Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

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

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (53) October - December 2010 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2011

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

State Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №4 (53) October - December 2010

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg 2011

Editor-in-Chief - M.O. Krichak (Russian Antarctic Expedition –RAE)

Authors and contributors Section 1 M. O. Krichak (RAE), Section 2 Ye .I. Aleksandrov (Department of Meteorology), Section 3 G. Ye. Ryabkov (Department of Long-Range Weather Forecasting), Section 4 A. I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section 5 Ye. Ye. Sibir (Department of Meteorology), Section 6 I. V. Moskvin, Yu.G. Turbin (Department of Geophysics), Section 7 B. R. Mavlyudov (IGRAN), Section 8 V. L. Martyanov (RAE).

Translated by I.I. Solovieva. http://www.aari.aq/, Antarctic Research and Russian Antarctic Expedition, Reports and Glossaries, Quarterly Bulletin.

Acknowledgements: Russian Antarctic Expedition is grateful to all AARI staff for participation and help in preparing this Bulletin.

For more information about the contents of this publication, please, contact Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet Russian Antarctic Expedition Bering St., 38, St. Petersburg 199397 Russia Phone: (812) 352 15 41; 337 31 04 Fax: (812) 337 31 86 E-mail: [email protected]

CONTENTS

PREFACE 1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS 3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2010 ……..42 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2010 ……..48 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2010 ……..54 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2010 ……..58 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2010 ……..60

7. PECULIARITIES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION AT THE BELLINGSHAUSEN ICE DOME, KING GEORGE (WATERLOO) IN 2007 – 2010 ……..69

8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2010 ……..74

PREFACE

The activity of the Russian Antarctic Expedition in the fourth quarter of 2010 was carried out at five permanent Antarctic stations - Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok and at the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4. The work was carried out by the wintering team of the 55th RAE over a full complex of the Antarctic environmental monitoring programs. At the field bases, Molodezhnaya, Lenigradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4, the automatic weather stations AWS, model MAWS-110, and the automatic geodetic complexes FAGS were in operation. Section I in this issue of the Bulletin contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations carried out at constantly operating stations during October- December 2010 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). In accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar, more frequent sounding during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval was conducted in 2010 during 11 - 24 January, 5-18 April, 12 – 25 July and 11- 24 October at 00 h and 12 h UTC. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure for the coastal stations is 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 present 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, relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. The statistical characteristics necessary for the 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 an assessment of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to the meteorological and synoptic conditions. A review of synoptic conditions (section 3) is prepared on the basis of the analysis of current aero-synoptic information, which is performed by RAE forecaster at Progress station and also on the basis of more complete data of the Southern Hemisphere reported to the AARI. 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 average and extreme values of the ice edge location, the updated data are used which are received at the AARI for each month based on the results of processing the entire available historical archive of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for the period 1971 to 2005. Section 5 presents an overview of the total ozone (TO) on the basis of measurements at the Russian stations. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s height of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6 present the results of measurements under the geomagnetic and ionosphere programs at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Vostok and Progress stations. Section 7 presents the result of the studies of snow accumulation at the Bellingshausen ice dome on King George Island (Waterloo) in 2007-2010. Section 8 (last) traditionally sets forth the main directions of RAE logistical activities 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

3 1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

OCTOBER 2010

MIRNY STATION Table 1.1 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Mirny, October 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 981.7 1004.0 957.7 -0.1 0.0 Air temperature, C -13.3 -4.4 -25.0 0.1 0.0 Relative humidity, % 70 1.0 0.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.7 -0.1 -0.1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.3 -0.2 -0.1 Precipitation, mm 39.8 -3.7 -0.1 0.9 Wind speed, m/s 11.0 29.0 0.4 0.3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 503.3 -6.7 -0.2 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 237 383 179

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. October 2010.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Mirny, October 2010 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

976 39 -13.3 4.1 925 449 -13.4 7.4 96 10 83 0 0 850 1087 -16.2 9.0 95 7 73 0 0 700 2529 -22.2 9.3 97 1 11 0 0 500 4927 -36.7 9.8 269 4 34 0 0 400 6437 -46.3 9.3 266 7 47 0 0 300 8292 -59.4 8.5 264 8 52 0 0 200 10770 -67.7 8.6 265 13 74 0 1 150 12490 -69.0 8.8 271 15 83 0 0 100 14905 -69.6 9.1 275 22 90 0 0 70 17035 -66.0 9.7 277 29 91 0 0 50 19078 -60.8 10.6 282 37 93 1 1 30 22337 -49.4 12.7 288 47 94 1 1 20 24990 -40.4 15.8 292 53 95 2 2

Table1.3

Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature

Mirny, October 2010

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -7 -0.2 1.0 0.7 700 -8 -0.2 0.2 0.1 500 -17 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 400 -19 -0.4 0.3 0.2 300 -20 -0.3 -1.2 -0.8 200 -46 -0.7 -3.2 -1.5 150 -87 -1.1 -5.2 -1.7 100 -173 -1.5 -8.9 -1.8 70 -281 -1.7 -9.7 -1.6 50 -402 -1.9 -9.0 -1.4 30 -507 -1.7 -4.6 -0.7 20 -659 -1.7 -1.5 -0.2

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, October 2010

Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 980.8 998.5 935.9 -3.3 -0.8 Air temperature, C -14.1 -2.9 -25.3 -1.5 -1.0 Relative humidity, % 39 -12.6 -1.8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.3 -1.3 -1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.6 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 4.5 -24.5 -0.7 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 8.0 27.0 -2.0 -1.4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 484.5 27.5 0.8 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 176 230 130

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, October 2010.

Table 1.5

Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, October 2010 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

964 122 -13.6 12.1 925 436 -13.7 15.5 119 10 91 0 0 850 1073 -17.3 15.4 109 12 93 0 0 700 2505 -23.7 13.4 117 6 63 0 0 500 4898 -36.8 12.0 193 5 46 0 0 400 6406 -47.2 10.5 210 6 48 0 0 300 8257 -59.5 9.3 219 8 59 0 0 200 10712 -70.9 9.1 225 11 74 0 0 150 12398 -74 9.4 233 13 84 0 0 100 14744 -76.8 9.8 243 15 91 0 0 70 16785 -76.9 10.3 250 19 93 0 0 50 18726 -73.7 11.3 255 22 94 2 2 30 21751 -63.9 14.0 257 25 92 4 4 20 24258 -56 17.0 260 27 89 6 6 10 28496 -47.9 20.5 276 26 91 18 9

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, October 2010

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -41 -1.1 1.2 0.8 700 -35 -0.8 1.9 1.2 500 -23 -0.4 1.9 1.0 400 -15 -0.2 1.4 0.8 300 -6 -0.1 0.8 0.7 200 -15 -0.2 -1.7 -0.9 150 -48 -0.6 -3.4 -1.5 100 -104 -1.1 -6.2 -1.9 70 -189 -1.7 -7.9 -2.1 50 -284 -2.0 -7.4 -1.6 30 -425 -1.9 -4.7 -0.8 20 -523 -1.8 -4.9 -0.7 10 -952 -2.2 -9.8 -1.1

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, October 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 987.5 1010.8 966.4 -2.3 -0.5 Air temperature, C -0.8 1.6 -6.4 1.8 1.8 Relative humidity, % 92 3.8 1.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.2 0.2 0.5 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 7.1 -0.9 -1.5 Precipitation, mm 48.5 -1.1 -0.1 1.0 Wind speed, m/s 6.4 22.0 1.5 1.7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 360 Total radiation, MJ/m2 353.7 -50.3 -1.3 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. October 2010.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, October 2010 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 983.3 1004.6 963.6 Air temperature, 0C -12.4 -3.5 -27.7 Relative humidity, % 62 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.6 Precipitation, mm 18.5 Wind speed, m/s 4.4 13.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 526.1

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. October 2010.

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

Vostok, October 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 618.9 633.4 607.2 -0.5 -0.1 Air temperature, C -58.1 -40.3 -70.9 -1.1 -0.7 Relative humidity, % 59 -11.5 -2.6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.3 1.9 1.7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 1.3 -0.6 -0.3 0.7 Wind speed, m/s 1.7 9.0 -3.8 -3.5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 180 Total radiation, MJ/m2 496.9 37.9 1.7 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 178 270 151

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. October 2010.

O c t o b e r 2010

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 981,7 980,8 987,5 983,3 1000 750 618,9 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,0 -0,8 -0,5 -0,1

Air temperature, °C

-13,3 -14,1 -0,8 -12,4 0 -20 -40 -58,1 -60 -80 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,0 -1,0 1,8 -0,7

Relative humidity, % 92 100 70 62 59 39 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,2 -1,8 1,3 -2,6

Total cloudiness, tenths 9,2 10 6,7 6,3 4,3 5,9 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0,1 -1,3 0,5 1,7

Precipitation, mm

48,5 60 39,8 40 18,5 20 4,5 1,3 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.9 0.2 1.0 0.7

Mean wind speed, m/s

11,0 15 8,0 10 6,4 4,4 5 1,7 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0,3 -1,4 1,7 -3,5

Fig.1.6. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. October 2010.

NOVEMBER 2010

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

Mirny, November 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 982.7 1003.4 961.6 -3.6 -0.9 Air temperature, 0C -9.0 -1.3 -18.9 -1.7 -1.2 Relative humidity, % 69 1.2 0.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.1 -1.3 -1.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.1 -0.5 -0.4 Precipitation, mm 3.4 -30.0 -1.1 0.1 Wind speed, m/s 8.1 22.0 -1.7 -1.4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 823.6 50.6 0.9 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 277 368 204

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. November 2010.

Table 1.11

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

Mirny, November 2010 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

977 39 -10.7 4.8 925 460 -9.8 10.5 107 8 84 0 0 850 1107 -13.0 12.7 105 4 51 0 0 700 2562 -20.0 16.3 161 2 23 0 1 500 4992 -33.0 17.3 244 7 55 0 0 400 6525 -43.4 15.1 251 10 66 0 0 300 8404 -55.2 12.7 258 15 74 0 0 200 10933 -62.1 12.4 263 19 85 0 0 150 12704 -63.4 12.9 264 22 87 0 0 100 15188 -63.0 13.4 269 28 89 0 0 70 17398 -58.1 14.7 272 34 91 0 0 50 19545 -51.4 16.1 275 39 91 0 1 30 22912 -43.0 19.2 280 40 90 1 2 20 25650 -37.2 22.4 287 39 91 3 6

Table 1.12

Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, November 2010

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -41 -1.3 -0.5 -0.5 700 -51 -1.4 -1.0 -0.8 500 -61 -1.3 -0.3 -0.2 400 -65 -1.1 -0.5 -0.4 300 -77 -1.2 -1.0 -0.7 200 -127 -1.5 -6.6 -2.1 150 -199 -1.9 -10.5 -2.7 100 -362 -2.5 -15.3 -3.5 70 -533 -2.9 -15.0 -4.1 50 -669 -3.3 -11.8 -4.2 30 -830 -3.8 -7.8 -2.8 20 -931 -4.2 -4.7 -1.5

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, November 2010

Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 980.5 1004.8 965.9 -5.3 -1.4 Air temperature, 0C -5.7 2.8 -12.6 0.2 0.2 Relative humidity, % 47 -6.3 -1.4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.4 -0.9 -0.8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.5 1.5 1.9 Precipitation, mm 5.7 -2.3 -0.2 0.7 Wind speed, m/s 8.1 22.0 -1.3 -0.7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 761.8 32.8 0.7 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 229 293 171

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, November 2010.

Table 1.14 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Novolazarevskaya, November 2010

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

965 122 -7.1 9.1 925 454 -7.9 11.3 113 10 92 0 0 850 1103 -12.8 12.1 101 10 87 0 0 700 2551 -22.2 10.8 113 8 73 0 0 500 4954 -35.5 10.4 134 4 40 0 0 400 6470 -46.3 9.2 170 4 34 0 0 300 8321 -58.5 8.5 194 7 49 0 0 200 10817 -64.7 8.8 218 10 73 0 0 150 12563 -66.3 9.2 229 13 87 0 0 100 15009 -66.5 10.3 238 18 93 0 0 70 17181 -61.3 11.9 243 24 94 1 1 50 19296 -54.7 14.2 245 29 94 1 1 30 22620 -44.5 18.3 247 32 93 4 4 20 25362 -38.1 21.4 248 33 92 5 5

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, November 2010

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -48 -1.6 0.2 0.2 700 -56 -1.7 -0.5 -0.5 500 -69 -1.7 -0.6 -0.5 400 -78 -1.6 -1.3 -1.1 300 -97 -1.8 -1.7 -1.5 200 -126 -2.0 -3.1 -1.0 150 -168 -2.0 -6.3 -1.5 100 -278 -2.1 -10.7 -2.0 70 -403 -2.1 -10.2 -1.8 50 -498 -2.1 -8.1 -1.7 30 -627 -2.1 -5.1 -1.3 20 -666 -2.0 -4.0 -1.0

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

Bellingshausen, November 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 988.3 1011.3 962.7 0.7 0.1 Air temperature, 0C 0.3 3.8 -3.5 1.5 1.9 Relative humidity, % 93 5.4 1.5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.3 0.1 0.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 7.2 -0.8 -0.9 Precipitation, mm 81.6 33.2 1.7 1.7 Wind speed, m/s 6.4 14.0 1.3 1.4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 360 Total radiation, MJ/m2 467.0 -72.0 -2.1 0.9

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. November 2010.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, November 2010

Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 985.6 1012.6 968.9 Air temperature, 0C -6.8 -0.9 -17.7 Relative humidity, % 60 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.9 Precipitation, mm 7.7 Wind speed, m/s 4.3 19.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1060.4

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. November 2010.

VOSTOK STATION

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

Vostok, November 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 621.6 636.6 611.3 -4.1 -0.9 Air temperature, C -43.9 -27.5 -57.5 -0.8 -0.5 Relative humidity, % 58 -13.9 -3.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.3 1.0 1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 1.0 0.1 0.1 1.1 Wind speed, m/s 5.2 10.0 0.0 0.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 180 Total radiation, MJ/m2 960.1 26.1 0.8 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 202 234 171

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. November 2010.

N o v e m b e r 2010

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa(pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 982.7 980.5 988.3 985.6 1000 750 621.6 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.9 -1.4 0.1 -0.9

Air temperature, °C -9.0 -5.7 -6.8 0 -20 -43.9 -40 -60 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -1.2 0.2 1.9 -0.5

Relative humidity, % 93 69 100 47 60 58 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.3 -1.4 1.5 -3.3

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.3 10 5.1 5.4 5.7 4.3 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -1.9 -0.8 0.3 1.3

Precipitation, mm 81.6 90 60 30 3.4 5.7 7.7 1.0 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.1 0.7 1.7 1.1

Mean wind speed, m/s

8.1 8.1 6.4 10 4.3 5.2 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -1.4 -0.7 1.4 0.0

Fig. 1.12. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. November 2010.

DECEMBER 2010

MIRNY STATION

Table 1.19

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

Mirny, December 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 992.2 1007.3 972.3 2.5 0.6 Air temperature, 0C -2.3 4.8 -13.7 0.2 0.2 Relative humidity, % 79 8.3 2.0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8.5 1.6 1.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 5.5 2.5 2.3 Precipitation, mm 21.0 -4.2 -0.2 0.8 Wind speed, m/s 8.0 24.0 -0.5 -0.4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 856.5 -86.5 -1.2 0.9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 302 348 219

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. December 2010.

Table 1.20

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

Mirny, December 2010 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

988 39 -3.3 3.4 925 558 -4.7 4.5 91 10 82 0 0 850 1217 -8.4 4.3 86 10 80 0 0 700 2696 -16.5 4.5 70 5 56 0 0 500 5159 -29.3 6.3 332 4 35 0 0 400 6716 -39.0 6.8 299 5 40 0 0 300 8632 -51.1 6.6 297 9 55 0 0 200 11243 -51.7 7.8 288 13 87 0 0 150 13109 -50.7 9.8 287 15 92 0 0 100 15759 -48.5 13.3 283 16 91 0 0 70 18106 -46.9 16.2 285 13 87 0 1 50 20333 -45.0 18.6 286 12 80 1 2 30 23767 -41.2 20.5 292 7 47 1 2 20 26554 -37.9 23.0 312 2 15 2 4 10 31397 -32.7 24.1 74 6 47 6 7

Table 1.21

Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, December 2010

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 23 0.7 0.5 0.6 700 19 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 500 15 0.3 0.7 0.5 400 14 0.3 1.0 0.8 300 17 0.3 0.3 0.2 200 -15 -0.2 -4.2 -2.0 150 -59 -0.8 -5.5 -2.6 100 -131 -1.6 -5.9 -3.2 70 -213 -2.1 -6.2 -4.3 50 -272 -2.8 -5.8 -4.5 30 -359 -3.6 -4.8 -2.9 20 -397 -4.1 -4.3 -1.9 10 -460 -3.8 -4.6 -1.9

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

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

Novolazarevskaya, December 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 990.8 1008.7 976.8 0.5 0.1 Air temperature, 0C -1.1 4.4 -9.7 -0.2 -0.3 Relative humidity, % 51 -6.8 -1.6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.2 -0.1 -0.1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.1 1.6 2.0 Precipitation, mm 1.0 -6.6 -0.5 0.1 Wind speed, m/s 9.2 26.0 1.8 1.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 886.4 -21.6 -0.3 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 291 356 181

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, December 2010.

Table 1.23

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

Novolazarevskaya, December 2010 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

975 122 -2.3 8.6 925 540 -4.0 10.1 102 13 96 0 0 850 1199 -8.7 11.3 95 14 94 0 0 700 2671 -18.5 10.9 88 12 88 0 0 500 5122 -30.1 10.1 75 4 34 0 0 400 6675 -40.2 9.8 42 2 16 0 0 300 8579 -52.4 9.2 305 3 21 0 0 200 11155 -55.5 9.7 281 7 50 0 0 150 12992 -54.1 10.6 277 10 64 0 0 100 15609 -51.1 12.5 274 13 73 0 0 70 17941 -47.0 14.5 276 14 76 0 0 50 20164 -43.8 16.4 275 14 79 2 2 30 23626 -38.5 19.8 272 11 70 2 2 20 26461 -35.2 21.6 273 7 46 3 3 10 31310 -31.1 22.8 241 3 26 16 9

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, December 2010

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -6 -0.1 0.1 0.2 700 -10 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 500 -9 -0.2 1.4 0.9 400 -3 0.0 1.4 1.0 300 -1 0.0 0.2 0.1 200 -46 -0.6 -5.9 -1.8 150 -104 -1.2 -7.4 -2.4 100 -188 -1.7 -8.2 -3.5 70 -269 -2.0 -6.5 -3.2 50 -359 -2.6 -5.7 -4.1 30 -443 -3.5 -3.2 -1.6 20 -431 -2.7 -2.5 -1.1 10 -511 -3.9 -3.0 -1.1

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, December 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 981.6 998.6 958.7 -9.8 -1.9 Air temperature, 0C -0.1 4.8 -4.1 -0.5 -1.0 Relative humidity, % 87 -0.5 -0.1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.2 0.1 0.2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 5.3 -2.6 -3.7 Precipitation, mm 53.4 4.3 0.3 1.1 Wind speed, m/s 6.4 19.0 0.9 1.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 532.4 -47.6 -1.2 0.9

А B 36

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. December 2010.

37 PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, December 2010 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 991.8 1007.3 964.8 Air temperature, 0C -0.7 7.0 -14.6 Relative humidity, % 68 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.7 Precipitation, mm 12.5 Wind speed, m/s 4.2 13.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1366.3

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. December 2010.

VOSTOK STATION Table 1.27 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg)

Vostok, December 2010 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Ground level air pressure, hPa 636.3 652.8 613.1 2.5 0.6 Air temperature, C -30.8 -13.2 -50.1 1.1 0.7 Relative humidity, % 58 -14.4 -3.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.6 0.4 0.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 -0.2 -1.0 Precipitation, mm 6.1* 5.5 5.5 10.2 Wind speed, m/s 4.6 11.0 0.1 0.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 202 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1293.6 61.6 1.5 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 278 349 199

* One can think that the measured amount of precipitation is an error due to snow blown to the precipitation gauge at strong wind.

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. December 2010.

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 992.2 990.8 981.6 991.8 1000 750 636.3 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.6 0.1 -1.9 0.6

Air temperature, °C

-2.3 -1.1 -0.1 -0.7 -5 -20 -30.8 -35 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 0.2 -0.3 -1.0 0.7

Relative humidity, %

79 87 100 51 68 58 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 2.0 -1.6 -0.1 -3.2

Total cloudiness, tenths 8.5 9.2 10 6.2 7.6 3.6 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf 1.6 -0.1 0.2 0.4

Precipitation, mm 53.4 60 40 21.0 12.5 20 1.0 6.1 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.8 0.1 1.1 10.2

Mean wind speed, m/s 9.2 8.0 6.4 10 4.2 4.6 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/σf -0.4 1.1 1.1 0.1

Fig.1.18. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. December 2010.

42 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2010

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in October-December 2010 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages, anomalies and normalized anomalies of surface air temperature 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 over the period 1961-1990 were adopted from /4/. In October-November, similar to September, the above zero air temperature anomalies were observed. The center of the above zero air temperature anomalies during these two months was located in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands. In October, the largest above zero anomalies were observed in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula at Rothera (3.9 °С, 1.7 ) and Bellingshausen (1.8 °С, 1.8 ) stations. For these stations, October 2010 has become the first and the second warmest October, respectively, over the entire observation period at these stations. In November, the center of the area of large above zero anomalies was displaced towards the South Orkney Islands. At Bellingshausen and Orcadas stations, the air temperature anomalies were 1.5 °С (1.9 ) and 3.1 °С (3.1 ). November 2010 was the warmest November for the entire observation period at these stations. In December, along with the preserved area of cold in the western area of East Antarctica, a new area of cold was formed in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. The largest below zero anomaly was noted at Mawson station. It was -1.1 °С (-1.2 ). In the inland area of Antarctica and at the west shore of the Ross Sea, an area of the above zero anomalies was preserved. In the center of the area at McMurdo station the air temperature anomaly was 1.9 °С (1.5 ). Another area of heat was still noted in the vicinity of the Orkneys Islands. Thus, at Orcadas station the anomaly was 1.2 °С (2.4 ). Small below zero air temperature anomalies were predominantly observed in these months in the territory of East Antarctica. The largest of them occurred in October at Novolazarevskaya station (-1.5 °С, -1.0 ) and in November at Mirny station (-1.7 °С, -1.2 ).

Table 2.1

Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Station Parameter I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Year Entire observation period Novolazarevskaya оС/10 years 0.12 0.11 0.17 0.16 -0.10 0.21 0.39 0.26 0.21 0.11 0.04 0.03 0.15 1961-2010 % 18.5 17.1 24.0 12.8 6.9 12.6 19.5 16.6 16.5 9.6 4.5 4.3 34.4 Р - - 90 ------95 Mirny оС/10 years -0.10 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.27 0.26 0.14 0.49 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.10 1957-2010 % 13.0 05.6 03.5 1.1 1.2 20.0 13.8 07.9 30.2 2.3 4.3 0.1 19.4 Р ------95 - - - - Vostok оС/10 years 0.19 0.01 0.15 0.02 0.11 0.01 0.28 0.18 0.00 -0.09 0.33 0.26 0.14 1958-2010 % 19.8 01.4 10.5 1.0 5.9 4.4 12.4 08.2 00.2 8.7 34.1 26.4 23.0 Р ------95 90 - Bellingshausen оС/10 years 0.19 0.15 0.18 0.17 0.63 0.42 0.22 0.63 0.17 0.06 0.05 0.01 0.25 1968-2010 % 38.0 29.4 25.8 15.5 38.0 24.1 09.1 33.7 12.1 6.1 7.5 2.0 38.2 Р 99 95 90 - 99 - - 95 - - - - 95 2001–2010 Novolazarevskaya оС/10 years -0.24 -0.53 0.08 -1.41 -2.27 -2.30 -0.82 -2.53 0.70 -2.46 1.32 -0.35 -0.95 % 09.6 17.2 05.3 23.9 28.3 27.3 07.0 30.8 24.2 38.3 25.5 11.4 38.5 Р ------Mirny оС/10 years -0.74 0.16 -2.14 -2.29 -0.51 0.98 0.53 -0.47 1.79 -1.18 -0.89 0.15 -0.45 % 28.5 03.9 62.3 33.1 4.9 24.5 04.9 07.1 30.2 40.3 30.8 3.8 18.7 Р - - 95 ------Vostok оС/10 years -0.73 1.44 2.15 -4.68 -2.17 0.24 1.90 -0.28 1.35 -2.13 -0.13 0.15 -0.28 % 18.4 25.1 50.3 59.0 21.6 2.1 18.6 02.7 24.2 55.7 2.9 2.8 9.5 Р - - - 90 ------Bellingshausen оС/10 years -0.31 -0.45 0.90 -0.93 0.55 2.98 0.03 -3.68 -0.13 1.77 0.70 0.13 0.12 % 14.6 18.2 26.9 24.4 11.3 39.1 00.3 56.2 03.9 35.4 24.3 5.5 5.0 Р ------90 - - - - -

First line is the linear trend coefficient; Second line is the dispersion value explained by the linear trend; Third line: P=1-, where  is the level of significance (given if P exceeds 90%). 43

The statistically significant linear trends of long-period changes of mean monthly air temperatures for the months under consideration at the Russian stations are revealed only at Vostok station (Figs. 2.2-2.4). The air temperature increase at Vostok station in November and December was about 1.7 and 1.4 °С/53 years, respectively (Table 2.1). In the last decade, no statistically significant linear air temperature trend is revealed at the Russian stations. The atmospheric pressure in October at all Russian stations except for Bellingshausen station was characterized by the negative anomalies. In November, there was a similar picture. In December, a large negative air pressure anomaly (-9.8 hPa, -2.2 ) was noted at Bellingshausen station, and at the other stations the anomalies were positive. Such significant decrease of mean monthly air pressure at Bellingshausen station in December was noted for the second time during the entire operation period of the station. The statistically significant linear trends of mean monthly atmospheric pressure in these months are observed only in December (Figs. 2.2-2.4). The decreased pressure in December at Bellingshausen, Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations was -7.0 hPa/43 years, -4.3 hPa/54 years and -4.9 hPa/50 years, respectively. The amount of precipitation at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations throughout the fourth quarter was less than a multiyear average and at Vostok station it was less than a multiyear average only in October. The least amount of precipitation was recorded at Novolazarevskaya station (20 % of the multiyear average in October and 10 % in December). At Bellingshausen station in October and December, the amount of precipitation was around a multiyear average and in November, the precipitation fallout was greater than a multiyear average by 70 %.

Peculiarities of meteorological conditions in 2010 in general

For characterizing the meteorological conditions in the territory of Antarctica in 2010, the spatial distribution of average air temperature anomalies for the seasons and over a year at the Antarctic stations was considered. (The months of the seasons are given in the Notes to Table 2.3. The summer season begins from December of the previous year). Fig. 2.5 shows the values of anomalies and normalized anomalies of mean seasonal air temperature, and Fig. 2.1 and Table 2.2 – of mean annual air temperature at the Antarctic stations in 2010.

Table 2.2

Mean annual air temperature values, its anomalies (ΔT) and normalized anomalies (ΔT/σ) at the Antarctic stations in 2010

Station T ΔT ΔT/σ Largest Least ΔT/σ ΔT/σ Amundsen-Scott -48.6 0.8 1.3 2002(3.2) 1983(-2.5) Novolazarevskaya -11.1 -0.8 -1.1 2002(2.9) 1976(-2.0) Syowa -11.5 -1.1 -1.6 1980(2.8) 1976(-2.4) Mawson -11.6 -0.3 -0.4 1961(2.3) 1982(-2.9) Davis -10.2 0.1 0.1 2007(2.8) 1982(-2.8) Mirny -11.7 -0.4 -0.6 2007(2.8) 1982(-2.0) Casey -9.7 -0.7 -0.7 1980(2.6) 1969(-2.2) Dumont D’Urville -11.1 -0.5 -0.8 1981(3.0) 1999(-2.0) McMurdo -16.4 0.7 0.8 2008(2.4) 1959(-1.5) Rothera -2.7 2.1 1.3 1989(1.9) 1980(-2.4) Bellingshausen -1.6 0.9 1.1 1989(1.7) 1969(-1.6) Orcadas -2.0 1.5 1.7 1989(2.3) 1980(-2.7) Halley -17.1 1.2 1.2 1969(1.9) 1997(-2.7) Vostok -55.8 -0.5 -0.6 1980(3.0) 1979(-2.2) 2007(3.0)

The most extensive area of the above zero anomalies was observed in the summer season. The core of this area was located near the South Pole in the vicinity of Amundsen-Scott station (2.1 °С, 1.8 ). In summer of 2010, the below zero air temperature anomalies were observed only in the area of the Wilkes Land, at Casey station (-0.3 °С, -0.5 ) and in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula in the area of Bellingshausen station (-0.8 °С, -1.8 ). At Bellingshausen station, the summer of 2010 was the second coldest summer beginning from 1968. In the autumn and winter season, the below zero air temperature anomalies were observed over much of Antarctica. During the period of the coldest months of the year (June-August), the core of the area of the below zero anomalies was located in the inland areas of East Antarctica. At Vostok station, the average air temperature anomaly 44 for the winter season was -2.9 °С (-1.5 ). At Vostok station, the winter of 2010 was the fifth coldest winter beginning from 1958. Throughout the spring season the area of the below zero air temperature anomalies was preserved in the inland regions, in the area of the Queen Maud Land and Victoria Land. At Vostok station, the anomaly for the spring season was -0.6 °С (-0.5 ). In the area of the Antarctic Peninsula and the coast of the Weddell Sea, the above zero air temperature anomaly was preserved. The largest positive anomaly was observed at Halley station (3.1°С, 1.7 ). The spring of 2010 at Halley station was the third warmest spring beginning from 1957. Another area of the above zero anomalies (less than 1) was noted in the central part of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica. Here at Davis station, the anomaly was 1.4 °С (0.9 ). The characteristics of mean annual air temperature are presented in Table 2.2. One can see that practically the entire territory of East Antarctica is occupied by the area of the below zero anomalies. Their largest values are noted in the area of the Queen Maud Land (Syowa, Novolazarevskaya stations). The above zero anomalies of mean annual air temperature are predominantly observed in the territory of West Antarctica. The highest values of the above zero anomalies were observed in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea (Rothera, Halley stations). In 2010, the new highest and lowest values of mean monthly air temperature were noted at a number of Antarctic stations. Thus, at Dumont D’Urville station in January, at Rothera and Esperanza stations in October, and at Bellingshausen and Orcadas stations in November, the highest air temperatures were registered over the entire period of observations at these stations. Their values comprised, 1.0°С (1.7 °С, 2.0 ), -1.9 °С (3.9 °С, 1.7 ), 0.5 °С (4.3 °С, 2.1 ), 0.3 °С (1.5°С, 1.9 ) and 1.7 °С (3.1°С, 3.1 ), respectively. The new lowest mean monthly air temperature was observed in February at Bellingshausen station, equal to 0.2 °С (-1.2 °С, -1.7). Considering the time series of mean annual air temperature for the period 1957-2010 at some individual stations, one can note both the general regularities expanding over the significant territories of Antarctica, and manifestation of local peculiarities at specific stations. Fig. 2.6 and Table 2.3 present values of the linear trends of average seasonal and annual air temperature at the Antarctic stations. The seasons and the years are located along the abscissa axis and the trend values in °С/10 years - along the ordinate axis. The estimates of the linear trends of air temperature at the Antarctic stations have shown the above zero trends to predominate in the winter and spring seasons. One has to note that most values of the trends are statistically insignificant (at the 95 % significance level). The process of air temperature increase in some regions of the continent is most pronounced in the winter season. The statistically significant positive trends are noted in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula and at the Atlantic coast (Rothera, 4.1°С/54 years, Novolazarevskaya, 1.8°С/49 years). The air temperature decrease is preserved in the area of the South Pole and in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea. The air temperature decrease for the cold season is most pronounced in the vicinity of Amundsen-Scott station (-1.2°С/54 years).

Table 2.3 Linear trend parameters of the average seasonal and annual air temperature for the period 1957-2010

Station DJF MAM JJA SON Year Вх D Вх D Вх D Вх D Вх D Amundsen-Scott -0.02 1.8 0.06 7.5 -0.20 18.5 0.06 5.7 -0.02 4.7 Bellingshausen 0.12 32.0 0.33 36.2 0.48 30.2 0.09 12.0 0.25 38.8 Casey -0.05 10.5 -0.11 8.7 0.35 29.3 0.14 17.1 0.08 14.3 Davis 0.09 20.0 0.02 2.4 0.06 5.4 0.28 31.6 0.12 20.1 Dumont D’Urville -0.01 1.6 -0.27 35.5 0.10 9.8 0.14 21.9 -0.01 3.2 Halley-Bay -0.01 2.0 -0.48 34.5 0.00 0.4 0.01 0.5 -0.12 18.1 McMurdo 0.09 14.4 0.20 19.7 0.17 13.4 0.46 45.1 0.23 39.8 Mirny -0.02 4.2 0.02 1.8 0.22 21.1 0.19 25.1 0.10 19.7 Mawson -0.01 1.3 -0.07 8.1 0.00 0.4 0.06 9.7 0.00 0.5 Novolazarevskaya 0.09 18.1 0.06 7.1 0.30 26.4 0.16 22.8 0.15 33.3 Syowa 0.20 52.6 0.25 27.6 0.43 30.6 0.12 15.1 0.25 44.5 Vostok 0.06 16.3 -0.03 4.0 0.13 12.4 0.03 4.4 0.05 10.1 Esperanza 0.35 56.9 0.51 36.4 0.42 28.7 0.19 19.0 0.37 47.9 Rothera 0.19 46.2 0.78 57.8 0.93 42.8 0.33 29.8 0.56 53.5 Antarctica 0.03 10.1 0.02 4.6 0.13 28.5 0.14 42.8 0.08 40.2

Note: DJF – December-February, МАМ – March-May, JJA – June-August, SON – September-November; Вх – linear trend coefficient, °С/10 years; D – dispersion value, explained by the linear trend, %.

For the spring season practically the entire territory of Antarctica is characterized by the above zero air temperature trends. The statistically significant air temperature trends are present in the central part of the Indian 45

Ocean coast (Davis station) and in the area of the Ross Sea (McMurdo station). The air temperature increase at the stations was 1.4 and 2.6 °С/54 years. The negative sign of the trend in the spring season is observed only in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (Halley station). The decrease in the number of stations with a below zero air temperature trend for the autumn season and increase for the summer season was new for the summer and autumn seasons. For the autumn season, the negative trend sign has disappeared at the inland Antarctic stations (Amundsen-Scott, Vostok) and in the central part of the Indian Ocean coast (Davis, Mirny). For the summer season, there was an increase in the number of stations with a negative trend in the coastal part of East Antarctica (Mawson, Dumont D’Urville). For the summer and autumn seasons, the statistically significant air temperature increase is still preserved in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. At Bellingshausen station, the air temperature increase was 0.7 and 1.5°С/42 years, respectively. The air temperature decrease in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast (Dumont D’Urville station) and in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (Halley station) in these seasons was still preserved. The air temperature decrease was most pronounced for the autumn season. So, at Dumont D’Urville station, the trend value comprises -1.5 °С/54 years and at Halley station, it is equal to -2.6 °С/54 years. In general for the period 1957-2010, the above zero linear trend of mean annual air temperature is observed at most stations of Antarctica. The largest trend values are preserved in the vicinity of the Antarctic Peninsula. At Bellingshausen station, the air temperature increase was about 1.1 °С/42 years (from 1969) and at Rothera station, it comprised about 3°С/54 years (from 1957). At Novolazarevskaya station, the air temperature increase was about 0.7 °С/49 years, and at McMurdo station (the Ross Sea), it was 1.2°С/54 years. The tendencies for the decrease of mean annual air temperature for the period 1957-2010 are observed in the area of the east coast of the Weddell Sea (Halley station: -0.6°С/54 years) and in the inland region (Amundsen- Scott station: -0.1°С/54 years), but these tendencies are insignificant statistically. It should be noted that at most stations of Antarctica for the last 30-year and 10-year periods, a tendency is noted for the decrease of mean annual air temperature. Table 2.4 presents the quantitative estimates of linear trends for the period 1981-2010. We note appearance of the below zero trends predominantly in East Antarctica. The tendencies for an air temperature decrease are observed in the regions of the Queen Maud Land (Novolazarevskaya, Syowa stations), the Wilkes Land (Casey station) and the Victoria Land (Dumont D’Urville station) and in the eastern part of the Weddell Sea (Halley station). In two latter regions, the largest rate of cooling is noted. Appearance of new tendencies at some stations is probably connected with the thermal regime changes during the cold period of the year. The below zero air temperature anomalies have become more frequently observed at the stations, especially during the last decade. The presence of the below zero air temperature trends for the period 2001-2010 for some months at Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Vostok stations, insignificant statistically in most cases (Table 2.1), could probably indicate a slower warming process in East Antarctica. Table 2.4 Linear trend parameters of the average seasonal and annual air temperature for the period 1981-2010

DJF MAM JJA SON Year Station Вх D Вх D Вх D Вх D Вх D Amundsen-Scott 0.15 9.4 0.20 11.9 -0.24 12.4 0.53 26.9 0.16 15.4 Novolazarevskaya -0.31 36.7 -0.18 15.4 0.00 0.2 0.06 5.4 -0.11 15.8 Syowa 0.01 0.7 -0.51 32.9 -0.04 1.9 0.07 5.1 -0.13 14.8 Mawson -0.08 10.3 0.40 22.8 0.45 23.5 0.34 32.8 0.28 31.5 Davis 0.18 24.8 0.34 17.6 0.28 12.3 0.56 39.5 0.34 30.0 Mirny -0.03 3.5 0.22 12.9 0.25 13.3 0.33 28.0 0.18 20.0 Casey -0.41 45.1 -0.32 16.5 0.09 4.8 0.03 2.2 -0.14 14.2 Dumont D’Urville -0.29 34.2 -0.49 37.7 -0.27 14.2 -0.11 11.5 -0.30 38.7 McMurdo 0.45 42.7 -0.23 12.0 -0.25 10.2 0.50 41.1 0.13 14.5 Rothera 0.07 11.0 0.27 24.6 0.34 11.7 0.60 33.6 0.32 24.1 Bellingshausen -0.01 1.8 0.33 26.9 0.07 3.5 0.15 14.6 0.13 14.6 Orcadas 0.13 24.7 0.29 19.5 -0.16 7.8 0.38 23.7 0.17 24.0 Halley-Bay -0.48 48.2 -0.48 21.3 -0.93 38.8 0.02 1.5 -0.47 40.1 Vostok 0.20 16.0 0.38 20.0 0.35 15.0 0.01 7.3 0.24 25.0

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 МО 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 October (X), November (XI), December (XII) 2010 and in general for 2010 (I-XII) 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. October.

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

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

Fig.2.5. Anomalies (1) and normalized anomalies (2) of mean seasonal air temperature at the Antarctic stations in 2010.

Fig.2.6. Linear trends of mean seasonal and mean annual air temperature at the Antarctic stations for the period 1957-2010.

52 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2010

The period under consideration covers the spring season and beginning of the summer season. At this time a sharp change of the weather characteristics occurs, especially in the coastal Antarctic regions. For comparison of current data with mean multiyear values the materials of the sections “Climate” and “Atmospheric circulation forms” in the Atlas of the Antarctic [1], and in the Manuals [2,5] were used. The Antarctic winter of this year lasted as usual from April to September and was characterized by the increased (as compared with a multiyear average) development of the atmospheric processes of zonal Z and meridional Мb circulation forms. The frequency of occurrence of the processes of meridional Мa form exceeded the multiyear average by 1 day only in one month (August). The most noticeable intensification of cyclonic activity and the increased speed of displacement of the altitudinal troughs and ridges occurred in September. The development of high-latitudinal zonal processes was combined with the formation of ridges of subtropical Highs over the western regions of the Indian Ocean. In October, the frequency of occurrence of the processes of zonal circulation form Z as compared with September sharply decreased, but intensity of the circulation processes at temperate and high latitudes of the southern hemisphere remained enhanced. A high frequency of occurrence of the processes of meridional form Mb was preserved at a sharp decrease of the number of days with form Ма. In this connection, the cyclones at the Kerguelen branch of the trajectories and also in the east of the Pacific Ocean sector were especially active.

Table 3.1 Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies in October – December 2010

Month Frequency of occurrence (days) Anomalies (days) Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb October 12 10 9 -1 -2 3 November 14 12 4 2 1 -3 December 11 9 11 -2 -2 4

In the first part of the month, baric depressions with air pressure at the center of 940 hPa were repeatedly observed, and on 11 October the minimum air pressure at the core of the cyclone was 925 hPa. In this connection, the centers of negative atmospheric pressure anomalies were noted in most regions. In the area of Prydz Bay, the below zero anomalies were formed for the sixth month in a row. In the area of the Bellingshausen and the Lazarev Seas, the average atmospheric pressure value for the month was below a multiyear average by 2-3 hPa. An almost continuous belt of positive air pressure anomalies was formed over temperate latitudes at this. In November as compared to October, there was an increased frequency of occurrence of the processes of zonal circulation form (Table 3.1). The increased intensity of cyclonic activity was observed at the center and in the east of the Pacific Ocean sector, in particular, in the Bellingshausen Sea and in the Amundsen Sea. The Russian Russkaya station was in the storm zone, which should be reflected in data of the automated weather complex. Another region of cyclogenesis but of smaller intensity was the area of the Riiser-Larsen Sea and the Cosmonauts Sea. One should also note the third region of the development of cyclonicity – the Somov Sea and the D’Urville Sea. One should especially note the case of cyclone regeneration in the area of the Commonwealth Sea on 10 November when the atmospheric pressure at its center comprised 932 hPa. On the same day the cyclone in the Bellingshausen Sea area became deeper up to 929 hPa. It should be noted that in the second part of the month, the activity of cyclonic features has decreased and the processes began to correspond to the coming summer. The number of days with a zonal circulation form was 14, which was by 2 days greater than a multiyear average. The second important component of the circulation processes was an anomalous development of the processes of Ма form and their frequency of occurrence was 12 days. This was after a long, in fact a two-year period of their extremely low manifestation. In December, similar to October, there was a decrease in the frequency of occurrence of the processes of zonal circulation Z form. The increased activity of the meridional processes of Mb form was observed. In general, the intensity of the atmospheric processes in this summer month was decreased as compared with multiyear characteristics. The observed baric depressions were moderate by the level of their development and moved as a rule along zonal trajectories. It should be noted that depressions with meridional motion components in the Pacific Ocean and African sectors had some specific activity. As to the anomalies of the atmospheric pressure, the fields of their positive values predominated. The cyclones moved along more northern zonal trajectories than in November. The weather conditions at the polar stations and at the dome were sufficiently quiet. Therefore stable weather with weak winds also prevailed in 53 the area of Prydz Bay, which contributed to successful air operations. During the period under consideration in 2010 the main peculiarity of the atmospheric circulation in the belt of temperate and subtropical and sub-Antarctic latitudes was some dominance as compared with a multiyear average of the meridional processes of Mb form. An insignificant decrease of the frequency of occurrence of the processes of Z form and of Ма form was accompanied with the intensified inter-latitudinal air exchange at the increased frequency of occurrence of the processes of Mb form (Table 3.1). As can be seen from the Table, the indicated peculiarity was well manifested in winter and at the beginning of spring. In general for 2010, the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes was by 14 days less than a multiyear average. The frequency of occurrence of the processes of Ма form was also less than a multiyear average (by 3 days). The positive anomaly of development of the processes of Mb form was 17 days. Comparing these data with the characteristics of the preceding years [3,4], one should note that the tendency of the high frequency of occurrence of the processes of Mb form is observed beginning from 2001. As follows from the data on the frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric processes, the development of zonal circulation (Z form) in 2010 was characterized by the decrease of its frequency of occurrence. In the first three quarters, the negative anomaly of the frequency of occurrence of these processes was noted only in two months and in the fourth quarter – at once in two – October and December (Table 3.1).

References:

1.Atlas of the Oceans. The Southern Ocean. GUNiO МО RF, St. Petersburg, 2005. – P. 324 2.Dydina L.А., Rabtsevich S.V., Ryzhakov L.Yu., Savitsky G.B. Forms of atmospheric circulation in the Southern hemisphere//AARI Proceedings. – 1976. – V. 330. - P. 5 – 16. 3. Review of the atmospheric processes over the Antarctic in October-December 2009. State of Antarctic Environment. Quarterly Bulletin of RAE. 2009. No. 4, p.51-53. 4. Review of the atmospheric processes over the Antarctic in October-December 2006.. State of Antarctic Environment. Quarterly Bulletin of RAE. 2006. No.4, p.52-55. 5. The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook. Eds. Turner J. And Pendlebury S., British Antarctic Survey, 2004.- 664 p. 6. http://www/bom.gov.au

54 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN 2010

During the Antarctic summer 2010, the sea ice extent of the Southern Ocean was in general within a multiyear average, but differed by a strong interregional variability (Fig.4.1). An opposition of the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean ice massifs was especially pronounced. An anomalously developed Atlantic massif covered completely the Weddell Sea area from Cape Norway to the northeastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. On the opposite, a zonally elongated westward Pacific Ocean massif has decreased by the end of February to a minimum size concentrating predominantly in the area of Russkaya station and the Ross Sea. Not only the entire Bellingshausen Sea was completely ice-cleared, including even the northeast coast of the Thurston Peninsula, but also the eastern part of the Amundsen Sea, where a recurring polynya of Pain-Island Bay freely connected with the open ocean. The Balleny ice massif was also extremely displaced westward behind the meridian of Leningradskaya station. In the Indian Ocean sector at the background of predominant conservation in the coastal zone of the drifting ice belt throughout summer, the area of the D’Urville Sea and the western part of the Commonwealth Sea strongly differed, being ice-free as early as by January. Unlike two last years, the breakup of the Antarctic landfast ice mainly occurred on early dates. So, approximately a month earlier than usually in the second part of February, there was final ice destruction in Leningradsky Bay (Novolazarevskaya station) and Alasheyev Bay (seasonal Molodezhnaya Base). At Progress station for the first time during a 20-year period of its existence the breakup “wave” has reached Vostochnaya Bay already in the middle of December (Table 4.1). Finally near Russkaya station in the vicinity of Cape Burks one observed an extraordinary situation in summer 2010 when instead of the usual landfast ice peninsula with a summit in the iceberg concentration on the Aristov bank there was a complete absence of landfast ice, which was never formed in the previous winter due to a continuous process of its dynamic destruction. However, several zones of multiyear fast ice remained unbroken, including second-year fast ice in Zapadnaya (Nella) Bay near Progress station and six-year fast ice at the head of Sannefjord Bay near the seasonal Druzhnaya-4 Base. Autumn ice formation in the Antarctic began in the second part of February in the high-latitudinal bends of the Weddell and Ross Seas and Prydz Bay, which were completely ice-covered by the end of March. However the process of ice formation was delayed by one month more in the area of the Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Cosmonauts Seas and in the western area of the Commonwealth Sea, whereas at the Pacific Ocean coast of the Antarctic Peninsula it was not observed until the end of March. The character of the distribution of sea ice extent formed in the Southern Ocean by the end of summer remained unchanged throughout the entire autumn period. An anomalously increased in size ice massif in the Weddell Sea was combined with an extremely narrow ice belt of the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean massif in the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas and in the vicinity of Russkaya station. The sources of intensive ice formation were traditionally the high-latitudinal bends of the Weddell and Ross Seas and Prydz Bay, from where ice was exported to the neighboring areas by constant currents. In April, the ice belt expansion was much slower. The largest shift of the ice edge was noted in the Weddell Sea in the north of which it reached the South Orkney Islands (61º S), and in the west it spread to 10º W. In the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean sector the ice edge was stabilized around 70º S, and in the Ross, Somov and D’Urville Seas – near the 65th parallel. In the Commonwealth and Davis Seas, the ice edge has advanced northward to 63º S. Here at the coast of Prydz Bay in the vicinity of Progress station and Treshnikov Bay in the area of Mirny station, the final establishment of landfast ice was observed approximately on the mean multiyear dates (Table 4.1). Further growth of landfast ice in these regions strongly differed by intensity (Table 4.2) – near Mirny, it exceeded the multiyear average by 10-20 cm, whereas near Progress station, the landfast ice thickness was less than usually by 30-40 cm. In May-June a jump-like repeated rapid expansion of the ice cover took place. In the area of the Weddell Gyre in the Atlantic sector (60º W – 20º E), the ice edge has advanced everywhere to the 60th parallel similar to the neighboring areas of the Commonwealth and the Davis Seas. In the Pacific Ocean sector, the ice edge has reached only 65º S. The area near the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula remained absolutely clean. Here in the area of the South Shetland Islands (from data of Bellingshausen station), stable ice formation began very late – only in the end of June (Table 4.1) and was distinguished by the decreased intensity. So, the summer background sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean, corresponding to a multiyear average, was replaced already in May by the elevated sea ice extent (Fig. 4.2) in spite of a close to the minimum size of the ice belt in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean sector. In the subsequent winter months, the development of the ice belt has sharply become slower. A significant ice edge displacement to the north was noted only in the zone of anomalously intensified eastern oceanic advection along the periphery of the Weddell Gyre in the Scotia Sea and in the longitudinal sector of 10-30 E, and also in the area of а strong ice export from Cape Colbeck in the area of 150 W. On the opposite, in the area of the Wilkes Land (110-135 E) and the D’Urville Sea the ice edge was stably located throughout winter merely near 65 S. As a result, the elevated background sea ice extent observed in autumn in the Southern Ocean was replaced by the end of 55 winter by the sea ice extent close to a multiyear average (Fig.4.3). The landfast ice thickness in the coastal zone was also close to mean multiyear values (Table 4.2). The most remarkable peculiarity of winter 2010 was an active development from the end of June of the drifting ice tongue in the gyre system of the Bellingshausen Sea from the area of Margaret Bay in the direction of Drake Passage. The ice export from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait was anomalously weak. As a result, a rarely observed dual situation was formed in the area of the Shetland Islands. On the one hand, there was a sufficiently wide external ice belt in the Drake Passage, reaching 60S, and on the other hand – an extensive recurring polynya in Bransfield Strait, which often was connected across Loper Strait with the open ocean. As a result, the ice conditions in Maxwell Bay and at its head – Ardley Bay were quite trivial, typical of the period of “warm” winters of 1996-2006 (Table 4.1). The formation of landfast ice was restricted by formation of a narrow 10- m wide young coastal ice, which was completely destroyed already at the end of August, and in late September a month earlier than usually there was a final clearance from ice not only of the bay, but also of the entire region of the Shetland Islands. So the ice period duration here comprised only about 3 months. In October at preservation in general of the ice belt dimensions achieved in September, there was a very rapid retreat to the south of the ice edge on both sides of the Antarctic Peninsula. In the Bellingshausen Sea, the wave of ice clearance approached closely the north coast of the Alexander Land (69 S), spreading in the Weddell Sea to the 65th parallel. At the end of the month the South Orkneys Islands were completely ice-free. Simultaneously in the area of the Maud Rise (65S, 3E), formation of the Weddell polynya proper that was not observed for a long time was recorded. In November, spring decay of the ice cover that began everywhere was still continued without a noticeable decrease of its area, as if from the inside, due to expansion of recurring coastal polynyas and especially the Weddell polynya, which was transformed to a giant area of open ice within the ice belt between 60-70 S and 0-20 E. From the middle of November, landfast ice began gradually to melt, its growth in the area of Progress station comprised as usual about 160 cm and near Mirny from September to November it was less than a multiyear average up to 10 cm (Table 4.2), obviously due to an anomalous absence this year of the phenomenon of frazil ice formation. In December, the Antarctic ice belt has rapidly decreased in general to a medium size (Fig. 4.4). The western and eastern parts of the Weddell Gyre sharply differed, where the ice edge in the middle of the month was at 65 and 55 S, respectively. Over much of the rest of the Southern Ocean area the ice edge was located close to a multiyear average – near the 65th parallel. Along with the giant Weddell polynya, a polynya in the Ross Sea was developing anomalously rapidly, its northern boundary reaching the latitude of Cape Ader. In the end of December, the Weddell polynya connected with the open ocean resulting in ice disappearance from a vast oceanic area between 55-68 S and 10W – 0 – 20 E.

Table 4.1 Dates of the onset of main ice phases in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in 2010

Station Landfast ice Ice clearance Ice formation Landfast ice Freeze up breakup formation (water body) Start End First Final First Stable First Stable First Final Mirny Actual 04.12.09 26.01 05.0 NO1 10.03 10.03 26.03 26.03 14.04 14.04 3 (roadstead) Multiyear 23.12 05.02 12.0 NO 11.03 12.03 30.03 02.04 14.04 17.04 average 2 Progress Actual 16.12.09 16.01 NO NO 03.02 20.02 29.03 29.03 04.04 04.0 (Vostochnaya Multiyear 30.12 13.01 NO NO 16.02 17.02 06.03 08.03 26.03 26.03 Bay) average Bellingshause Actual 25.08 26.08 28.0 25.09 20.04 27.06 13.05 20.06 No NO n 8 (Ardley Bay) Multiyear 14.09 13.10 21.1 01.11 12.05 06.06 09.06 17.06 30.06 05.07 average 0 Note: 1. Phenomenon was not observed (does not occur).

Table 4.2

Landfast ice thickness and snow depth on it (in cm) in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in 2010

Station Characteristics M o n t h s I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Ice Actual 67 77 94 97 122 131 140 146 138 Mirny Multiyear 46 67 84 101 119 137 152 156 149 average Snow 7 11 12 19 19 22 32 17 14 Progress Ice 41 53 88 105 138 157 160 168 164 Snow 25 10 11 10 14 22 32 30 10

Fig. 4.1. Mean monthly (1) location of the outer northern sea ice edge in the Southern Ocean in December 2010 relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimal (4) spreading over a multiyear period in the Southern Ocean.

58 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2010

In 2010, the AARI and RAE specialists continued regular measurements of total ozone (TO) at three Russian Antarctic stations: Vostok, Mirny and Novolazarevskaya, and also onboard the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” during her voyages to the Antarctic. Processing and analysis of the information reported from Antarctica were performed on a regular basis. The results of TO monitoring are presented in the Quarterly Bulletins “State of Antarctic Environment” and also in the WMO Antarctic Ozone Bulletins [3]. In the first quarter of 2010, the total ozone over Antarctica was comparatively low for this time of the year (Fig. 5.1). At all stations over the period under consideration there was a slight decrease of the total ozone concentration by the end of the period, being most significant at Novolazarevskaya station, where the TO on 27 March decreased to 225 DU.

450 450

400 400

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200

150 1 150 Total ozone DU ozone Total 2 100 100 3 50 4 50

0 0 01.01.10 03.03.10 03.05.10 03.07.10 02.09.10 02.11.10 Date

1 – Mirny, 2 – Novolazarevskaya, 3 – Vostok, 4 – the R/V “Akademik Fedorov”

Fig. 5.1. Mean daily TO values at the Antarctic stations and onboard the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” during her voyages to the Antarctic in 2010.

The lowest for the autumn period TO value was noted at Novolazarevskaya station on 25 April (207 DU). The minimum TO values for the period under consideration at Mirny station (265 DU) and onboard the ship (275 DU) were registered on 5 April. The mean monthly TO value in April at Novolazarevskaya station was the same as in 2009, and at Mirny station it was the highest for the last five years. In the first part of May, the total ozone at Mirny station was also higher most of the time than in the previous year. From data of land and satellite measurements [1-3] the ozone hole area in the first part of August over the Antarctic was increasing much slower than in the last years, then it rapidly increased for several days, and after that it has likewise rapidly decreased to zero. In the end of August, a new increase of the ozone hole began. However approximately until 20 September, it remained much less in size than in the last years. The maximum area of the ozone hole, equal to about 20 million km2 was observed on 25 September. From late September to early November its area was approximately the same as in 2007, and during quite a large number of days, it was greater than in 2009. From early November to early December, the area of the ozone hole was greater than in 2007 and 2009. From 4 to 6 December, the area of the ozone hole for this time of the year was the largest for the entire time of observations. The ozone mass deficit also very slowly increased in August reaching its peak of 22.5 МТ at the end of September. This is slightly more than in 2004 and comprises approximately half a maximum observed in 2003 and 2006. After the peak in September and until the beginning of November, the ozone mass deficit was more than in 59

2004, but significantly less than in the preceding years. However from the beginning of November the ozone mass deficit was greater than at the same time in 2003-2005, and in the last fortnight of the month it was even greater than in 2007 and 2009. In spring of 2010, there was a significant decrease of ozone concentration at all three Russian stations. The lowest TO values at this time were recorded at Vostok station equal to 135 DU on 25 September, at Novolazarevskaya station equal to 130 DU on 2 October and at Mirny station equal to 179 DU on 8 October (Fig. 5.1). The mean monthly TO values in August 2010 were higher than in the preceding two years at Mirny station (275 DU) and Novolazarevskaya station (230 DU), and in September and October at Novolazarevskaya station (188 and 176 DU) and Vostok station (176 and 178 DU). The mean monthly TO value in Mirny in September was the same as in 2009 (261 DU). The mean monthly TO values in November and December were lower than in 2009 (277 and 302 DU at Mirny station, 229 and 291 DU at Novolazarevskaya station and 202 and 278 DU at Vostok station). An analysis of interannual TO changes above the Antarctic (Fig.5.2) has shown that at all Russian and non- Russian stations under consideration, the mean monthly and average for the entire observation season TO values before the early 1980s are characterized by positive deviations from a multiyear average. Beginning from the second part of the 1980s, they become as a rule negative. Only in 1988 and 2002 the effect of the ozone hole was not observed due to an early decay of the circumpolar vortex. In general one can speak about stabilized manifestation of the spring negative TO anomaly in Antarctica after 2002. 1 50 2 40 3 4 30 % 5 20 6 10

0 0 5 -10 6 965 7 975 85 95 000 0 19 1 19 1 1980 19 1990 19 2 20 -20 Deviation from standard standard from Deviation -30

-40

-50

Fig. 5.2. Interannual variability of normalized deviations of mean annual TO values at the Russian and non-Russian stations in Antarctica (the multiyear averages were calculated for 1971-2000). 1 – Mirny, 2 – Novolazarevskaya, 3 – Vostok, 4 – Syowa, 5 – Vernadsky, 6 – Halley

References:

1. http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/sbuv2to/ 2. http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met 3. Antarctic Ozone Bulletin. – 2010. – No.1, 4 4./http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/ozone/index.html

60 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2010

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the geomagnetic observations were carried out at Vostok, Novolazarevskaya, Progress and Mirny stations. The absolute mean monthly values of the Earth’s magnetic field (EMF) components at all four stations were calculated from 5 to 6 series of measurements that were performed during each month. These measurements are conducted at a predominantly low magnetic field perturbation, the increase of which is caused by appearance of currents in the ionosphere. That is why such absolute mean monthly values of the EMF components mainly reflect that part of the Earth’s magnetic field, which is generated by the sources inside the Earth and in the upper part of its crust. As can be seen from data published below, the changes of mean monthly absolute values of the EMF components at these four stations are small and are nowhere greater than 10 to 12 nT. This testifies to the fact that the periods of absolute observations at the stations were chosen correctly. The basis values are the values from which a variometer registers changes (variations) of the EMF components. This allows us to obtain the absolute EMF components at any prescribed time moment, construct the equivalent current systems of magnetic perturbations and solve other objectives connected with investigation of the Earth’s magnetic field. The extent of stability of basis values determines correctness of performance of variometers, inalterability of their fixation on the basement and a possibility of correct use of the data obtained. Recording of the level of space radio-emission was performed at Mirny station (32 and 40 MHz frequencies), Novolazarevskaya station (32 MHz frequency) and Vostok station (32 MHz frequency). Data of riometers are used for assessing the state of the lower ionosphere. During the reporting period the situation in the zone of polar auroras in the lower ionosphere is characterized by a different degree of perturbation. At Mirny station in October, the perturbations were noted only on 17 and on 23 to 25 October. The maximum of 2.5 decibels (dB) was achieved on 23 October. All other time the situation was quiet. At Novolazarevskaya station, the lower ionosphere was more perturbed. On 23 October, the level of absorption comprised 6.2 dB, and on 5, 11 and 17 October, it exceeded 2 dB. In December, only on 15 and 21 December, the values of 1.5 dB were noted, i.e., the perturbed periods were absent for the whole month. At Vostok station, the perturbations in the lower ionosphere were not observed during all three months. At Mirny station, vertical sounding of the ionosphere was conducted under a standard program using a digital ionosonde. The critical frequencies of the F2 layer reflect the degree of perturbation of the upper layer of ionosphere. The ionization of the upper layer of the ionosphere depends to a greater extent on the level of its illumination by the Sun. That is why the level of ionization in the daytime is higher than at night. This dependence is reflected in the presented diagrams. However, an interesting event is noted on 12 and 17 October, when ionization of the upper layer significantly increases. This means that an increase in the level of ionization of the upper atmosphere in these periods was not a result of its illumination by the Sun, but due to some other reason, probably to appearance of sporadic ionic clouds. At the other time the state of the ionosphere was quiet.

MIRNY STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Declination Horizontal component Vertical component October 87º45.5´W 13743 nT -57512 nT November 87º45.2´W 13756 nT -57505 nT December 87º46.3´W 13751 nT -57508 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg H, nT Z, nT 03/10/2010 -87.0017 13918 -57624 08/10/2010 -87.0083 13919 -57622 16/10/2010 -87.0433 13912 -57627 20/10/2010 -87.0417 13918 -57627 24/10/2010 -87.0067 13913 -57629 01/11/2010 -87.0600 13912 -57640 06/11/2010 -87.0500 13924 -57618 13/11/2010 -87.0633 13929 -57625 18/11/2010 -87.0300 13929 -57623 23/11/2010 -87.0100 13932 -57621 01/12/2010 -87.0450 13916 -57628 06/12/2010 -87.0817 13917 -57625 11/12/2010 -87.0600 13912 -57636 16/12/2010 -87.0867 13913 -57627 21/12/2010 -87.0733 13914 -57626 27/12/2010 -87.0550 13911 -57635

Mirny, October 2010

dB 2 max, A 1

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

Mirny, November 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

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. 63

Mirny, October 2010

6 00UT 12UT 4 f0F2, MH f0F2,

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, November 2010

6 00UT 12UT 4 f0F2, MH f0F2,

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

Mirny, December 2010

6 00UT 12UT 4 f0F2, MH f0F2,

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.2. Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer at Mirny station. 64

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Declination Horizontal component Vertical component October 29º01.4´W 18503 nT -34690 nT November 29º00.7´W 18500 nT -34683 nT December 29º00.8´W 18498 nT -34680 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg H, nT Z, nT 02/10/2010 -29.0802 18488 -34827 03/10/2010 -29.0823 18484 -34828 04/10/2010 -29.0722 18484 -34831 10/10/2010 -29.0812 18483 -34830 19/10/2010 -29.0862 18486 -34831 27/10/2010 -29.0803 18498 -34826 28/10/2010 -29.0875 18498 -34826 30/10/2010 -29.0858 18484 -34833 09/11/2010 -29.0853 18497 -34822 15/11/2010 -29.0777 18498 -34821 17/11/2010 -29.0840 18497 -34820 18/11/2010 -29.0817 18498 -34820 20/11/2010 -29.0767 18495 -34817 02/12/2010 -29.0795 18492 -34812 09/12/2010 -29.0805 18498 -34819 10/12/2010 -29.0903 18501 -34817 21/12/2010 -29.0927 18502 -34818 22/12/2010 -29.0948 18493 -34825

Novolazarevskaya, October 2010

dB 4 max, A 2

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

Novolazarevskaya, November 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, December 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.3. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Novolazarevskaya station. 66 PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Declination Horizontal component Vertical component October 74º17.9´W 16735 nT -50536 nT November 74º17.2´W 16734 nT -50529 nT December 74º17.0´W 16734 nT -50527 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D deg H, nT Z, nT 04/10/2010 -73.5983 126.1 -100.1 14/10/2010 -73.5994 126.5 -100.0 18/10/2010 -73.6019 126.1 -100.1 25/10/2010 -73.6011 126.9 -99.9 27/10/2010 -73.5983 126.6 -100.2 29/10/2010 -73.5992 127.1 -100.0 31/10/2010 -73.5969 127.6 -99.9 10/11/2010 -73.5956 126.1 -99.8 13/11/2010 -73.5989 125.7 -100.1 16/11/2010 -73.5939 125.9 -99.9 25/11/2010 -73.6011 127.0 -99.3 27/11/2010 -73.5989 127.6 -99.8 30/11/2010 -73.6019 126.5 -99.6 04/12/2010 -73.6003 126.0 -99.1 09/12/2010 -73.5900 125.5 -99.6 11/12/2010 -73.5947 126.7 -99.7 17/12/2010 -73.5939 128.0 -99.3 18/12/2010 -73.6019 127.5 -98.7 22/12/2010 -73.6053 128.5 -99.3

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Declination Horizontal component Vertical component October 122º36.6´W 13556 nT -57868 nT November 122º27.1´W 13566 nT -57843 nT December 122º27.4´W 13563 nT -57800 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg H, nT Z, nT 03.10.2010 -122.6161 13553 -57864 14.10.2010 -122.6089 13555 -57867 18.10.2010 -122.6033 13558 -57868 28.10.2010 -122.6097 13557 -57866 31.10.2010 -122.6147 13558 -57876 04.11.2010 -122.6339 13545 -57864 10.11.2010 -122.6594 13534 -57862 19.11.2010 -122.6403 13563 -57879 21.11.2010 -122.6731 13554 -57870 28.11.2010 -122.5500 13535 -57861 30.11.2010 -122.6636 13542 -57864 03.12.2010 -122.6178 13594 -57856 11.12.2010 -122.5533 13573 -57817 19.12.2010 -122.6422 13559 -57856 22.12.2010 -122.6417 13561 -57840 30.12.2010 -122.6472 13589 -57871

Vostok, October 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, November 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, December 2010

3 B

, d 2 max A

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.

69 7. PECULIARITIES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION AT THE BELLINGSHAUSEN ICE DOME, KING-GEORGE (WATERLOO) IN 2007 – 2010

Due to the Global climate change, it is important to know how glaciation in different regions of the world will respond to it. One of the interesting study targets is King-George Island (Waterloo), the largest island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago (Fig.7.1). The territory of the island is 95% covered by glaciers. Since the island is located in the Sub-Antarctic at the 62nd parallel, its glaciation is very sensitive to any climate changes in this region.

Fig.7.1. Location of the Bellingshausen ice dome on King-George Island (Waterloo) 1 – scientific Antarctic stations, 2 – glaciers.

Glaciation of any region responds to the air temperature changes and to the amount and quality of atmospheric precipitation. On King-George Island during the entire observation period (from 1968), a positive trend of both the mean annual and mean summer (XII, I and II) and mean winter (VI-VIII) air temperatures was noted (Fig. 7.2a) /4/. An analysis of the changed amount of summer and winter atmospheric precipitation has shown that at the time of the observations, winter (III-XI) and annual precipitation has a negative trend and summer (XII, I, II) precipitation – a positive trend (Fig. 7.2b) /4/. An increase of the amount of summer (predominantly liquid) precipitation contributes to snow and ice melting, and a decrease of winter (mainly solid) precipitation results in the decreased amount of snow accumulating on the island. A combination of the created conditions turns out to be unfavorable for the development of glaciation.

a b

Fig. 7.2. Change of air temperature and precipitation at Bellingshausen station: а – mean annual (blue line), mean winter (yellow line) and mean summer (red line) air temperature and their trends; b - annual (green line), winter (red line) and summer (blue line) precipitation and their trends. However all this is true for the Bellingshausen weather station located at a height of 14 m in the central part of the Fildes Peninsula. A slightly different picture will be observed at the slopes of the Bellingshausen (Collins) ice dome, which is related both to the presence of the height gradient of the air temperature change and the temperature jump between the soil and ice surface. Let us consider how the change of snow accumulation occurred on the glaciers of King-George Island. As a reference object in the study of snow accumulation peculiarities on the glaciers, the Bellingshausen ice dome, located in 4 km from the scientific station of the same name was used. The Bellingshausen ice dome is situated in the western area of King-George Island in the northeastern part of the Fildes Peninsula. From the three sides the ice dome ends on the land (at heights of 0 to 50 m below sea level), and in the northeast, it connects with the other ice domes of the island (Fig.7.1). The maximum dome height comprises 250 m and its size from the southwest to the northeast is 3 km and from the southeast to the northwest – 4 km. The gently sloping dome surface (about 10 degrees) changes to quiet a steep surface in the east (up to 20 degrees), where at the dome edge, an ice precipice forms in places with a height up to 15-20 m. The first Soviet Antarctic expeditions carried out the studies of snow accumulation peculiarities on the glacial dome on the island in 1968-1970 /2, 3/. The measurements of the snow depth and density were made along the profile connecting the southwestern part of the glacial dome and its top (14 measuring rods). At the dome top there was a snow measuring site 100х100 m in size, at which 28 measuring rods were installed. These studies have shown that snow along the profile is non-uniformly distributed and that the height dependence of the snow layer along it is absent. In the 1990s, studies of the snow layer along approximately a similar profile were carried out by Chinese scientists /6/. They have not found a height dependence of snow distribution on the ice dome either. Besides, other work was also performed at the ice dome: geophysical studies /1/, studies of snow and ice melt and ice motion /5/. Our studies of snow accumulation peculiarities at the Bellingshausen ice dome began in 2007 and were continued in November 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Methodology of the work

Since the snow depth measurements along one profile did not reflect the picture of real snow distribution on the ice dome, an area snow line survey was conducted in early November of each year over the entire surface of the ice dome. The measurement points were located at the sub-meridional profiles every 250 m and the profiles were spaced at 250 m. Three snow depth measurements were made at each point (the readout accuracy of 0.5 cm), for which an average value was taken. In the case where one of three snow depth values significantly exceeded the other two values, it was rejected. At each point the GPS coordinates, point height and snow depth were recorded. This has allowed constructing the charts of snow depth distribution in the territory of the ice dome using the SURFER software. For assessing the water content of the snow cover, pits down to the ice surface were dug annually at the beginning of November where the snow temperature and density were measured. To measure the snow temperature an electronic thermometer GTH-175 was used with a measurement accuracy of about 0.1С. To measure the snow density a standard meteorological snow gage ВС-43 was used. The snow structure description was performed in the pits by means of a standard methodology. To measure the snow depth at the dome a self-made marked metal probing rod with a length of 290 cm was used. The snow depth measurements were also carried out near the ablation poles deployed by us at the Bellingshausen ice dome at the beginning of November 2007, and by the ablation poles deployed by German glaciologists before (a total of 29 poles). The beginning of November was chosen for the measurements because at this time the snow strata had the maximum thickness. It has a below zero temperature and the formation of overlying snow at its base has not yet started. In the cases where the rod was buried in the snow strata, the snow depth measurements were made in the vicinity of the points which were established by GPS. The results of the snow cover depth measurements during the snow line surveys are given in Table 7.1.

Table 7.1

Snow depth over the snow measuring network and measuring rods at the Bellingshausen ice dome (2007-2010)

Year Number Snow depth over the Variation Average Number of Snow depth Snow of snow network, cm coefficient snow measuring by depth survey Min Max Average density rods measuring difference, points rods % 2007 204 80 >290 160.0 0.30 0.409 12 152 5 2008 181 56 >300 117.5 0.40 0.481 28 117.3 0.17 2009 152 58 >296 170.7 0.33 0.469 29 161.8 5.2 2010 206 61 >300 193.7 0.33 0.534 29 193.4 0.15

One can see that the snow depth during the period of maximum snow accumulation at the Bellingshausen ice dome varies from year-to-year. The minimum snow depth (117.5 cm) was observed in November 2008, and the maximum – in November 2010 (193.7 cm). It should be added that while in 2007-2009 the snow cover at the Bellingshausen ice dome melted almost completely, at the end of the ablation season in 2010, almost the entire territory of the dome remained snow-covered (the average snow depth by measuring rods at the end of the season was 74 cm). It can be concluded that the maximum snow depth values in November 2010 are related to summation of the fresh snow thickness with the snow remains after the summer, rather than with abundant snowfalls in winter of 2010. As can be also seen from Table 7.1, the average snow cover depth values, obtained from the results of snow surveys and from data of snow depth measurement near the ablation poles, practically fully coincide. The difference of these values for the observation period was not greater than 5%. This means that for assessing the snow cover depth at the Bellingshausen ice dome, one can use with a sufficiently high accuracy only the measurements near the ablation poles. The data obtained have further allowed us to control the change of the average snow depth at the dome during the ablation season. The maps constructed on the basis of snow line measurement data at the Bellingshausen ice dome, are presented in Fig. 7.3.

2008 2007

2009 2010

Fig.7.3. Charts of the snow depth at the Bellingshausen ice dome in different years. The dome relief is shown by brown horizontals (a section of horizontals is 20 m) and the snow depth by black horizontals (a section of horizontals is 20 m). Grey – nunataks.

In spite of an obvious difference in the snow strata depth, the specific typical features of the snow distribution are observed from year-to-year at the Bellingshausen ice dome. In particular, a sublatitudinal band of the increased snow thickness (more than an average value) extends directly to the south from the dome summit up to 700 m wide. It is probable that this band corresponds to a sublatitudinal zone of cracks, which began to be seen in this part of the globe at the maximum snow melting at the end of the ablation period. To the north and south of this band there are bands of decreased snow content (less than an average value) up to 500 m wide to the south and 500- 700 m – to the north of the band. The decreased snow content is also noted in the submeridonal band in the northwestern part of the dome up to 700-800 m wide. There are also other coincidences. One can suggest that all these bands correspond to peculiarities of the ice dome surface structure, which in turn depends on the structure of the subglacial surface. Another peculiarity of snow accumulation at the Bellingshausen ice dome refers to snow distribution along the marginal moraines which round the ice dome from the south, southwest, west and northwest. One can well see that in all years except for 2008, the snow depth at approaching the moraines increased. In 2008, this increase was 73 not so clearly observed. It was rather connected with the peculiarities of snowfall and snow drift transfer at the ice dome. Attempts to reveal the altitudinal dependence of snow accumulation at the Bellingshausen ice dome from data of snow measurement survey were unsuccessful. It should be added that the snow structure at the Bellingshausen ice dome is characterized by a large number of ice interlayers inside the snow strata. Their appearance is connected with numerous warming events during the cold period and thickening of these interlayers at the beginning of the ablation period due to freeze of melt water on them from the snow surface. The measurements in the pits showed that the ice content in the snow strata can comprise 33% of its depth (in the water equivalent). This ice content restricts in many respects the repeated snow transfer at the ice dome. It is most likely that the least snow redistribution during the snow storm at the ice dome is noted in the warmest years.

Conclusion

Based on processing the data of area snow measurement surveys, the character of snow distribution at the surface of the Bellingshausen ice dome on King George Island (Waterloo) and the South Shetland Islands at the end of winter periods 2007-2010 is shown. Data of snow line measurements similar to the previous studies have not allowed us to obtain an altitudinal dependence of the snow depth change at the ice dome. This was connected with the fact that the peculiarities of snow cover bedding at the dome are determined not only by the altitudinal variability of solid atmospheric precipitation fallout but they are also connected with drifting snow redistribution and with surface relief peculiarities of the ice dome, which is a reflection of the subice relief.

References:

1. Govorukha L.S., Chudakov V.I., Shalygin А.M. Radar sounding of the glacial cover on King-George Island. – SAE Information Bulletin, No. 89, 1974, p. 15-18. 2. Zamoruyev V.V. Results of glaciological observations at Bellingshausen station in 1968. – SAE Proc., v. 55, 1972, p. 135-144. 3. Orlov А.I. Geographic studies on the Fildes Peninsula. – SAE Proc., v. 58, 1973, p. 184-207. 4. Electronic resource: www.aari.nw.ru 5. Braun M. Ablation on the ice cap of King George Island (Antarctica) - an approach from field measurements, modeling and remote sensing. Doctoral thesis at the Faculty of Earth Sciences Albert–Ludwigs–Universität Freiburg i. Br., Riedlingen/Württ., 2001, 165 p. 6. Wen J., Kang J., Han J., Xie Z., Liu L., Wang D. Glaciological studies on King George Island ice cap, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. – Annals of Glaciology, v. 27, 1998, p. 105-109.

74 8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2010

01.10. 2010 Construction of the new aerodrome service-living complex at Novolazarevskaya station began.

23.10 The “Strategy of the Russian presence in the Antarctic for the period until 2020 and longer-term perspective” was approved at the session of the Government of the Russian Federation.

25.10 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” returned to St. Petersburg from the Arctic voyage and began preparation for the next voyage to the Antarctic.

28.10 A session of the Roshydromet Board took place in Moscow, devoted to the preliminary results of the 54th wintering and the 55th seasonal RAE teams and to discussion of the 56th RAE Work Program in 2011 – 2012.

28-29.10 The first group of the 56th RAE personnel departed St. Petersburg and Moscow by regular flights to Punta Arenas for further travel to Bellingshausen station. The operation of the 56th seasonal RAE began.

29. 10 The IL-76 TD airplane belonging to the Belorus’ Air Company departed St. Petersburg for Capetown to perform an air flight to the Antarctic in the framework of the International DROMLAN Program. There were 5 people of RAE personnel and about 3 tons of the expedition cargos.

30. 10 The order of the RF Government of 30.10.10, No. 1926-r “On approval of the Strategy for the development of the Russian Federation’s activities in the Antarctic for the period until 2020 and long-term perspective” was issued.

04. 11 The first international flight of IL-76 TD landed at the air field of Novolazarevskaya station under the DROMLAN Program.

05. 11 The airplane BT-76 has arrived from Punta-Arenas to the Chilean airfield near Bellingshausen station, which delivered the first group of the 56th RAE. After this the aircraft has flown to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station for further stay there.

08- 09. 11 The second flight of IL-76 aircraft was made to Novolazarevskaya station under the DROMLAN Program. Participants of the 56th RAE arrived to the station for assembling equipment for the terminal of the differential correction and monitoring station of the satellite navigation GLONASS system.

09. 11 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” departed St. Petersburg for the Antarctic under the program of the 56th RAE with 108 expedition participants onboard. The ship master is V.А. Viktorov, head of the cruise - V.M.Venderovich.

14. 11 An extraordinary sanitary flight of IL-76 aircraft was made to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station for evacuating the US citizen who was seriously injured in the glacial crack.

21-22. 11 The next 4th from the beginning of the season flight of IL-76 aircraft was made to Novolazarevskaya station, onboard which a seasonal transport team has arrived for performing a sledge-caterpillar traverse (SCT) from Progress station to Vostok station.

22. 11 Personnel, which has arrived, was delivered to Progress station for preparation of the traverse.

29. 11 The sledge-caterpillar traverse (SCT-2) departed from Progress station to Vostok station including five transporters for the delivery of diesel and aviation fuel. The traverse head is Mr. I.K.Vdovenko.

04-05. 12 The next 6th from the beginning of the season flight of IL-76 was made to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station. Participants of glacial-drilling operations at Vostok station, participants of the inspection team for checking the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station and participants of construction work at Progress station were delivered to the Antarctic.

05. 12 As a result of inspection, the airfield at Novolazarevskaya station was certified for the next five years.

06-10. 12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” stayed in port Capetown.

10-12. 12 At Novolazarevskaya station, work for introducing into operation of the differential correction and monitoring station of the satellite navigation GLONASS system was performed. The station was accepted for operation by a special commission of Roshydromet.

11-12. 12 A glacial-drilling group was delivered by the flight of BT-67 along the route Novolazarevskaya – Progress – Vostok to resume drilling at Vostok station.

13. 12 The SCT-2 arrived to Vostok, on 14 December the traverse started its return to Progress station.

15. 12 The drilling complex at Vostok station was reactivated and preparation started to resume drilling at borehole 5G2.

15. 12 The R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” departed St. Petersburg for the Antarctic voyage under the program of the 56th RAE. The ship master is А.M. Ustinov. The ship plans to arrive to the operation area in the north-eastern part of the Weddell Sea by 28.01.2011.

19 – 20. 12 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out work for reactivating the seasonal field base Molodezhnaya by means of helicopters from a distance of 109 km. Personnel numbering 11 people were left at the base. The head of the base is V.V.Kiselev.

21. 12 At the request of the Administration of the Korean Antarctic Program, a member of the 56th RAE Mr. А.D.Masanov as a specialist in ice navigation has arrived to the Korean expedition ship “Araon”, which was in the area of Bellingshausen station, to provide support for ice navigation in the Pacific Ocean sector of the Antarctic.

23 – 24. 12 The next (9th from the beginning of operations in 2010-2011) flight of aircraft IL-76 was made to the airfield of Novolazarevskaya station. Participants of the seasonal scientific programs arrived to the station. Specialists, who have finished their work, departed from the Antarctic.

24. 12 The SCT-2 completed the first traverse to Vostok station and arrived to Progress station.

25. 12. 2010 – 01. 01. 2011 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out a complex of operations in the area of Progress station. 25. 12 – 04. 01. 2011 A BT-67 aircraft performed a series of 6 flights along the route Progress – Vostok – Progress, providing rotation of the wintering personnel, arrival of the seasonal team, and delivery of instruments, equipment and food products.

27. 12 The seasonal field base Druzhnaya-4 was reactivated by means of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov”.

31. 12 Vostok station was transferred to the 56th RAE. The station was transferred by А.М. Yelagin and accepted by А.V.Turkeyev. Progress station was transferred to the 56th RAE. The station was transferred by S.A.Dobroskokov and accepted by А.G.L’vov.