava Beyers ,&nbsp;Joshua Maraldo ,&nbsp;Matthew Zorn","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Arctic is warming faster than any other region globally, driving changes in terrestrial ecosystems and the cryosphere. However, lake ice phenology trends in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago (NZA), Russian High Arctic, remain poorly understood. The region's harsh climate and limited accessibility hinder the collection of essential field-based lake ice data required to measure annual changes and validate remote-sensing observations. To address this gap, we analyzed daily Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer imagery to examine seasonal lake ice breakup from 2000 to 2024 in 20 of the largest lakes in the NZA. Using the Google Earth Engine platform, Normalized Difference Snow Index band thresholds were applied to lake pixels to detect seasonal lake ice breakup. The average breakup date from 2000 to 2024 was July 8, with variations depending on latitude ranging from June 21 to July 21. The study revealed a significant trend toward earlier ice-free conditions across all lakes, averaging 14 days earlier over the 25-year period (5.6 days/decade), corresponding to significant increases in spring air and summer sea surface temperatures. These findings highlight the accelerating impact of warming on high-latitude systems and underscore the importance of sustained regional monitoring to anticipate future cryospheric shifts in the Arctic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101365"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148230755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of spatio-temporal variability of ionospheric disturbance during selected geomagnetic storm events of 2023","authors":"Yibekal Kassa ,&nbsp;Bruno Nava ,&nbsp;Dejene Ambisa ,&nbsp;Ambelu Tebabal","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines impact of geomagnetic storm occurred on 22–27 March, 22–27 April, and 03–08 November, 2023 on the variability of the ionospheric storm. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data in the North-South American, Europe-African, and Asia-Australian longitudinal sectors were utilized across various latitudes. We assessed the ionospheric storm by analyzing Total Electron Content (<span><math><mrow><mtext>TEC</mtext></mrow></math></span>) deviation (<span><math><mi>Δ</mi></math></span> <span><math><mrow><mtext>TEC</mtext></mrow></math></span>). In this study, the ionospheric response to a geomagnetic storm is deemed significant when <span><math><mrow><mtext>TEC</mtext></mrow></math></span> deviation is beyond <span><math><mrow><mo>±</mo><mo>≥</mo></mrow></math></span> 45%. The main phase of the geomagnetic storm occurred at 02:00 UT, 05:00 UT, and 19:00 UT on March 24, April 24, and November 05, 2023. There was a notable positive ionospheric storm during these events. The ionospheric storm’s behavior during different geomagnetic storms varies across latitudes in various longitudinal sectors. Positive ionospheric storms were observed in the North-South America, Europe-Africa, and Asia longitudinal sectors during the March storm. In April, positive storms were observed at stations MGO3, TNIF, YKRO, MBAR, however, during November, significant positive storms were observed with maximum <span><math><mi>Δ</mi></math></span> <span><math><mrow><mtext>TEC</mtext></mrow></math></span> values at stations MGO3 (169.6%), TNIF (157.7%), SANT (87.81%), SVTL (160.8%), OPTM (110.3%), RABT (274.1%), and YKRO (106.2%). The recovery phase of the geomagnetic storm revealed a series of positive and negative storms in different longitudinal sectors at various latitudes. The observed positive and negative ionospheric storms were found to be due to (PPEFs and enhanced of <span><math><mrow><mrow><mo>[</mo><mtext>O</mtext><mo>]</mo></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><msub><mrow><mtext>N</mtext></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span> ratio) and (DDEFs and reduced <span><math><mrow><mrow><mo>[</mo><mtext>O</mtext><mo>]</mo></mrow><mo>/</mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><msub><mrow><mtext>N</mtext></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span> ratio).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"48 ","pages":"Article 101393"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148184686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Isolation and primary characterisation of yeasts isolated from different ecosystems in East Antarctica” [Polar Science 46 (2025) 101262]","authors":"Ekaterina A. Gribanova ,&nbsp;Katsiaryna U. Akhremchuk ,&nbsp;Ekaterina A. Semenchukova ,&nbsp;Andrey V. Dolgikh ,&nbsp;Veronika V. Shchur ,&nbsp;Aleksey V. Yantsevich ,&nbsp;Mikhail P. Andreev ,&nbsp;Yury H. Hihiniak ,&nbsp;Leonid N. Valentovich ,&nbsp;Vladislav Y. Miamin","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2026.101358","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 101358"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147426645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}