Vol 44, No 4 (2019)

Daily surface air temperature from ERA-Interim reanalysis is used to study the cold and warm anomalies observed in December–February 1979–2017 over three regions of North Eurasia. The air temperature anomalies were selected that exceeded the standard deviation in the absolute magnitude and persisted 7 days and longer. The anomalies were analyzed in terms of the frequency of occurrence, strength, persistence, extension and the integral index of severity. The reproducibility of the statistical characteristics of the anomalies was also considered using ensemble simulations with the MGO atmospheric general circulation model and prescribed boundary conditions from observation for the period 1979–2017. The observed and simulated trends of the anomaly characteristics over the whole period and their link to the surface air temperature anomalies in the Barents and Kara seas were also discussed. It was shown that the most significant cold anomalies have been observed in Western Siberia since the beginning of the 21st century, when positive winter temperature anomalies were recorded over the Barents and Kara seas.

The water of Atlantic origin (Atlantic water) is of special importance for the formation of the hydrological regime of the Arctic Ocean and provides a “building material” for the main water masses in the surface and intermediate layers. Atlantic water are structurally included to the Arctic Transpolar System (ATS); it is a multicomponent physical object whose state defines the role of the Arctic Ocean in the planetary climate. The recent advances in the Atlantic water research are discussed, in particular, the role of Atlantic water in the Arctic sea ice reduction. Particular attention is paid to the possible activation of feedbacks in ATS that may result in an accelerated Arctic sea ice loss recorded after 2007.

The study present the results of the satellite monitoring of Arctic icebergs formed from the outlet glaciers of the Severnaya Zemlya, Novaya Zemlya, and Franz Josef Land archipelagos during the autumn-winter and spring periods. The algorithms for iceberg detection in satellite images under different meteorological and ice conditions are described.

The study analyzes hydrological hazards which should be considered during the planning and implementation of the strategy of long-term socioeconomic development of the Russian Arctic. The results are presented of the analysis of multiyear dynamics of the maximum and minimum streamflow for the Russian Arctic rivers and for the largest rivers in the Arctic Ocean basin and their changes under the current climate warming. The examples of significant negative socioeconomic consequences of hydrological hazards are considered. A high importance of hydrological conditions on navigable waterways for the delivery of most goods to the Arctic region is noted.

The study presents the results of continuous measurements of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmospheric surface layer at Tiksi and Cape Baranov Arctic stations over the period of August 2010–May 2017 and over the whole 2016, respectively. The amplitude of diurnal variations in the CO₂ concentration in Tiksi from June to September is 1.1 ± 1.3, 2.4 ± 2.0, 4.1 ± 2.3, and 2.0 ± 2.4 ppm. Diurnal variations in CO₂ at Cape Baranov station are absent. The observed seasonal variations in the CO₂ concentration are compared with the data of the MBL empirical model for the marine atmospheric boundary layer of the Arctic region. In 2016, the difference between the observed and model concentrations at Tiksi and Cape Baranov stations amounted to 1.7 and 0.5 ppm, respectively, in winter and −3.0 and −1.9 ppm, respectively, in summer. It is shown that wildfires in Siberia caused a long synchronous increase in the CO₂ concentration by 20 ppm in Tiksi and by 15 ppm at Cape Baranov station.

The study considers the experience of interaction between Roshydromet and EMERCOM of Russia in the Russian Arctic and its development under conditions of extending economic activity and climate change. The aim is to increase the readiness to respond to emergencies in the Arctic region. Concrete measures are proposed to use the available experience for organizing the network of Arctic complex emergency-rescue centers.

Hybrid power supply systems based on the renewable energy sources, electrochemical rechargeable batteries, and fuel cells are considered. Such systems provide stable power supply and offer some advantages both over the traditional hydrocarbon-fueled diesel generators and over the radioisotope thermoelectric generators. The innovative technology of group connection to the Russian Satellite Communications Company resources is considered as a tool for the remote control of operation modes of various power generation sources under changing environmental parameters and payload. It is proposed to use such hybrid power systems to provide power supply for autonomous observation stations in the Russian Arctic.