Abstract: We present a reanalysis of several years of DIMM data at the site of Dome C, Antarctica, to provide measurements of the coherence time $\tau0$. Statistics and seasonal behaviour of $\tau0$ are given at two heights above the ground, 3m and 8m, for the wavelength $\lambda=500$nm. We found an annual median value of $2.9$ms at the height of 8m. A few measurements could also be obtained at the height of 20m and give a median value of 6ms during the period June--September. For the first time, we provide measurements of $\tau0$ in daytime during the summer, which appears to show the same time dependence as the seeing with a sharp maximum at 5pm local time. Exceptional values of $\tau0$ above 10ms are met at this particular moment. The continuous slow variations of turbulence conditions during the day offers a natural test bed for a solar adaptive optics system.

Abstract: The nitrogen stable isotopic composition in nitrate (δ15N-NO−3) measured in ice cores from low-snow-accumulation regions in East Antarctica has the potential to provide constraints on past ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thereby total column ozone (TCO) due to the sensitivity of nitrate (NO−3) photolysis to UV radiation. However, understanding the transfer of reactive nitrogen at the air–snow interface in polar regions is paramount for the interpretation of ice core records of δ15N-NO−3 and NO−3 mass concentrations. As NO−3 undergoes a number of post-depositional processes before it is archived in ice cores, site-specific observations of δ15N-NO−3 and air–snow transfer modelling are necessary to understand and quantify the complex photochemical processes at play. As part of the Isotopic Constraints on Past Ozone Layer Thickness in Polar Ice (ISOL-ICE) project, we report new measurements of NO−3 mass concentration and δ15N-NO−3 in the atmosphere, skin layer (operationally defined as the top 5 mm of the snowpack), and snow pit depth profiles at Kohnen Station, Dronning Maud Land (DML), Antarctica. We compare the results to previous studies and new data, presented here, from Dome C on the East Antarctic Plateau. Additionally, we apply the conceptual 1D model of TRansfer of Atmospheric Nitrate Stable Isotopes To the Snow (TRANSITS) to assess the impact of NO−3 recycling on δ15N-NO−3 and NO−3 mass concentrations archived in snow and firn. We find clear evidence of NO−3 photolysis at DML and confirmation of previous theoretical, field, and laboratory studies that UV photolysis is driving NO−3 recycling and redistribution at DML. Firstly, strong denitrification of the snowpack is observed through the δ15N-NO−3 signature, which evolves from the enriched snowpack (−3 ‰ to 100 ‰), to the skin layer (−20 ‰ to 3 ‰), to the depleted atmosphere (−50 ‰ to −20 ‰), corresponding to mass loss of NO−3 from the snowpack. Based on the TRANSITS model, we find that NO−3 is recycled two times, on average, before it is archived in the snowpack below 15 cm and within 0.75 years (i.e. below the photic zone). Mean annual archived δ15N-NO−3 and NO−3 mass concentration values are 50 ‰ and 60 ng g−1, respectively, at the DML site. We report an e-folding depth (light attenuation) of 2–5 cm for the DML site, which is considerably lower than Dome C. A reduced photolytic loss of NO−3 at DML results in less enrichment of δ15N-NO−3 than at Dome C mainly due to the shallower e-folding depth but also due to the higher snow accumulation rate based on TRANSITS-modelled sensitivities. Even at a relatively low snow accumulation rate of 6 cm yr−1 (water equivalent; w.e.), the snow accumulation rate at DML is great enough to preserve the seasonal cycle of NO−3 mass concentration and δ15N-NO−3, in contrast to Dome C where the depth profiles are smoothed due to longer exposure of surface snow layers to incoming UV radiation before burial. TRANSITS sensitivity analysis of δ15N-NO−3 at DML highlights that the dominant factors controlling the archived δ15N-NO−3 signature are the e-folding depth and snow accumulation rate, with a smaller role from changes in the snowfall timing and TCO. Mean TRANSITS model sensitivities of archived δ15N-NO−3 at the DML site are 100 ‰ for an e-folding depth change of 8 cm, 110 ‰ for an annual snow accumulation rate change of 8.5 cm yr−1 w.e., 10 ‰ for a change in the dominant snow deposition season between winter and summer, and 10 ‰ for a TCO change of 100 DU (Dobson units). Here we set the framework for the interpretation of a 1000-year ice core record of δ15N-NO−3 from DML. Ice core δ15N-NO−3 records at DML will be less sensitive to changes in UV than at Dome C; however the higher snow accumulation rate and more accurate dating at DML allows for higher-resolution δ15N-NO−3 records.

Abstract: The geothermal heat flux (GHF) is an important boundary condition for modeling the movement of the Antarctic ice sheet but is difficult to measure systematically at a continental scale. Earlier GHF maps suffer from low resolution and possibly biased assumptions in tectonism and crustal heat generation, resulting in significant uncertainty. We present a new GHF map for Antarctica constructed by empirically relating the upper mantle structure to known GHF in the continental United States. The new map, compared with previously seismologically determined one, has improved resolution and lower uncertainties. New features in this map include high GHF in the southern Transantarctic Mountains where warmer uppermost mantle is introduced by lithospheric removal and in the Thwaites Glacier region. Additionally, a modest GHF in the central West Antarctic Rift system near the Siple Coast and an absence of large-scale regions with GHF greater than 90 mW/m2 are found.

Abstract: Data of continuous records of low-frequency (periods from 2 to 1,000 min) seismic noise on a global network of 229 broadband stations located around the world for 23 years, 1997–2019, are analyzed. The daily values of the entropy of the distribution of the squares of the orthogonal wavelet coefficients are considered as an informative characteristic of noise. An auxiliary network of 50 reference points is introduced, the positions of which are determined from the clustering of station positions. For each reference point, a time series is calculated, consisting of 8,400 samples with a time step of 1 day, the values of which are determined as the medians of the entropy values at the five nearest stations that are operable during the given day. The introduction of a system of reference points makes it possible to estimate temporal and spatial changes in the correlation of noise entropy values around the world. Estimation in an annual sliding time window revealed a time interval from mid-2002 to mid-2003, when there was an abrupt change in the properties of global noise and an intensive increase in both average entropy correlations and spatial correlation scales began. This trend continues until the end of 2019, and it is interpreted as a feature of seismic noise which is connected with an increase in the intensity of the strongest earthquakes, which began with the Sumatran mega-earthquake of December 26, 2004 (M = 9.3). The values of the correlation function between the logarithm of the released seismic energy and the bursts of coherence between length of day and the entropy of seismic noise in the annual time window indicate the delay in the release of seismic energy relative to the coherence maxima. This lag is interpreted as a manifestation of the triggering effect of the irregular rotation of the Earth on the increase in global seismic hazard.

Abstract: For the past 15 years, our research has focused on the evolution of the first Yakut populations, their interaction with local tribes as well as with the Russian population, which marks the beginning of Yakutia's development from the first half of the 17th century. We conducted the excavation of tombs and we analysed the cultural, historical and paleogenetic data uncovered. A review and a synthesis of the main results published in articles and monographs informs our research directions for the future.