The peer-reviewed, open-access journal Advances in Polar Science (APS) published Issue 35(4) in December 2024. This issue covers 8 papers, the titles and highlights of which are presented below. Please see more details via APS website: https://aps.chinare.org.cn.

Picture: CoverofIssue·35(4)

(1) Arctic economy transformation: a prospective from blue economy, natural resources, technology innovation and international partnerships

The Arctic region, once perceived solely through the lens of climate and environment, is now emerging as a vibrant hub of dynamic business opportunities in the context of a bit more rapid climate change than expected. This paper explores the profound transformation underway in Arctic economies, fueled by natural resources, technological solutions, and international partnerships that respect and benefit the Arctic Indigenous peoples.

Citation: Frederiksen M Q. Arctic economy transformation: a prospective from blue economy, natural resources, technology innovation and international partnerships. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 401-404, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0032

 (2) Impacts of  lead and mercury on reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) meat food safety: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This review aims to consolidate information about (1) Pb and Hg concentrations in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) meat from different Arctic regions and the factors affecting the concentrations and (2) the effects of Pb and Hg on human health in the Arctic. A total of 3614 publications from January 1980 to November 2023 were scrutinized. Thirty-four relevant studies from Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Norway, Russia (covering six high latitude regions), Sweden, and the USA were selected for synthesis. The highest Hg concentrations in reindeer meat from Arctic regions were found in samples from Alaska (USA), Canada, Greenland (Denmark), the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Russia), and Sweden, and the highest Pb concentrations were found in samples from Greenland, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Russia), Norway, and the Taimyr Peninsula (Russia). The Pb and Hg concentrations in reindeer meat from Finland and the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Russia) were relatively low. The results indicated that extractive industries in Arctic regions are important sources of toxic metals such as Pb and Hg in reindeer meat.

Citation: Andronov S V, Lobanov A A, Bogdanova E N, et al. Impacts of the toxic heavy metals lead and mercury on reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) meat food safety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 405-420, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0020

(3) Characteristics of Antarctic aerosol composition during the Australian fires of 2019–2020

Biomass burning play an important role in the climate. It is essential to study the effect of biomass burning in the Antarctica to predict climate change. Some studies suggest that Australia biomass burning do influence the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere. To evaluate the impact of the Australia biomass burning on the Antarctic, we analyzed chemical compositions in Ross sea aerosol samples collected in 2019–2020 to investigate the potential impact of biomass burning of the Australian fires. We detected high concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻, as well as levoglucosan and its isomers in the samples, suggesting that the samples were influenced by both marine and biomass burning sources, with Australia as a likely origin of the latter. Furthermore, this biomass burning has the potential to exert both warming effects on the Ross Sea atmosphere and cooling effects on its surface.

Citation: Chen A F, Wang L Q, Liu H W, et al. Characteristics of Antarctic aerosol composition during the Australian fires of 2019–2020. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 421-437, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0023

(4) The enhanced synoptic variation in sea ice over Pacific sector of Arctic Ocean during summer half year

This study investigates the Arctic sea ice variation on the synoptic time scale during the summer half year based on a regional daily sea ice concentration tendency index during 1979–2021. Results indicate an enhancement in amplitude of synoptic sea ice concentration variation along the sea ice edge over the Pacific Arctic Ocean. Most synoptic severe sea ice variations occur for a single day or 2–3 d, typically starting after mid-June and ending in mid-November over Beaufort-Chukchi seas. However, there is a clear shift in ending time over the East Siberian-Laptev seas from early October to early November. Further analysis suggests that wind-driven sea ice drift may significantly contribute to the amplification of synoptic sea ice variation. This result contributes to our understanding of regional Arctic sea ice predictability, particularly in relation to the Arctic northeast shipping passage.

Citation: Li Y J, Jiang Z N, Dai G K, et al. The enhanced synoptic variation in sea ice over Pacific Sector of Arctic Ocean during summer half year. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 438-448, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0003

(5) Atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury in the Arctic: role of long-range transport and sea ice

The change in gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) at Arctic Svalbard Archipelago during January, February and October in 2010 was dominated by long-range transported anthropogenic emissions, and the main sources were unintentional industrial sources (49%), stationary combustion sources (33%), and intentional use and product waste-associated sectors (18%). Europe was the important source region for atmospheric GEM at Arctic Svalbard Archipelago during January, February and October in 2010. Sea ice concentration was an important factor affecting GEM at Arctic Alert region during the summer of 2010.

Citation: Qiu Y, Yue F G, Jiang B, et al. Atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury in the Arctic: role of long-range transport and sea ice. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 449-458, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2023.0009

(6) Sustainable observations of landfast sea ice in the cryosphere: a case study at the Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea, North China

A small landfast sea ice monitoring program has been carried out for four consecutive seasons at Jiangjunshi Port, analyzing the temperature and salinity of air, ice and ocean and discussing the influence on mechanical properties. The effect of air temperature on sea ice temperature is focused. During low-temperature periods, the maximum correlation coefficient between air temperature and ice temperature, along with temperature fluctuation within ice, decreases as ice depth increases. Ice salinity was measured using ice core sampling and ice crumb sampling, with ice crumb salinity twice larger compared to ice core sampling when the ice temperature is ‒3℃. Ice salinity variations with ice temperature and the salinity profiles were fitted. Analysis of the profiles of under-ice seawater salinity reveals the presence of a high-salinity layer near the bottom of sea ice during the initial stage of sea ice growth. Based on the dynamic changes in sea ice temperature and sea ice salinity, this study evaluates the mechanical properties of sea ice, with the fitting determination coefficients of the obtained parameterized formulas significantly better than those reported in current research.

Citation: Ma Y X, Wang Q K, Liu X Q, et al. Sustainable observations of landfast sea ice in the cryosphere: a case study at the Liaodong Bay, Bohai Sea, North China. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 459-472, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0022

(7) Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement: China’s role and implications for sustainable Arctic governance.

The opening of the Arctic Ocean has prompted the signing of the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (CAOF Agreement) by 10 parties, including the five Arctic coastal states and the world’s leading distant-water fishing states. Since 2015, China has actively participated in the negotiation and implementation of the CAOF Agreement. This research analyzes the background and progressiveness of the CAOF Agreement and examines the responsibility that all state parties share concerning the sustainable use of marine living resources in the Central Arctic Ocean. It reviews China’s interests and engagement in the Arctic region, with particular attention to the participation in the CAOF Agreement. The article concludes by discussing China’s role and implications for sustainable Arctic governance and its broader implications for evolving international environmental and ocean governance.

Citation: Shan Y Y, Lin H. Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement: China’s role and implications for sustainable Arctic governance. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 473-481, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0021

（8）Autonomous ice-core drilling system based on polar rover

The harsh and remote environments of polar regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctica, pose significant challenges for scientific exploration, particularly in ice sampling. Extreme conditions, including low temperatures, ice, snow, and natural obstacles, make access to these areas difficult. However, ice sampling from glaciers, ice sheets, and icebergs is critical for scientific research, necessitating the development of specialized equipment. Unmanned ice-drilling systems offer a promising solution by enabling safe and efficient ice core sample collection in remote locations. Advances in extraterrestrial ice-drilling technology have inspired the development of automated drilling systems for Earth’s polar regions, with recent efforts focusing on lightweight, electric or solar-powered rovers which can tow or mount drilling systems. This paper introduces the concept of a robotic drilling system designed at Jilin University, China, for shallow drilling operations from an unmanned polar rover, highlighting its design and operational features.

Citation: Sysoev M A, Talalay P G, Fan X P, et al. Autonomous ice-core drilling system based on polar rover. Adv Polar Sci, 2024, 35(4): 482-486, doi: 10.12429/j.advps.2024.0034