Abstract: The non-breeding period plays a major role in seabird survival and population dynamics. However, our understanding of the migratory behaviour, moulting and feeding strategies of non-breeding seabirds is still very limited, especially for small-sized species. The present study investigated the post-breeding behaviour of three distant populations (Kerguelen Archipelago, southeastern Australia, New Zealand) of the common diving petrel (CDP) (Pelecanoides urinatrix), an abundant, widely distributed zooplanktivorous seabird breeding throughout the southern Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. The timing, geographical destination and activity pattern of birds were quantified through geolocator deployments during the post-breeding migration, while moult pattern of body feathers was investigated using stable isotope analysis. Despite the high energetic cost of flapping flight, all the individuals quickly travelled long distances (greater than approx. 2500 km) after the end of the breeding season, targeting oceanic frontal systems. The three populations, however, clearly diverged spatially (migration pathways and destinations), and temporally (timing and duration) in their post-breeding movements, as well as in their period of moult. Philopatry to distantly separated breeding grounds, different breeding phenologies and distinct post-breeding destinations suggest that the CDP populations have a high potential for isolation, and hence, speciation. These results contribute to improving knowledge of ecological divergence and evolution between populations, and inform the challenges of conserving migratory species.

Abstract: Introduction: Ultracarbonaceous Antarctic Micrometeorites (UCAMMS) are extraterrestrial dust particles containing large amount of carbonaceous material with elevated D/H ratios [1] and high N/C atomic ratio (up to 0.2)[2]. UCAMMS are rare (~ 1% of the particles in the Concordia meteorite collection) but they have been identified in several collection of interplanetary dust [3, 4]. They are most probably of cometary origin. Here, we studied the association of organic matter and minerals by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM-XANES) coupled with scanning transmission electronic microscopy (TEM/STEM). Samples and Methods: The UCAMMs studied here were collected in the Antarctic snow, close to the Concordia station at Dome C [3]. FIB sections of 8 UCAMMs (DC06-18, DC06-41, DC06-43, DC06-65, DC06-308, DC06-139, DC16-30, DC16-309) were analyzed using synchrotron based STXM-XANES at the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen K-edges. The FIB sections were subsequently analyzed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM) using a FEI Tecnai G2 20 and a FEI TITAN Themis 300 [5, 6]. Peak identification of STXM-XANES spectra are based on [7]. XANES spectra are processed and quantified using Quantorxs method [8] and quantification of STEM EDS spectra has been realized using Hyperspy software [9]. Here, we mainly present results obtained on two recently identified UCAMMs (DC06-308 and DC16-309) and compare them with previous observations [1, 5, 6]. Results: The STXM-XANES analysis reveals 3 types of organic matter (OM) characterized by different carbon speciation. Figure 1 shows type I OM in blue and type II OM in green, both having spectra close to that of chondritic insoluble organic matter (IOM). The main peaks of type I and II OMs are found around 284.8 eV (aromatic and olefinic groups (C=C)), 286.4 eV (ketone and phenol C=O) and 288.4 eV (carboxyl O=C-O). Type II OM exhibits similar functional groups as type I OM but the first peak position is shifted to 285 eV, indicating a stronger contribution of the aromatic groups. The atomic N/C ratio of types I/II OMs range between 0.01 and 0.05 (1σ=0.02) similar to those of chondritic IOM. The type III, in red on Figure 1 exhibits larger differences. The main peak is at 286.4 eV (C≡N nitrile), a small peak at 284.8 eV (alkene

Abstract: High southern latitude regions present specificities that are highly relevant for studying the climate in connection with the atmospheric chemistry. Contrary to regions of the rest of the world, Antarctica is still considered as a pristine environment not yet influenced by predominant anthropogenic emissions (with the notable exceptions of GHG) and thus represents the last continental-size natural laboratory. Polar snow-air-radiation interactions and the specific oxidant character of the polar atmosphere are key in order to decipher the right information buried in the ice and the current chemical stability of the polar atmosphere. Previous Antarctic campaigns have shown atmospheric similarities between the Antarctic Plateau (at Dome C, Concordia) and other regions. However, several differences are yet to be explained: the large NO2:NO ratios previously found in ambient air indicates the existence of an unknown source of NO2 above the Antarctic Plateau. These observations question either the reliability of previous measurements or the lack of our understanding of the NOx chemistry. Novel optical instruments based on the incoherent broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy technique (IBBCEAS) were developed. The instruments can measure simultaneously NO2, NOx and NO with detection limits of 11, 10 and 21 ppt, respectively (1σ) within 22 minutes of measurements. The two compact and transportable instruments were deployed during the 2019/20 Dome C summer campaign. Atmospheric measurements together with flux chamber experiments were performed for determining the snowpack NOx emissions and the NO2:NO ratio. The observations seem to differ from the conclusions of the previous Antarctic campaigns. Assuming steady state and maximum radiations, the theoretical NO2:NO ratio from the period observed in December was calculated to be 0.38 ± 0.15 and 0.31 ± 0.12 in January. The instruments measured a ratio close to steady state in December (0.25 ± 0.25) while the ratio observed in January (1.248 ± 0.792) indicates the presence of a strong NO oxidant or an unknown source of NO2. Flux chamber experiments on different types of snow were done during this campaign, and the results will help deepen our knowledge of Antarctic atmospheric chemistry.

Abstract: Baffin Bay, located at the Arctic Ocean’s ‘doorstep’, is a heterogeneous environment where a warm and salty eastern current flows northwards in the opposite direction of a cold and relatively fresh Arctic current flowing along the west coast of the bay. This circulation affects the physical and biogeochemical environment on both sides of the bay. The phytoplanktonic species composition is driven by its environment and, in turn, shapes carbon transfer through the planktonic food web. This study aims at determining the effects of such contrasting environments on ecosystem structure and functioning and the consequences for the carbon cycle. Ecological indices calculated from food web flow values provide ecosystem properties that are not accessible by direct in situ measurement. From new biological data gathered during the Green Edge project, we built a planktonic food web model for each side of Baffin Bay, considering several biological processes involved in the carbon cycle, notably in the gravitational, lipid, and microbial carbon pumps. Missing flow values were estimated by linear inverse modeling. Calculated ecological network analysis indices revealed significant differences in the functioning of each ecosystem. The eastern Baffin Bay food web presents a more specialized food web that constrains carbon through specific and efficient pathways, leading to segregation of the microbial loop from the classical grazing chain. In contrast, the western food web showed redundant and shorter pathways that caused a higher carbon export, especially via lipid and microbial pumps, and thus promoted carbon sequestration. Moreover, indirect effects resulting from bottom-up and top-down control impacted pairwise relations between species differently and led to the dominance of mutualism in the eastern food web. These differences in pairwise relations affect the dynamics and evolution of each food web and thus might lead to contrasting responses to ongoing climate change.