Effects of Andrade and Burgers rheologies on glacial isostatic adjustment modeling in Antarctica

Variations in ice mass deform the Earth and modify its gravity field,a process known as Glacial Isostatic Adjustment(GIA).GIA in Antarctica remains poorly constrained due to the cumulative effect of past and present ice-mass changes,the unknown history of the past ice-mass change,and the uncertainties on the mechanical properties of the Earth.This paper investigates the effect of using Andrade and Burgers viscoelastic rheologies,rather than the commonly used Maxwell rheology,to model GIA-induced deformation in Antarctica.The Love number and Green's function formalism are used to compute the radial surface displacements and the gravity changes induced by the past and present ice-mass changes.We consider an Earth model whose elastic properties and radial structure are averaged from the Preliminary Reference Earth Model and two viscosity profiles to account for the recently published results on the present ice-mass changes.Using the three rheological laws affects the temporal response of the Earth differently,leading to smaller discrepancies than those induced by the two viscosity structures.The differences are the largest between Maxwell and Burgers rheologies during the 100-1000 years following the beginning of the surface-mass change.Results show that using the Andrade and Burgers rheologies allows the Earth to respond on decennial to centennial time scales,up to 10 m more than Maxwell.Considering only the recent ice-mass changes,the deformation rates derived from Burgers and Andrade rheologies are several times larger than those estimated by Maxwell rheology.

Pan-African metamorphism and magmatism in the Prydz Belt,East Antarctica:a geochronological perspective

The Prydz Belt in East Antarctica underwent extensive reworking during the late Neoprotertozoic–early Paleozoic Pan-African orogeny,which is characterized by granulite facies,clockwise P–T paths,and high dT/dP values.This study compiles the existing age and composition data of zircon and monazite from metamorphic rocks and links their key characteristics to the metamorphic evolution of the Prydz Belt.The frequency of zircon U–Pb ages starts to increase noticeably from~555 Ma,peaking between 530 Ma and 520 Ma,followed by a dramatic decline after 520 Ma.High Th/U values(>0.1)of zircon are observed from~545 Ma,displaying a noticeable increasing trend in Th/U values before a rapid decline from~520 Ma.The frequency of monazite ages progressively increases from~540 Ma,reaching its peak at 515 Ma,and then rapidly decreases after 490 Ma.Combined with the crystallization behaviors of zircon and monazite,this study suggests that the systematic changes in Th/U values of zircon after 545 Ma indicate a transition in the thermal regime of the Prydz Belt towards the cooling stage.Abundant growth of zircon and monazite corresponds to the post-peak cooling process,while the crystallization peak of monazite lags behind that of zircon by~5–15 Ma,which indicates a relatively low cooling rate.Though the granitic intrusions accompanied the entire metamorphic evolution,the majority of them are younger than 520 Ma.The results suggest that the Pan-African event likely peaked at~555–545 Ma and gradually cooled to near-solidus conditions at~520–510 Ma,with a relatively slow average cooling process.

Methods for ice velocity mapping in West Antarctica using historical optical satellite images

The Antarctic Ice Sheet harbors more than 90%of the Earth ice mass,with significant losses experienced through dynamic thinning,particularly in West Antarctica.The crucial aspect of investigating ice mass balance in historical periods preceding 1990 hinges on the utilization of ice velocities derived from optical satellite images.We employed declassified satellite images and Landsat images with normalized cross correlation based image matching,adopting an adaptive combination of skills and methods to overcome challenges encountered during the mapping of historical ice velocity in West Antarctica.A basin-wide synthesis velocity map encompassing the coastal regions of most large-scale glaciers and ice shelves in West Antarctica has already been successfully generated.Our results for historical ice velocities cover over 70%of the grounding line in most of the West Antarctic basins.Through adjustments,we uncovered overestimations in ice velocity measurements over an extended period,transforming our ice velocity map into a spatially deterministic,temporally average version.Among all velocity measurements,Thwaites Glacier exhibited a notable spatial variation in the fastest ice flowline and velocity distribution.Overestimation distributions on Thwaites Glacier displayed a clear consistency with the positions of subsequent front calving events,offering insights into the instabilities of ice shelves.

Polymetamorphism of the ultrahigh-temperature granulites in the Rauer Group,East Antarctica:new evidence from zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages

The Rauer Group is located on the eastern margin of the early Paleozoic Prydz Belt in East Antarctica,and the typical ultrahigh-temperature(UHT,>900℃)granulites outcrop on Mather Peninsula.However,the timing of UHT metamorphism and P–T path of the UHT granulites have long been debated,which is critical to understanding the tectonic nature and evolution history of the Prydz Belt.Thus,both a sapphirine-bearing UHT metapelitic granulite and a garnet-bearing UHT mafic granulite are selected for zircon SHRIMP U-Pb age dating.The results show that metamorphic zircon mantles yield weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 918±29 Ma and 901±29 Ma for the metapelitic and mafic granulites,respectively,while zircon rims and newly grown zircons yield weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages of 523±9 Ma and 532±11 Ma,respectively.These new zircon age data suggest that the UHT granulites may have experienced polymetamorphism,in which pre-peak prograde stage occurred in the early Neoproterozoic Grenvillian orogenesis(1000–900 Ma),whereas the UHT metamorphism occurred in the late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic Pan-African orogenesis(580–460 Ma).This implies that P–T path of the UHT granulites should consist of two separate high-grade metamorphic events including the Grenvillian and Pan-African events,which are supposed to be related to assembly of Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents respectively,and hence the overprinting UHT metamorphic event may actually reflect an important intracontinental reworking.

Impact of transparent exopolymer particles on the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon in the Amundsen Sea,Antarctica

The Southern Ocean is an important carbon sink pool and plays a critical role in the global carbon cycling.The Amundsen Sea was reported to be highly productive in inshore area in the Southern Ocean.In order to investigate the influence of transparent exopolymer particles(TEP)on the behavior of dissolved organic carbon(DOC)in this region,a comprehensive study was conducted,encompassing both open water areas and highly productive polynyas.It was found that microbial heterotrophic metabolism is the primary process responsible for the production of humic-like fluorescent components in the open ocean.The relationship between apparent oxygen utilization and the two humic-like components can be accurately described by a power-law function,with a conversion rate consistent with that observed globally.The presence of TEP was found to have little impact on this process.Additionally,the study revealed the accumulation of DOC at the sea surface in the Amundsen Sea Polynya,suggesting that TEP may play a critical role in this phenomenon.These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics and surface accumulation of DOC in the Amundsen Sea Polynya,and provide valuable insights into the carbon cycle in this region.

Phaeocystis globosa与Phaeocystis antarctica叶绿体psbA基因的比较

测定了2株球形棕囊藻PhaeocystisglobosaP1、P2的 psbA基因序列 ,发现得到的2个序列完全相同。以P2序列对比分析了P.globosa和P.antarctica的psbA基因在DNA序列、氨基酸序列和RNA二级结构上的差异性 ,发现2种棕囊藻psbA基因DNA序列和氨基酸序列非常保守 ,无插入/缺失 ,其核苷酸和氨基酸变异率分别为1.88 %和1.13 %。与核基因核苷酸的碱基替换不同 ,psbA基因核苷酸的碱基替换主要发生在密码子的第1位上 ,且不引起氨基酸的变化 ,引起氨基酸变化的碱基替换都发生在密码子的第2位和第3位上。在RNA二级结构上两序列的1～4茎环结构完全相同 ,表现出明显的棕囊藻属的特异性 ,其它结构区域差异较大 ,种间差异表现明显。由于 psbA基因DNA序列和氨基酸序列非常保守 ,可能不适宜棕囊藻属的系统发育分析。但其RNA二级结构可能对于棕囊藻的分子分类有一定的参考价值。

吸附-聚合物修饰组合固定化Candida antarctica脂肪酶研究

通过吸附法联合PEG非共价修饰,研发了一种固定化南极假丝酵母脂肪酶(Candida antarctica lipase)的新方法,可以有效提高固定化酶在非水介质中的催化活性。最佳固定化条件为硅藻土:酶粉(W/W)=8,PEG4000:酶粉(W/W)=0.6,缓冲液pH7.5。采用三油酸甘油酯与甲醇的转酯化反应,测定了固定化酶的转酯活性。结果表明,固定化酶同时加入PEG进行非共价修饰,可显著提高固定化酶的转酯活力。PEG修饰的固定化酶转酯比活是未经PEG修饰的固定化酶的4.1倍,转酯酶活回收率为604.8%,说明PEG两性分子的特性对制备用于非水介质的固定化酶有重要作用。该固定化方法可显著提高Candida antarctica脂肪酶在非水介质中的催化效率,且固定化方法简单、成本低,具有工业应用价值。

Phytoplankton in Prydz Bay and Its Adjacent Sea Area of Antarctica During the Austral Summer (1998/1999)

The cell density, species composition and distribution of phytoplankton, and their relations to environmental factors in Prydz Bay and its adjacent sea area, Antarctica (69degrees-77degrees E, 62degrees-70degrees S) during the austral summer of 1998/1999 were investigated. A total of 48 taxa belonging to 21 genera of phytoplankton in the sea area were identified. The average cell density of phytoplankton was 22.46 x 10(3) cells/dm(3), of which diatoms were predominant (84.51%). The highest cell density of phytoplankton occurred in Prydz Bay and the adjacent continental shelf where the average cell density was 46.03 x 10(3) cells/dm(3). The lowest cell density (3.34 x 10(3) cells/dm(3)) occurred in deep sea area. The dominant species of phytoplankton was Fragilariopsis curta. The vertical distribution of phytoplankton density was highest in the upper part of 0-50 in depth, lower in 100 in and lowest in 150 in. The species composition and cell density of phytoplankton were influenced by water circulation. The cell density was positively correlated with water temperature and salinity, and negatively correlated with the concentration of nutrients.

Ice thickness,internal layers,and surface and subglacial topography in the vicinity of Chinese Antarctic Taishan station in Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica

We present the results of two ground-based radio-echo-sounding（RES） and GPS surveys performed in the vicinity of new Chinese Taishan station,Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica,obtained in two austral summers during CHINARE 21（2004/2005） and CHINARE 29（2012/2013）.The radar surveys measured ice thickness and internal layers using 60- and 150-MHz radar systems,and GPS measurements showed smooth surface slopes around the station with altitudes of 2607-2636 m above sea level（a.s.l.）.Radar profiles indicate an average ice thickness of 1900 m,with a maximum of 1949 m and a minimum of 1856 m,within a square area measuring approximately 2 km × 2 km in the vicinity of the station.The ice thickness beneath the station site is 1870 m.The subglacial landscape beneath the station is quiet sharp and ranges from 662 to 770 m a.s.l.,revealing part of a mountainous topography.The ice volume in the grid is estimated to be 7.6 km^3.Along a 60-MHz radar profile with a length of 17.6 km at the region covering the station site,some disturbed internal layers are identified and traced;the geometry of internal layers within the englacial stratigraphy may imply a complex depositional process in the area.

Distribution of dissolved cadmium in Prydz Bay,Antarctica

In order to better understand the spatial and temporal distribution of dissolved cadmium in Prydz Bay, east Antarctica, seawaters were sampled by CTD during the CHINARE-25 cruise （Oct. 2008 - Apr. 2009） and the concentrations of cadmium were analyzed by AAS （Atomic Absorption Spectrometry） in the clean laboratory. Together with the data of macronutrients and chl.a from the same cruise, the relationship between cadmium and biological process was studied. The results showed that the concentrations of Cd in the surface water had a good relationship with chl.a and biologicl process was the important factor that influenced the distribution of dissolved Cd in the surface water. Linear relationship was found between dissolved Cd and phosphate in the surface water and the high ratio of Cd/P at the edge of ice shelf was most probably due to ice melting, vertical distribution of Cd was similar to those of macronutrient such as phosphate and was affected by decomposition of organic particals. The temporal change of dissolved Cd in upper layer was slight and tide probably had influence on the change.

Comparison of temperature extremes between Zhongshan Station and Great Wall Station in Antarctica

Although temperature extremes have led to more and more disasters, there are as yet few studies on the extremes and many disagreements on temperature changes in Antarctica. Based on daily minimum, maximum, and mean air temperatures(Tmin, Tmax, Tmean) at Great Wall Station(GW) and Zhongshan Station(ZS), we compared the temperature extremes and revealed a strong warming trend in Tmin, a slight warming trend in Tmean, cooling in Tmax, a decreasing trend in the daily temperature range, and the typical characteristic of coreless winter temperature. There are different seasonal variabilities, with the least in summer. The continentality index and seasonality show that the marine air mass has more effect on GW than ZS. Following the terminology of the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC AR5), we defined nine indices of temperature extremes, based on the Antarctic geographical environment. Extreme-warm days have decreased, while extreme-warm nights have shown a nonsignificant trend. The number of melting days has increased at GW, while little change at ZS. More importantly, we have found inverse variations in temperature patterns between the two stations, which need further investigation into the dynamics of climate change in Antarctica.

A New Martian Meteorite from Antarctica:Grove Mountains (GRV) 020090

Reported in this paper are the petrology and mineral chemistry of GRV 020090, the second Martian meteorite collected from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica. This meteorite, with a mass of 7.54 g, is completely covered by a black and glazy fusion crust. It has two distinct textural regions. The interstitial region is composed of euhedral grains of olivine, pigeonite, and anhedral interstitial maskelynite, with minor chromite, augite, phosphates and troilite. The poikilitic region consists of three clasts of pyroxenes, each of which has a pigeonite core and an augite rim. A few grains of subhedral to rounded olivine and euhedral chromite are enclosed in the pyroxene oikocrysts. GRV 020090 is classified as a new member of lherzolitic shergottites based on the modal composition and mineral chemistry. This work will shed light on the composition of Martian crust and magmatism on the Mars.

Ca-, Al-rich Inclusions in Three New Carbonaceous Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica: New Evidence for a Similar Origin of the Objects in Various Groups of Chondrites

Three new carbonaceous chondrites (GRV 020025,021579 and 022459) collected from the Grove Mountains (GRV), Antarctica, have been classified as the CM2, CO3 and CV3 chondrites, respectively. A total of 27 Ca- and Al-rich inclusions have been found in the three meteorites, which are the earliest assemblages formed in the solar nebula. Most of the inclusions are intensively altered, with abundant phyllosilicates in the inclusions from GRV 020025 and FeO enrichment of spinel in those from GRV 022459. Except for one spinel-spherule in each of GRV 020025 and 021579, all the inclusions can be classified as Type A-like or spinel-pyroxene-rich inclusions, and they probably represent the continuum of solar nebular condensation. In addition, most of the inclusions in these meteorites share much similarity in both petrography and mineral chemistry, suggesting a similar origin of Ca-Al-rich inclusions in various chondrites.

Classification of 24 New Ordinary Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of 24 ordinary chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica, have been studied in order to identify their chemical-petrographic types. These samples were selected from a total of 4448 Grove Mountains (GRV) meteorites collected during the 19th Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition so as to make an estimation of the large GRV meteorite collection. The chemical-petrographic types of these meteorites are presented below: 1 H3,2 H4, 4 H5, 2 H6, 1 L4, 7 L5, 5 L6, 1 LL4 and 1 LL6. The new data weaken the previous report that unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are unusually abundant in the Grove Mountains region. However, this work confirms significant differences in distribution patterns of chemical-petrographic types between the Grove Mountains and other regions in Antarctica. Many of these meteorites show significant terrestrial weathering, probably due to a high abundance ratio of meteorites found in moraines to those on blue ice. Nine meteorites experienced severe shock metamorphism, as evidenced by undulose extinction and intense fracturing of silicates and presence of shock-induced melt veins and pockets. These heavily shocked meteorites provided us with natural samples for the study of high-pressure polymorphs of minerals.

Spatial and temporal evolution of landfast ice near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica, over an annual cycle in 2011/2012

Annual observations of first-year ice(FYI) and second-year ice(SYI) near Zhongshan Station, East Antarctica,were conducted for the first time from December 2011 to December 2012. Melt ponds appeared from early December 2011. Landfast ice partly broke in late January, 2012 after a strong cyclone. Open water was refrozen to form new ice cover in mid-February, and then FYI and SYI co-existed in March with a growth rate of 0.8 cm/d for FYI and a melting rate of 2.7 cm/d for SYI. This difference was due to the oceanic heat flux and the thickness of ice,with weaker heat flux through thicker ice. From May onward, FYI and SYI showed a similar growth by 0.5 cm/d.Their maximum thickness reached 160.5 cm and 167.0 cm, respectively, in late October. Drillings showed variations of FYI thickness to be generally less than 1.0 cm, but variations were up to 33.0 cm for SYI in March,suggesting that the SYI bottom was particularly uneven. Snow distribution was strongly affected by wind and surface roughness, leading to large thickness differences in the different sites. Snow and ice thickness in Nella Fjord had a similar "east thicker, west thinner" spatial distribution. Easterly prevailing wind and local topography led to this snow pattern. Superimposed ice induced by snow cover melting in summer thickened multi-year ice,causing it to be thicker than the snow-free SYI. The estimated monthly oceanic heat flux was ～30.0 W/m2 in March–May, reducing to ～10.0 W/m2 during July–October, and increasing to ～15.0 W/m2 in November. The seasonal change and mean value of 15.6 W/m2 was similar to the findings of previous research. The results can be used to further our understanding of landfast ice for climate change study and Chinese Antarctic Expedition services.

Petrology and phase equilibrium modeling of sapphirine ＋ quartz assemblage from the Napier Complex, East Antarctica: Diagnostic evidence for Neoarchean ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism

A synthesis of the petrological characters of granulite facies rocks that contain equilibrium sapphirine ＋ quartz assemblage from two localities （Tonagh Island （TI） and Priestley Peak （PP）） in the Napier Complex,East Antarctica,provides unequivocal evidence for extreme crustal metamorphism possibly associated with the collisional orogeny during Neoarchean.The reaction microstructures associated with sapphirine ＋ quartz vary among the samples,probably suggesting different tectonic conditions during the metamorphic evolution.Sapphirine and quartz in TI sample were probably in equilibrium at the peak stage,but now separated by corona of Grt ＋ Sil ＋ Opx suggesting near isobaric cooling after the peak metamorphism,whereas the Spr ＋ Qtz ＋ Sil ＋ Crd ＋ Spl assemblage replaces garnet in PP sample suggesting post-peak decompression.The application of mineral equilibrium modeling in NCKFMASHTO system demonstrated that Spr ＋ Qtz stability is lowered down to 930 ℃ due to small Fe3＋ contents in the rocks （mole Fe2O3/（FeO ＋ Fe2O3） =0.02）.The TI sample yields a peak p-T range of 950-1100 ℃ and 7.5-11 kbar,followed by cooling toward a retrograde stage of 800-950 ℃ and 8-10 kbar,possibly along a counterclockwise p-T path.In contrast,the peak condition of the PP sample shows 1000-1050 ℃ and ＞12 kbar,which was followed by the formation ofSpr ＋ Qtz corona around garnet at 930-970 ℃ and 6.7-7.7 kbar,suggesting decompression possibly along a clockwise p-T trajectory.Such contrasting p-T paths are consistent with a recent model on the structural framework of the Napier Complex that correlates the two areas to different crustal blocks.The different p-T paths obtained from the two localities might reflect the difference in the tectonic framework of these rocks within a complex Neoarchean subduction/collision belt.

Supercooled water in austral summer in Prydz Bay,Antarctica

Supercooled water with temperatures below freezing point, was identified from hydrographic data obtained by Chinese and Australian expeditions to Prydz Bay, Antarctica, during the austral summer. The study shows that most supercooled waters occurred at depths of 63-271 m in the region north of the Amery Ice Shelf （AIS） front. The maximum supercooling was 0.16℃ below the in-situ freezing point. In temperature and salinity ranges of-2.14 - -1.96℃ and 34.39-34.46, respectively, the water was colder and fresher than peripheral shelf water. The supercooled water had less variability in the vertical profiles compared to shelf water. Based on analysis of their thermohaline features and spatial distribution, as well as the circulation pattern in Prydz Bay, we conclude that these supercooled waters originated from a cavity beneath the AIS and resulted from upwelling just outside of the AIS front. Water emerging from the ice shelf cools to an extremely low temperature （about -2.0℃） by additional cooling from the ice shelf, and becomes buoyant with the addition of melt water from the ice shelf base. When this water flows out of the ice shelf front, its upper boundary is removed, and thus it rises abruptly. Once the temperature of this water reaches below the freezing point, supercooling takes place. In summer, the seasonal pycnocline at -100 m water depth acts as a barrier to upwelling and supercooling. The upwelling of ice shelf outflow water illuminates a unique mid-depth convection of the polar ocean.

Sea ice characteristics between the middle Weddell Sea and the Prydz Bay,Antarctica during the austral summer of 2003

The antarctic sea ice was investigated upon five occasions between January 4 and February 15, 2003. The investigations included: (1) estimation of sea ice distribution by ship-based observations between the middle Weddell Sea and the Prydz Bay; (2) estimation of sea ice distribution by aerial photography in the Prydz Bay; (3) direct measurements of fast ice thickness and snow cover, as well as ice core sampling in Nella Fjord; (4) estimation of melting sea ice distribution near the Zhongshan Station; and (5) observation of sea ice early freeze near the Zhongshan Station. On average, sea ice covered 14.4% of the study area. The highest sea ice concentration (80%) was observed in the Weddell Sea. First-year ice was dominant (99.7%~99.8%). Sea ice distributions in the Prydz Bay were more variable due to complex inshore topography, proximity of the Larsemann Hills, and/or grounded icebergs. The average thickness of landfast ice in Nella Fjord was 169.5 cm. Wind-blown snow redistribution plays an important role in affecting the ice thickness in Nella Fjord. Preliminary freezing of sea ice near the Zhongshan Station follows the first two phases of the pancake cycle.

Summertime Surface N2O Concentration Observed on Fildes Peninsula Antarctica:Correlation with Total Atmospheric O3 and Solar Activity

Three-year summertime surface atmospheric N_2O concentrations were observed for the first time on the Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica, and the relationships among the N2O concentration, total atmospheric O3 amount, and sunspot number were analyzed. Solar activity had an important effect on surface N2O concentration and total O3 amount, and increases of sunspot number were followed by decreases in the N2O concentration and total O3 amount. A corresponding relationship exists between the N2O concentration and total atmospheric O3, and ozone destruction was preceded by N2O reduction. We propose that the extended solar activity in the Antarctic summer reduces the stratospheric N2O by converting it into NOx, increases the diffusion of N2O from the troposphere to the stratosphere, decreases the surface atmospheric N2O, and depletes O3 via the chemical reaction between O3 and NOx. Our observation results are consistent with the theory of solar activity regarding the formation of the Antarctic O3 hole.

The sediments of lake on the Ardley Island, Antarctica: Identification of penguin-dropping soil

During CHINARE 15(Dec. 1998 Mar. 1999), a lake core 67.5 cm in length, was sampled in Y2 lake, which is located on the Ardley Island, Antarctica. The concentrations of some chemical elements in Y2 lake sediments were analyzed. According to comparative research on elementary characters of sediments in Antarctic West Lake, fresh penguin dropping as well as guano soil on the Ardley Island and Pacific Island in South China Sea, it presents that the Y2 lake sediments were ameliorated by penguin dropping. The result of element cluster analysis shows that the type elements in the sediment impacted by penguin dropping include Sr,F,S,P,Ca,Se,Cu,Zn and Ba. This can provide a base for further interpreting the climatic and environmental event recorded in the sediment.