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Participation of Employees and Students of the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography in Polar Research

Pasik M., Adamek A., Rajner M., Kurczyński Z., Pachuta A., Woźniak M., Bylina P., Próchniewicz D.

Reports on Geodesy and Geoinformatics

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2016

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Vol. 100

235--252

EN

This year the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology celebrates its 95th jubilee, which provides an opportunity to present the Faculty’s rich traditions in polar research. Employees and students of the faculty for almost 60 years have taken part in research expeditions to the polar circle. The article presents various studies typical of geodesy and cartography, as well as miscellany of possible measurement applications and geodetic techniques used to support interdisciplinary research. Wide range of geodetic techniques used in polar studies includes classic angular and linear surveys, photogrammetric techniques, gravimetric measurements, GNSS satellite techniques and satellite imaging. Those measurements were applied in glaciological, geological, geodynamic, botanical researches as well as in cartographic studies. Often they were used in activities aiming to ensure continuous functioning of Polish research stations on both hemispheres. This study is a short overview of thematic scope and selected research results conducted by our employees and students.

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Dzieje polskich badań botanicznych i mykologicznych lądowych obszarów Antarktyki i Subantarktyki

Köhler P., Olech M.

Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki

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2011

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R. 56, nr 1

67-109

EN

The work includes a description of the period from the moment of setting up Polish Polar Station on King George Island (1977) to the end of International Polar Year IV in 2009. Researches on flower plants focused, among others, on plants' morphology, morphological composition of the pollen and anatomical ultra-structure of the leaves. There were also carried out biochemical and other searches for the internal mutability. Within physiological studies one concentrated on the problem of reaction to temperature stress. Biological researches focused mainly on solving taxonomic and bio-geographic problems. Finally, were published several monographs and, among others, the first in history complete description of moss` flora of the whole of Antarctic (2008). Research works over algae included also such issues as floristics, bio-geography, taxonomy and ecology (for instance, (the rookery's impact on distribution of algae, or the influence of inanimate factors on dynamics of condensing the Diatoma in different water and soil-bound tanks). Up till now, within mycological investigations has been identified a variety of lichen fungi that for the most part of Antarctic are a novelty. There were scientifically described new for science genera and species of Western Antarctic. Lichenological studies were made in the field of taxonomy, geography, lichenometry, biochemistry of lichens, lichenoindication, ecophysiology and from the point of analysis of base metals' content. There were also described new for science species. Since 1991, were published the results of searches for the base metals' content and vestigial chemical elements in lichens' thallus. Ecophysiological researches concerned both micro-climatic conditions' impact on primary production and lichens' adaptation to a very cold climate. One discovered a mechanism of two-phase hydratization/dehydratization of lichens' thallus. On the ground of palaeobotanical analyzes was reconstructed a development of flora in Western Antarctic from the late Cretaceous period to the beginning of Melville's continental glaciation. One singled out three floristic stages and were reconstructed their peculiarities in the development of flora. There was also described an early Jurassic flora of Hope Bay (Półwysep Antarktyczny - Antarctic Peninsula) that turned out to be the richest Jurassic flora in the world. From that point of view were analyzed new species of mineral plants. Ecological researches concentrated on the problems connected with several issues and, among others, with the processes of settlement and succession, distribution and ecology of land biotopes, changes in their spatial structure, and state of biotopes' biological mass. The second group of issues concerned the anthropogenous impacts. One also analyzed early stages of synanthropization of flora. Another important issue was recognizing an extent of the pollution of the environment, particularly with base metals. In the years 1977-2009 were published, at least, 426 notes, articles and monographs that were a result of botanical and mycological researches on sheets of land of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic,

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Wiatry huraganowe w 2008 roku w Zatoce Admiralicji, Wyspa Króla Jerzego, Antarktyda Zachodnia

Wierzbicki G.

Przegląd Naukowy Inżynieria i Kształtowanie Środowiska

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2009

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Vol. 18, No. 2

47--55

PL

Na podstawie obserwacji meteorologicznych prowadzonych przez autora na Polskiej Stacji Antarktycznej Arctowski w okresie od 22 marca do 31 grudnia 2008 stwierdzono zjawisko wiatrów huraganowych, które zostały zanotowane we wszystkich miesiącach badanego okresu - łącznie w ciągu 72 dni. Porównanie ze starszymi danymi meteorologicznymi ze stacji Arctowski i z brazylijskiej stacji Ferraz pozwoliło na stwierdzenie, że sytuacja taka pojawiła się trzeci raz w historii obserwacji meteorologicznych w Zatoce Admiralicji. Wiatry we wrześniu 2008 roku osiągnęły najwyższą prędkość zanotowaną kiedykolwiek w tym rejonie: prędkość maksymalna 80 m/s, prędkość średnia w terminie obserwacji 32 m/s. Analiza map synoptycznych dowiodła, że 49% przypadków wiatrów huraganowych było związane z przejściem frontu chłodnego, a 29% przypadków z wysokim gradientem ciśnienia w układzie niżowym. Porównanie maksymalnych prędkości wiatru na stacji Arctowski i Ferraz uwypukla istotną rolę rzeźby Wyspy Króla Jerzego i lokalizacji punktów pomiarowych dla struktury wiatrów wewnątrz Zatoki Admiralicji. Wiatry huraganowe w 2008 roku utrudniały utrzymanie stacji badawczych w Zatoce Admiralicji i stanowiły istotny czynnik przyspieszający ablację lodowców Antarktyki Zachodniej.

EN

Meteorological data collected by the author at Arctowski station from March to December 2008 revealed 72 days with hurricane winds in the Admiralty Bay. The results were compared with synoptic maps, wind data from Ferraz station and older data from Arctowski station. Winds in September 2008 reached the highest velocities (mean 32.0 m·s-1, gusts 80 m·s-1) ever measured in Admiralty Bay. 49% events of hurricane winds occurred while cold fronts were passing. Topography of King George Island affects winds distribution inside the bay. Hurricane winds accelerate ablation of glaciers on King George Island and cause serious problems for fieldwork and maintaining of research stations in Antarctica.

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Trace elements concentrations in selected moss and lichen species collected within Antarctic research stations

Osyczka Piotr, Dutkiewicz Erazm M., Olech Maria

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2007

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Vol. 55, nr 1

39-48

EN

The Antarctic region has been considered as a region the least exposed to the pollution. However, increase of human activities at the research stations, transportation and tourism threaten the natural environment of this region. The paper reports the contents of selected trace elements in lichen and moss samples collected in the interior parts of several Antarctic research stations located on King George Island (South Shetlands, maritime Antarctica). Lichens and mosses are particularly sensitive to anthropogenic environmental changes, especially to air pollution. Moss Sanionia uncinata and lichens - Usnea antarctica and Usnea aurantiaco-atra were chosen as bioindicators. The amount of ten trace metals (vanadium, chromium, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, rubidium, strontium, yttrium, and cadmium) and bromine was measured in thalli using the analytical PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) method. The results obtained for the samples originating from research stations were compared with the data obtained for the samples of same species collected in the area distant from any human activities. For the samples from Antarctic stations the average contents of trace elements (in [micro]g g[^-1] d.w., mean [plus or minus] SD) were as follows: S. uncinata - V 27 [plus or minus] 22, Cr 7 [plus or minus] 2, Mn 256 [plus or minus] 95, Cu 11 [plus or minus] 3, Zn 33 [plus or minus] 4, Pb 9 [plus or minus] 6, Br 40 [plus or minus] 22, Rb 14 [plus or minus] 11, Sr 69 [plus or minus] 25; U. antarctica - V 28 [plus or minus] 31, Cr 3 [plus or minus] 1, Mn 53 [plus or minus] 18, Cu 10 [plus or minus] 4, Zn 30 [plus or minus] 1, Pb 2 [plus or minus] 1, Br 40 [plus or minus] 16, Sr 18 [plus or minus] 4, Y 4 [plus or minus] 2; U. aurantiaco-atra - V 7 [plus or minus] 6, Cr 6 [plus or minus] 3, Mn 59 [plus or minus] 35, Cu 66 [plus or minus] 33, Zn 27 [plus or minus] 5, Pb 5 [plus or minus] 1, Br 30 [plus or minus] 15, Sr 32 [plus or minus] 20, Y 3 [plus or minus]3. The average concentrations of Cr, Mn and Pb in all samples from research stations demonstrated significant differences in relation to the reference material. The maximal concentrations of measured elements obtained in the samples from potentially polluted areas were as a rule much higher ([similar to] 120-3800%) in comparison with the concentrations in the control group. This observation is especially worrying. These results point out that the human influence on the Antarctic environment may be negative and indicate the necessity for pollution monitoring programmes in the region. This research is a part of biomonitoring recommended by SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research).

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Uwarunkowania klimatyczne aktywności geomorficznej, Wyspa Króla Jerzego, Szetlandy Południowe

Zwoliński Z.

Problemy Klimatologii Polarnej

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2002

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nr 12

33-63

EN

The paper presents the proposal of a method for an indirect evaluation of geomorphic activity on ice-free areas on King George Island (South Shetlands, West Antarctica) through analysis of climatic conditions affecting the mobility of mineral matter. It was assumed that weather conditions affected the movement of mineral matter, which in turn determined geomorphic activity on ice-free areas, which currently occupy over 25 km2 of Admiralty Bay. On the basis of encoded values of six variables: air temperature, wind speed, rainfall, sunshine, ground temperature, and thickness of snow cover, diurnal types of the efficiency of mineral matter circulation were determined which were then clustered using the k-means method. After the cumulation of results for 7-day periods, a total of 59 homogeneous periods were obtained characterised by diurnal types of geomorphic activity (1, 2 and 3) in the observation period from April 10, 1990 to January 13, 1994. The summer season is a period with a high efficiency of mineral matter circulation and geomorphic activity, while winter time is one with a low efficiency of mineral matter circulation and geomorphic activity. Periods with an average efficiency of mineral matter circulation and geomorphic activity correspond to ascending and descending transition times. It is possible to associate the descending period with the autumn season in the temperate zone, while the ascending period, with spring-time.

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Zjawiska lodowe na Zatoce Admiralicji w roku 1999 (Wyspa Króla Jerzego, Szetlandy Południowe)

Zblewski S.

Problemy Klimatologii Polarnej

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2001

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nr 11

113-120

EN

In 1999 hydrometeorological observations were carried out at H. Arctowski Station. Ice phenomena in the Admiralty Bay and in the visible neighbouring area of the Bransfield Strait were, among others, the subject of these observations. The Admiralty Bay is a typical fjord and is the biggest bay in the Southern Shetlands archipelago, covering 122.08 km2. Winter ice cover formation of this area varies in different years. Once every 4-5 years the waters of the Bay do not freeze and the ice observed there originates from the Bransfield Strait. During the whole year glacial ice (brash ice, growlers, bergy bits and icebergs) originating from local sources and from other sea areas can be observed in the Admiralty Bay. In 1999 the process of the ice cover formation was characterised by variability both in time and space. During the observational period floating ice formed ice fields of different shapes and concentration. Brash ice and growlers often covered the weatter shore during high tidal waters. The icebergs in the said period are mainly observed at the entrance of the Bay (in the region of the Syrezol Rocks) less frequently inside the Bay. They usually drifted in the axial part of the Bay hardly ever reaching its central part. The autochthonous sea ice formed only near the shore and during the whole year it was the inflowing ice which was predominant. First forms of new ice in the waters of the Admiralty Bay occurred in the second decade of June. These forms were initial stage forms (frazil ice and grease ice) which never changed into more advanced form of sea ice. At the end of June the process of ice inflow from the Bransfield Strait started. The allochthonous ice reached mainly the axial and central parts of the Bay, however there were few cases noted in which the ice reached the auxiliary bays. The observations showed that the character of the main features of the winter sea ice cover of the Admiralty Bay was predominantly influenced by wind and ice conditions of the Bransfield Strait. In 1999 the Admiralty Bay was not covered by consolidated ice but by drifting ice which changed its position and edge very quickly. The course of ice phenomena in winter season 1999 had a mild character and according to Kruszewski's categories (1999) defining the ice conditions in the Admiralty Bay may be classed as number one.

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Procesy deglacjacji na obszarze SSSI No. 8 i ich uwarunkowania klimatyczne oraz hydrologiczne (Zatoka Admiracji, Wyspa Króla Jerzego, Szetlandy Południowe)

Battke Z., Marsz A. A., Pudełko R.

Problemy Klimatologii Polarnej

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2001

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nr 11

121-135

EN

This work deals with the processes of deglaciation occurring in the region of SSSI No 8 (Site of Special Scientific Interests No 8) located on the western coast of the in the vicinity of Polish H. Arctowski Station over the period 1979-1999. The location of the SSSI is shown in Fig. 1. The basis of this work is comparison between the category of the surface of the area on the charts from 1979 (Furmańczyk & Marsz, 1980) and on the chart from 1986 (Battke, 1990) and the ground measurements carried out in that area in 1999 (Battke & Pudełko, unpubl.). The categories of area were computed on maps with the help of a planimeter: - glaciated areas, - non-glaciated areas (formed by mineral grounds), - sea areas. The accuracy of total measurements of the area is not lower than about 0.2 km2. The results of cartometric measurements are given in Table 1. Over the period 1979-1999 the area of SSSI decreased by 0.86 km2 as an effect of regression of icy cliffs both of Ecology and Baranowski Glaciers and due to accompanied abrasion process. At the same time the glaciated area within the borders of SSSI decreased by 6.93 km2 and the ice free area increased by 6.08 km2. In this way the mean rate of deglaciation of the 21-year period reaches about 0.33 km2 per year. Over the 21-year period the ice free area within the borders of SSSI incresed three times (from 2.98 km2 to 9.06 km2) which results in various consequences on the physico-geographical and biological prosesses in the region of the Admiralty Bay. In the period 1978-1986 the processes of deglaciation observed north of SSSI in the region of Ecology Glacier were faster than in other regions. Over the period 1986-1999 much faster decrease in the glaciated area was noted in the south of the area, in the region of Baranowski Glacier and Tower Glacier spatial changes are presented in Fig. 2. The analysis of reasons having influence on so advance processes of deglaciation indicated to two factors i.e. climatic and hydrological that are both responsible for the process. Over the period 1978-1998 in region of the Admiralty Bay the increase in air temperature during the Antarctic summer (period December - February; trend +0.022°C/year, statistically not significant) was noted. At the same time the period in which ablation was observed (warmer November and March) was longer. The annual sums of precipitation in the same period indicate to the presence of statistically significant negative trend (-5.7 mm/year, p < 0.005). This resulted in the change in the glacier mass balance at the level 2 m. above sea level: from -115 g/cm2/year in 1979 to -146 g/cm2/year in 1998 (Fig. 3). The evaluated trend of change in mass balance is -1.56 g/cm2/year and is not statistically significant. The period during which sea ice cover is not observed also lasts longer and the ice conditions there became visibly milder. This enables the thermal abrasion to last longer and causes more active regression of ice cliffs. On the shore of the Bransfield Strait, between the Admiralty Bay and the Maxwell Bay entrance a deep cove was formed in the ice coast over the period 1985-1988. This resulted in the increase in inclination of the southern slopes of ice forming the Warszawa Ice cap and forced the volume of ice flowing towards the Bransfield Strait to increase. In this way the volume of ice flowing down the Warszawa Ice Cap eastward, to SSSI No. 8 area, decreased. The explanation of reasons responsible for the ice conditions becoming milder can be found in large scale changes in sea surface temperature of the Southern Ocean of the sea area located West of the Antarctic Peninsula (a strong positive trend SST is marked in the period from October to January; in December +0.058°C/year) and in changes in atmospheric circulation. Both these factors, i.e. the increase in the negative values of the ice masses balance and the decrease in the volume of ice flowing down on the SSSI No. 8 area act in the same direction, causing that the deglaciation process in that region occurs in an exceptionally intensive way. Due to such great intensity of the deglaciation processes occurring on the surface of SSSI in that area, this area can be regarded as a unique object of ecological and environmental research.