Federal Service of Russia for Hydrometeorology And

Home , Bellingshausen Station, Cosmonauts Sea, Mirny Station, Vostok Station

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №2 (59) April - June 2012 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2012 FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №2 (59) April - June 2012

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg 2012

CONTENTS

PREFACE 1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS 3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN APRIL – JUNE 2012 42

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN APRIL – JUNE 2012 48 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN ACCORDING TO DATA OF SATELLITE, SHIPBORNE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY – MARCH 2012 49

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012 52

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN APRIL – JUNE 2012 53 7. XXXV ANTARCTIC TREATY CONSULATIVE MEETING 63

8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012 65

1 PREFACE

The activity of the Russian Antarctic Expedition in the second quarter of 2012 was carried out at five permanent year-round Antarctic stations – Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok stations and at the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4. The work was performed by the wintering teams of the 56th and 57th RAE and the seasonal team of the 57th RAE under a full complex of the Antarctic environmental monitoring programs. At the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4, the automatic meteorological stations AWS, model MAWS-110, and the automatic geodetic complexes FAGS were in operation. The information of Molodezhnaya and Druzhnaya-4 stations is not reported temporarily via the satellite communication system but it is stored at the stations until readouts of information when the stations are visited. Section I in this issue of the Bulletin contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations that were carried out at permanent stations in April-June 2012, and data of upper-air sounding carried out at two stations – Mirny and Novolazarevskaya once a day at 00.00 of Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). More frequent sounding is conducted during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval in accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar in 2012 during 12 to 25 March, 11 to 24 June, 10 to 23 September and 10- 23 December at 00 h and 12 h UTC. The meteorological tables present the atmospheric pressure values for the coastal stations, which are referenced to sea level. The atmospheric pressure at Vostok station is not referenced to sea level and is presented at the level of the meteorological site. Along with the monthly averages of meteorological parameters, the tables in Section 1 contain

their deviations from multiyear averages (anomalies) and deviations in f fractions (normalized anomalies (f-favg)/ f). For the monthly totals of precipitation and total radiation, the relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. The statistical characteristics necessary for calculation of anomalies were derived at the AARI Department of Meteorology for the period 1961-1990 as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization. For Progress station, the anomalies are not calculated due to a short observation series. The Bulletin contains brief overviews with assessments of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to meteorological and synoptic conditions. The review of synoptic conditions (section 3) is based on the analysis of current aero-synoptic information, which is performed by the RAE weather forecaster at Progress station, and on more complete data of the Southern Hemisphere contained in the Internet. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (Section 4) is based on satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Progress stations and on the observations conducted at the coastal Bellingshausen, Mirny and Progress stations. The anomalous character of ice conditions is evaluated against the multiyear averages of the drifting ice edge location and the mean multiyear dates of the onset of different ice phases in the coastal areas of the Southern Ocean adjoining the Antarctic stations. As the average and extreme values of the ice edge location, the updated data, which are obtained at the AARI for each month based on the results of processing the entire available historical set of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for the period 1971 to 2005, are used. Section 5 presents an overview of the total ozone (TO) concentration on the basis of measurements at the Russian stations during the given quarter and also the measurements onboard the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” at the time of her stay in the Antarctic waters. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s heights of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6, present the results of measurements carried out under the geomagnetic observation program, program of space radio-emission measurements and the program of vertical sounding of the ionosphere at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Vostok and Progress stations. Section 7 of this issue is devoted to the XXXV Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) held in Hobart (Australia) from 11 to 20 June 2012. Section 8 sets forth the main events of the logistical activity of RAE during the quarter under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS AND FIELD BASES

MIRNY STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89592 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6633 S;  = 9301 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -76.8;  = 151.1 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY December 7 – January 5 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89512 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 119 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7046 S;  = 1150 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -62.6;  = 51.0 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 15 – January 28 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 21 – July 23 BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89050 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 15.4 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6212 S;  = 5856 W BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY No BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No PROGRESS STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89574 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 14,6 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6923 S;  = 7623 E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 21 – January 22 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 28 – July 16 VOSTOK STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89606 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 3488 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7828 S;  = 10648 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -89.3;  = 139.5 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY October 21 – February 21 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT April 23 – August 21 FIELD BASE MOLODEZHNAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89542 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 40 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6740 S;  = 4608 E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 29 – January 13 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT June 11 – July 2 FIELD BASE LENINGRADSKAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89657 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 291 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6930,1 S;  = 15923,2 E FIELD BASE RUSSKAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89132 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 140 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7646 S;  = 13647,9 E FIELD BASE DRUZHNAYA-4 HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6944 S;  = 7342 E FIELD BASE SOYUZ HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7034 S;  = 6847 E

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

APRIL 2012

MIRNY STATION Table 1.1 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, April 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 984.0 999.9 965.7 -4.2 -1.2 Air temperature, C -13.3 -5.4 -24.7 0.6 0.3 Relative humidity, % 73 0.7 0.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.2 -0.5 -0.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.2 -1.8 -1.5 Precipitation, mm 12.7 -26.8 -0.8 0.3 Wind speed, m/s 12.4 27.0 0.0 0.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 100.8 -6.2 -0.6 0.9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 291 337 262

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.1. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. April 2012.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, April 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T C direction, without P hPa D C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

980 39 -12.9 4.3 925 477 -12.7 6.3 94 13 95 0 0 850 1117 -15.7 5.9 87 11 86 0 0 700 2569 -19.2 5.4 78 4 38 0 0 500 5007 -31.5 7.0 327 4 29 0 0 400 6555 -41.0 7.4 299 6 35 0 0 300 8452 -53.6 6.8 302 9 42 0 1 200 11058 -51.9 7.5 279 13 79 1 1 150 12924 -52.2 8.8 274 13 85 2 2 100 15538 -54.6 10.2 272 15 90 3 3 70 17803 -56.9 10.7 271 17 93 4 4 50 19914 -59.0 11.2 275 20 92 6 6 30 23049 -61.2 12.6 279 24 95 14 ≥9 20 25550 -61.3 13.0 282 27 96 16 ≥9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, April 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -27 -1.0 0.5 0.3 700 -28 -0.9 1.4 1.3 500 -16 -0.4 2.8 1.9 400 3 0.1 3.1 1.9 300 25 0.4 1.0 0.7 200 24 0.4 0.0 0.0 150 23 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 100 31 0.4 -0.9 -0.8 70 4 0.1 -1.5 -1.2 50 -24 -0.3 -2.3 -1.6 30 -133 -1.1 -3.4 -1.9 20 -178 -1.2 -3.7 -1.4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.4 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, April 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 984.6 999.1 963.4 -3.0 -0.8 Air temperature, C -13.7 -3.2 -26.3 -1.9 -1.1 Relative humidity, % 41 -7.0 -1.6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.8 -1.7 -1.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.4 -0.8 -1.0 Precipitation, mm 0.2 -15.3 -0.6 0.0 Wind speed, m/s 9.4 21.0 -1.5 -0.8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 75.9 4.9 0.8 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 278 329 224

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.2. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, April 2012.

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, April 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T C direction, without P hPa D C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

970 122 -13.6 11.2 925 483 -13.0 14.9 115 12 94 1 2 850 1121 -17.3 12.8 101 13 95 1 1 700 2556 -22.4 11.5 106 4 44 1 1 500 4964 -35.0 9.0 217 6 46 1 1 400 6487 -44.7 7.5 234 9 59 1 1 300 8360 -54.8 7.0 245 11 66 1 1 200 10961 -51.2 10.7 242 11 84 2 2 150 12824 -52.2 12.1 247 12 86 2 2 100 15425 -55.3 12.5 249 13 89 3 3 70 17687 -58.2 12.4 251 14 91 5 5 50 19794 -60.3 12.6 252 16 93 6 6 30 22966 -62.6 12.3 252 19 91 12 ≥9 20 25562 -62.0 12.1 267 21 97 17 ≥9

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, April 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -27 -0.8 -1.2 -0.9 700 -34 -0.9 0.2 0.2 500 -33 -0.8 1.0 0.8 400 -27 -0.6 1.2 0.9 300 -24 -0.5 1.1 0.9 200 -9 -0.2 2.0 1.2 150 1 0.0 1.3 0.9 100 5 0.1 0.3 0.2 70 2 0.0 -0.6 -0.4 50 -6 -0.1 -0.6 -0.4 30 -18 -0.2 -1.0 -0.6 20 45 0.4 -0.6 -0.3

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.7 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, April 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 996.0 1021.0 962.6 5.0 1.2 Air temperature, C -4.2 3.1 -13.3 -2.2 -1.6 Relative humidity, % 91 4.2 1.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.3 0.3 0.8 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 8.7 0.9 0.9 Precipitation, mm 100.8 33.6 1.8 1.5 Wind speed, m/s 8.5 25.0 0.9 0.9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 82.4 -5.6 -0.6 0.9

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.3. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). . Bellingshausen station. April 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, April 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 985.9 1003.5 968.2 Air temperature, 0C -11.1 -3.9 -19.8 Relative humidity, % 63 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.7 Precipitation, mm 6.4 Wind speed, m/s 6.5 16.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 68.9

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.4. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. April 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.9 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg)

Vostok, April 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 621.6 636.4 609.4 -1.3 -0.4 Air temperature, C -65.2 -50.0 -73.6 -0.3 -0.1 Relative humidity, % 58 -10.1 -2.1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.6 0.5 0.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 1.4 -1.3 -0.8 0.5 Wind speed, m/s 4.8 8.0 -0.9 -0.8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 270 Total radiation, MJ/m2 24.7 6.7 2.2 1.4 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.5. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line, precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. April 2012.

A P R I L 2 0 1 2

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (at Vostok station - ground level pressure)

984.0 984.6 996.0 985.9 900 621.6 700 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.8 -0.8 1.2 -0.4

Air Airtemperature, temperature, °C °C

-13.3 -13.7 -4.2 -11.1 0 -20-10.0 -40-30.0 -9 -0.5 -8.2 -65.2 -60-50.0 -11.8 -80-70.0 -62.4 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.7 -1.1 -1.6 -0.1

RelativeRelative humidity, humidity, % % 88 91 100 8073 63 100 3941 58 58 58 50 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.5 -1.6 1.3 -2.1

TotalTotal cloudiness, cloudiness, tenths tenths

8.4 8.29.3 10 6.2 7.6 7.0 53.8 3.3 3.6 5 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -2.3 -1.9 0.8 0.6

Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mm

74.894.4100.8 120100 49 80 11.8 13.9 4050 12.74.9 10.71.40.2 4.9 6.4 7.9 1.4 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

f/favg 0.2 0.0 1.5 0.5

MeanMean wind wind speed, speed, m/s m/s

13.612.4 1520 12.9 10.912.79.4 8.5 6.5 10 6.18.7 8.26 5.24.7 4.8 105 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.1 -0.8 0.9 -0.8

Fig.1.6. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. April 2012.

MAY 2012

MIRNY STATION Table 1.10 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, May 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 984.9 1006.5 963.0 -4.5 -0.8 Air temperature, 0C -17.2 -1.0 -32.1 -1.8 -0.7 Relative humidity, % 71 -3.2 -0.5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.5 -2.1 -2.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.7 -1.5 -1.0 Precipitation, mm 7.8 -42.2 -1.0 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 13.1 25.0 0.2 0.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 20.6 -1.4 -0.4 0.9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 299 320 266

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.7. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. May 2012.

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, May 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

980 39 -16.6 4.4 925 475 -16.0 5.4 96 13 93 0 3 850 1108 -18.3 5.6 89 10 80 0 2 700 2549 -21.7 6.8 131 2 16 0 0 500 4949 -36.6 8.8 221 4 28 0 0 400 6460 -46.4 9.2 224 6 40 0 0 300 8319 -57.0 9.0 244 8 44 0 0 200 10857 -57.4 9.3 269 12 76 1 1 150 12671 -58.0 9.8 276 15 89 1 1 100 15200 -61.7 10.5 276 20 94 2 2 70 17392 -64.4 10.6 278 25 96 3 3 50 19430 -66.6 11.1 278 30 97 5 5 30 22477 -69.7 11.3 280 36 97 8 8 20 24804 -71.4 11.2 280 42 98 14 ≥9

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, May 2012 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -38 -0.8 -0.8 -0.5 700 -45 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 500 -58 -1.0 -1.2 -0.6 400 -71 -1.0 -1.1 -0.6 300 -79 -1.0 -0.6 -0.6 200 -97 -1.1 0.2 0.1 150 -98 -1.1 -0.3 -0.2 100 -111 -1.0 -1.4 -0.7 70 -123 -0.9 -1.7 -0.7 50 -160 -1.1 -1.8 -0.7 30 -201 -1.1 -2.8 -1.0 20 -342 -1.4 -4.1 -1.4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, May 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 988.0 998.7 975.8 -1.8 -0.3 Air temperature, 0C -13.6 -4.7 -28.5 -0.2 -0.1 Relative humidity, % 54 4.6 0.8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.6 0.7 0.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.8 0.4 0.4 Precipitation, mm 14.7 -8.8 -0.3 0.6 Wind speed, m/s 10.1 25.0 -1.0 -0.5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 3.6 -1.4 -0.8 0.7 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.8. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, May 2012.

Table 1.14 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, May 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

973 122 -13.5 7.9 925 505 -14.2 10.7 107 16 96 0 2 850 1142 -16.8 8.7 98 13 88 0 0 700 2581 -22.0 7.7 72 6 56 0 1 500 4983 -36.3 7.5 305 4 34 0 0 400 6493 -47.0 6.5 291 7 53 0 0 300 8342 -59.1 5.7 287 11 66 0 0 200 10837 -62.1 6.1 275 10 71 0 0 150 12620 -62.0 6.5 265 11 81 1 1 100 15109 -65.6 7.0 267 13 88 2 2 70 17247 -68.8 6.9 263 17 93 3 3 50 19226 -72.0 7.1 262 21 94 5 5 30 22188 -75.3 7.0 262 24 95 14 ≥9 20 24573 -75.2 7.2 264 30 97 15 ≥9

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, May 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -19 -0.4 0.8 0.5 700 -17 -0.3 1.8 1.0 500 -13 -0.2 1.2 0.6 400 -7 -0.1 0.5 0.3 300 -3 0.0 -0.9 -0.7 200 -42 -0.5 -1.6 -1.0 150 -47 -0.5 -0.9 -0.5 100 -56 -0.6 -1.2 -0.7 70 -87 -0.9 -1.4 -0.7 50 -122 -1.1 -2.0 -1.0 30 -186 -1.3 -3.2 -1.3 20 -167 -0.8 -2.3 -0.9

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.16 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, May 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 993.9 1013.0 962.1 -1.1 -0.2 Air temperature, 0C -2.9 3.1 -14.6 1.3 0.7 Relative humidity, % 91 3.9 1.1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.3 0.6 1.0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.5 0.9 1.0 Precipitation, mm 82.3 19.2 1.2 1.3 Wind speed, m/s 6.2 20.0 -1.4 -1.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 45 Total radiation, MJ/m2 27.8 -5.2 -1.1 0.8

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.9. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. May 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, May 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 988.9 1013.2 969.9 Air temperature, 0C -16.6 0.7 -33.9 Relative humidity, % 57 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.8 Precipitation, mm 3.8 Wind speed, m/s 5.2 19.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 7.6

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.10. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F).

Progress station. May 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.18 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, May 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 619.8 643.1 601.2 -3.8 -0.7 Air temperature, C -67.6 -43.3 -81.2 -1.8 -0.7 Relative humidity, % 57 -11.1 -2.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.4 0.5 0.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 2.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.7 Wind speed, m/s 4.0 10.0 -1.6 -1.6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 248 Total radiation, MJ/m2 0.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.11. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. May 2012.

M A Y 2 0 1 2

AtmosphericAtmospheric pressu pressurere at seaat sea level, level, hPa hPa (at Vostok (at Vostokstation station - ground - ground level level pressure) pressure)

981.8 977.8 989.4 985.3 1100 984.9 988.0 993.9 988.9 900 614.4619.8 900700 500700 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.7

Air temperature,Air temperature, °C °C

-13.6 -2.9 0 -17.2 -16.6 -10-20 -30-40 -0.8 -67.6 -50-60 -21 -12.6 -17.3 -70-80 -66.3 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.0 -0.1 0.7 -0.7

RelativeRelative humidity, humidity, % %

7271 88 91 100 4554 51 5757 57 50 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 1.5 0.8 1.1 -2.2

TotalTotal cloudiness, cloudiness, tenths tenths 8.89.3 10 7.16.6 5.6 3.94.5 5.0 3.4 5 0.8 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -3.8 0.6 1.0 0.4

Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mm

82.3 100 74.8 50 4.97.8 10.714.7 4.9 3.8 13.9 2.2 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

f/favg 0.2 0.6 1.3 0.7

MeanMean wind wind speed, speed, m/s m/s

12.9 20 13.1 12.710.1 8.7 6.2 6 4.7 10 5.2 4.0 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.8 -0.5 -1.1 -1.6

Fig. 1.12. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. May 2012.

JUNE 2012

MIRNY STATION

Table 1.19 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, June 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.6 1010.0 947.3 0.3 0.1 Air temperature, 0C -15.3 -3.4 -32.1 0.1 0.0 Relative humidity, % 77 1.7 0.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.8 0.1 0.1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.2 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 25.7 -47.0 -1.1 0.4 Wind speed, m/s 13.7 30.0 0.7 0.5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 2.8 -1.2 -1.3 0.7

Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.13. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. June 2012.

Table 1.20 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Mirny, June 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

983 39 -14.1 3.6 925 496 -14.7 5.3 94 15 94 1 1 850 1133 -16.5 5.9 79 11 78 1 2 700 2576 -21.7 6.5 37 4 31 1 1 500 4975 -37.2 6.9 310 7 45 1 1 400 6479 -47.7 6.6 292 11 54 1 2 300 8327 -58.7 6.3 285 16 64 1 1 200 10816 -65.1 6.6 286 19 81 1 1 150 12562 -66.2 6.8 286 20 90 1 1 100 14994 -70.5 7.3 285 24 94 2 2 70 17078 -73.8 7.4 285 29 95 5 5 50 19025 -76.5 7.8 284 34 96 6 6 30 21927 -79.3 7.8 282 41 96 9 ≥9 20 24224 -79.6 7.9 283 45 97 11 ≥9

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, June 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -7 -0.2 1.3 1.0 700 -7 -0.2 0.5 0.4 500 -18 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 400 -27 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5 300 -31 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 200 -47 -0.6 -1.5 -0.8 150 -67 -0.9 -2.2 -1.4 100 -98 -1.2 -3.3 -1.8 70 -148 -1.1 -3.5 -1.7 50 -196 -1.6 -4.0 -1.6 30 -312 -1.7 -4.8 -1.6 20 -433 -1.9 -4.6 -1.5

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, June 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 992.3 1013.7 968.3 2.1 0.5 Air temperature, 0C -16.7 -7.2 -29.1 -1.2 -0.5 Relative humidity, % 44 -7.4 -1.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.1 -1.5 -1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.0 -0.2 -0.2 Precipitation, mm 10.1 -19.1 -0.5 0.3 Wind speed, m/s 9.5 28.0 -1.7 -0.7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 0.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.14. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, June 2012.

Table 1.23 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Novolazarevskaya, June 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

974 122 -16.9 10.7 925 514 -15.1 15.8 114 11 94 0 1 850 1148 -18.8 15.4 104 13 93 0 0 700 2569 -25.3 13.2 124 8 67 0 1 500 4943 -39.0 11.2 181 6 39 0 0 400 6437 -49.1 9.5 208 7 42 0 0 300 8270 -61.0 8.1 222 10 54 0 0 200 10727 -68.3 7.9 233 13 71 0 0 150 12451 -69.0 8.4 245 13 81 0 0 100 14849 -73.4 8.5 252 17 90 0 0 70 16910 -77.1 8.4 256 21 94 0 0 50 18823 -80.1 8.3 259 24 96 0 0 30 21684 -82.5 8.6 263 30 97 2 2 20 23954 -81.7 9.1 265 32 97 4 4 10 27772 -76.1 8.8 273 31 99 22 ≥9

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, June 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -9 -0.2 0.7 0.4 700 -13 -0.3 0.1 0.1 500 -20 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 400 -25 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 300 -30 -0.5 -0.5 -0.4 200 -44 -0.6 -1.3 -0.7 150 -53 -0.7 -1.0 -0.6 100 -73 -0.9 -1.4 -0.8 70 -80 -0.8 -0.7 -0.3 50 -118 -1.0 -1.5 -0.7 30 -187 -1.2 -1.6 -0.6 20 -226 -1.3 -1.1 -0.4 10 -445 -1.1 1.4 0.3

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, June 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 978.3 1007.0 959.6 -15.9 -2.4 Air temperature, 0C -6.7 0.2 -17.6 -0.8 -0.4 Relative humidity, % 86 -1.2 -0.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.4 0.8 1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.9 1.6 1.8 Precipitation, mm 70.6 20.3 0.8 1.4 Wind speed, m/s 10.2 23.0 2.5 4.2 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 10.3 -2.7 -1.0 0.8

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.15. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. June 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, June 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.6 1012.5 957.2 Air temperature, 0C -14.1 -3.1 -28.5 Relative humidity, % 72 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 5.7 Precipitation, mm 30.4 Wind speed, m/s 9.6 28.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 0.7

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.16. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. June 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.27

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, June 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Ground level air pressure, hPa 623.4 643.3 604.4 -0.3 -0.1 Air temperature, C -68.7 -49.1 -81.6 -3.7 -1.3 Relative humidity, % 58 -10.7 -2.5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.7 0.8 0.8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 2.1 -0.9 -0.4 0.7 Wind speed, m/s 5.0 11.0 -0.7 -0.9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 0.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.17. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. June 2012.

J U N E 2 0 1 2

AtmosphericAtmospheric pressure pressure at atsea sea level, level, hPa hPa (at Vostok (at Vostokstation station - ground - ground level level pressure) pressure)

982.1 985.5 998.4 985.5 1100 989.6 992.3 978.3 989.6 900 621.8 900 623.4 700 500 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.1 0.5 -2.4 -0.1

Air Airtemperature, temperature, °C °C

-15.3 -6.7 -14.1 0 -16.7 -20-20 -40-40 -4 -13.4 -68.7 -60-60 -15.7 -14.1 -80 -80 -64.2 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 -1.3

RelativeRelative humidity, humidity, % %

8077 86 86 72 100 4844 48 56 58 50 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.3 -1.3 -0.3 -2.5

TotalTotal cloudiness, cloudiness, tenths tenths

9.39.4 7.7 10 6.87 6.3 7.1 8 4.1 3.7 56 0.8 24 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.1 -1.3 1.3 0.8

Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mm 90.3 100 70.6 31.525.7 23 30.4 50 10.1 10 4.1 2.1 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

f/favg 0.4 0.3 1.4 0.7

MeanMean wind wind speed, speed, m/s m/s

15.515.513.7 20 11.411.49.5 10.2 9.6 6.56.5 9 9 5.0 10 4.6 4.6 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.5 -0.7 4.2 -0.9

Fig.1.18. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. June 2012.

42 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN APRIL-JUNE 2012

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in April-June 2012 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages of surface air temperature, their anomalies and normalized anomalies at the Russian and non-Russian meteorological stations. The actual data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition contained in /1/ were used for the Russian Antarctic stations and data contained in /2, 3/ were used for the foreign stations. The multiyear averages of air temperature for the period 1961-1990 were adopted from /4/. In April, similar to March, the area of the below zero air temperature anomalies was located over most of Antarctica. Large anomalies were observed in the area of the Queen Maud Land at Halley (-7.0°С, -2.6 ) and Syowa (-4.0°С, -2.7 ) stations and in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula at Bellingshausen station (-2.2°С, -1.6 ). April 2012 at Syowa station became the coldest, at Halley station the third and at Bellingshausen station, the fifth coldest April for the entire observation period at the stations (Fig. 2.1). In the area of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica, one observed an area of small (less than 1) above zero anomalies of air temperature. The core of this warm area was located near Davis station (1.7°С, 0.7 ). In May, the area of the below zero anomalies increased, spreading over the western part of the Indian Ocean of East Antarctica. However the values of anomalies at the stations were less than 1 . In the areas of the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast, the Ross Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula, there was an area of the above zero anomalies of air temperature. The largest above zero anomaly was observed at McMurdo station (6.0 °С, 1.9 ). At McMurdo station, May 2012 became the second warmest May from 1957. In June, the area of the below zero air temperature anomalies in East Antarctica decreased. The core of the cold area was displaced to the area of the inland Vostok station (-3.7 °С, -1.3 ). Small above zero anomalies of air temperature were noted in the area of the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast and also in the vicinity of the South Pole. And only at the east coast of the Weddell Sea near Halley station, the air temperature anomaly comprised 5.0 °С (1.5 ). An assessment of long-period changes of mean monthly air temperature at the Russian stations in these months manifests preservation of the temperature increase trend almost at all stations (Fig. 2.2-2.4). However the statistically significant trend is present only at Bellingshausen station. The air temperature increase for May at Bellingshausen station was about 2.7°С/45 years (Table 2.1). The negative sign of the trend is observed only at Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations for May and Vostok station for June. The trend values themselves are statistically insignificant. The atmospheric pressure at the Russian stations in these months was more often characterized by small (about or less than 1 ) negative deviations from a multiyear average. The largest negative air pressure anomaly was observed at Bellingshausen station in June (-15.9 hPa, -2.4 ). Such pressure at this station in June was the lowest for the entire observation period. The largest air pressure anomaly at the Russian stations in this quarter was also noted at Bellingshausen station in April (5.0 hPa, 1.2 ). Consideration of the interannual air pressure variations at the Russian stations reveals the air pressure decrease: at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Bellingshausen stations for all months and at Восток station – for April-May (Fig. 2.2-2.4). At Mirny station, the trend is statistically significant for all months and at Novolazarevskaya station – for April. At Mirny station, the decrease of the atmospheric pressure was most signifciant in May ( -6.3 hPa/56 years). The amount of precipitation at the Russian stations in April-June was higher than the multiyear average only at Bellingshausen station. Here in April, the amount of precipitation comprised around 150% of the multiyear average of precipitation. The least amount of precipitation (around 1% of the multiyear average) was recorded at Novolazarevskaya station in April.

Table 2.1 Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Station, Parameter IV V VI IV V VI Operation period Entire observation period 2003-2012 Novolazarevskaya °С/10 0.16 -0.12 0.20 0.21 1.22 -0.54 years 1961-2012 % 12.9 8.7 13.0 3.5 20.3 6.1 Р ------Mirny °С/10 0.06 -0.05 0.20 -0.68 -0.57 -0.16 years 1957-2012 % 4.2 3.3 15.6 10.5 5.5 4.4 Р ------Vostok °С/10 0.08 0.01 -0.06 -1.82 -2.07 -6.50 years 1958-2012 % 5.4 0.8 3.4 19.8 19.6 46.8 Р ------Bellingshausen °С/10 0.01 0.59 0.29 -3.30 -0.28 -0.22 years 1968-2012 % 0.6 38.3 17.7 72.2 8.6 3.1 Р - 99 - 95 - -

First line: linear trend coefficient; Second line: dispersion value explained by the linear trend; Third line: Р=1–, where  is a significance level (given if Р exceeds 90 %.

References:

1. http://www.south.aari.nw.ru 2. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html 3. http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html 4. Atlas of the Oceans. The Southern Ocean. GUNiO MD RF. St. Petersburg 2005

Fig. 2.1. Mean monthly and mean annual values of (1) surface air temperatures, their anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) in April (IV), May (V), June (VI) 2012 from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South Polar Area.

Fig. 2.2. Interannual variations of anomalies of air temperature and atmopsheric pressure at the Russian Antarctic stations. April.

Fig. 2.3. Interannual variations of anomalies of air temperature and atmopsheric pressure at the Russian Antarctic stations. May.

Fig. 2.4. Interannual variations of anomalies of air temperature and atmopsheric pressure at the Russian Antarctic stations. June.

48 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN APRIL-JUNE 2012

The beginning of the Antarctic winter of 2012 was characterized by the dominance of zonal atmospheric processes. This is illustrated quite well in Table 3.1, where one can see that the frequency of occurrence of zonal circulation form during the entire period under consideration had quite significant positive anomalies. One should note that intensification of zonal processes was also observed in the three previous months although with smaller anomalies. So in the last half a year, we observed a prolonged period of the increase of atmospheric zonality, which affected the peculiarities of development of the circulation processes and formation of thermal, baric fields during the period under consideration.

Table 3.1 Frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric circulation in the southern hemisphere and their anomalies (days) in April-June 2012

Months Frequency of occurrence Anomalies Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb April 18 4 8 7 -6 -1 May 14 14 3 5 0 -5 June 13 8 9 6 -7 1

In April, the cyclonic activity mainly developed at zonal trajectories, and also at the South American, Central Atlantic, Kerguelen, New Zealand and Pacific Ocean branches of the trajectories. The general intensity of the atmospheric circulation slightly increased as compared with March. Deep cyclonic vortexes reached their maximum development and then began to fill, usually not reaching the shores of Antarctica. This was especially manifested in East Antarctica, where the precipitation deficit was noted for the second month in succession. In May, the intensity of the atmospheric processes did not increase and was close to March by the character of the main parameters. Zonal trajectories of the cyclones continued to prevail. The meridional components of displacement of the cyclonic features were more often noted at the South American, Central Atlantic, African, Kerguelen, Tasmanian, New Zealand and Pacific Ocean branches of the trajectories. The cyclonic features moved weakened to the shores of Antarctica. As in the previous months, the precipitation deficit was observed at the coast of the Antarctic continent. In June, it is necessary to note the increased general activity of the atmospheric circulation and the cyclogenesis, which is typical of the winter season. Most active were the Kerguelen and the East Pacific Ocean branches of the trajectories, where the processes of generation of cyclones developed. It should be noted that at the second of the aforementioned branches, the deep cyclones were often displaced across the Drake Passage, persisting above the Antarctic Peninsula. As a result, an exceptionally deep area of negative atmospheric pressure anomalies was formed over this area in June [1]. The precipitation deficit was still observed over most regions of East Antarctica. The character of the thermal baric fields over Antarctic during April-June was almost identical in terms of the macro-processes and the whole period under consideration can be assessed as one ongoing uniform process. The negative air pressure anomalies were noted almost over the whole East Antarctica, at least in April-May [1]. This is connected with a strong attenuation of the meridional processes. Only over the New Zealand sector, significant atmospheric pressure anomalies were observed in April and June. One should also note a local center of significant positive air pressure anomalies over the Weddell Sea in April and May. In June, over the Weddell Sea, the Antarctic Peninsula, the Scotia Sea and the southern tip of the American continent, one observed the extreme negative atmospheric pressure anomalies exceeding -15 hPa [1,2]. The dominance of the below zero air temperature anomalies over the inland area confirms a significant decrease of the meridional inter-latitudinal air exchange over the temperate and high latitudes of the Southern Ocean. So, the main feature of the period under consideration was the preserved tendency of the active development of zonal atmospheric processes and a colder beginning of winter in the Antarctic related to weaker meridionality.

References:

1. http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cmb.cgi?page 2. http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html

49 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE, SHIPBORNE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN APRIL-JUNE 2012

In autumn, similar to the preceding spring-summer period 2011-2012, one observed the increased level of sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean, which gradually decreased approaching the multiyear average. In April, the sea ice extent was still much higher than the mean multiyear value approximately by 5% (or 0.4 mln. km2). The main role at this was played by the anomalously grown Atlantic ice massif, which area was by 1/3 greater than the multiyear average. Already on the first days of the month, export of heavy ice from the “body” of the massif to Bransfield Strait began both from the east from the ice tongue overhanging the strait along 50º W (see Review of the Bulletin for January-March 2012), and from the southeast, directly across the Antarctic Strait. This old ice cake with a thickness of more than 2.5-3.0 m and snow cover concentration of 1.0-1.5 m appeared on 5 April near Bellingshausen station at the head of Maxwell Bay – Ardley Bay and filled it completely on the next day, which was never observed before. The ice that was brought stimulated local stable formation that occurred 2 months earlier than usually (Table 4.1). Bransfield Strait continued to be filled with unordinary Weddell Sea ice that reached 60º W. Early autumn ice formation covered the water area along the entire coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. However by the end of April, it was almost completely stopped, including the neighboring Bellingshausen Sea. The ice export from the Weddell Sea to the west to Bransfield Strait sharply decreased, but instead its east oceanic advection increased. This resulted in the anomalous blocking by ice of the area of the South Orkneys, and in ice filling a zone of ice edge bending between 60-66 S and 20-45 W in the area of the so-called western circulation cell. The entire eastern part of the Weddell Gyre (the Lazarev Sea) was likewise rapidly covered with young ice up to the 65th parallel. Here at the head of Leningradsky Bay approximately on 18 April, the landfast ice 2-4 km wide was completely broken up and exported. It was found out that it was the second-year ice with a thickness up to 320 cm and the snow cover depth of 120-160 cm. There was a simultaneous calving of the ice barrier about 1350 m×360 m in size near the western margin of Dome Leningradsky at the place of the onshore base of the Indian Expedition. The second-year landfast ice in Belaya Bay was preserved. It is of interest that near Progress station in Vostochnaya Bay, one observed the destruction of the ice barrier on 9 and 12 April as a result of avalanching of the Dolk outlet glacier. In the Indian Ocean sector, the marginal seas with the increased ice belt size – the Commonwealth Sea, the Davis Sea and the Mawson Sea, where the ice edge was located at 63-64 S, were counterbalanced by the basins with the decreased sea ice extent. In the Cosmonauts Sea, the ice edge was located at 67 S and near the coast of the Wilkes Land – near 65 S. A similar situation was observed in the Pacific Ocean sector. The increased sea ice extent of the western part where the ice edge in the Somov Sea and the Ross Sea advanced to the north – correspondingly to 63 S and 67 S, was combined with the decreased sea ice extent of the eastern part of the sector. Here the ice edge was still located near the 70th parallel, and in the area of 80 W in late April, it even retreated to 72 S, and there was a breakup and export of the long preserved landfast ice at the head of the Margaret Bay (in Simonov Bay). In May-June, the aforementioned character of the ice cover distribution in the Southern Ocean did not change in principle. It only became more balanced and the total sea ice extent approached the multiyear average (Fig. 4.1). One should note that at Bellingshausen station on 21 May, there was a breakup and the predominant export of landfast ice from the Weddell Sea old ice, which bound half of Ardley Bay almost for a month. However in connection with a stable decrease of mean daily air temperature to -5С, the ice formation process here did not stop and already on 7 June, new landfast ice was formed of young ice that remained in the bay. At the same time, the ice flow from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait was increased again and in the eastern part of the Bellingshausen Sea, the ice formation processes were sharply intensified. As a result, by the end of June, the edge of the external ice belt in the Atlantic sector was located on average, at 60 S, in the Indian Ocean sector – approximately at 62 S and in the Pacific Ocean sector – near 65 S. The autumn increase of young landfast ice also corresponded to mean multiyear values (Table 4.2). In the area of Progress station in Zapadnaya (Nella) Bay, melting of four-year landfast ice from the bottom surface continued until the middle of May. This ice was submerged below the 1 m surface layer and was evidently strongly cooled and freshened, in which at the same time first-year ice was intensively growing. Of interest is also a large snow concentration everywhere on landfast ice in June, which is probably connected with a general burst of cyclonic activity in Antarctica as a compensation response of the South Polar climatic system to the prolonged dominance in the atmosphere of zonal macro-processes (see section 3 of the Bulletin for January-March 2012).

Table 4.1

Dates of the main ice phases in the areas of Russian Antarctic stations in the first part of 2012

Station Ice formation Landfast ice formation Freeze up (water body) First Stable First Stable First Final Mirny Actual 07.03 10.03 03.04 03.04 26.04 26.04 (roadstead) Multiyear 11.03 12.03 30.03 02.04 14.04 17.04 average Progress Actual 31.01 12.02 10.03 10.03 23.04 23.04 (Vostochnaya Bay) Multiyear 16.02 17.02 06.03 08.03 26.03 26.03 average Bellingshausen Actual 05.04 05.04 23.04 07.06 NO NO (Ardley Bay) Multiyear 12.05 06.06 09.06 17.06 30.06 05.07 average Note: NO – the phenomenon did not occur (not yet occurred)

Table 4.2

Landfast ice thickness and snow depth (cm) in the areas of Russian Antarctic stations in April – June 2012

Station Characteristics M o n t h s IV V VI Mirny Actual 54 76 99 Ice Multiyear 47 68 84 average Actual 7 11 7 Snow Multiyear 10 15 18 average Progress Actual 55 77 98 Ice Multiyear 55 79 97 average Actual 3 3 17 Snow Multiyear 6 8 5 average Bellingshausen Ice 31 - 63 Actual Snow 1 - 15

Note: the mean multiyear averages of landfast ice parameters were updated for Mirny station for 1956 – 2011 and Progress station for 1988 – 2009.

Fig. 4.1. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge in the Southern Ocean in May 2012 (1), maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) ice edge location for a multiyear period.

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012

Regular total ozone measurements in the second quarter of 2012 were carried out at two Russian stations – Mirny (up to 13 May 2012) and Novolazarevskaya (up to 27 April 2012) stations, and also from board the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” at the time of its navigation in Antarctic waters to the south of 55° S (up to 22 April 2012). The observations were interrupted due to the low Sun’s height.

400 1 400 2 350 350 3

300 300

250 250

200 200

150 150 Total ozone (DU) Total

100 100

50 50

0 0 01.04.2012 11.04.2012 21.04.2012 01.05.2012 11.05.2012 21.05.2012 31.05.2012 Date

Fig. 5.1. Mean daily total ozone values at Mirny (1) and Novolazarevskaya (2) stations and from measurements onboard the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” (3) in the second quarter of 2012.

The mean daily total ozone concentration values at these stations are presented in Fig. 5.1. The lowest TO value for the period under consideration was observed at Novolazarevskaya station on 6 April (224 DU). The minimum TO value for the period under consideration at Mirny station (262 DU) was recorded on 13 April and from measurements onboard the ship (239 DU) – on 5 April. The mean monthly TO values in April at Novolazarevskaya station (278 DU) and at Mirny station (299 DU), were slightly higher than in 2011 [1]. In the first part of May, the total ozone concentration at Mirny station varied from 256 DU (13 May) to 322 DU (1 May).

References:

1. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment April-June 2011. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”. SI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2011, No.2 (55), p. 51.

53 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN APRIL-JUNE 2012

The geomagnetic observations in the second quarter of 2012 were carried out at Vostok, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations under the standard program, and at Progress station – in the test regime after the magnetic pavilion was transferred to the new place and reinstallation of all magnetometers. At Novolazarevskaya station, the coordinated change of the obtained absolute values of Н and Z constituents continued during 2011 – beginning of 2012 at the practically unchanged value of full module Т. One of the possible causes could be the changed dip angle of the magnetic field vector in this region, but there could also be other causes. Study of these changes will be continued. The basis values at all stations are stable except for Progress station and the random error of their measurements is within the permissible limits. The degree of stability of the basis values determines the correctness of performance of variometers, their unchanged fixing on the basement and a possibility of the correct use of the results obtained. At Progress station, the obtained results exceed the permissible bounds due to re-installation of the instruments in the magnetic pavilion. All events noted in the data of riometers and in the data of vertical sounding at Mirny station are also traced on the magnetograms of these stations.

Registration of the space radio-emission level was carried out at Mirny (32 and 40 MHz frequencies), Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz frequency) and Vostok (32 MHz frequency) stations. The analysis of riometer data includes an assessment of the work of riometers in general and classification of riometer absorption increases depending on the factors influencing these increases. The increases with the amplitude greater than 0.5 dB were analyzed. The following abbreviations were used in the text:  SPE (solar proton event) – a phenomenon of the increase of solar proton fluxes after strong solar bursts, registered in the interplanetary space and in the Earth’s magnetosphere;  GS (geomagnetic storm) – a phenomenon of the increase of geomagnetic activity, registered after strong solar bursts;  PCA (type of polar cap absorption) – a phenomenon of the increase of riometer absorption determined by the proton fluxes during the SPE;  AA (auroral absorption) – a phenomenon of the increase of absorption determined by the fluxes of magnetospheric particles during the GS. The absorption increases can be caused by the global factors (SPE and GS), and the local factors (local increase of geomagnetic activity, malfunction of riometer). During the analysis data from the Internet on the proton fluxes and the level of geomagnetic activity (Кр index) were used. April During this month the SPE phenomena were absent. Two geomagnetic storms were recorded (on 12 – 15 and 22 – 28 April). Vostok (32 MHz). During the month the absorption changed within the usual undisturbed level of 0.2 – 0.5 dB. The geomagnetic storms did not cause a significant change of absorption. On 2 and 3 April, there are no data. Mirny (32 MHz). Three increases of absorption were registered. The increases with the maximum on 13 April (with the amplitude of 1.8 dB) and the maximum on 25 April (with the amplitude of 3.3 dB) present the auroral absorptions, determined by the geomagnetic storm. The increase with the maximum on 21 April (with the amplitude of 1.2 dB), is likely to be related to the local factors. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Four increases of absorption were registered. The increase on 3 April (with the amplitude of 1 dB) is probably determined by an insignificant increase of the level of geomagnetic activity. The increase on 15 April (with the amplitude of 1 dB) is likely to be connected with the first geomagnetic storm (GS). The increases with the maximum on 24 April (with the amplitude of 14 dB) and the maximum on 30 April (with the amplitude of 4 dB) are determined by the second GS.

May During May 2012, two SPE phenomena (on 17 – 19 May and on 26 – 29 May) and two geomagnetic storms (on 8 – 13 and 22 – 25 May) were registered. Vostok (32 MHz). Two increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 12 May (with the amplitude of 0.7 dB) is the AA, which is registered at Vostok station very rarely. In this case, this auroral absorption is probably determined by the first geomagnetic storm. The increase with the maximum on 17 May (with the 54 amplitude of 1 dB) is a PCA and is determined by the first SPE. The PCA amplitude is small, as the ionosphere above Vostok station is not illuminated at this time. The second SPE did not cause a significant PCA phenomenon, as the intensity of the SPE proton fluxes is comparatively small and the ionosphere above Vostok station is not illuminated at this time. During the period 5 to 20 May, the absorption values did not drop below 0.2 dB. This is probably related to an insignificant decrease of the recording level during this period. That is why during calculations the absorption values were overestimated. The decrease of the recording level is due to some instability of the work of the riometer. Mirny (32 MHz). Four increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 11 May (with the amplitude of 3 dB) is the auroral absorption determined by the first GS. The increase with the maximum on 17 May (with the amplitude of 4 dB) is the PCA, determined by the first SPE. The increase with the maximum on 23 May (with the amplitude of 4 dB) is the АA, which is determined by the second GS. The increase with the maximum on 27 May (with the amplitude of 1 dB) is the PCA, determined by proton fluxes of the second SPE. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Several increases of absorption were registered. The increases with the maximums on 7, 15, 20, 25 May (with the amplitudes of 1, 4, 3, 1.5 dB, respectively) do not correlate either with the SPE or GS phenomena. They are probably determined by the local factors. The increase with the maximum on 28 May (with the amplitude of 2 dB) is the PCA and is determined by the SPE. The large value of this absorption is partly related to the local factors. . June Throughout this month, one SPE phenomenon (15 – 19 June) and three geomagnetic storms (2 – 9, 16 – 18 and 30 June) were registered. Vostok (32 MHz). Two small increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 16 June (with the amplitude of 0.6 dB) is the PCA and is determined by the SPE. The increase with the maximum on 21 May (with the amplitude of 0.6 dB) is probably determined by the local factors. Mirny (32 MHz). Three increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 6 June (with the amplitude of 5 dB) is the АA, which is determined by the first GS. The increase with the maximum on 17 June (with the amplitude of 1 dB) is the PCA, which is caused by the SPE proton fluxes and partly by the fluxes of magnetospheric particles at the time of the second GS. The increase with the maximum on 25 June (with the amplitude of 0.6 dB) is probably determined by the local factors. The increase with the maximum on 30 June (with the amplitude of 2 dB) is the АA and is determined by the third GS. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Several increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 2 June (with the amplitude of 2.5 dB) is the АA, determined by the fluxes of magnetospheric particles at the time of the first GS. The increases with the maximums on 7 and 9 (with the amplitudes of 8 and 19 dB, respectively) reflect probably some failure in the performance of riometer, as such large values are not typical of the absorption variations occurring at the background of low geomagnetic activity. The increase with the maximum on 12 June (with the amplitude of 3 dB) is the АA, which occurs at the background of high geomagnetic activity (Кр = 6). The increase with the maximum on 16 June (with the amplitude of 4 dB) is the PCA and the AA and is determined by the SPE and the second GS. The increases with the maximums on 24 and 27 June (with the amplitude of 2 and 4 dB, respectively) are probably determined by the local factors. Conclusions. Three PCA phenomena and several auroral absorptions were registered for the period under consideration. The riometers worked satisfactorily at all stations.

Vertical sounding of the ionosphere at Mirny station

April A slightly increased background of daytime values of foF2 (6-8 MHz) with the periods of decreased values of foF2 (about 4 MHz) was observed from 11 to 14 April and from 22 to 25 April, when the riometer at Mirny fixed the elevated auroral activity. The nighttime values of foF2 demonstrated more uniform variations within 2-3 MHz. The observations gaps were insignificant, less than 10% of all data. May The month of large magnetic activity. The daytime values of foF2 changed from 6 MHz in the quiet periods to 3.5 MHz on the disturbed days (8 to 13 May, 16 to 19 May and 22 to 25 May).The nighttime values of foF2 in these periods decreased to 2 MHz and less. June Regular decrease of daytime and nighttime values of critical frequencies (the middle of the polar night). The disturbed periods 4 to 8 June and 15 to 18 June caused a decrease of the daytime values of foF2. The nighttime values of foF2 remained at the level of 2.5 MHz. 55

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS

MIRNY STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component April 88º02.6´W 13700 nT -57581 nT May 88º06.5´W 13717 nT -57571 nT June 88º09.6´W 13704 nT -57590 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D deg. H, nT Z, nT 01.04.2012 -87.1350 13922 -57625 05.04.2012 -87.1300 13921 -57630 11.04.2012 -87.1383 13918 -57631 15.04.2012 -87.1300 13919 -57631 20.04.2012 -87.1183 13923 -57628 25.04.2012 -87.1450 13927 -57623 02.05.2012 -87.1367 13925 -57627 07.05.2012 -87.1233 13923 -57625 13.05.2012 -87.1533 13917 -57626 17.05.2012 -87.1217 13923 -57624 23.05.2012 -87.1250 13916 -57625 28.05.2012 -87.1250 13918 -57626 04.06.2012 -87.1367 13917 -57626 08.06.2012 -87.1267 13919 -57627 13.06.2012 -87.1167 13917 -57625 18.06.2012 -87.1333 13914 -57632 23.06.2012 -87.1200 13915 -57627 28.06.2012 -87.1200 13913 -57631

Mirny, April 2012

4.5 , x a m A 3

1.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Mirny, May 2012

4.5 B d ,x 3 a m A 1.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, June 2012

4.5 B d ,x 3 a m A 1.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.1. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Mirny station. 57

Mirny, April 2012

z H6 M 00UT , 2 F 4 12UT f0 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Mirny, May 2012

z H6 M 00UT , 2 F4 12UT f0 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, June 2012

z H6 M 12UT , 2 F 4 00UT f0 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Fig. 6.2. Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer at Mirny station. 58

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component April 29º13.7´W 18469 nT -34626 nT May 29º15.9´W 18464 nT -34617 nT June 29º16.6´W 18462 nT -34612 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D,deg. H, nT Z, nT 04.04.2012 -29.0557 18464 -34834 12.04.2012 -29.0448 18455 -34838 16.04.2012 -29.0412 18468 -34831 19.04.2012 -29.0455 18461 -34833 21.04.2012 -29.0447 18463 -34832 29.04.2012 -29.0392 18468 -34828 04.05.2012 -29.0387 18458 -34836 07.05.2012 -29.0422 18451 -34841 14.05.2012 -29.0328 18459 -34834 19.05.2012 -29.0338 18451 -34836 21.05.2012 -29.0343 18450 -34835 12.06.2012 -29.0230 18454 -34830 15.06.2012 -29.0368 18449 -34839 18.06.2012 -29.0312 18452 -34835 21.06.2012 -29.0255 18446 -34838 24.06.2012 -29.0333 18442 -34839

Novolazarevskaya, April 2012

7.5 B d, x 5 a m A 2.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, May 2012

7.5 B d ,x 5 a m A 2.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Novolazarevskaya, June 2012

7.5 B d ,x 5 a m A 2.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Fig. 6.3. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Novolazarevskaya station. 60 PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component April 78º50.8´W 17004 nT -50831 nT May 78º56.0´W 16919 nT -50892 nT June 78º57.8´W 16895 nT -50882 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT 02.04.2012 -78.8644 209.5 -8.5 06.04.2012 -78.8564 208.0 -9.9 12.04.2012 -78.6136 211.4 -8.2 19.04.2012 -78.8639 210.7 -9.0 24.04.2012 -78.8553 215.2 -8.0 28.04.2012 -78.8272 100.9 -61.8 29.04.2012 -78.8344 98.5 -62.7 01.05.2012 -78.8444 100.9 -61.5 05.05.2012 -78.8486 98.8 -61.8 12.05.2012 -78.8250 101.8 -63.3 14.05.2012 -78.8414 99.4 -65.6 17.05.2012 -78.8394 99.1 -65.4 21.05.2012 -78.8525 98.2 -64.7 25.05.2012 -78.8356 99.0 -65.6 28.05.2012 -78.8422 99.2 -65.3 01.06.2012 -78.8411 104.2 -63.3 05.06.2012 -78.8272 98.3 -64.4 08.06.2012 -78.8281 99.4 -65.7 10.06.2012 -78.8217 98.0 -65.1 13.06.2012 -78.8311 100.0 -63.8 16.06.2012 -78.8258 95.5 -68.6 20.06.2012 -78.8414 96.3 -69.0 26.06.2012 -78.8339 94.4 -68.7 61

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component April 122º59.5´W 13569 nT -57857 nT May 123º02.1´W 13575 nT -57853 nT June 123º03.6´W 13574 nT -57857 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT 03.04.2012 -122.5181 13558 -57899 05.04.2012 -122.5158 13560 -57899 09.04.2012 -122.5039 13560 -57898 16.04.2012 -122.5133 13562 -57901 19.04.2012 -122.5167 13563 -57901 21.04.2012 -122.5147 13562 -57900 26.04.2012 -122.5200 13562 -57901 01.05.2012 -122.5228 13562 -57899 04.05.2012 -122.5178 13564 -57899 07.05.2012 -122.5100 13565 -57897 14.05.2012 -122.5197 13566 -57896 19.05.2012 -122.5272 13566 -57896 21.05.2012 -122.5200 13565 -57896 26.05.2012 -122.5192 13566 -57895 31.05.2012 -122.5211 13568 -57893 07.06.2012 -122.5214 13562 -57895 08.06.2012 -122.5247 13569 -57896 12.06.2012 -122.5161 13565 -57897 14.06.2012 -122.5233 13565 -57897 18.06.2012 -122.5275 13565 -57896 22.06.2012 -122.5228 13566 -57897 27.06.2012 -122.5256 13567 -57895

Vostok, April 2012

3 B d ,x 2 a m A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, May 2012

3 B d ,x 2 a m A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, June 2012

3 B d ,x 2 a m A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.4. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Vostok station.

63 7. XXXV ANTARCTIC TREATY CONSULATATIVE MEETING

The XXXV Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) was held in Hobart (Australia) for the first time in the eight-day format from 11 to 20 June 2012 jointly with the 15th session of the Committee on Environmental Protection. The Delegation of the Russian Federation was represented by three officers of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Russia and two specialists of Roshydromet – Deputy Director of the FSBI “AARI”, RAE Head V.V. Lukin and lead ecologist of RAE V.N. Pomelov. The Head of the Delegation was Deputy Director of the Legal Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs D.V. Gonchar. The ATCM is the main international forum on the Antarctic at which the Antarctic Treaty Parties meet annually to discuss and adopt the decisions on the measures of implementation of their vision of the Antarctic as a reserve devoted to piece and science. The outcomes of the XXXV ATCM strengthen and develop this vision. This year the centenary of the expeditions of Amundsen and Scott to the South Geographical Pole will be celebrated, and Australia, which hosted the ATCM, celebrates the centenary of its first Antarctic expedition headed by Douglas Mawson. More than 250 representatives of the Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, experts and observers were present at the conferences. The meeting welcomed the representatives of Malaysia and Pakistan, which joined the Antarctic Treaty during the intersessional period. So the total number of the Treaty Parties increased to 50 with 28 of them having the consultative status giving the right to make the decisions at the ATCM. The Parties noted that personnel of 18 national scientific programs worked in the middle of winter in the Antarctic at the time of holding the meeting. They also reminded about the spirit of commonwealth in the Antarctic and expressed their condolences in connection with the tragic loss of human lives at the Brazilian Base Comandante Ferraz. The ATCM continued to focus its attention on understanding and addressing the questions on the implications of global climate change for the Antarctic, also by determining the important protected areas in terms of their stability to the climate change. The Parties confirmed again their firm intent to carry out the scientific studies in the Antarctic and contribute to understanding of the global climate change and its implications for our planet. The Meeting agreed with a number of measures to ensure safe transport operations of the National Antarctic Programs and tourist activity in the Antarctic taking into account the environmental protection requirements. A great deal of attention was given to the presentation of the Russian document about the trials of the system of automated approach landing of heavy transport aircraft to the Antarctic air fields using modern satellite navigation systems. The ATCM approved the new questionnaires for the assessments of ground expeditions and for support of the inspections of tourist activities on land. The Parties approved three documents more with the rules for the areas visited by tourists and revised the existing rules for one of such areas. The first comprehensive study of the ecological aspects and impact of tourism in the Antarctic was considered, which will serve as a basis for the future decisions on management of this activity. The ATCM agreed on the regulations of planning safe (also in terms of environmental protection) expeditions onboard the yachts in the Antarctic waters. The Parties confirmed their firm intent to contribute to ensuring safety of shipping in these waters taking into account recent serious accidents with participation of ships in the Antarctic Treaty Area. The participants decided to focus attention on the measures for further coordination of search-rescue operations, for which a special session of experts should be held during the XXXVI ATCM. The Parties agreed to begin the discussion aimed at promoting wider cooperation in the Antarctic. The Parties also agreed to begin the discussions on the issues connected with the implementation of jurisdiction in the Antarctic Treaty Area. A good practical example of addressing this problem were the Federal Laws that came into force on 5 June 2012 in the Russian Federation “On regulation of activity of the Russian citizens and the Russian legal entities in the Antarctic” (50-FZ) and “On introduction of changes to some acts of law of the Russian Federation in connection with adoption of the Federal Law “On regulation of activity of the Russian citizens and the Russian legal entities in the Antarctic” (51-FZ). The participants to the Meeting discussed the ways of expanding scientific cooperation in the Antarctic and exchanged information on the main scientific activity including the achievements of Russia – penetration to Lake Vostok, the largest subglacial lake in the world located under almost 4 km of the ice strata. The final plans of Great Britain relative to drilling for penetration to the subglacial Lake Ellsworth for the purpose of scientific studies were also discussed. Recognizing that introduction of alien biological species is one of largest threats for the Antarctic ecosystems, especially under the climate warming conditions, the ATCM welcomed the progressive scientific studies on alien species and bio-geographical regioning of the Antarctic, which will allow the Parties to better manage the risks connected with the alien biological species, and maintain further development of the system of protected areas in Antarctica. The ATCM welcomed the news about the recently completed construction of the Indian research station and about the final plans of the Republic of Korea to construct the new research station. The most advanced technologies will be used at these stations to minimize the environmental impacts and additional capacities will be provided for scientific studies of global importance. 64 The ATCM came to an agreement about the development by 2013 of the Manual on practical approaches to the issues of cleaning the areas where the activities were carried out at the time before the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol of 1991) was signed, for example, cleaning the garbage dumping ground and abandoned facilities. The ATCM also agreed to perform the intersessional work to develop approaches to rehabilitation measures and elimination of consequences in the areas, which can be subjected to the environmental damage. The Parties will conduct the inspection of the Antarctic facilities considering them as an important part of ensuring compliance with the rules established in the Antarctic Treaty System. The Parties welcomed the Report on Joint Inspection carried out by the United State of America and the Russian Federation in late January 2012. The ATCM designated the “Blood-red waterfall” in the dry valleys at McMurdo as the new Antarctic Specially Protected Area. So the number of protected areas over the continent became equal to 72. Besides as proposed by the Delegations of New Zealand and the USA, a temporary moratorium was imposed on any activity, including scientific activity, in the area of the outcrop of geothermal sources in some mountainous areas adjoining the coast of the Ross Sea. This moratorium will be until the Plan of management of the new Antarctic Specially Protected Areas is prepared. The Parties also agreed to improve the current management of several Specially Protected Areas and one Specially Managed Area. The participants to the Meeting discussed progress achieved in implementing Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol, which touches upon the liability issues arising as a result of emergency ecological situations and confirmed again their obligations for its ratification. The Delegation of Russia noted in this respect that adoption of the Federal Laws of 5 June 2012 (50-FZ and 51-FZ) provided a legal basis for ratification of this annex by the Russian Federation. The ATCM proposed to call the Antarctic Treaty Parties, which are not yet Parties to the Madrid Protocol, to accede to it. The Madrid Protocol provides comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment, including banning the development of mineral resources, and the normative base for evaluating the environmental impact of activity carried out in the Antarctic Treaty Area (south of 60º S). The Meeting agreed to supplement the existing agenda of the ATCM with the development of the multiyear strategic work plan. In compliance with the obligations of the Parties relative to environmental protection of the Antarctic, the organizational measures undertaken by the ATCM hosting country were the measures to reduce the environmental impacts, such as minimization of paper and garbage and measures to prevent the pollution by hydrocarbon emissions. The Parties confirmed again their commitments to continue joint work on this and other issues. The next ATCM will be held in Brussels, Belgium from 20 to 29 May 2013. The Parties thanked the Government of Australia for generosity highly appreciating the magnificent premises and the equipment, provided for the Meeting in the beautiful historical town Hobart. The Parties also expressed the warmest gratitude to the government and people of Tasmania.

65 8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012

During the second quarter of 2012, the 57th seasonal RAE continued planned expedition activities in the Antarctic. At the Russian stations, the work of the 56th wintering expedition, which was replaced by the team of the 57th RAE, was coming to the end. The leadership was provided by: - Head of the seasonal 57th RAE A. V. Voyevodin, - Head of the wintering 56th RAE Ye. P. Savchenko, - Head of the wintering 57th RAE A. V. Frank-Kamenetsky, - Master of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” I. Yu. Stetsun.

01 – 05. 04. 2012 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” continued loading-unloading operations in the area of the ice barrier in the southern part of Lenintradsky Bay in the Lazarev Sea. This place is used by the Indian Antarctic Program for unloading the expedition ships. The RAE used this place as agreed with the Indian Expedition because a massif of heavy ice with a thickness of more than 4 m was preserved at the usual RAE place in Belaya Bay. By 5 April, all cargo operations were finished. Novolazarevskaya station started independent operation and the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” headed to the area of Bellingshausen station.

07. 04 As a result of the storm south wind, the Ardley Bay in the area of Bellingshausen was fully blocked by heavy ice drifting from the Weddell Sea across Bransfield Strait. The 50-ton motor yacht “Mar Sem Fim” under the Brazilian flag that was moored in Ardley Bay was overturned by large pieces of icebergs and sank to the north of Albatross Island. The crew was not injured and all could reach the shore by foot on ice. At the same time the yacht “Scorpions” under the Maltese flag with the crew consisting of 4 citizens of Russia and 4 citizens of the Ukraine attempted to shelter in Ardley Bay. However receiving information about the heavy ice situation from Bellingshausen station, it headed towards Chile and thus avoided the fate of the Brazilian yacht.

11. 04 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” called Maxwell Bay, all gulfs of which were filled with heavy drifting ice. Due to inability to deliver the cargos to Bellingshausen station by means of the station barge “Amderma” blocked by ice, the bunkering operations were postponed. The helicopter operations were started for rotation of the wintering team and station resupply.

14. 04 Bellingshausen station was transferred to the team of the 57th RAE. The station was transferred by B. R. Mavlyudov and accepted by О. S. Sakharov.

17 – 22. 04 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” after several unsuccessful attempts decanted fuel to the oil base of Bellingshausen station, however it was impossible to unload the new 50-cu.m containers for the service storehouse of fuel-lubricator materials due to heavy ice situation. By the evening of 22 April, the ship started exiting Maxwell Bay and thus completed all seasonal operations of the 57th RAE, taking the course to the port of Rio-de-Janeiro.

25. 04 The sledge-caterpillar traverse from Novolazarevskaya station arrived to the ice barrier of the Indian Expedition to where the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” in early April unloaded the material-technical supplies of the station. It was found that a significant piece of ice on which there were seven 20-cu.m fuel tanktainers belonging to the Indian expedition was torn away from the ice shelf edge. The tanktainers contained 160 cu.m of fuel of our station. The aviation fuel-servicing truck on the base of the “Ural” truck, three containers with logistical cargo and three containers with transport spares were carried away.

26. 04 A joint Russian-Indian sledge-caterpillar traverse departed from Novolazarevskaya station to the Indian barrier headed by leaders of both stations to clear up the situation created at the barrier. As a result of the work of specialists it became clear that the calved glacial piece had the size of 1000×200 m. The calved iceberg and its pieces from the barrier were not visible however there is a probability that the calved pieces could be in the area of iceberg concentration at a distance of 7 – 12 km to the northwest of Cape Ostry. Later the AARI specialist V.S. Bessonov detected 20 bergy bits and compared them with the calved part of the ice shelf. Further work for finding the Russian-Indian 66 property will be continued at the beginning of the season of the 58th РАЭ in the course of planned ice reconnaissance.

01 – 05. 05 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” called the port of Rio-de-Janeiro. There was no free moorage wall in the port, and therefore the ship remained at the internal roadstead. Fifty four people of the seasonal RAE team flew by air from Rio-de-Janeiro back home. After this the ship headed for the port of Bremerhaven.

21 – 25. 05 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” stayed in the port of Bremerhaven. Helicopters K-32 of the “Avialift- Vladivistok” Company, which provided all transportation from board the ship in the framework of the 57th seasonal RAE, departed the ship.

29. 05 Two specialists of the wintering team, who from 4 May waited for the possibility at weather improvement to fly to King George Island from the Chilean town Punta Arenas, arrived to Bellingshausen station. They arrived by airplane of the British Antarctic Survey. Thus all members of the wintering team of the 57th RAE arrived to Antarctica.

30. 05 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” arrived to the port of St. Petersburg completing the cruise under the program of the 57th seasonal RAE and 110 participants of the expedition and 75 ship crew members returned to St. Petersburg.

11 – 20. 06 The XXXV Antarctic treaty consultative Meting was held in Hobart (Australia). The members of the Russian Delegation included the Deputy Director of FSBI “AARI”, RAE Head V. V. Lukin and RAE lead ecologist V. N. Pomelov.