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Polar regions have been subject to intense research efforts during the past International Polar Year (IPY) in 2007-2008. The Arctic and Antarctic currently attract much attention not only at the scientific but also at the public level, as climate change is occurring much faster at the poles than elsewhere on this planet.
In 2002 during the Austral summer, the Larsen B Ice Shelf collapsed, followed by the Wilkins ice shelf in 2008. The Arctic summer sea-ice had retreated to a record minimum in 2007; however, the minimum in June 2011 is already approaching a new record low. Additionally, the fresh water in sea ice melt produces an abundance of nutrients necessary to facilitate the growth of microorganisms and phytoplankton blooms. Phytoplankton is significant in the food chain because it provides the nourishment for many aquatic species and influence the success of fisheries, which in turn, plays an important role in the overall food chain in the polar environments. The Greenland inland ice sheet is melting to such a degree that this melt-water alone contributes to about 3 mm to the annual sea-level rise. Atmospheric circulation patterns are likely to be affected by temperature differences between the polar regions. At the same time as the atmosphere, the cryosphere and ocean biogeochemistry are changing they heavily impacting land, local flora and fauna. With melting permafrost, soil becomes more unstable and releases a considerable amount of methane. Methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide, is being released at unknown rates and can trigger a cumulative effect through concentrated amounts in the atmosphere. Some regions are subject to wetter conditions and tumultuous weather phenomena, while other areas suffer from droughts. Changing migration patterns of southerly species repress northerly species as a result of the interaction of these complex systems. Though the emission of legacy contaminants is better controlled today, Arctic and Antarctic species suffer from exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury, POPs, COPs and other pollutants. Local diets need to be adapted as some traditionally eaten seafood has accumulated too many toxic compounds for the population to be healthy.
Changes in Polar Regions affect the whole Planet
Changes in the polar regions do not only have local effects but are propagated across the globe and are therefore subject of world-wide concern. Melting glaciers will cause flooding in shallow coastal regions such as Florida or Bangladesh. Enlarged volumes of fresh water in the oceans potentially cause changes in oceanic circulation, which influences atmospheric circulation leading to new weather patterns.To fully understand the changes in the biogeochemistry, atmosphere, biology, physics and dynamics of the polar systems, interdisciplinary and international efforts are necessary. The associated webpages (see left column) present an overview on major polar science related fields of research. Active APECS members and the research area representatives from the Research Activities Committee (RAC) have put together an assembly of useful links and resources, information on current research activities, campaigns, APECS mentors, member publications and websites for each research area represented within APECS.
Get Involved
This is an ongoing process and contributions are most welcome! If you would like to get involved in sharing relevant information for your field of research, initiate a field that is not yet represented, and / or participate on the RAC then please contact us. We rely on the whole APECS community to represent polar research as complete and comprehensible as possible.
Apart from the webpages, APECS offers many more activities to get involved and to present your current research interests:
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