DOCSLIB.ORG

Towards an Antarctic Active Layer and Permafrost Monitoring Network

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Towards an Antarctic Active Layer and Permafrost Monitoring Network Permafrost, Phillips, Springman & Arenson (eds) © 2003 Swets & Zeitlinger, Lisse, ISBN 90 5809 582 7 Towards an Antarctic active layer and permafrost monitoring network M. Guglielmin ArpaLombardia, Milan, Italy M. Balks Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand R. Paetzold Natural Resource Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA ABSTRACT: This paper is the first step to create a coordinated program for active layer monitoring in Antarctica as instigated by several international panels and programs (GCOS, IGBP). Actually 7 sites located along a latitu- dinal transect in Victoria Land between 77°55ЈS and 74°26ЈS are monitored. At all the sites ground temperatures at depths to 7.8 m and some climatic parameters (e.g. air temperature, incoming radiation), are all year round recorded using dataloggers. The climatic significance of GST in four selected sites (Scott Base, Bull Pass, Boulder Clay and Simpson Crags) is illustrated. The active layer thickness shows a large variability both in space and in time. The southern sites show an active layer thicker (ranging between 22 and 55 cm) than the northern ones (17–39 cm) despite of a warmer GST in the last. This difference can be explained with the higher ice content of the northern sites. 1 INTRODUCTION the main research stations. All the sites were chosen following pedological, geophysical and/or geomor- The thermal state of the active layer and permafrost phological study (Guglielmin et al., 1997a). The sites are key indicators of climate change within the cryo- of Mount Keinath and Oasi are both located on granitic sphere and several international panels and programs outcrops and differ from the other sites, which are char- (GCOS, IGBP, GTN-P) endeavour to monitor these acterized by till deposits. CALM grids of 100 m (121 parameters. The IPA has instigated the Circumpolar measurements points) at Boulder Clay and Simpson Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) program that, until Crags were established in 1998 to monitor the active now, has mainly developed in the Arctic. This paper is layer thickness. Permafrost is continuous in all the the first step to create a coordinated program for sites with a thickness of several hundred meters and a active layer monitoring in Antarctica. Also the impor- ZAA (zero annual amplitude) approximately around tant biological project “Regional Sensitivity to Climate 11 m at Boulder Clay (French and Guglielmin, 2000). Change in Antarctic Terrestrial and Limnetic Ecosys- The ice content within the permafrost is variable. In the tems” (RiSCC) looks forward to integrating its bio- Northern Victoria Land the ice-free areas are mainly logical data with the abiotic data of this project. characterized by massive ice bodies of different ori- In this paper we present the results of the first years gins (Gragnani et al., 1998; Guglielmin et al., 2001) of active layer and near permafrost thermal monitoring. such as at the sites of Boulder Clay and Simpson Crags We also illustrate the methodologic problems related to or ice-rich and ice-bonded permafrost along the raised the active layer monitoring that occurs in Antarctica. beaches and within the older till. The gravimetric moisture content of the active layer of soils in Southern Victoria Land is typically between 2 STUDY AREAS 1 and 10% (Campbell et al., 1994, 1997). There is some seasonal variability at sites where snow-melt has been The study sites are all located in Victoria Land shown to result in an increase in soil moisture content (Antarctica) between 77°50ЈS and 74°44ЈS at altitudes to values of up to 15% for short periods (up to 14 days, ranging from 38 to 1100 m a.s.l. The sites include a Campbell et al., 1997). Within the underlying per- range of geographical, geomorphological, geological mafrost in coastal areas, moisture contents are variable and pedological characteristics (Table 1). The choice ranging from lenses of ice (100% moisture), to mois- of the sites was influenced by the availability of logis- ture contents of Ͻ10%, with an average of about tical facilities with Scott Base, Boulder Clay and Oasi 40% (Campbell et al., 1998). In dry inland areas, such adjacent to New Zealand, or Italian Antarctic stations. as the Wright Valley, soil moisture contents, in both The Marble Point, Bull Pass, Mount Keinath and the permafrost and the active layer, are generally less Simpson Crags sites are accessible by helicopter from than 10%. 337 Table 1. Geographical, geomorphological, geological and pedological characteristics of the different sites. Elevation Geomorphologic Station Coordinates (m a.s.l.) Slope (°) Aspect location Lithology Soil Scott Base 77°51ЈS 38 6 SE Mid-slope on side of Basalt scoria Hypergelic 166°46ЈE basalt scoria cone dominated till Typic over scoriacious Anhyorthel basalt bedrock Marble Point 77°25ЈS 50 3 S Midslope of a gently Marble dominated Hypergelic 163°41ЈE sloping till/outwash till with granite, Calcic surface dolerite, sandstone, Anhyorthel and gneiss Bull Pass 77°31ЈS 152 3 S Colluvial fan of Granite dominated Hygergillic 161°52ЈE till material. till with dolerite and Nitric sandstone present Anhyorthel Boulder Clay 74°45ЈS 205 5 SE Midslope of a Granite dominated n.a. 164°01ЈE gently sloping till till with dolerite and gneiss Simpson Crags 74°26ЈS 830 6 SE Midslope of a Granite dominated n.a. 162°53ЈE gently sloping till till with gneiss within glacial cirque Mount Keinath 74°33ЈS 1100 3 SW Top of mountain peak Deeply weathered n.a. 163°59ЈE granitic outcrop In Northern Victoria Land the climate is generally dry Campbell Scientific Incorporated (CSI), Logan, Utah) with snow precipitation of 270 mm/year water equiva- was installed at each site with sensors to record air lent and strong winds, predominantly from the west temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and with speeds of over 30 Km/hour recorded for almost a wind speed and direction. Thermistor temperature third of the year. At the sites investigated in Southern probes (Campbell107, CSI) and Vitel moisture probes Victoria Land the climate is generally less windy with (hydra type A, Stevens Vitel Inc, Chantilly, Virginia) lower precipitation than the sites further north. The Bull were installed at depths of 2 cm to 1.2 m. Measurements Pass site is subject to diurnal katabatic winds in summer of atmospheric variables were made at 10 second inter- except for storm events is relatively calm in winter. vals. Soil variables were measured every 15 minutes. All measurements were averaged and recorded hourly with data down-loaded annually. 3 METHODS In this paper we used the data of the two more sur- ficial depths (2 cm, 30 cm) that there are at four sites Data collection at all the sites included solar radiation (Scott Base; Bull Pass; Boulder Clay, and Simpson (pyranometer) and air temperature. Some sites are Crags). The sensors are placed directly in the soil par- better equipped to monitor other climatic elements allel to the ground surface. including wind speed and direction, net radiation, snow In this paper we used the continuous records of height, and long and short wave radiation. In Northern thermal data to determine the 0°C isotherm in the dif- Victoria Land the ground thermal regime is moni- ferent sites. Three methods to determine the active layer tored with thermometers (MTX LTN , with accuracy thickness were used. of 0.15°C) installed at different depths to 7.8 m. The First, the active layer thickness was obtained by the ground temperatures are measured every 10 minutes graphical interception of the curve of the annual max- with the minimum, maximum and average values imum temperature at each depth with the 0°C axes. recorded by datalogger (MTX) every 60 minutes at Second, the active layer was determined as the greater the Boulder Clay Glacier, Mount Keinath and Oasi depth reached by interpolation (using a triangulation sites and every 90 minutes at Simpson Crags. At Oasi with a linear interpolation algorithm) of the all monthly a borehole of 15.5 m deep is monitored with a string of maximum temperatures at each depth, and thirdly 16 thermistors (LTN 0.1°C of accuracy) at the depths using the Gold & Lachenbruch (1973) equation: of 0.02; 0.3, 0.6; 1.6; 2.6; 3.6; 5; 7.6; 10; 11; 12; 13; ϭ 14; 14.5; 15; 15.5 m. Al apPln|A/T|/ 00 The soil climate stations in Southern Victoria Land were established in undisturbed areas typical of the where A0 and T0 are respectively the annual amplitude surrounding terrain and soils. A data-logger (CR10X, and average of the ground surface temperature (here 338 we used the 2 cm data as representative of surface and Boulder Clay sites. If we consider only the sum- condition); P is 1 year and (a) is the thermal diffusivity mer period of 1999 (1 January–30 March, then a linear computed according the equation correlation between the mean daily GST and air tem- perature is evident. The linear regressions between mean K ϭ {p/P [(z Ϫ z )/ln (A /A )]}2 2 1 1 2 daily GST and air temperature for the summer period have a higher R2 especially at Scott Base and Simpson where z2 and z1 are respectively the depths of 30 and Crags (Table 2). 2 cm and A1/A2 are the amplitude of the temperature at these depths. The linear regressions between incoming radiation and mean daily GST are not as good (Table 2) and only at Bull Pass is the R2 is higher than 0.8. If we consider 4 RESULTS the hourly data there is a much stronger correlation with incoming solar in the summer, especially in the The daily mean air temperature and daily mean ground Southern Victoria Land.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Osl Dating of High-Elevation Alluvial Sediments: Mcmurdo Dry
    OSL DATING OF HIGH-ELEVATION ALLUVIAL SEDIMENTS: MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, ANTARCTICA A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science By Meridith Ann Ramsey In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Major Program: Environmental and Conservation Science November 2014 Fargo, North Dakota North Dakota State University Graduate School Title OSL DATING OF HIGH-ELEVATION ALLUVIAL SEDIMENTS: MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, ANTARCTICA By Meridith Ann Ramsey The Supervisory Committee certifies that this disquisition complies with North Dakota State University’s regulations and meets the accepted standards for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE: Kenneth Lepper Chair Adam Lewis Lisa Montplaisir Approved: 04/16/2015 Eakalak Khan Date Department Chair ABSTRACT High-elevation alluvial fans in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are a record of short-term, occasional melting events along the margins of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Sediment samples were dated from five fans using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating. OSL dates the time since quartz grains were last exposed to sunlight; all sample preparation takes place in a dark room. Thirteen samples were dated for this thesis, the ages were stratigraphically consistent and ranged from 1.1 ka to 105.9 ka. Clusters of fan activity occurred between 1.1 and 3.1 ka and 8.1 and 11.1 ka. The melting events appear to be linked to insolation, with periods of fan activity occurring usually at times of increased mean annual insolation. The alluvial fans show promise as a possible archive for climate proxies in this region of Antarctica.
    [Show full text]
  • Microbial Dispersal Limitation to Isolated Soil Habitats in the Mcmurdo Dry Valleys
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/493411; this version posted December 13, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 1 Microbial dispersal limitation to isolated soil habitats in the McMurdo Dry Valleys 2 of Antarctica 3 4 Stephen D.J. Archer1,2, Kevin C. Lee2, Tancredi Caruso3, Teruya Maki4, Charles K. Lee5, 5 Don A. Cowan6, Fernando T. Maestre7, Stephen B. Pointing1,8 6 7 1 Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138527 8 2 Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 9 1142, New Zealand 10 3 School of Biological Sciences and Global Institute for Food Security, Queen's University 11 Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK 12 4 Department of Chemical Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan 13 5 International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton 14 3240, New Zealand 15 6 Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South 16 Africa 17 7 Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de 18 Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 19 Móstoles, Spain 20 8 Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558 21 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/493411; this version posted December 13, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Microclimate and Weathering Processes in the Area of Darwin
    relationship between the folds reported by Burgess (in Findlay, R. H. 1978. Provisional report on the geology of the region press) and those described here cannot be determined from between the Renegar and Blue Glaciers, Antarctica. New Zealand present evidence. Antarctic Record, 1, 39-44. Skinner (1964, 1965) named the rocks at Mt. Madison the Grindley, G. W., McGregor, V. R., and Walcott, R. I. 1964. Outline Selborne Marble and distinguished them from the Shack- of the geology of the Nimrod-Beardmore-Axel Heiberg Glaciers region, Ross dependency. In Adie (Ed.), leton Limestone due to their higher metamorphic grade. He R. J. Antarctic geology. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing. suggested that they may be Precambrian in age, correlative with the Nimrod Group in the Miller Range (Grindley, Skinner, D. N. B. 1964, A summary of the geology of the region McGregor, and Walcott 1964). If this is the case, deforma- between Byrd and Starshot glaciers, south Victoria Land, In Adie (Ed.), Antarctic geology. Amsterdam: North-Holland tion at Mt. Madison is probably not related to the Shackle- R. J. Publishing. ton Limestone south of Byrd Glacier. Skinner, D. N. B. 1965. Petrographic criteria of the rock units To me, lithologies at Mt. Madison appear similar to those between the Byrd and Starshot Glaciers, south Victoria Land, of the Shackleton Limestone and pelitic Dick Formation Antarctica. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 8, (Skinner 1965), and I would suggest that the Selborne Mar- 292-303. ble is a metamorphosed equivalent of those two formations. Skinner, D. N. B. In press. Stratigraphy and structure of lower The metamorphic grade suggests an adjacent granitic pluton grade metasediments of Skelton Group, McMurdo Sound—Does north of Mt.
    [Show full text]
  • University Microfilms, a XEROX Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    I I 72-15,173 BEHLING, Robert Edward, 1941- PEDOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ON MORAINES OF THE MESERVE GLACIER, ANTARCTICA. The Ohio State University in cooperation with Miami (Ohio) University, Ph.D., 1971 Geology University Microfilms,A XEROX Company , Ann Arbor, Michigan PEDOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ON MORAINES OF THE MESERVE GLACIER, ANTARCTICA DISSERTATION Presented In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Robert E. Behling, B.Sc., M*Sc. ***** The Ohio State University 1971 Approved by Adv Department f Geology PLEASE NOTE: Some pages have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms, A Xerox Education Company ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study could not have been possible without the cooperation of faculty members of the departments of agronomy, mineralogy, and geology, I wish to thank Dr. R. P. Goldthwait as chairman of my committee, Dr. L. P. Wilding and Dr. R. T. Tettenhorst as members of my reading committee, as well as Dr. C. B. Bull and Dr. K. R. Everett for valuable assistance and criticism of the manuscript. A special thanks is due Dr. K. R. Everett for guidance during that first field season, and to Dr. F. Ugolini who first introduced me to the problems of weathering in cold deserts. Numerous people contributed to this end result through endless discussions: Dr. Lois Jones and Dr. P. Calkin receive special thanks, as do Dr. G. Holdsworth and Maurice McSaveney. Laboratory assistance was given by Mr. Paul Mayewski and R. W. Behling. Field logistic support in Antarctica was supplied by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Continental Field Manual 3 Field Planning Checklist: All Field Teams Day 1: Arrive at Mcmurdo Station O Arrival Brief; Receive Room Keys and Station Information
    PROGRAM INFO USAP Operational Risk Management Consequences Probability none (0) Trivial (1) Minor (2) Major (4) Death (8) Certain (16) 0 16 32 64 128 Probable (8) 0 8 16 32 64 Even Chance (4) 0 4 8 16 32 Possible (2) 0 2 4 8 16 Unlikely (1) 0 1 2 4 8 No Chance 0% 0 0 0 0 0 None No degree of possible harm Incident may take place but injury or illness is not likely or it Trivial will be extremely minor Mild cuts and scrapes, mild contusion, minor burns, minor Minor sprain/strain, etc. Amputation, shock, broken bones, torn ligaments/tendons, Major severe burns, head trauma, etc. Injuries result in death or could result in death if not treated Death in a reasonable time. USAP 6-Step Risk Assessment USAP 6-Step Risk Assessment 1) Goals Define work activities and outcomes. 2) Hazards Identify subjective and objective hazards. Mitigate RISK exposure. Can the probability and 3) Safety Measures consequences be decreased enough to proceed? Develop a plan, establish roles, and use clear 4) Plan communication, be prepared with a backup plan. 5) Execute Reassess throughout activity. 6) Debrief What could be improved for the next time? USAP Continental Field Manual 3 Field Planning Checklist: All Field Teams Day 1: Arrive at McMurdo Station o Arrival brief; receive room keys and station information. PROGRAM INFO o Meet point of contact (POC). o Find dorm room and settle in. o Retrieve bags from Building 140. o Check in with Crary Lab staff between 10 am and 5 pm for building keys and lab or office space (if not provided by POC).
    [Show full text]
  • Code of Conduct Mcmurdo Dry Valleys ASMA: Day Trips
    Code of Conduct McMurdo Dry Valleys ASMA: Day Trips Located on Ross Island at Hut Point Peninsula is McMurdo Station, which serves as a transportation and logistics hub for the National Science Foundation-managed United States Antarctic Program. Ross Island is also home to New Zealand’s Scott Base and nine Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, each with its own management plan. Approximately 50 miles northwest and across McMurdo Sound are the virtually ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys, which were discovered in 1903 by British explorer Robert Falcon Scott. The Dry Valley Antarctic Specially Managed Area (or ASMA) was the first ASMA to be officially recognized under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. In June, 2004, the Area was formally designated as a Specially Managed Area. Managed Areas are used to assist in the planning and coordination of activities, to avoid conflicts and minimize environmental impacts. Whether this is your first trip to this important Area or you are a frequent visitor, environmental responsibility is your primary priority. Maintaining the ASMA in its natural state must take precedence. The Antarctic Specially Managed Area supports eleven established facilities and many tent camps each season. Established facilities include camps at Lake Hoare, Lake Bonney, Lake Fryxell, New Harbor, F-6, Bull Pass, Marble Point Refueling Station, Lake Vanda, Lower Wright Valley, the radio repeater stations at Mt. Newall and Cape Roberts. The McMurdo Dry Valleys ecosystem contains geological and biological features that are thousands and, in some cases, millions of years old. Microscopic life in the Dry Valleys constitute some of the most fragile and unique ecological communities on Earth.
    [Show full text]
  • The Antarctic Sun, December 30, 2001
    www.polar.org/antsun The December 30, 2001 PublishedAntarctic during the austral summer at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Sun for the United States Antarctic Program Flying TIGER: Scientific balloon ride By Mark Sabbatini Sun staff In the cosmic scheme of things, this balloon might actually make a difference. Astrophysicists are hoping a 5,000-pound high-altitude bal- loon carrying a data recorder half the size of a ping-pong table will be the first to orbit Antarctica twice, collecting new information about matter outside the solar sys- tem during its voyage. The recorder is sampling galactic cos- mic rays, which may provide clues to the galaxy's history and composition. The rays travel at nearly the speed of light and are the only matter - other than interstellar meteorite dust - from outside the solar system that can be directly sampled. Among the goals of researchers is collecting samples Photo by Melanie Conner/The Antarctic Sun After hours of delay, the winds shifted enough to launch the Long Duration Balloon at 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 21. See Balloon page 13 Visit to Italy's ‘new land,’ McMurdo’s good neighbor By Kristan Sabbatini The bay is indeed beautiful. The blue and station. "The food, the base, the facilities Sun staff orange station sits on the beginning of a inside. It's all our culture." Though wind and snow battered small peninsula surrounded by granite hills. Posters of Roma, Bologna, Napoli and McMurdo Station Dec. 13, a couple hun- Time and nature rounded and carved the other Italian tourist attractions decorate the dred miles north in Terra Nova Bay it was granite into smooth shapes and sculptures, hallways.
    [Show full text]
  • Antibus Revised Thesis 11-16 For
    Molecular and Cultivation-based Characterization of Ancient Algal Mats from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica A thesis submitted to Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science by Doug Antibus December, 2009 Thesis written by Doug Antibus B.S., Kent State University, 2007 M.S., Kent State University, 2009 Approved by Dr. Christopher B. Blackwood Advisor Dr. James L. Blank Chair, Department of Biological Sciences Dr. Timothy Moerland Dean, College of Arts and Sciences iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………………..iv LIST OF FIGURES ……………………………………………………………………...vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………......viii CHAPTER I: General Introduction……………………………………………………….1 CHAPTER II: Molecular Characterization of Ancient Algal Mats from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: A Legacy of Genetic Diversity Introduction……………………………………………………………....22 Results and Discussion……………………………………………..……27 Methods…………………………………………………………………..51 Literature Cited…………………………………………………………..59 CHAPTER III: Recovery of Viable Bacteria from Ancient Algal Mats from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica Introduction………………………………………………..……………..78 Methods…………………………………………………………………..80 Results……………………………………………………………...…….88 Discussion…………………………………………………………...….106 Literature Cited………………………………………………………....109 CHAPTER IV: General Discussion…………………………………………………….120 iii LIST OF TABLES Chapter II: Molecular Characterization of Ancient Algal Mats from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: A Legacy of Genetic Diversity
    [Show full text]
  • 2020-2021 Science Planning Summaries
    Project Indexes Find information about projects approved for the 2020-2021 USAP field season using the available indexes. Project Web Sites Find more information about 2020-2021 USAP projects by viewing project web sites. More Information Additional information pertaining to the 2020-2021 Field Season. Home Page Station Schedules Air Operations Staffed Field Camps Event Numbering System 2020-2021 USAP Field Season Project Indexes Project Indexes Find information about projects approved for the 2020-2021 USAP field season using the USAP Program Indexes available indexes. Astrophysics and Geospace Sciences Dr. Robert Moore, Program Director Project Web Sites Organisms and Ecosystems Dr. Karla Heidelberg, Program Director Find more information about 2020-2021 USAP projects by Earth Sciences viewing project web sites. Dr. Michael Jackson, Program Director Glaciology Dr. Paul Cutler, Program Director More Information Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Additional information pertaining Dr. Peter Milne, Program Director to the 2020-2021 Field Season. Integrated System Science Home Page TBD Station Schedules Antarctic Instrumentation & Research Facilities Air Operations Dr. Michael Jackson, Program Director Staffed Field Camps Education and Outreach Event Numbering System Ms. Elizabeth Rom; Program Director USAP Station and Vessel Indexes Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station McMurdo Station Palmer Station RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer ARSV Laurence M. Gould Special Projects Principal Investigator Index Deploying Team Members Index Institution Index Event Number Index Technical Event Index Other Science Events Project Web Sites 2020-2021 USAP Field Season Project Indexes Project Indexes Find information about projects approved for the 2020-2021 USAP field season using the Project Web Sites available indexes. Principal Investigator/Link Event No.
    [Show full text]
  • Airborne Microbial Transport Limitation to Isolated Antarctic Soil Habitats
    Airborne microbial transport limitation to isolated Antarctic soil habitats Stephen D.J. Archer1,2, Kevin C. Lee2, Tancredi Caruso3, Teruya Maki4, Charles K. Lee5, S Craig Cary5, Don A. Cowan6, Fernando T. Maestre7, Stephen B. Pointing1 1 Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138527 2 Institute for Applied Ecology New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1142, New Zealand 3 School of Biological Sciences and Global Institute for Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK 4 Department of Chemical Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan 5 International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand 6 Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa 7 Departamento de Biologia y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, España 1 Abstract Dispersal is a critical yet poorly understood factor underlying macroecological patterns in microbial communities. Airborne microbial transport is assumed to occupy a central role in determining dispersal outcomes and extra-range dispersal has important implications for predicting ecosystem resilience and response to environmental change. One of the most pertinent biomes in this regard is Antarctica, given its geographic isolation and vulnerability to climate change and human disturbance. Here we report the first characterisation of microbial diversity in near-ground and high-altitude air above a typical Antarctic Dry Valley as well as that of underlying soil microbial communities. We found that persistent airborne inputs were unable to fully explain local soil community assembly. Comparison with airborne microbial diversity from non- polar sources suggests that strong selection occurs during atmospheric transport, resulting in regionally isolated airborne inputs and highly specialized soil communities where fungi displayed greater isolation than bacteria from non-polar sources.
    [Show full text]
  • And Better Science in Antarctica Through Increased Logistical Effectiveness
    MORE AND BETTER SCIENCE IN ANTARCTICA THROUGH INCREASED LOGISTICAL EFFECTIVENESS Report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel Washington, D.C. July 2012 This report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel, More and Better Science in Antarctica Through Increased Logistical Effectiveness, was completed at the request of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation. Copies may be obtained from David Friscic at [email protected] (phone: 703-292-8030). An electronic copy of the report may be downloaded from http://www.nsf.gov/od/ opp/usap_special_review/usap_brp/rpt/index.jsp. Cover art by Zina Deretsky. MORE AND BETTER SCIENCE IN AntarctICA THROUGH INCREASED LOGISTICAL EFFECTIVENESS REport OF THE U.S. AntarctIC PROGRAM BLUE RIBBON PANEL AT THE REQUEST OF THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY AND THE NatIONAL SCIENCE FoundatION WASHINGTON, D.C. JULY 2012 U.S. AntarctIC PROGRAM BLUE RIBBON PANEL WASHINGTON, D.C. July 23, 2012 Dr. John P. Holdren Dr. Subra Suresh Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Director & Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy National Science Foundation Executive Office of the President of the United States 4201 Wilson Boulevard Washington, DC 20305 Arlington, VA 22230 Dear Dr. Holdren and Dr. Suresh: The members of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel are pleased to submit herewith our final report entitled More and Better Science in Antarctica through Increased Logistical Effectiveness. Not only is the U.S. logistics system supporting our nation’s activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean the essential enabler for our presence and scientific accomplish- ments in that region, it is also the dominant consumer of the funds allocated to those endeavors.
    [Show full text]
  • Pages: the Amount and Form of Carbon and Ground Ice Stored in the Geoenvironment/Pace/31.PACE21 Programme.Htm
    FROZEN GROUND The News Bulletin of the International Permafrost Association Number 28, December 2004 Frozen Ground INTERNATIONAL PERMAFROST ASSOCIATION The International Permafrost Association, founded in 1983, has as its objectives to foster the dissemination of knowledge concerning permafrost and to promote cooperation among persons and national or international organisations engaged in scientific investigation and engineering work on permafrost. Membership is through adhering national or multinational organisations or as individuals in countries where no Adhering Body exists. The IPA is governed by its officers and a Council consisting of representatives from 24 Adhering Bodies having interests in some aspect of theoretical, basic and applied frozen ground research, including permafrost, seasonal frost, artificial freezing and periglacial phenomena. Committees, Working Groups, and Task Forces organise and coordinate research activities and special projects. The IPA became an Affiliated Organisation of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) in July 1989. Beginning in 1995 the IPA and the International Geographical Union (IGU) developed an Agreement of Cooperation, thus making IPA an affiliate of the IGU. The Association’s primary responsibilities are convening International Permafrost Conferences, undertaking special projects such as preparing databases, maps, bibliographies, and glossaries, and coordinating international field programmes and networks. Conferences were held in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A., 1963; in Yakutsk, Siberia, 1973; in Edmonton, Canada, 1978; in Fairbanks, Alaska, 1983; in Trondheim, Norway, 1988; in Beijing, China, 1993; in Yellowknife, Canada, 1998, and in Zurich, Switzerland, 2003. The ninth conference will be in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2008. Field excursions are an integral part of each Conference, and are organised by the host country.
    [Show full text]