The Frontiers of Arctic Research | The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e We will promote advanced and interdisciplinary research on the Arctic, aiming for the social implementation of the results. Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:03:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.9 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2024-8/ Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:03:26 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=4540 In ArCS II Newsletter No.9, the authors of articles published in 2023 fall and 2024 spring contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. Unusually Low Oxygen and Acidified Water Found in the Arctic High Seas Shigeto Nishino (Institute of Arctic Climate and Environment Research, JAMSTEC) The 2020 ship-based observations of the international Synoptic Arctic Survey (SAS) project have discovered unusually low oxygen and acidified water on a plateau on the Pacific side of the Arctic high seas. This water, which had previously been found only along the Siberian coast, was transported to the plateau further north due to […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.9 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> In ArCS II Newsletter No.9, the authors of articles published in 2023 fall and 2024 spring contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

Unusually Low Oxygen and Acidified Water Found in the Arctic High Seas

Shigeto Nishino
(Institute of Arctic Climate and Environment Research, JAMSTEC)


The 2020 ship-based observations of the international Synoptic Arctic Survey (SAS) project have discovered unusually low oxygen and acidified water on a plateau on the Pacific side of the Arctic high seas. This water, which had previously been found only along the Siberian coast, was transported to the plateau further north due to changes in ocean circulation associated with the recent sea-ice loss. Since this area is experiencing the fastest ocean hypoxia and acidification in the high seas of the Arctic Ocean, there is concern about the impact on the marine ecosystem.
Title Atlantic-origin water extension into the Pacific Arctic induced an anomalous biogeochemical event
Journal Nature Communications
Published November 2, 2023
Authors Shigeto Nishino, Jinyoung Jung, Kyoung-Ho Cho, William J. Williams, Amane Fujiwara, Akihiko Murata, Motoyo Itoh, Eiji Watanabe, Michio Aoyama, Michiyo Yamamoto-Kawai, Takashi Kikuchi, Eun Jin Yang, Sung-Ho Kang
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41960-w

Press Release

Automated Detection of Supraglacial Lake Evolution Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning

Yefan Wang
(School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh
Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University *at the time of press release)


Supraglacial lakes are formed by the accumulation of meltwater, which is thought to accelerate the melting and flow of ice. We investigated the formation and distribution of supraglacial lakes in northwestern Greenland by analyzing satellite images using machine learning methods. The results revealed that the frequency of lake formation is influenced by the topography and ice velocity of the glaciers and that the total lake area expands in years when strong melting is enhanced by high summer temperatures. This finding is significant for understanding future ice sheet dynamics and suggests a trend of lake expansion inland due to climate warming.
Title Supraglacial lake evolution on Tracy and Heilprin Glaciers in northwestern Greenland from 2014 to 2021
Journal Remote Sensing of Environment
Published March 15, 2024
Authors Yefan Wang, Shin Sugiyama
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2024.114006

Press Release（only in Japanese）

Jet Stream Meandering is Enhanced by Coupling with Extratropical Ocean and Sea Ice

Masato Mori
(Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University)


Teleconnection patterns are atmospheric circulation patterns recurrent in the same region and closely related to abnormal weather in that region. Their generation and maintenance mechanisms have been extensively investigated. However, the role of extratropical oceans remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a large number of numerical simulations and discovered that the coupling between the atmosphere, ocean, and sea ice in the extratropics enhances the variability of teleconnection patterns (i.e., the variability of the meandering and strengthening of westerly winds), elucidating the underlying mechanisms.
Title Northern Hemisphere winter atmospheric teleconnections are intensified by extratropical ocean-atmosphere coupling
Journal Communications Earth & Environment
Published March 15, 2024
Authors Masato Mori, Yu Kosaka, Bunmei Taguchi, Hiroki Tokinaga, Hiroaki Tatebe, Hisashi Nakamura
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01282-1

Press Release

Tracing the Footprint of Atmospheric Methane Using Isotope Model

Naveen Chandra
(Institute of Arctic Climate and Environment Research, JAMSTEC)


We reproduce the atmospheric methane (CH4) and its isotope ratio for the last 30 years (1990-2020) using the ACTM model to trace footprints of fossil fuel (FF) and microbial sources to its long-term change. Our analysis reveals that CH4 emissions from FF leaks decreased from 1990s to the early 2000s and have since stabilized, whereas emissions from microbial sources have steadily increased due to more cattle-rearing and larger waste dump areas. While reducing FF emissions remains crucial, our findings underscore the importance of targeting microbial emissions to achieve the global CH4 emission reduction goals outlined in the Global Methane Pledge.
Title Methane emissions decreased in fossil fuel exploitation and sustainably increased in microbial source sectors during 1990–2020
Journal Communications Earth ＆ Environment
Published April 17, 2024
Authors Naveen Chandra, Prabir K. Patra, Ryo Fujita, Lena Höglund-Isaksson, Taku Umezawa, Daisuke Goto, Shinji Morimoto, Bruce H. Vaughn, Thomas Röckmann
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01286-x

Press Release

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.9 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.8 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2024-2/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:04:58 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=4103 In ArCS II Newsletter No.8, the authors of articles published in 2023 spring and summer contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. Dominant Role of Arctic Dust in the Formation of Ice crystals in Arctic Low-level Clouds Kei Kawai (Photo: Left) (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University) Hitoshi Matsui (Photo: Right) (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University) Recent experimental studies have showed that dust emitted from the Arctic land surface (Arctic dust) during summer and fall has a remarkably high ability to promote the formation of ice crystals in clouds, but its impact on the formation […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.8 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> In ArCS II Newsletter No.8, the authors of articles published in 2023 spring and summer contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

Dominant Role of Arctic Dust in the Formation of Ice crystals in Arctic Low-level Clouds

Kei Kawai (Photo: Left)
(Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University)
Hitoshi Matsui (Photo: Right)
(Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University)


Recent experimental studies have showed that dust emitted from the Arctic land surface (Arctic dust) during summer and fall has a remarkably high ability to promote the formation of ice crystals in clouds, but its impact on the formation of ice crystals in Arctic clouds was unknown. This study used a global climate model to find that Arctic dust plays a dominant role in the formation of ice crystals in Arctic low-level clouds (at a height of about 0-3 km) during summer and fall.
Title Dominant role of Arctic dust with high ice nucleating ability in the Arctic lower troposphere
Journal Geophysical Research Letters
Published April 26, 2023
Authors Kei Kawai, Hitoshi Matsui, Yutaka Tobo
DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102470

Press Release

Plant-Microbe Dynamics Shape Arctic Tundra Soil Bacteria Diversity

Wong Shu-Kuan
(Arctic Environment Research Center, National Institute of Polar Research)


Our research in the low Arctic tundra revealed the complex link between vegetation type and soil bacteria distribution. We identified two bacterial groups: adaptable generalists and less adaptable specialists. Generalist bacteria serve as “bridge species,” linking various microbial communities and impacting overall soil bacteria diversity, while specialists form selective connections among themselves. Additionally, our study underscores the role of vegetation types in regulating these bacterial populations. Climate change, with rising temperatures and changing vegetation patterns, may affect generalist bacteria distribution, while sensitive specialist bacteria could face greater restrictions. These changes could disrupt plant-soil interactions and the Arctic ecosystem.
Title Vegetation as a key driver of the distribution of microbial generalists that in turn shapes the overall microbial community structure in the low Arctic tundra
Journal Environmental Microbiome
Published May 10, 2023
Authors Shu-Kuan Wong, Yingshun Cui, Seong-Jun Chun, Ryo Kaneko, Shota Masumoto, Ryo Kitagawa, Akira S. Mori, An Suk Lim, Masaki Uchida
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-023-00498-6

Press Release

Metagenome-assembled Genome of N2-fixing Bacteria from the Arctic Ocean

Takuhei Shiozaki
(Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo)


N2 fixation is a globally biogeochemically important process. It has not yet been determined how N2-fixing bacteria (diazotrophs) are able to inhabit N-rich polar oceans. Here we answered this question based on diazotroph genomes constructed from metagenomic data from samples collected in the Arctic Ocean and our own global marine metagenomic database. We found cosmopolitan diazotrophs distributed globally that have the potential for cold adaptation. In contrast, we also found Arctic-endemic diazotrophs, which have specific genes that help them adapt to the Arctic environment. This study provides a new perspective on the global distribution and ecology of marine diazotrophs.
Title Distribution and survival strategies of endemic and cosmopolitan diazotrophs in the Arctic Ocean
Journal The ISME Journal
Published May 23, 2023
Authors Takuhei Shiozaki, Yosuke Nishimura, Susumu Yoshizawa, Hideto Takami, Koji Hamasaki, Amane Fujiwara, Shigeto Nishino, Naomi Harada
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-023-01424-x

Press Release

Arctic Copepods are Well Adapted to Regional Environments under the Recent Climate

Kohei Matsuno
(Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University)


We investigated how to adapt dominant copepods to environmental changes in the Pacific Arctic Ocean under the recent climate. Regional differences in their grazing activity and growth were found even in the same species, which means they survive in environmental conditions with flexible life cycles. To improve our understanding of the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, further studies of the ability of adaptation/flexibility in the life cycle of marine organisms are required.
Title Geographic variation in population structure and grazing features of Calanus glacialis/marshallae in the Pacific Arctic Ocean
Journal Frontiers in Marine Science
Published September 20, 2023
Authors Minami Ishihara, Kohei Matsuno, Koki Tokuhiro, Yasuhiro Ando, Kazutoshi Sato, Atsushi Yamaguchi
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1168015

Press Release（only in Japanese）

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.8 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.7 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2023-8/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:16:08 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=3865 In ArCS II Newsletter No.7, the authors of articles published in 2022 winter and 2023 spring contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. A Warmer Arctic Ocean Leads to More Moisture Transport Further South Tomonori Sato (Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University) We developed a water vapor tracking model to understand the behavior of atmospheric water vapor evaporated from the Arctic Ocean where recent sea ice reduction is significant. Based on the analysis of daily moisture transport fields over the past 40 years, we found that in autumn and winter the amount of water vapor transported toward […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.7 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> In ArCS II Newsletter No.7, the authors of articles published in 2022 winter and 2023 spring contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

A Warmer Arctic Ocean Leads to More Moisture Transport Further South

Tomonori Sato
(Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University)


We developed a water vapor tracking model to understand the behavior of atmospheric water vapor evaporated from the Arctic Ocean where recent sea ice reduction is significant. Based on the analysis of daily moisture transport fields over the past 40 years, we found that in autumn and winter the amount of water vapor transported toward Siberia has been increasing in recent years as a result of increased evaporation from the sea and atmospheric circulation changes. This finding will enrich our understanding of the climate change mechanism and future climate projections related to Arctic warming.
Title Enhanced Arctic moisture transport toward Siberia in autumn revealed by tagged moisture transport model experiment
Journal npj Climate and Atmospheric Science
Published November 24, 2022
Authors Tomonori Sato, Tetsu Nakamura, Yoshihiro Iijima, Tetsuya Hiyama
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-022-00310-1

Press Release

Detection of Increase in Summer Aerosol from Phytoplankton Growth by Greenland Ice-core Analysis

Sumito Matoba
(Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University)


We revealed that the concentration of sulfur compounds released by phytoplankton in the ocean in summer has increased 3-6 times since 2002 from the analysis of an ice core collected at SE-Dome with the highest precipitation in the southeast of the Greenland Ice Sheet and concluded that this increase was due to earlier melting of sea ice on the east coast of Greenland. This is the first observational evidence of an actual increase in the emission of sulfur compounds from the ocean to the atmosphere due to ocean plankton growth in summer.
Title Increased oceanic dimethyl sulfide emissions in areas of sea ice retreat inferred from a Greenland ice core
Journal Communications Earth & Environment
Published December 26, 2022
Authors Yutaka Kurosaki, Sumito Matoba, Yoshinori Iizuka, Koji Fujita, Rigen Shimada
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00661-w

Press Release

High Prevalence of Parasitic Chytrids Infection of Glacier Algae

Kino Kobayashi
(Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University)


The darkening of the glacier surface has accelerated the melting rate of the ice surfaces. One of the reasons for the darkening is the blooming of glacier algae. Chytrid fungi parasitizes these algae and has the potential to suppress the darkening. This study revealed that a significant number of glacier algal cells were parasitized by chytrids, and we were able to obtain results that will be the first step in clarifying the actual situation of glacier chytrids. Further studies are necessary to quantitatively evaluate their role in glacier melting.
Title High prevalence of parasitic chytrids infection of glacier algae in cryoconite holes in Alaska
Journal Scientific Reports
Published March 9, 2023
Authors Kino Kobayashi, Nozomu Takeuchi, Maiko Kagami
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30721-w

Press Release（only in Japanese）

After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Can We Still Cooperate with Russia in the Arctic?

Akiho Shibata
(Polar Cooperation Research Centre, Kobe University)


The Russian invasion of Ukraine has already been going on for more than a year with no end in sight. This co-authored paper in Polar Record examines whether and under what conditions intergovernmental cooperation with Russia in the Arctic region has continued within different international legal regimes, and summarizes the future prospects. In May 2023, the chairship of the Arctic Council was handed over from Russia to Norway, but Arctic international cooperation including Russia is still uncertain, requiring further research.
Title After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022: Can we still cooperate with Russia in the Arctic?
Journal Polar Record
Published March 17, 2023
Authors Timo Koivurova, Akiho Shibata
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247423000049

Press Release（only in Japanese）

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.7 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.6 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2023-2/ Mon, 06 Feb 2023 04:24:16 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=3502 In ArCS II Newsletter No.6, the authors of articles published in 2022 spring and fall contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. Why Can Diverse Plants Coexist? Discovering Patterns Along Latitudes Keita Nishizawa (Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo) It is easy to imagine why different plants can be found in different regions and environments (e.g., Japan and the Arctic). On the other hand, in reality, many kinds of plants coexist in the same region and environment. The factors that lead to this coexistence (e.g., interspecific relationships and dispersal restrictions) differ from region […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.6 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> In ArCS II Newsletter No.6, the authors of articles published in 2022 spring and fall contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

Why Can Diverse Plants Coexist? Discovering Patterns Along Latitudes

Keita Nishizawa
(Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo)


It is easy to imagine why different plants can be found in different regions and environments (e.g., Japan and the Arctic). On the other hand, in reality, many kinds of plants coexist in the same region and environment. The factors that lead to this coexistence (e.g., interspecific relationships and dispersal restrictions) differ from region to region, and no general rule has been obtained. In this study, by collecting and integrating studies from all over the world, we discovered that the main factors which lead to local coexistence changed with latitude.
Title The latitudinal gradient in plant community assembly processes : A meta-analysis
Journal Ecology Letters
Published May 26,2022
Authors Keita Nishizawa, Naoto Shinohara, Marc W. Cadotte, Akira S. Mori
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14019

Press Release（only in Japanese)

Meteoritic Materials Within Sulfates Are Detected from Aerosol Particles Using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Kouji Adachi
(Department of Atmosphere, Ocean, and Earth System Modeling Research, Meteorological Research Institute)


Meteorites impact all over the Earth’s atmosphere, including the Arctic. It has been known that they fractionalize and ablate, generating small aerosol particles. However, we did not understand how they occur in the atmosphere or mix within individual particles. This study first revealed their shape and mixing states within sulfate particles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and detected Fe, Mg, and other key elements (e.g., Ni, Cr, and Al) that contain meteoritic materials. This study provides observational evidence for the linkage between extraplanetary materials and tropospheric aerosols and is a key to understanding the climate influences of meteoritic materials.
Title Meteoritic materials within sulfate aerosol particles in the troposphere are detected with transmission electron microscopy
Journal Communications Earth & Environment
Published June 16, 2022
Authors Kouji Adachi, Naga Oshima, Nobuyuki Takegawa, Nobuhiro Moteki, Makoto Koike
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00469-8

Press Release（only in Japanese)

Discovery of a Novel Type of Phytoplankton Bloom in the Arctic Shelf Region: The Widespread Occurrence with the Recent Sea Ice Loss

Takuhei Shiozaki (Photo: Left)
(Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo)

Amane Fujiwara (Photo: Right)
(Institute of Arctic Climate and Environment Research, JAMSTEC)


Phytoplankton are primary producers in the ocean; organisms that form the basis of the ecosystem. Their production is generally highest near the surface, and therefore is monitored globally by satellite observation. We found that, contrary to this conventional notion, phytoplankton blooms can also occur near the seafloor in summer in the Arctic Ocean. This bloom is triggered by light reaching the shallow seafloor underlying nutrient- rich bottom water. Since this bloom cannot be detected by surface observation, satellite observation significantly underestimates the regional primary production. We also found that the hidden bottom-associated blooms can be now widespread across the Arctic Ocean with the recent sea ice loss.
Title Bottom-associated phytoplankton bloom and its expansion in the Arctic Ocean
Journal Global Change Biology
Published September 27, 2022
Authors Takuhei Shiozaki, Amane Fujiwara, Koji Sugie, Shigeto Nishino, Akiko Makabe, Naomi Harada
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16421

Press Release

Abundance of Microplastics Suspended and Entering the Chukchi Sea was Estimated

Takahito Ikenoue
(Research Institute for Global Change, JAMSTEC)


Understanding the dynamics of microplastics (MPs) in the Chukchi Sea, the gateway to the Arctic Ocean, has been an urgent issue. We estimated for the first time the abundance of MPs suspended in the seawater of the Chukchi Sea and the inflow of MPs from the Pacific Ocean, based on observation data. Our results suggest that most of the MPs from the Pacific Ocean are not in the seawater of the Chukchi Sea, but are accumulated in sea ice, seafloor sediments, or in the downstream regions of the Pacific-origin water. We will continue to promote our research and the accumulation of knowledge that will contribute to policy recommendations.
Title Horizontal distribution of surface microplastic concentrations and water-column microplastic inventories in the Chukchi Sea, western Arctic Ocean
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Published November 1, 2022
Authors Takahito Ikenoue, Ryota Nakajima, Amane Fujiwara, Jonaotaro Onodera, Motoyo Itoh, JunkoToyoshima, Eiji Watanabe, Akihiko Murata, Shigeto Nishino, Takashi Kikuchi
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159564

Press Release

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.6 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.5 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2022-8/ Thu, 04 Aug 2022 05:18:51 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=2971 In ArCS II Newsletter No.5, the authors of articles published in Winter 2021-Spring 2022 contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. Low-Cost Drone Offers Opportunity to Expand Data Acquisition Coverage in Polar Regions Jun Inoue (National Institute of Polar Research, Meteorology and Glaciology Group) Meteorological data collected from polar regions is essential for forecasting climate and weather using operational numerical weather prediction (NWPs) models. Radiosondes, one of the instruments in the meteorological observation network, provide an atmospheric vertical profile. Using more radiosondes would improve NWPs but increasing the observation cover and frequency requires significant resources. We have successfully […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.5 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> In ArCS II Newsletter No.5, the authors of articles published in Winter 2021-Spring 2022 contributed their research, thoughts on their research, and future prospects.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

Low-Cost Drone Offers Opportunity to Expand Data Acquisition Coverage in Polar Regions

Jun Inoue
(National Institute of Polar Research, Meteorology and Glaciology Group)


Meteorological data collected from polar regions is essential for forecasting climate and weather using operational numerical weather prediction (NWPs) models. Radiosondes, one of the instruments in the meteorological observation network, provide an atmospheric vertical profile. Using more radiosondes would improve NWPs but increasing the observation cover and frequency requires significant resources. We have successfully gathered high-quality data comparable to radiosonde observations using a modified commercially available drone, opening doors to improved weather prediction.
Title Toward sustainable meteorological profiling in polar regions: Case studies using an inexpensive UAS on measuring lower boundary layers with quality of radiosondes
Journal Environmental Research
Published December 2, 2021
Authors Jun Inoue, Kazutoshi Sato
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112468

Press Release

Red Snow Phenomena Are a Balancing Act

Yukihiko Onuma
(Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo)


Red snow is a unique phenomenon caused by blooms of red algae that live on the surface of snow. We have developed a numerical model to predict the occurrence of red snow events. In this study, we found that red snow algal blooms are associated with the duration of snow melt and the timing of new snowfall. Our numerical simulation of snow algal blooming has the potential to be used for the global prediction of future red snow phenomena, which are likely to synchronize with global climate change.
Title Global Simulation of Snow Algal Blooming by Coupling a Land Surface and Newly Developed Snow Algae Models
Journal Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Published February 2, 2022
Authors Yukihiko Onuma, Kei Yoshimura, Nozomu Takeuchi
DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JG006339

Press Release

Predicting the Change of the Greenland Ice Sheet Until the Year 3000

Ralf Greve
(Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University)


The ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland are the largest potential contributors to future sea-level rise. Computer simulations are a valuable tool to assess these contributions. Here, we investigated the mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet with our model SICOPOLIS until the year 3000 under the assumption of ongoing climate change until 2100 and a constant climate thereafter. The results show that 21st-century climate change will affect the Greenland ice sheet for many centuries beyond that and can lead to a threatening contribution to global sea-level rise (up to ~ 3.5m) without effective climate change mitigation measures.
Title Mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet until the year 3000 under a sustained late-21st-century climate
Journal Journal of Glaciology
Published March 14, 2022
Authors Ralf Greve, Christopher Chambers
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2022.9

Press Release

A New Method Using Image Classification AI to Predict Potential Natural Vegetation

Hisashi Sato
(Research Institute for Global Change, JAMSTEC)


A new method using image classification AI to predict potential natural vegetation corresponding to climate (monthly precipitation and monthly mean air temperature of a year) has been developed. This method can estimate potential natural vegetation with ease and precision compared with pre-existing methods. The trained model accurately simulated a global map of current distributions of potential natural vegetation. Then, the trained model was applied to climate scenarios toward the end of the 21st century, predicting a significant shift in global biome distribution under rapid warming trends.
Title Predicting global terrestrial biomes with the LeNet convolutional neural network
Journal Geoscientific Model Development
Published April 4, 2022
Authors Hisashi Sato, Takeshi Ise
DOI https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3121-2022

Press Release

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.5 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.4 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2021-3/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:44:36 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=2430 ArCS II News Letter No.4 introduced press releases issued in 2021 summer and fall with authors’ messages telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. The topics include detection of cutoff lows and preexisting troughs, the impact of resource development in the Republic of Sakha, and black carbon aerosols originating from mid-latitude biomass burning. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. A new proposed scheme towards seamless detection of cutoff lows and preexisting troughs Satoru Kasuga (Department of Sustainable Resource Sciences, Mie University Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University *at the time of press release) A cutoff low is a low-pressure system formed […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.4 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> ArCS II News Letter No.4 introduced press releases issued in 2021 summer and fall with authors’ messages telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. The topics include detection of cutoff lows and preexisting troughs, the impact of resource development in the Republic of Sakha, and black carbon aerosols originating from mid-latitude biomass burning.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

A new proposed scheme towards seamless detection of cutoff lows and preexisting troughs

Satoru Kasuga
(Department of Sustainable Resource Sciences, Mie University
Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University *at the time of press release)


A cutoff low is a low-pressure system formed in the high troposphere, often accompanied by bad weather and gusty winds. It is generated in the polar region and is an important event in understanding the connection between changes in the polar atmosphere and the weather in our daily lives. However, unlike general low-pressure systems, there is no standard altitude for cutoff lows. Its scale also varies widely, making it difficult to evaluate its intensity consistently. In this study, we considered the geometry of geopotential height fields associated with cutoff lows and developed a convenient scheme that provides various information, including intensity and scale. I extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor and coauthors for their cooperation. I hope to use the scheme to help elucidate cutoff lows and contribute to polar meteorology in the future.
Title Seamless Detection of Cutoff Lows and Preexisting Troughs
Journal Monthly Weather Review
Published September 2, 2021
Authors Kasuga, S., Honda, M., Ukita, J., Yamane, S., Kawase, H., and Yamazaki, A.
DOI https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-20-0255.1

See Press Release

Clarifying the impact of resource development on the Arctic community: Examining the case of Sakha

Shinichiro Tabata
(Slavic-Eurasian Research Center, Hokkaido University)


As the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean decreases due to global warming, resources such as oil and gas have undergone intensive development in the Arctic. To clarify the impact of such resource development on the economy and society in the Arctic, we statistically analyzed the case of the Republic of Sakha in the Russian Federation. In addition to examining data on Sakha as a whole, we also analyzed the data of its 36 local governments (districts), which more closely reflect its residents’ lives. We found that diamonds (of which Sakha accounts for 80% of Russia’s production) and oil (which has seen significant increases in production in recent years) contribute significantly to Sakha’s economic growth and fiscal revenue. We plan to conduct further in-depth research on the negative impact of the development of these resources on residents’ lives.
Title The Contribution of Natural Resource Producing Sectors to the Economic Development of the Sakha Republic
Journal Sustainability
Published September 10, 2021
Authors Tabata, S.
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810142

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Black carbon aerosols heating the Arctic: Large contributions from mid-latitude biomass burning

Sho Ohata
(Institute for Space-Earth Environment Research, Nagoya University)


In the rapidly warming Arctic, there is a need for a quantitative understanding of the behavior of black carbon (BC) aerosols and their impact on climate. In this study, we participated in an international aircraft-observation campaign and found that the year-to-year spring variation in Arctic BC abundance is strongly correlated with biomass burning in the middle latitudes. Moreover, current numerical models significantly underestimate the contribution of BC from biomass burning. Global warming has the potential to increase biomass burning in various regions. This study suggests that these future changes in BC emissions could influence the amount of Arctic BC and its radiative impacts more than estimates provided in previous studies. We aim to continue our observations of BC in the Arctic and contribute to the improvement of numerical models.
Title Arctic black carbon during PAMARCMiP 2018 and previous aircraft experiments in spring
Journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Published November 4, 2021
Authors Ohata, S., Koike, M., Yoshida, A., Moteki, N., Adachi, K., Oshima, N., Matsui, H., Eppers, O., Bozem, H., Zanatta, M., and Herber, A. B.
DOI https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15861-2021

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The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.4 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.3 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2021-2/ Mon, 27 Dec 2021 04:20:34 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=2274 ArCS II News Letter No.3 introduced press releases issued in 2021 summer and fall with authors’ messages telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. The topics include sources of ice core dust, the movement of a glacier sliding into the sea, and international data analysis on terrestrial ecosystems. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. First high-resolution record of Greenland ice core dust sources over the past 100 years Naoko Nagatsuka （Meteorology and Glaciology Group, National Institute of Polar Research） I have been visiting Greenland for nearly a decade, working to shed light on the source of mineral dust flying onto the ice sheet. […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.3 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> ArCS II News Letter No.3 introduced press releases issued in 2021 summer and fall with authors’ messages telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. The topics include sources of ice core dust, the movement of a glacier sliding into the sea, and international data analysis on terrestrial ecosystems.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

First high-resolution record of Greenland ice core dust sources over the past 100 years

Naoko Nagatsuka
（Meteorology and Glaciology Group, National Institute of Polar Research）


I have been visiting Greenland for nearly a decade, working to shed light on the source of mineral dust flying onto the ice sheet. However, it is difficult to analyze dust preserved in Greenland ice cores, especially from interglacial periods, due to low density. This difficulty has made the study a challenging task for many years. This time, our recent analysis using scanning electron microscopy has succeeded for the first time in elucidating how the sources of dust in a Greenland ice core have changed over the past 100 years. These findings are essential in assessing the impact of climate change on Arctic environmental fluctuations. Therefore, I am very happy and proud of my contribution to the results. Using the new knowledge obtained from the research, I would like to further contribute to predicting future environmental changes in Greenland.
Title Variations in mineralogy of dust in an ice core obtained from northwestern Greenland over the past 100 years
Journal Climate of the Past
Published June 21, 2021
Authors Nagatsuka, N., Goto-Azuma, K., Tsushima, A., Fujita, K., Matoba, S., Onuma, Y., Dallmayr R., Kadota, M., Hirabayashi M., Ogata J., Ogawa-Tsukagawa Y., Kitamura K., Minowa, M., Komuro, Y., Motoyama, H., Aoki, T.
DOI https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1341-2021

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Underwater seismometer can hear how fast a glacier moves

Evgeny A. Podolskiy
（Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University）


Observations near marine-terminating glaciers are challenging but essential for understanding related rapid changes today and in the future. In our study, we deployed an Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) next to a glacier. Such OBSs are used for monitoring submarine earthquakes near subduction zones offshore Japan. However, our station remained on the seafloor next to a Greenlandic glacier. The OBS was hidden from the harsh polar environment, giant icebergs, and one of the noisiest environments on Earth. As a result, we detected continuous seismic radiation from a glacier sliding, reminiscent of a slow earthquake. The tectonic slow-earthquake phenomenon was discovered in Japan ~20yrs ago. We find it also takes place under a glacier and provides an opportunity to investigate sliding. The story behind our study appeared in Nature Podcast, where one can listen to underwater sounds collected by our station. Next, we hope to establish long-term underwater observations near glaciers.
Title Ocean-bottom and surface seismometers reveal continuous glacial tremor and slip
Journal Nature Communications
Published June 24, 2021
Authors Podolskiy, E. A., Murai, Y., Kanna, N., Sugiyama, S.
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24142-4

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Researchers find functioning of terrestrial ecosystems governed by three main factors

Hideki Kobayashi
（Research Institute for Global Change, JAMSTEC）


This study is the result of an international data analysis led by researchers in Europe and the United States. It also comprises the result of on-site observations at the international base in Alaska and prompt open data conversion, which was initiated via a joint research project between JAMSTEC and IARC in 2010 and has been continued by ArCS and ArCS II project for over 10 years. I believe that it will become more and more important to create comprehensive results through international collaborative research like this project. I would like to take the initiative to participate in future international collaborative studies and help produce results.
Title The three major axes of terrestrial ecosystem function
Journal Nature
Published September 22, 2021
Authors Migliavacca, M., Musavi, T., Mahecha, M. D., Nelson, J. A., Knauer, J., Baldocchi, D. D., Perez-Priego, O., Christiansen, R., Peters, J., Anderson, K., Bahn, M., Black, T. A., Blanken, P. D., Bonal, D., Buchmann, N., Caldararu, S., Carrara, A., Carvalhais, N., Cescatti, A., Chen, J., Cleverly, J., Cremonese, E., Desai, A. R., El-Madany, T. S., Farella, M. M., Fernández-Martínez, M., Filippa, G., Forkel, M., Galvagno, M., Gomarasca, U., Gough, C. M., Göckede, M., Ibrom, A., Ikawa, H., Janssens, I. A., Jung, M., Kattge, J., Keenan, T. F., Knohl, A., Kobayashi, H., Kraemer, G., Law, B. E., Liddell, M. J., Ma, X., Mammarella, I., Martini, D., Macfarlane, C., Matteucci, G., Montagnani, L., Pabon-Moreno, D. E., Panigada, C., Papale, D., Pendall, E., Penuelas, J., Phillips, R. P., Reich, P. B., Rossini, M., Rotenberg, E., Scott, R. L., Stahl, C., Weber, U., Wohlfahrt, G., Wolf, S., Wright, I. J., Yakir, D., Zaehle, S., Reichstein, M.
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03939-9

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The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.3 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.2 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2021-1/ Mon, 02 Aug 2021 03:21:33 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=2038 ArCS II News Letter No.2 introduced press releases issued in 2021 spring with authors’ messages telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. The topics include marine biodiversity, the impact of COVID-19 on global warming, atmospheric aerosol dynamics, and relationships between heatwaves and wildfires. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. Safe havens of marine biodiversity in the Bering Sea shelf Irene D. Alabia (Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University) Marine biodiversity provides valuable ecosystem services. Understanding the patterns and factors structuring biodiversity is crucial for conservation and management. Recent climate change has caused significant biodiversity impacts, and effective means of mitigating its rapid loss are […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.2 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> ArCS II News Letter No.2 introduced press releases issued in 2021 spring with authors’ messages telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. The topics include marine biodiversity, the impact of COVID-19 on global warming, atmospheric aerosol dynamics, and relationships between heatwaves and wildfires.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

Safe havens of marine biodiversity in the Bering Sea shelf

Irene D. Alabia
(Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University)


Marine biodiversity provides valuable ecosystem services. Understanding the patterns and factors structuring biodiversity is crucial for conservation and management. Recent climate change has caused significant biodiversity impacts, and effective means of mitigating its rapid loss are constantly being sought. We explored a conservation approach that identifies refugia, which are regions relatively buffered from impacts of ongoing climate change. These provide favorable habitats for species when the surrounding environment becomes harsh, allowing their survival under climate change. Our work underpins their importance in biologically sustaining climatically-exposed ecosystems in the Bering Sea.
Title Marine biodiversity refugia in a climate-sensitive subarctic shelf
Journal Global Change Biology
Published April 25, 2021
Authors Irene D. Alabia, Jorge Garcia Molinos, Takafumi Hirata, Franz J. Mueter, Toru Hirawake, ,Sei-Ichi Saitoh
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15632

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How did COVID-19 lockdowns affect the climate?

Naga Oshima
(Meteorological Research Institute, Japan Meteorological Agency)


Emissions of anthropogenic substances decreased globally due to lockdowns and other measures taken worldwide in the wake of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we found that there were no detectable changes in the ground-level temperature or precipitation. It is also meaningful that researchers across the world cooperated swiftly at a time of emergency, launched a multi–Earth system model intercomparison project through an international study team, and were able to come up with highly reliable estimates in several months (such a project usually takes several years). I think it important to continue research taking advantage of such an international framework in the future as well.
Title The Climate Response to Emissions Reductions Due to COVID-19: Initial Results From CovidMIP
Journal Geophysical Research Letters
Published April 29, 2021
Authors Chris D. Jones, Jonathan E. Hickman, Steven T. Rumbold, Jeremy Walton, Robin D. Lamboll, Ragnhild B. Skeie, Stephanie Fiedler, Piers M. Forster, Joeri Rogelj, Manabu Abe, Michael Botzet, Katherine Calvin, Christophe Cassou, Jason N.S. Cole, Paolo Davini, Makoto Deushi, Martin Dix, John C. Fyfe, Nathan P. Gillett, Tatiana Ilyina, Michio Kawamiya, Maxwell Kelley, Slava Kharin, Tsuyoshi Koshiro, Hongmei Li, Chloe Mackallah, Wolfgang A. Müller, Pierre Nabat, Twan van Noije, Paul Nolan, Rumi Ohgaito, Dirk Olivié, Naga Oshima, Jose Parodi, Thomas J. Reerink, Lili Ren, Anastasia Romanou, Roland Séférian, Yongming Tang, Claudia Timmreck, Jerry Tjiputra, Etienne Tourigny, Kostas Tsigaridis, Hailong Wang, Mingxuan Wu, Klaus Wyser, Shuting Yang,Yang Yang,Tilo Ziehn
DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL091883

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Ice core data show why, despite lower sulfur emissions, air pollution is dropping more slowly

Shohei Hattori
(School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology)


After SO2 emission control in the 1970-80s, relatively lower atmospheric acidity promotes the efficiency of the sulfate production in the atmosphere, which weakens the response of the sulfate level to SO2 reduction. Our unique isotopic techniques applied for Greenland’s SE-Dome records identify the key process of the weakened response of sulfate to SO2 emissions reduction. In future research, we need to understand this multiphase chemistry in the atmosphere to design an efficient strategy to manage air pollution and accurately predict future air pollution and climate change impacts. I am glad to publish this result based on international research collaboration, although it took almost two years after the first draft.
Title Isotopic evidence for acidity-driven enhancement of sulfate formation after SO2 emission control
Journal Science Advances
Published May 5, 2021
Authors Shohei Hattori, Yoshinori Iizuka, Becky Alexander, Sakiko Ishino, Koji Fujita, Shuting Zhai, Tomás Sherwen, Naga Oshima, Ryu Uemura, Akinori Yamada, Nozomi Suzuki, Sumito Matoba, Asuka Tsuruta, Joel Savarino, Naohiro Yoshida
DOI https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abd4610

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Newly identified atmospheric circulation pattern enhances heatwaves and wildfires around the Arctic

Teppei J. Yasunari
(Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University)


In recent years, summer heatwaves and wildfires in the northern hemisphere have become frequent topics of conversation. The simultaneous occurrence of summertime heatwaves and wildfires is a concern for human health regarding temperature and air pollution. Some coincidences could result in the discovery and the paper publication of the climatic (atmospheric circulation) pattern. The discovery of this climatic pattern and its characteristics in recent years was made possible by a couple of coincidences, starting with a chatty discussion among researchers in our team at an international conference and ending with the results of analyses by individual researchers. I fully felt the wonderfulness of conference chatting and collaborative research at this time. In the future, it will be essential to elucidate the mechanism of this climate pattern and the changes associated with global warming to predict the simultaneous occurrence of heatwaves and wildfires.
Title Relationship between circum-Arctic atmospheric wave patterns and large-scale wildfires in boreal summer
Journal Environmental Research Letters
Published May 17, 2021
Authors Teppei J Yasunari, Hisashi Nakamura, Kyu-Myong Kim, Nakbin Choi, Myong-In Lee, Yoshihiro Tachibana, Arlindo M da Silva
DOI https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abf7ef

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The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.2 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> Press release with author’s message— From ArCS II News Letter No.1 — https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/project-report/investigators-comment-2020/ Thu, 20 May 2021 05:50:00 +0000 https://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/e/?post_type=project_report&p=1781 ArCS II News Letter No.1 had an article “Frontiers of Arctic Research” that brings investigators’ comments on their research projects. Feel the passion of investigators in these comments telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects. *Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication. The origin of cold temperature in the Arctic Ocean was in Siberian climates! Yusuke Kawaguchi (Research Associate at Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo) The research project has led to the discovery of the fact that the narrow channel (Anadyr Strait) between Alaska and Siberia may control the amount of heat in seawater flowing into the Arctic Ocean. The […]

The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.1 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

]]> ArCS II News Letter No.1 had an article “Frontiers of Arctic Research” that brings investigators’ comments on their research projects. Feel the passion of investigators in these comments telling their thoughts, future prospect, and backstories of their research projects.
*Affiliations are at the time of the newsletter publication.

The origin of cold temperature in the Arctic Ocean was in Siberian climates!

Yusuke Kawaguchi
(Research Associate at Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo)


The research project has led to the discovery of the fact that the narrow channel (Anadyr Strait) between Alaska and Siberia may control the amount of heat in seawater flowing into the Arctic Ocean. The study was accomplished by using two vessels, Japan’s “MIRAI” and Russia’s “Professor Multanovskiy.” There are many issues left unresolved regarding oceanographic phenomena in the Russian territories, including the Siberian bloc. We are aware of unique and essential roles of Japan, expected by the rest of countries in the world, to unravel these mysterious things while maintaining a friendly, cooperative relationship with Russia.

Title Cold Water Upwelling near the Anadyr Strait: Observations and Simulations
Journal Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans
Published September 17, 2020
Authors Yusuke Kawaguchi, Jun Nishioka, Shigeto Nishino, Shinzou Fujio, Keunjong Lee, Amane Fujiwara, Daigo Yanagimoto, Humio Mitsudera, Ichiro Yasuda
DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC016238

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Glacial pumping supports rich marine ecosystem in Greenlandic fjords

Naoya Kanna
(Assistant Professor at Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo)


Seals gather near the front of glaciers, where seawater wells up. Many seabirds also fly around such areas, keeping a sharp eye for undersea prey. Primary production conducted by phytoplankton in surface waters is the base of the food chain in fjords. The unique system of seawater upwelling driven by glacial discharge underpins that primary production. This research project revealed a previously unknown important role of glaciers in Greenland.

Title Iron supply by subglacial discharge into a fjord near the front of a marine-terminating glacier in northwestern Greenland
Journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Published September 28, 2020
Authors Naoya Kanna, Shin Sugiyama, Yasushi Fukamachi, Daiki Nomura, Jun Nishioka
DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GB006567

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Warm river water flowing into the Arctic Ocean affecting sea ice thinning and temperature rise

Hotaek Park
(Senior Scientist at Research Institute for Global Change, JAMSTEC)


Arctic rivers freeze in winter and melt in spring. In the course of research to evaluate the impact of that process on river discharge, I hit upon the idea of riverine heat flux affecting sea ice. Starting from there, I discussed it with other researchers specializing in oceanography, land, and atmosphere, and it took me five years to shape it into the form of a treatise. It can be called, more precisely, the outcome of interdisciplinary studies that are incorporated into the ArCS II project. Along with the advancement of global warming, organic carbon flowing from permafrost soil into the Arctic Ocean through rivers is expected to increase, thereby enhancing ocean acidification. I would like to shed light on this process in the future.

Title Increasing riverine heat influx triggers Arctic sea-ice decline and oceanic and atmospheric warming
Journal Science Advances
Published November 7, 2020
Authors Hotaek Park, Eiji Watanabe, Youngwook Kim, Igor Polyakov, Kazuhiro Oshima, Xiangdong Zhang, John S. Kimball, Daqing Yang
DOI https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abc4699

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Delayed Arctic ice advance tracked back to atmospheric conditions near Alaska months prior

Tsubasa Kodaira
(Assistant Professor at Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)


I was allowed to take part in Arctic navigation for the first time in 2019. The Arctic was not as cold as expected, but it was a dynamic place beyond imagination. Particularly impressive was what is called a marginal ice zone, where snow, winds, sea surface waves, and sea ice look different from hour to hour. The time I spent observing and recording them appeared to be very intense and illuminating. I will take on the challenging task of finding new knowledge and building new methods based on the extremely precious data obtained during observations.

Title Record high Pacific Arctic seawater temperatures and delayed sea ice advance in response to episodic atmospheric blocking
Journal Scientific Reports
Published November 27, 2020
Authors Tsubasa Kodaira, Takuji Waseda, Takehiko Nose, Jun Inoue
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77488-y

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The post Press release with author’s message
— From ArCS II News Letter No.1 — first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

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