Newsletter - Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences

ISSUE 64

AABC - volume 95 Suppl. 3 2023

Nobody questions that Antarctica is one of the last frontiers on our planet! Despite being studied for a long time, our knowledge about various aspects of the frozen continent is still very limited. Perhaps some of the main reasons for this are the hostile weather conditions that scares away most scientists and the expensive operation to reach the region and return home safely. Everyone who has been there can confirm this. Even so, for most scientists, having been and being able to work in Antarctica is seen as a true privilege.

Despite these great challenges, there are several researchers around the world who make a great effort to study this region, trying to uncover various scientific aspects from past ecosystems and paleobiodiversity to how present anthropological activity has affected the region and what this will mean for the future of the planet. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I present, for the second consecutive year, another special issue of the Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (AABC) with several studies about this region! This special edition was coordinated by Jefferson Cardia Simões, Viviana Alder and Juliana Manso Sayão - they did a tremendous job for which I am immensely grateful!

In this issue, the reader will find several papers that address a wide variety of subjects in different areas of knowledge! As an example, two articles on paleontology were published here that show the first insect-plant interaction from the Cretaceous deposits of Nelson Island and new fossil remains of birds from Vega Island - both located at the Antarctic Peninsula. Other studies cover the glaciological balance on King George Island, an analysis of the soils under seal carcasses, the current state of the occurrence of microplastics on Antarctic beaches, the sea ice thickness in the Weddell Sea, the use of isotopic analysis on ice, and much more!

Please keep in mind that since 2000 all papers published by the AABC can be downloaded free of charge at the SciELO site and previous editions of the Newsletter are available at the ABC website.

We are now inviting you to scroll through the text and click on the title of the article that interests you! And advertise this issue to your colleagues!

Alexander W. A. Kellner
Editor-in-Chief

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

1- Aerosol optical properties over the South Atlantic and southern ocean during the 2010-2012 summer
seasons as part of the global maritime aerosol network

PAULA S. PEREIRA, ELAINE A. DOS SANTOS, HEITOR EVANGELISTA, NEWTON MAGALHAES & ALEXANDER SMIRNOV

At sites under direct influence of dust emitted by the Patagonian semi-desert, a debate exists on the potential fertilization effects of iron
enriched aerossol. Our data along the South American coast depicts a decrease southwards following the continental mainland extent. The
influence of the aerosols blown from Patagonia semi-desert region was clear from latitude 53⁰S to 64⁰S. Predominance of aerosol fine mode was observed in Central Atlantic and close to the Drake Passage. An unexpected aerosol corse mode predominance was found close
to the Antarctic Peninsula. We attribute that to weathering of rock outcrops due to the strong westerly winds in that region.

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MICROBIOLOGY

2- Insights into Antarctic microbiomes: diversity patterns for terrestrial and marine habitats

AMANDA G. BENDIA, JULIO CEZAR F. MOREIRA, JULIANA C.N. FERREIRA, RENATO G. ROMANO, IVAN G.C. FERREIRA, DIEGO C. FRANCO, HEITOR EVANGELISTA, ROSALINDA C. MONTONE & VIVIAN HELENA PELLIZARI

At sites under direct influence of dust emitted by the Patagonian semi-desert, a debate exists on the potential fertilization effects of iron
enriched aerossol. Our data along the South American coast depicts a decrease southwards following the continental mainland extent. The
influence of the aerosols blown from Patagonia semi-desert region was clear from latitude 53⁰S to 64⁰S. Predominance of aerosol fine mode was observed in Central Atlantic and close to the Drake Passage. An unexpected aerosol corse mode predominance was found close
to the Antarctic Peninsula. We attribute that to weathering of rock outcrops due to the strong westerly winds in that region.

 Read here

3- Biobank of fungi from marine and terrestrial Antarctic environments

VICTOR G. NARDO, IGOR V.R. OTERO, PATRICIA GIOVANELLA, JULIANA APARECIDA DOS SANTOS, ELISA P. PELLIZZER, DANIEL R. DOVIGO, EDUARDO C.P. PAES & LARA D. SETTE

Data from the present study revealed the presence of different fungal taxa (filamentous and yeasts) inhabiting the Antarctic marine and terrestrial environments. Some taxa were specifically found in marine samples and others, in the terrestrial ones. Representatives of many extremophilic genera and/or species related to those found in the CRM-UNESP biobank have demonstrated potential for application in different sectors of socio-economic relevance, highlighting the importance of their maintenance in culture collections (microbial biobanks) aligned with national and international regulations related to the preservation and distribution of biological material and associated data.

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ECOSYSTEMS

4- Glacier retreat effects on the distribution of benthic assemblages in Martel Inlet (Admiralty Bay, Antarctica)

MONICA A.V. PETTI, PAULA F. GHELLER, SANDRA BROMBERG, PAULO C. PAIVA, MICHEL M. MAHIQUES & THAIS N. CORBISIER

Glacier retreat caused by climate change has a significant impact on the benthic invertebrates in nearby areas. Understanding the
consequences of this process is crucial for evaluating potential environmental changes. We compared ten different areas in King George
Island (West Antarctic Peninsula), that were classified by their proximity to the ice-margin/coastline: marine-terminating glacier (MTG),
terrestrial-terminating glacier (TTG), and ice-free area (IFA). Our investigation revealed that the density and abundance of invertebrates
were notably higher at IFA stations. These findings were originally obtained 21 years ago, making them particularly valuable for
monitoring this impact on future surveys in this region.

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5- The use of sentinel-2 imagery to generate vegetations maps for the Northern Antarctic peninsula and offshore islands

ELIANA L. DA FONSECA, EDVAN C. DOS SANTOS, ANDERSON R. DE FIGUEIREDO & JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES

We used Sentinel-2 imagery time series to generate a vegetation map for the Northern part of the Antarctica Peninsula and the South Shetlands. The final map analyzed in association with the weather data shows the occurrence of a microenvironment over the western islands of the Antarctic Peninsula that provided vegetation growth conditions. The Sentinel-2 images with 10m spatial resolution allow the assembly of accurate vegetation distribution maps for the Antarctica Peninsula and Islands, the Google Earth Engine cloud computing being essential to process a large amount of the satellite images necessary for processing these maps.

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GEOSCIENCES

6- Exploratory evaluation of iron and its speciation in surface waters of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

SHEISA F.D. SIERPINSKI, LUIS MIGUEL LAGLERA BAQUER, CÉSAR C. MARTINS & MARCO TADEU GRASSI

Iron exerts a significant impact on marine photosynthesis with important implications for the carbon cycle, and determining its concentration in Antarctic regions is critical, especially because of the climate change. In this work we determined dissolved iron concentrations and its speciation in surface seawater coastline from Admiralty Bay, Antarctica. Relatively high concentrations of iron were quantified indicating a possible local source of it, that may be from upwelling sediments as well as from ice-melting waters. Concentrations found does not limit the growth of the phytoplankton.

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7- Impacts of the antartic ozone hole influence events over southern Brazil in October 2015

ALANNA M. DE SOUZA, LUCAS V. PERES, GABRIELA D. BITTENCOURT, DAMARIS K. PINHEIRO, BIBIANA C. LOPES, VAGNER ANABOR, NEUSA M.P. LEME, MARIA PAULETE P. MARTINS, RODRIGO DA SILVA, GABRIELA C.G. DOS REIS, MARCO ANTÔNIO G. DOS REIS, JOSÉ V. BAGESTON & HASSAN BENCHERIF

Antarctic Ozone Hole Influence over Southern Brazil in October 2015 impacts was analyzed using Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalysis data. The five identified events showed an -7,4±2,3% average TCO reduction, leading to an +16.6 ± 54.6% UVI increase even with a predominance of partly cloudy days. The most significant anomalies in ozone profiles occurred from 650 K at 850 K level. Ozone fields at 700 K show a polar origin tongue causing negatives anomalies between -0.2 and 0.4 ppmv in a transient frontal system passing through the Southern of Brazil.

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8- Sensitivity analysis of a King George Island outlet glacier, South Shetlands, Antarctica

THIAGO DIAS DOS SANTOS, MATHIEU MORLIGHEM, JEFFERSON CARDIA SIMÕES & PHILIPPE REMY BERNARD DEVLOO

The Lange glacier is a glacier situated in the Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Peninsula Antarctica. It retreated about 1 km since the 1950s. It is not clear whether this glacier has reached a new stable equilibrium or whether it is still adjusting to new climate conditions. By combining a numerical glacier model with satellite and in-situ observations, we investigate the sensitivity of Lange glacier to perturbations in flow parameters and snow accumulation. Our results suggest that the climate variability plays an important role on the glacier's dynamics, and that Lange is likely still adjusting to past perturbations.

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9- Aerobiology in High Latitudes: Evidence of Bacteria Acting as Tracer of Warm Air Mass Advection reaching Northern Antarctic Peninsula

MARCIO CATALDO, HEITOR EVANGELISTA, JOSÉ AUGUSTO A. PEREIRA, ÁLVARO LUIZ BERTHO, VIVIAN PELLIZARI, EMANUELE KUHN, MARCELO SAMPAIO, KENYA D. DA CUNHA, ALEXANDRE S. ALENCAR, DAFNE ANJOS & CESAR AMARAL

This manuscript presents evidence of microorganisms acting as tracers for air mass advection from Southern Patagonia to the Northern Antarctic Peninsula. Using geochemical tracers to monitor warm air mass origin in Antarctica has been common, but this study focuses on microorganisms deposited in fresh snow layers. The research combines atmospheric circulation data with microorganism content analysis in snow samples from two Antarctic Peninsula sites. Viable gram-positive bacteria were detected among dead and living cells, and their concentration was correlated with northern wind component, oxygen isotopes, and crustal element concentrations. Satellite images and air mass back-trajectory analysis support the findings, confirming microorganisms' role as indicators of air mass movement in the region.

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10- Historical line of airglow observations at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Station: measurements of temperature and studies on gravity waves

JOSÉ VALENTIN BAGESTON, CRISTIANO MAX WRASSE, GABRIEL AUGUSTO GIONGO, EMÍLIA CORREIA, COSME ALEXANDRE O.B. FIGUEIREDO, DELANO GOBBI, HISAO TAKAHASHI, PAULO P. BATISTA & RICARDO A.B. DA COSTA

Studies on the upper atmosphere (above ~80 km height), mainly related to thermal variability, winds and dynamic of waves, from small to large structures, have significantly advanced our comprehension on the climate change and the upper atmosphere's dynamics. Utilizing remote sensing techniques, such as photometers, CCD cameras and meteor radar, INPE has conducted experiments at the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station since 2001 to observe temperature fluctuations/variability, atmospheric gravity waves, tides, planetary waves. All the operated experiments along more than 20 years provided important observations that yielded fresh knowledge about the upper atmospheric temperature, dynamics, and their influence on climate change.

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11- Atmospheric circulation patterns associated with surface air temperature variability trends between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America

CAMILA B. CARPENEDO, DENILSON R. VIANA, CLÁUDIA K. PARISE, FRANCISCO E. AQUINO & RICARDO B. BRAGA

There are evidences of climate teleconnections between Antarctic Peninsula and South America continent, suggesting the need to better understand how climate variability, at high southern latitudes, is related to the lower latitude climate variability. We observed that in the last 42 years there has been a warming trend in northern Antarctic Peninsula and southern South America, related to the spatial pattern of the positive phase of Southern Annular Mode/ La Niña and to the strengthening and/or south/southwest displacement of the South Atlantic Subtropical High, which contributes to the strengthening of the convective activity of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone.

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12- Concentration and thickness of sea ice in the Weddell Sea from SSM/I passive microwave radiometer data

FERNANDO LUIS HILLEBRAND, MARCOS W.D. DE FREITAS, ULISSES F. BREMER, TALES C. ABRANTES, JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES, CLÁUDIO W. MENDES JÚNIOR, FREDERICO SCHARDONG & JORGE ARIGONY-NETO

This paper estimates sea ice concentration and sea ice thickness (SIT) in the Weddell Sea during the austral autumn and winter from 1992 to 2009 using passive microwave SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave Imager) data. Our findings reveal that SIT thickens to the south of the Weddell Sea, whereas a declining trend in SIT was observed along the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula during the analyzed period.

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13- Short-term glacier area changes, glacier geometry dependence, and regional climatic variations forcing, King George Island, Antarctica

JÚLIA L. LORENZ, KÁTIA K. DA ROSA, CARINA PETSCH, CLEIVA PERONDI, FILIPE D. IDALINO, JEFFREY DANIEL AUGER, ROSEMARY VIEIRA & JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES

This study investigates the transient snowline (TSL) altitude for summer 2020, as well as glacial area loss in King George Island Icefields since 1988 using satellite images. Trends and anomalies in atmospheric temperature were examined. 55% of the glacial area is located above the TSL. Glacial area for 2020 is 999.95 km², and losses in the period represent 104.9 km². Percentage area loss values increased with decreases in dimensions, area above TSL, and maximum elevation. Calving glaciers with ice-flow toward deeper and steeper submarine sectors exhibited greater glacier variations. The variations are influenced by climatic and ocean input.

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14- Ionic and stable isotopic content in two Antarctic firn cores under different environment settings

JOÃO G. ILHA, JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES, MANOELA B.P. PORTELLA, RONALDO T. BERNARDO, ISAÍAS U. THOEN & GINO CASASSA

The paper presents new chemical data for two firn cores drilled in two environmentally different sites in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The time covered by the cores is 25 years, ranging from 1978 to 2003 CE. The first, located near the South Pole at a high altitude, showed a lower precipitation rate compared to the second core located near to the coast. The inland core also presented more fractionation in its chemistry, differing from the coastal core which had more sea-salt like chemistry. No major volcanism signal was detected.

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15- Ocean-atmosphere turbulent CO2 fluxes at Drake Passage and Bransfield Strait

CELINA CÂNDIDA F. RODRIGUES, MARCELO F. SANTINI, LUCIANA S. LIMA, MYLENE J. CABRERA, ELIANA B. ROSA, UESLEI ADRIANO SUTIL, JONAS T. CARVALHO, JACOB W. BURNS & LUCIANO P. PEZZI

The Southern Ocean plays a major role in the global carbon dioxide (CO2) budget. This work aims to investigate the behavior of turbulent CO2 fluxes and quantify it under different atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the Drake Passage and Bransfield Strait regions. The Bransfield Strait uptaked 38.59% more CO2 than the Drake Passage due to the cold and fresh waters, allied to the influence of glacial meltwater dilution. The Drake Passage, on average, behaved as a CO2 sink, mainly due to physical characteristics. This research contributes to a better understanding of the Southern Ocean’s role in the global carbon balance.

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16- Biogeochemical and oceanographic conditions provide insights about current status of an Antarctic fjord affected by relatively slow glacial retreat

NATALIA VENTURINI, LUIS CERPA, NOELIA KANDRATAVICIUS, GASTÓN MANTA, BÁSLAVI CÓNDOR-LUJÁN, JENNIFER PEREIRA, RUBENS C.L. FIGUEIRA & PABLO MUNIZ

Understand the origin, transport, and character of organic matter entering Antarctic fjords is essential as they are major components of the global carbon cycle and budget. Bottom sediment samples were taken, during the ANTAR XXV Peruvian expedition (February 2018), onboard the R/V “BAP Carrasco”. The predominance of fresh marine protein-rich organic matter in the seafloor of Collins Bay denoting high quality food resource for marine benthic heterotrophs. Based on Igeo values (between 0 and 1) Collins Bay can be considered unpolluted with the deposition of detrital material and lithogenic particles supplied by Collins Glacier frontal ablation and runoff

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17-  Low numbers of large microplastics on environmentally-protected Antarctic beaches reveals no widespread contamination: insights into beach sedimentary dynamics

CAIK O. DE MIRANDA, CARLOS ERNESTO G.R. SCHAEFER, JOSÉ JOÃO L.L. DE SOUZA, LUCIANO M. GUIMARÃES, PAULO VICTOR S. MAIA & JULIANA A. IVAR DO SUL

Microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants in coastal ecosystems where they are influenced by sedimentary dynamics, and Antarctica is no exception. This study investigated microplastic pollution in beach sediments from two protected areas in Antarctica. Microplastics were scarce (> 0.5 mm; fibers excluded) – only one particle per sample in 4 of 15 samples – and no widespread contamination was found. The sediments were coarse, indicating high energy depositional environments that may not accumulate microplastics. Microplastic pollution in the Antarctic coastal environment is heterogeneous, and further research with systematic methods and detailed characterization of sampling sites are needed to better understand their distribution patterns.

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18-  Large-scale and regional climatic influences on surface temperature and precipitation in the South Shetland Islands, northern Antarctic Peninsula

CHRISTIAN TORRES, DENIZ BOZKURT & JORGE ARIGONY-NETO

In this study, we evaluated the different climatic control on temperature and precipitation seasonal and interannual variability using observed in-situ, reanalysis and modelling datasets over the northern Antarctic Peninsula. The results reveal that the precipitation and temperature on the South Shetland Islands are significantly shaped by specific atmospheric circulation systems, such as low-pressure systems over the Drake Passage and the Amundsen Sea Low over the Amundsen-Bellingshausen Sea.

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19-  Spectral Linear Mixing Model application in passive microwave data to analyze Antarctic surface melting dynamics (1978-2018)

CLAUDIO W. MENDES JÚNIOR, JORGE ARIGONY NETO, FERNANDO L. HILLEBRAND, MARCOS W. D. DE FREITAS, JULIANA COSTI & JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES

Several studies have utilized passive microwave imagery for monitoring snowmelt in Antarctica. However, due to the low spatial resolution of these images (25 km), the quantification of snowmelt is not precise. To enhance the accuracy of these estimations, this study proposed a subpixel analysis approach based on a Spectral Linear Mixing Model. The melting period in the Antarctic Peninsula began in late October, with a peak in early January, and ended in late March. These snowmelt data are valuable for modeling the impacts of snowmelt on glacial systems, local coastal environments, and sea-level rise. 

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20- Stable-isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O and δD) in a firn core from West Antarctica

MANOELA B.P. PORTELLA, JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES, RONALDO T. BERNARDO, JOÃO G. ILHA & GINO CASASSA

Water isotopes preserved in ice core records are often used to reconstruct past climate, since it contains temperature-related information as a result of a linear relationship between surface temperature and stable isotope ratios (δD and δ¹⁸O). However, this signal of climatic interest can be modified after deposition by the seasonality of the precipitation, episodic events and post depositional processes. In this study we evaluate the isotopic concentrations in an ice core recovered in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and correlate it to data previously obtained in the area as well as meteorological information, in order to assess the paleoclimatic conditions.

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21- Glaciological Mass balance of Znosko Glacier, King George Island

WILSON SUAREZ, CINTHYA BELLO, ROLANDO CRUZ, JUAN ZEGARRA, SANDRO ARIAS & FABIAN BRONDI

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the global net mass balance of the Znosko glacier, which is located on King George Island near the Antarctic Peninsula. He had in 2020 had an area of approximately 1.71 ± 0.02 km2, on the basis of information collected between the summers of 2018 to 2020 and data interpolation techniques, we determined a specific balance of - 590.7 ± 46.6 mm w.e (in water equivalent) for 2018-2019 and -686.7 ± 28.2 mm w.e for 2019- 2020, supporting the results of different studies on ice loss in the Antarctic.

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22- Glacier fluctuations and a proglacial evolution in King George Bay (King George Island), Antarctica, since 1980 decade

KÁTIA K. DA ROSA, CLEIVA PERONDI, JÚLIA L. LORENZ, JEFFREY D. AUGER, PAMELA CAZAROTO, CARINA PETSCH, RAFAEL G. SIQUEIRA, JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES & ROSEMARY VIEIRA

This study aims to investigate the glacier shrinkage and recent proglacial environment in the King George Bay, Antarctica, since 1988 using remote sensing data. The Ana Northern Glacier has the highest retreat value in response to ocean-glacier linkages. The Ana Sul Glacier changed from a tidewater glacier to land-terminating since 1995. The Ana Sul Glacier foreland is composed of recessional moraines and flutings. The atmospheric temperature controls the glacier area changes.

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23- Thermal variations of the active layer in Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Maritime Antarctica

ANDRÉ M. DE ANDRADE, ROBERTO F.M. MICHEL, ULISSES FRANZ BREMER, ELIAS DE LIMA NETO, GONÇALO BRITO T.G. VIEIRA, CARLOS ERNESTO G.R. SCHAEFER & JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES

This study characterized thermal variations in the active layer on Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica, examining their correlation with meteorological data from 2014 to 2016. Active layer temperature exhibited variations with depth and location, particularly in well-drained, low-moisture soil. The thermal gradient was influenced by surface and air temperatures. The surface was more influenced by albedo and cloudiness, while at a depth of -35 cm, net radiation and soil moisture exerted more influence. In 2014, the average active layer depth measured -44.3 cm, and in 2015, it was -47.7 cm, indicating a prevailing presence of continuous permafrost in the transect.

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24- Elemental and mineralogical characterization of marine sediments and their relationship to sedimentary and oceanographic processes in Central Bransfield Basin

JANAYNA CYNTHIA DE MEDEIROS GALVÃO, ARTHUR AYRES NETO, ROSEMARY VIEIRA & JEFFERSON C. SIMÕES

in our work, we analyze and compare the sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical data of marine sediment cores of Central Bransfield Basin, and their relationship to the sedimentary and oceanographic processes . We applied chemical characterization based on X-ray fluoresce dispersive spectrometry, and mineral identification by X-ray diffraction. The elemental ratios could be applied as proxies in the reconstitution of the terrigenous contribution to the Central Bransfield Basin. Our study allowed us to classify the marine sediment into three groups according to sediment source, and chemical and mineralogical characteristics. 

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PALEONTOLOGY

25- First record of insect-plant interaction in Late Cretaceous fossils from Nelson Island (South Shetland Islands Archipelago), Antarctica

EDILSON B. DOS SANTOS FILHO, ARTHUR S. BRUM, GEOVANE A. DE SOUZA, RODRIGO G. FIGUEIREDO, CRISTIAN D. USMA, JOÃO HENRIQUE Z. RICETTI, CRISTINE TREVISAN, MARCELO LEPPE, JULIANA M. SAYÃO, FLAVIANA J. LIMA, GUSTAVO R. OLIVEIRA & ALEXANDER W.A. KELLNER

The fossil record of the Antarctic continent is quite rare due to the difficulties in collecting activities in this remote location of the planet. Here we present the first record of insect-plant interactions in Cretaceous deposits from Nelson Island, on the Antarctic Peninsula. Mines and galls have been identified on the leaves of the angiosperm Nothofagus, which, in addition to being a significant component of Antarctic ecosystems, was also an important host for herbivorous insects.

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26- The Cretaceous Neornithine record and new Vegaviidae specimens from the López de Bertodano Formation (Upper Maastrichthian) of Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula

GEOVANE A. DE SOUZA, BRUNO A. BULAK, MARINA B. SOARES, JULIANA M. SAYÃO, LUIZ CARLOS WEINSCHÜTZ, ALESSANDRO BATEZELLI & ALEXANDER W.A. KELLNER

An anatomical study, using computed tomography, combined with paleohistology, allowed the identification of Late Cretaceous bird remains from the Antarctic Peninsula. They were assigned to two already known species, Vegavis iaai and Polarornis gregorii. Both were small and semi-aquatic, belonging to the Neornithes group (modern birds), whose records in the worldwide Cretaceous are rare compared to the most primitive birds. Antarctica stands out as the only fossil deposit in the world where modern birds are predominant. In the paper this question is investigated through the description of these new finds and an extensive review of the paleontological literature on neornithines.

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ANIMAL SCIENCE

27- Active surveillance for influenza virus and coronavirus infection in Antarctic birds and mammals in environmental fecal samples, South Shetland Islands

FERNANDA GOMES, TATIANA PRADO, WIM DEGRAVE, LUCAS MOREIRA, MAITHÊ MAGALHÃES, HARRISON MAGDINIER, ROBERTO VILELA, MARILDA SIQUEIRA, MARTHA BRANDÃO & MARIA OGRZEWALSKA

Numerous animals from Antarctica may migrate to the Brazilian coast, potentially spreading new infectious diseases; vice versa, they can bring new pathogens there. During the 2021/2022 Brazilian Antarctic Expedition, we collected and examined fecal samples from diverse bird and mammal species in the Antarctic Peninsula, focusing on influenza virus and coronaviruses. Although not found in this expedition, previous research identified the H11N2 subtype of influenza A virus in penguin fecal samples from the region. Given the global emergence of new viral strains, maintaining active surveillance in the area is crucial, contributing to strengthened One Health surveillance efforts.

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SOIL SCIENCE

28- Thermal monitoring of a Cryosol in a high marine terrace (Half Moon Island, Maritime Antarctica)

CARLOS ERNESTO G.R. SCHAEFER, MÁRCIO R. FRANCELINO, ANTONIO B. PEREIRA, ROBERTO F.M. MICHEL, DANIELA SCHMITZ, IORRANA F. SACRAMENTO, WILLIAM F. RODRIGUES & CAIK O. DE MIRANDA

Active layer (AL) and permafrost are indicators of climate changes in periglacial areas of Maritime Antarctica. We aimed to characterize the AL thermal regime of a patterned ground of marine terrace in Half Moon Island during 2015-2018. We collected hourly temperature and moisture data at different soil depths and above ground for air temperature measurements. Thermal regime showed high temperature and water variability in summer, resulting in frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Dominant freezing conditions, soil temperature increase, and high soil moisture content lasted longer over the years. Permafrost degradation affects soil drainage and triggers erosion of the elevated terrace.

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29-  Soils under seal carcasses with varying degrees of decomposition: oasis of nutrients and vegetation in Antarctica

CARLOS ERNESTO G.R. SCHAEFER, EDUARDO O. SENRA, DANIELA SCHMITZ, RAFAEL G. SIQUEIRA, MAYARA D. DE PAULA, JAIR PUTZKE, FABIO S. DE OLIVEIRA, LARA G. MAIA, ANIFO S.M. IBRAIMO & MÁRCIO R. FRANCELINO

In certain areas of James Ross Island, concentrated seal carcasses were found, leading to unusual vegetation growth in a semi-arid, windy, and saline sandy-soil environment. Our study examined seal carcasses in four decomposition stages (S01: recent mummification, S02: partial degradation, S03: partial degradation with exposed bones, S04: completely broken skeleton with degraded bones). The most vegetation growth occurred around S02 and S03 carcasses, mainly between the skin and skeleton. Chemical effects on the soil increased during decomposition, with different values across reference areas. Showing that even in semi-desert conditions, seal carcasses represent important oases of concentration of nutrients.

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30-  Spatial and Scientometric study of the Brazilian scientific production on Antarctic soils and permafrost

ÍCARO S. VIEIRA, FÁBIO S. DE OLIVEIRA & ROBERTO F.M. MICHEL IORRANA F. SACRAMENTO, CARLOS ERNESTO G.R. SCHAEFER, RAFAEL G. SIQUEIRA, GUILHERME R. CORRÊA, JAIR PUTZKE, ROBERTO F.M. MICHEL & MÁRCIO R. FRANCELINO

The study presents the first scientometric and spatial analysis of Brazil’s research on Antarctic soils and permafrost. It reveals Brazil’s leading role in studying Maritime Antarctica’s soils and permafrost, with a robust international output and high literature impact. The research also identifies potential future partners, locations, and strategic themes of research.

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31- Ornithogenesis and soil-landscape interplays at northern Harmony Point, Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica

EDILSON B. DOS SANTOS FILHO, ARTHUR S. BRUM, GEOVANE A. DE SOUZA, RODRIGO G. FIGUEIREDO, CRISTIAN D. USMA, JOÃO HENRIQUE Z. RICETTI, CRISTINE TREVISAN, MARCELO LEPPE, JULIANA M. SAYÃO, FLAVIANA J. LIMA, GUSTAVO R. OLIVEIRA & ALEXANDER W.A. KELLNER

Soils enriched by bird droppings, known as ornithogenic soils, contain abundant nutrients and organic matter. Studying how landscape factors affect their formation is crucial for understanding Antarctic ecosystem changes and climate resilience. Our research at Harmony Point, Nelson Island in the Maritime Antarctic, used mapping, soil data, and statistical analyses to understand the relationships between ornithogenic soils and landscape. Soils in rocky outcrop areas are highly influenced by birds over time, cryoplanated platforms show varied development based on vegetation cover and distance from glaciers, while marine terrace soils are less developed due to recent bird and marine influences.

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All abstracts of the publications were provided by the respective authors.

Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
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