The ionospheric response to the weak geomagnetic storm of 1–2 February 2025 was studied within the Weddell Sea Anomaly region. The behavior of the key ionospheric parameters (NmF2 and hmF2) was analysed using ionosonde observations from the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station and vertical total electron content derived from Global Navigation Satellite System measurements. A pronounced nighttime depletion was observed in both ionosonde F2-layer peak electron density (NmF2) and the total electron content values on 1 and 2 February 2025. This indicates the development of the negative phase of the ionospheric storm and a weakening of the Weddell Sea Anomaly under minor geomagnetic disturbances. NmF2 decreased by a factor of ~2 on 1 February and by a factor of ~5 on 2 February, while the total electron content was reduced by ~15–20 TECU and ~25 TECU, respectively. The negative phase penetrated farther toward the equator on 1 February, whereas on 2 February it remained restricted to high- and mid-latitude regions. Notably, such a strong depletion in NmF2 occurred despite a significant uplift of the F2-layer peak height (hmF2) by ~60–70 km. No clear signatures of vertical plasma transport driven by the penetration electric field of magnetospheric origin were found in the observed hmF2 variations. The likely reason for such a depletion in ionospheric plasma density is storm-time changes in neutral composition associated with upwelling, reduction in the O/N2 ratio, and transport of the composition disturbance zone by thermospheric winds from high to low latitudes. These results demonstrate that even minor geomagnetic storms can substantially modify the ionosphere–thermosphere system over Antarctica and significantly impact the Weddell Sea Anomaly.
The condition and dynamics of penguin populations are among the key indicators for assessing Antarctic marine living resources and developing a krill fishery strategy. The Argentine Islands are the southern border of the range of one of the most numerous penguin species – the Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua. The P. papua colony on Galindez Island (CEMP site GAI), where the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station is located, is the second southernmost colony of this species, and one of the largest in the region, with a penguin population of about 7 000 adults in peak season (2025/2026) and growing from year to year. Over the past five years, both parts of the colony, one near the main station building and one on the Penguin Point, have expanded significantly towards each other. The largest of the newly formed areas of the colony is located near the Magnetometers Pavilion of Vernadsky Station. This study aims to assess the accuracy of determining the chronology of the main events of the reproductive cycle of P. papua by comparing time-lapse camera data with visual observations of nests, and to examine phenology in the newly formed part of the colony. It was found that the most accurate determination was made for the date of the crèche formation – the time difference was less than 1 day. The dates of first egg laying and first chick hatching were determined with somewhat lower precision, as visual observations and camera recordings differed by about 2 days for both events. Camera data typically lag behind visual observations of events. A larger number of photos captured at 30-minute intervals throughout the daylight hours will help to significantly increase the accuracy of identifying reproductive cycle events. A study of a new part of the Galindez Island colony near the Magnetometers Pavilion (GMP site) showed that all events of the reproductive cycle in this area occur 6–10 days earlier than in the old parts of the colony. This observation is not related to differences in penguin arrival times across different parts of the island and requires further research.
Endosymbiotic bacteria infect a vast number of invertebrate representatives from diverse taxa. This study reviews the results of identifying endosymbiotic bacteria (specifically the genera Wolbachia, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Arsenophonus and Spiroplasma) that are capable of potentially influencing the reproductive strategies of the host organism in members of the Collembola fauna of the Antarctic region. Outside Antarctica, these bacteria have an important role in forming the adaptive mechanisms and population structures of arthropods in response to changing environmental conditions. This study analyses the species diversity of Antarctic Collembola and conducts a retrospective search for available data on the infection of species found in and beyond the Antarctic region by endosymbiotic bacteria. It was established that these bacteria infect springtail species, including those that may occur in Antarctica (Folsomia candida, Megalothorax minimus, Mesaphorura macrochaeta, and Parisotoma notabilis). The ecology and physiology of the region’s arthropods have already been extensively studied. However, there is currently no information available in the scientific literature indicating the presence of relevant endosymbiotic associations in Antarctic springtails. The identified lack of data may indicate either the potential isolation of local populations or the existence of environmental conditions in which infection of Antarctic springtails by bacteria of the genera Wolbachia, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, and Spiroplasma is not possible for various reasons. At the same time, more extensive molecular genetic screening using modern sequencing technologies is required to provide a definitive answer regarding the possible infection of Antarctic springtail species by endosymbiotic bacteria. The analysis of the published data highlights a promising direction for further studies of symbiotic microorganisms associated with Antarctic organisms, particularly springtails.
Incoming solar irradiance is a crucial factor for the survival of native vascular plants in Antarctica, providing the primary energy source for local terrestrial vegetation growth. We analyse the microscale variability of incoming solar irradiance at the surface and evaluate its applicability as a proxy parameter for detecting snow cover availability in remote regions. The study is based on a network of 38 temperature and light sensors deployed within an established monitoring site in the Argentine Islands Kyiv Peninsula region during 2017–2025. At the microscale level, in sites where Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica occur, typical austral-summer irradiance values range from 200 to 500 W ⋅ m–2, with deviations of up to ±60% driven by local microscale conditions. We analysed the periods with near-zero measured irradiance, indicating stable snow cover that typically occurred from April to October. Being measured at the surface, solar irradiance disappearance can serve as a proxy for snow cover formation. The snow formation timing was relatively consistent, whereas the snowmelt timing varied significantly across sites. At the locations of native vascular plants distribution, the snow-free period varied in the range of 90 to 200 days, being dependent on microclimatological features. No statistically robust differences in the intra-annual irradiance cycle were detected between sites occupied by C. quitensis and D. antarctica; however, irradiance duration suggests a tendency for C. quitensis to preferentially occupy locations with longer irradiated periods. This study emphasises the importance of accounting for incoming solar radiation at the microscale and demonstrates the potential of light sensors as a proxy for assessing snow cover availability in remote Antarctic regions where direct observations are not possible.
We compiled and harmonised published records of monogeneans from Antarctic and sub-Antarctic fishes, standardising host names, georeferencing localities, deduplicating records, and excluding ambiguous entries (genuslevel hosts or “not specified” hosts) from specificity metrics. We aggregated occurrences from 49 unique localities spanning the Scotia Arc, Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica, Ross Sea, and the Kerguelen–Crozet–Heard–Macquarie region. The dataset comprises 31 species (35 including genus-level records), representing 11 genera in 7 families and two subclasses, drawn from 46 publications; species richness within the Subclass Monopisthocotylea was concentrated in Capsalidae (10 species), Gyrodactylidae (9), and Tetraonchoididae (8), with one species each in Mazocraeidae, Hexabothriidae, and Diclidophoridae within Polyopisthocotylea. We identified 29 species-level taxa with unambiguous hosts; of these, 15 (51.7%) were recorded from a single fish host, 6 (20.7%) from two hosts, and 8 (27.6%) from three or more (median = 1; maximum = 12 for Pseudobenedenia nototheniae). The spatial distribution of records was uneven, with the Kerguelen Plateau and the Ross Sea containing the densest clusters. In contrast, many other records occurred as isolated points, limiting the reliability of inferring species ranges. Overall, our analysis provides a curated baseline of diversity, host associations, and regional coverage for Antarctic monogeneans, highlights gaps caused by underspecified hosts and localities, and supplies standardised counts for future taxonomic and ecological work.
We investigated sex-specific features of neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and immune responses in participants of the Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions during prolonged isolation, as well as in response to acute physical exercise, with a comparative evaluation in women and men. The study included 22 men and 9 women who spent one year at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station, as well as control groups residing in Kyiv. Blood samples were collected before the expedition, quarterly during the stay at the station, and after returning to Kyiv. Serum cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while lymphocyte subpopulations were analysed by flow cytometry. A modified Cooper test was used as a model of acute physical exercise to assess physiological responses among expedition candidates. The results showed that cortisol levels increased already in the first quarter of the expedition in participants of both sexes, suggesting activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis during adaptation to Antarctic conditions. In men, peak cortisol levels were observed at the early stages of the expedition, whereas in women, a more gradual increase was noted, with peak values occurring later in the mission. Testosterone levels increased in both sexes during the expedition; however, after returning to normal conditions, they tended to normalise primarily in men. In women, the increase in heart rate was less pronounced, and recovery of hemodynamic parameters was faster after exertion. The immune response to physical stress also showed sex-related differences: in men, a statistically significant increase in the absolute number of NK cells was observed after exercise, whereas in women these changes were less pronounced; no significant changes in the absolute number of T helper cells were detected in either group. The obtained results indicate that neuroendocrine adaptation to prolonged Antarctic isolation exhibits sex-specific characteristics, but is not associated with evidence of poorer clinical tolerance in women.
Antarctic substrates are inhabited by microorganisms resistant to environmental factors. Since large areas of soil worldwide are saline and contaminated with metals, which limit plant growth, it is important to isolate plant growth-promoting bacteria that are resistant to environmental factors. The aim of this study was to isolate copiotrophic, oligotrophic, oligonitrophilic, phosphate-, and zinc-solubilising bacteria, and to determine their properties, including enzymatic activity, the ability to produce auxins and siderophores, and growth under the influence of heavy metals and NaCl. The research material consisted of samples of short moss turf and cushion subformation with Andreaea depressinervis or Andreaea regularis, bryophyte carpet and mat subformation dominated by Ceratodon purpureus or Sanionia georgicouncinata and tall moss turf subformation (moss bank) fragments dominated by Polytrichum strictum or Chorisodontium aciphyllum, collected from biotopes of the maritime Antarctic. The cultivated microbiota of bryophytes of short moss turf and cushion subformation, bryophyte carpet and mat subformation, and tall moss turf subformation (moss banks) differed in the number of detected microbial groups and their enumeration. Copiotrophs and oligotrophs dominated the bacterial community structure of most samples, but oligonitrophyles prevailed in the short moss turf and cushion subformation fragments with An. depressinervis. Bacteria isolated from samples of bryophyte carpet and mat subformation with dominance of San. georgicouncinata are characterised by a wider range of properties – amylase, protease, cellulase, and lipase activities, and the ability to solubilise ZnO and Ca3(PO4)2. All bacterial isolates synthesised auxin-like compounds (up to 11.8 μg ⋅ ml–1). Most of them produced siderophores. The isolated bacteria possess a range of adaptive properties, including the ability to grow over a wide temperature range (+4…+42 °C), high salt tolerance (up to 10.0% NaCl), and resistance to heavy metals (Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Co2+, and Cr2O7 2–). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Bacillus sp. Sg840, Pseudomonas sp. S135, and Sporosarcina sp. S371 were identified. The identified properties and tolerance to environmental factors characterise the plant growthpromoting potential of bacteria isolated from Antarctic bryophyte subformations.
This paper models the dynamics of the Trooz Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula. To integrate remote and meteorological data, we processed ice flow velocities derived from satellite radar imagery, air temperature, and precipitation obtained from the ERA5 reanalysis, and in situ meteorological observations from the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station. Glacier surface velocity was estimated using the offset-tracking method applied to Sentinel-1 satellite data for the period 2015–2025, generating 286 ice flow maps. An approach is developed to calculate air temperature over the glacier surface using in situ measurements from the remotely located Akademik Vernadsky station, in the absence of additional data. Spatial models of temperature and glacier velocity were constructed, accounting for additional parameters such as precipitation and glacier surface elevation above sea level. Time series analysis over the past decade indicates contrasting trends: increasing air temperature at the Akademik Vernadsky station (+0.12 °C/year) and decreasing temperatures over the glacier surface (–0.07 to –0.13 °C/year). A Fourier series approximation made it possible to clarify a seasonal pattern in glacier velocity. From the mean velocities, there is a tendency toward 1–4% acceleration in ice flow. Analysis of the model showed that air temperature and surface elevation together explain approximately 54% of the spatial variation in mean velocity, with the remaining variability attributable to other factors, including glacier bed geometry, ice thickness, subglacial drainage conditions, and local ice-flow morphology. The resulting spatial models can be used to further predict climate-driven changes in the glacier system.
The climatic pressure dipole, formed by the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) and the high-pressure area east of the Antarctic Peninsula (AP), is a major contributor to weather variability in West Antarctica and the peninsula region. Under the ongoing climate change, the role of this pressure configuration often remains uncertain. Using ERA5 reanalysis data for 1991–2022, we investigated the response of precipitation types and near-surface meteorological fields to variability in the climatic pressure dipole. A deepening eastward shift of the ASL increased snowfall over the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas, particularly near the low-pressure center itself, while precipitation near the AP tended to shift from solid to mixed or liquid phases. Strengthening of high pressure over the western Weddell Sea – especially when displaced closer to the AP – led to an overall decrease in precipitation, but with more frequent freezing rains and ice pellets over the northeastern AP. These relationships, however, were highly heterogeneous and exhibited strong seasonal features. Near-surface meteorological parameters showed weaker responses to the pressure dipole than precipitation. A deepened ASL generally lowered air temperature and saturation point over the eastern Bellingshausen Sea, while its eastward displacement produced warmer conditions across the study area. A high-pressure ridge east of the AP strongly influenced the thermal regime over the Weddell Sea and Dronning Maud Land, and was associated with intensified southerly and westerly winds in the southern part of the AP. Overall, this study enhances understanding of how surface meteorological conditions generally respond to atmospheric pressure variability in the region.
The mackerel icefish Champsocephalus gunnari (Channichthyidae) is a highly specialised Antarctic species inhabiting cold sub-Antarctic waters, particularly around South Georgia. Although the helminth fauna of this host is relatively well documented, only one representative of Monopisthocotyla collected in 1926 during the “Discovery” expedition, later prepared as a whole mount by D. I. Gibson in the 1970s and identified as Pseudobenedenia nototheniae Johnston, 1931, has been registered so far. The present study is based on a re-examination of a museum specimen preserved in the parasitological collection of the Natural History Museum in London, United Kingdom. Standard morphological techniques were used to examine and illustrate the specimen, including analysis of key reproductive, adhesive, and haptoral structures. The new species is diagnosed by a unique combination of features, including a bilobed terminal end of penis curved anteriorly; both male and female genital ducts opening into a shared genital orifice, but at distinctly separate positions within it, and vagina not adjacent to the vitelline reservoir. An additional unique feature is an exceptionally large body size (12 mm) and proportionally larger reproductive organs. A combination of these morphological features has not been previously reported in any other Pseudobenedenia Johnston, 1931 species. Reporting this unique form of Pseudobenedenia on a new host, ecologically isolated from all previously known hosts, emphasises the novelty of our discovery. The rarity of Pseudobenedenia records on C. gunnari, despite intensive examination of the host species, underscores the difficulty of obtaining fresh material for modern morphological analyses. Distinctive features of the genital system and marked size differences provide strong evidence of reproductive isolation and support the establishment of a new Pseudobenedenia species.
Sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) are dramatic events characterized by sudden and sharp changes in the distribution of polar stratospheric temperatures, zonal winds, total ozone column, and other atmospheric parameters. SSWs are usual in the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, but they are rare in the Antarctic stratosphere. Only one major SSW (September 2002) was observed in the southern polar stratosphere over the entire time of observations. In the paper, this event is considered in conjunction with the warmings of 1988 and 2019, which do not correspond to the major SSW definition, but were accompanied by significant temperature and total ozone increases, as well as zonal wind deceleration. The changes in the total ozone distributions over Antarctica are analyzed using Multi-Sensor Reanalysis (MSR-2) data. We have plotted and analyzed the spatial distribution of total ozone anomalies in the SSW years and adjacent years. A significant zonal asymmetry is noted between the Western and Eastern Hemispheres over Antarctica. In the East Antarctic stratosphere, total ozone increases several weeks before the central date of the warming, indicating preconditions for the event. Quasi-periodic oscillations associated with planetary waves were observed over East Antarctica in 1988 and 2002. On the contrary, total ozone over West Antarctica showed no clear features prior to the warming. The warmings have distinct spatial coverage: in particular, the 1988 event did not penetrate the inner region of the stratospheric polar vortex. In the adjacent years, total ozone was predominantly lower than climatological values, and we have concluded that total ozone decrease is most typical for the previous years (1987, 2001, 2018).
Antarctica, the most remote and environmentally extreme region on Earth, presents unique challenges for energy generation due to its harsh climate, isolation, and logistical constraints. The continent’s research stations, vital for advancing global understanding of climate change, glaciology, ecosystem, and environmental studies, have historically relied on fossil fuels for power, which poses significant logistical and environmental risks, high operational costs, and ethical concerns related to fossil fuel usage in such a pristine environment. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of renewable energy adoption in Antarctica, focusing on key research stations such as Princess Elisabeth Station, McMurdo Station, and others that have adopted solar, wind, and hybrid power systems. The paper also discusses the major challenges to widespread renewable energy adoption, including extreme weather conditions, temperature fluctuations, equipment reliability issues, seasonal energy variability, and technological limitations in energy capture and storage systems capabilities. In response to these challenges, the paper explores the potential of advanced computational and artificial intelligence methods to enhance renewable energy system planning in Antarctica. Furthermore, it highlights emerging opportunities for improving renewable energy efficiency and reliability by integrating advanced technologies such as Grey Wolf Optimisation for optimal energy source placement, Random Forest Regression for weather prediction, and innovations in hybrid solar and wind power. The findings underscore the critical need for technological advancements and international collaboration with the Polar Research Institute, Türkiye, to improve energy sustainability, specifically in Horseshoe Island, as well as across the broader Antarctic region. The research concludes by offering recommendations for future research directions, including the implementation of robust data-driven forecasting models and high-performance energy storage technologies. These strategies aim to support the full transition of Antarctica’s energy infrastructure to renewable sources, in alignment with urgent global goals to reduce carbon emissions and the imperative to protect one of the Earth’s most fragile ecosystems.
Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in Antarctic marine organisms are much higher than expected for such a remote, pristine environment. Bioaccumulation is principally due to water circulation and upwelling, as well as the nutrient-like behaviour of Cd in areas of high primary productivity. The low availability of zinc (Zn) and other trace elements favours Cd use by diatoms as a cofactor in carbon anhydrase, and the metal is also highly concentrated by small autotrophs and heterotrophs that develop a high surface-to-volume ratio. Thus, in pelagic food webs, grazing micro- and mesozooplankton, as well as the juvenile stages of Antarctic krill with a small oral apparatus, accumulate high concentrations of Cd and transfer the metal to amphipods and other secondary consumers. In coastal marine ecosystems with high primary productivity, such as those bordering the Ross Sea, a large amount of phytoplankton sinks in the summer, contributing to Cd accumulation in benthic invertebrates. Total body Cd concentrations are lower in benthic and pelagic fish, seabirds, and marine mammals than in many invertebrate species. Seabirds that feed on amphipods and other crustaceans smaller than Antarctic krill accumulate higher amounts of Cd. Comparisons of Cd content in representative benthic invertebrate species, fish, and penguins from coastal marine ecosystems at King George Island and Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) indicate much higher bioaccumulation in the latter area. This is likely due to enhanced upwelling of seawater, high concentrations of soluble Cd in surface waters, notable algal blooms in spring and summer, and the involvement of invertebrate taxa other than Antarctic krill in transferring energy and metals along pelagic food webs.
The main objective of the study is to describe the dynamics of the total size of Deschampsia antarctica population of Galindez Island, Argentine Islands, the maritime Antarctic, during 1964–2021, both in total and as eight sectoral groups of populations and eleven separate populations. The first task is to search for possible dependence of the dynamics of the total number of plants on the average monthly air temperature. Assessing the robustness of the Galindez population (G-population), sectoral groups of populations (sectoral populations), and individual populations (populations) by phase trajectories to relate them to the effects of meteorological and other variables is the next task. Methods for estimating the population size, the cover, and morphometric parameters (leaf length and flower length, respectively) of D. antarctica were used for the 2013/2014–2020/2021 and 2013/2014–2023/2024 seasons. Meteorological data from a long-term meteorological observations database were used. Topological analysis was used to determine population robustness. The dependence of the plants’ total number dynamics in the period 1964–2021 on the average monthly air temperature in September and February was shown. The dynamics of the sectoral populations and populations were compared with meteorological variables and other factors. The general dynamic of the G-population was described by a third-degree polynomial fit. At the same time, we managed to find a connection between the G-population and air temperature only in certain critical months of seasonal development – September and February. The individual sectors of the island exhibited significantly heterogeneous plant population trends, which may be attributed to environmental heterogeneity. The topological analysis allows to expand the populations’ classification under the external factors’ influence in the dynamics. Changing external conditions can lead to some populations’ transitioning from one robust state to another, or from an unrobust state to a robust one and vice versa. In particular, the penguin invasion over the past 3 years has destroyed the D4 population, whose state was described by a strange attractor over 8 seasons; the D6 population also influenced by penguins has transitioned from a stable torus state to a strange attractor state, the D10 population has transitioned from an unrobust torus state to a limit cycle state in the last three of the 11 years of research.
We investigated the properties of atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) in the areas of polar thermosphere wind systems using satellite measurement data. It was established that AGWs systematically propagate in the direction from night to day towards the wind. The dependence of the wave amplitude on the headwind wind velocity was studied. In an oncoming non-uniform wind flow, wave amplitudes increase due to energy exchange with the medium. As a result, such large-amplitude AGWs are predominant in observations in the polar thermosphere. Therefore, wind flow regions can be considered a source of energy for AGW. The frequencies of polar AGW were determined from satel lite measurements. The obtained frequency values for different polar orbits of the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite are very close to the Brunt-Väisälä (BV) frequency. This indicates the filtering of the wave spectrum in the non-uniform wind flow. The results allow us to explain the main properties of AGW in the polar thermosphere observed from the satellite and compare them with ground-based measurements. When comparing the results of satellite and ground measurements of AGW characteristics, background atmospheric flows must be taken into account. Thus, the frequencies of AGW determined from satellite data are close to the Brunt-Väisälä frequency. However, a ground observer will register such waves as very low-frequency disturbances. It can be assumed that some of the observed cases of large-scale AGW are medium-scale disturbances propagating against the background of strong winds. Under increased geomagnetic activity, the speeds of polar vortices increase, accompanied by an increase in energy transfer from the wind. Therefore, AGWs play an important role in the energy balance of the polar atmosphere, redistributing the energy of disturbed wind flows in the vertical direction.
Bryozoans are sessile suspension feeding metazoans which represent an important component of Antarctic macrozoobenthic communities. These ectotherm modular organisms are present in a wide variety of habitats subjected to strong gradients, such as those found in polar glaciomarine fjords. This study focused on the diversity of bryozoans opportunistically collected via van Veen grab deployments during four summer campaigns (2017–2019 and 2023) in Mackellar Inlet (62. S, King George Island) by Peruvian ANTAR expeditions. The cumulative taxa richness and diversity patterns were evaluated, revealing an overall number of 36 taxa, representing 84% of the estimated richness (Chao2 = 43). From the six recognised growth forms, the membraniporiforms (calcified encrusting unilaminar) dominated the bryozoan assemblage, followed by cheilostomes with flustriform growth habit. The highest diversity, cumulative taxonomic richness (26 taxa), and all growth forms herein recorded (6) were found in the outer section of the fjord. The erect flexible basibiont Nematoflustra flagellata (Waters, 1904) was the most abundant flustriform and hosted the highest abundance of epizoozoans, which preferred the rear surface of their host fronds for settlement. Unconsolidated deposits such as gravels and coarse sand grains were essential substrates for bryozoan assemblages; however, habitat-facilitating growth forms increased the overall values of abundance and taxonomic and functional richness at a local scale. This work, which is opportunistic in nature, represents a baseline for future studies aiming to create an annotated checklist of bryozoans in the area that would require diverse sampling methodologies focused specifically on bryozoans and their substrates (e.g., scuba diving, rock dredges). Although we aimed to cover a basic functional analysis based on growth forms, a deeper understanding of the ecology of bryozoans in Mackellar Inlet is needed, considering different ecological implications and life strategy adaptations to environmental gradients.
This study delves into the intricate relationship between scientific research and diplomacy within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), employing a comprehensive scientometric analysis to explore its multifaceted impact. The ATS has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among nations. By analysing global publication trends, citation patterns, and co-authorship networks, this research examines how scientific output not only reflects but also drives international cooperation and policy development in polar regions. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the role of research output in supporting the principles of the ATS, with a focus on promoting peace, science, and environmental protection in Antarctica. Specifically, it aims to іnvestigate the contribution of scientific research to international collaboration under the ATS; іdentify global trends and emerging priorities in Antarctic research; assess the impact of interdisciplinary studies in advancing ATS objectives, including climate change mitigation and ecosystem protection. This research adopts a scientometric approach to analyse the global corpus of scientific publications related to Antarctic research. The analysis revealed that the volume of Antarctic related scientific publications has grown significantly over the last two decades, with a notable increase in interdisciplinary studies addressing climate change, biodiversity, and polar ecosystem dynamics. Co-authorship networks highlighted a robust level of international collaboration, underscoring the treaty's success in fostering scientific partnerships. Moreover, open data initiatives, driven by the ATS, were found to play a crucial role in advancing research efficiency and promoting transparency. The study also found that scientific output often influences policy discussions, particularly on climate change mitigation, the designation of marine protected areas, and sustainable resource management in Antarctica. The integration of research into ATS decision-making processes strengthens its effectiveness as a governance system while showcasing the role of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges.
Plastic contamination in Antarctica is a major environmental concern that has received international attention in recent years. This review investigates the factors that affect polar plastics, including their distribution, accumulation, socioeconomic effects, stakeholder alignments, ways to reduce plastic pollution, and policies that affect plastic pollution in Antarctica. The problem of plastic pollution is extremely important for the preservation of the environment in the Antarctic and on the planet. The spread of plastic pollution in Antarctica is mostly due to ocean currents transporting plastic debris from other parts of the world. The distribution of plastics is driven by human activities, which have led to severe environmental degradation. Now, climate change is exacerbating the problem, creating a destructive feedback loop. According to research, plastic waste is concentrated in specific parts of Antarctica, notably in ice-free areas. A solution to the escalating problem of plastic pollution lies in the development and adoption of sustainable policies and practices. By increasing environmental awareness around the harm microplastics impact on the environment, more advocates could address the importance of investing in innovative alternative materials, promoting circular economy principles for waste management, government intervention, and encouraging global stakeholder collaboration. By combining education, innovation, regulation, and community action, we can drive into a world where plastic accumulation is reduced and controlled, leading to a safe environment free of biological consequences in the Antarctic region. Through this, we can significantly change plastic consumption and save biodiversity. Furthermore, the engagement of scientific communities in long-term monitoring and the promotion of eco-friendly expeditions are vital to ensure progress. Strengthening international treaties can bolster the enforcement of regulations concerning plastic use and disposal. The collective efforts of individuals, institutions, and governments can have a significant impact, reversing the damage and setting a precedent for environmental protection worldwide.
In the light of the considerable global climatic changes observed over recent decades, and particularly their magnification in the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region (maritime Antarctic), it is important to document in detail the biodiversity of this region to provide a baseline for assessing potential future shifts in species distribution ranges. The aim of this study was to document the species diversity of springtails (Collembola) collected during the Antarctic summer season (December 2023 to March 2024) from various locations in the coastal regions of the WAP. A total of 141 invertebrate samples were collected and analysed from different types of vegetated substrates, predominantly mosses, and from the nesting materials of the seabirds Stercorarius maccormicki and Larus dominicanus. Samples were obtained from 35 locations within four sub-regions of the WAP, including the South Shetland Islands, Graham Coast, Biscoe Islands and Adelaide Island and its neighbouring islands. For 20 of these surveyed locations, Collembola diversity was recorded for the first time and, for a further three locations, new records were obtained supplementing those in the existing literature. A total of 9 143 Collembola specimens were identified, representing three species: Cryptopygus antarcticus, Folsomotoma octooculata and Friesea antarctica, all of which are native to the studied region. Two of these species were identified in bird nest material, with Fo. octooculata being absent. Although all three species were present in many of the samples obtained, C. antarcticus was generally the most abundant, both in samples from vegetated substrates and in the nesting material of both bird species, accounting for nearly 90% of all collected specimens. This likely indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity in C. antarcticus, which may facilitate its persistence in the harsh environmental conditions of Antarctica amid ongoing climate change.
The prospects for international cooperation between Ukraine and the countries of the Antarctic Treaty depend on the level of professional training of specialists who carry out professional activities in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the feasibility of using psychological methods for studying the individual typological characteristics of winterers in terms of adaptation to extreme living/working conditions. The tasks of the research are to provide a description of the authors’ methodology for determining the character types of winterers and to prove the effectiveness of implementing the methodology in the psychological selection of participants for Antarctic expeditions. The study was conducted at the National Antarctic Scientific Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv and at the Akademik Vernadsky station. The sample consisted of 71 winterers of ten Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions, the age of the subjects varied from 22 to 64 years. Measurements of the adaptation component indicators within the methodology for determining the character types of winterers were made due to online testing platform. The research enables to identify 12 psychological types of character (persistent-distrustful, authoritarian, demonstrative, hyperthymic, withdrawn-introverted, conscientious-pedantic, emotional, dysthymic, conformal, anxious, unstable, labile). Each of the 12 types of character has been described with outlining a set of psychological traits that are to be put into consideration while analysing the winterers’ adaptation to extreme conditions of Antarctica. The conclusion has been made, which with certain in-depth studies may acquire a level of psychological regularity: the representatives of different character types characterised by different strength of nervous processes (hyperthymic and authoritarian) adapt to extreme conditions in opposite ways, when the action of extreme factors has an opposite effect on representatives of these character types. So, the influence of extreme factors on representatives of the hyperthymic type reduces their adaptive capabilities, and this influence on representatives of the authoritarian type increases their adaptive capabilities.
