Tree-ring dating of Russian Pomor settlements in Svalbard

Results of the tree-ring dating of samples from the three Russian settlements of the 18th century (Bjornbeinflyene, Palffyodden, and Schonningholmane) at Svalbard are presented. The present study is a development of a previous work (Chochorowski and Krapiec, 2017). These stations were discovered during excavations conducted by the Polish archaeological expedition of Jagiellonian University in the Sorkappland and Hornsund fjord regions of the Svalbard Archipelago. In total, 5 non-dated samples of the previous work were reanalyzed for these sites: Bjornbeinflyene (2 samples), Palffyodden (1 sample), Schonningholmane (1 sample) and relics from the landing site on the Torrflya coast (1 sample). All samples from these settlements are constructional elements of dwellings, appearing to be prefabricates brought from the continent, and only one of them is a driftwood timber. These floating chronologies were cross-dated against more than 200 master tree-ring chronologies from the Arctic coast, including as well our own data. Cross-dating was performed by CORINA software which includes t-values calculated with different detrending options. As a result, it was possible to successfully date and determine the place of origin of these samples. Results obtained do not contradict the data of radiocarbon and archaeological dating and indicate the possible use of wood from the territories of the White and Kara Sea basins as a building material for the Russian Pomor settlements in Svalbard.     

A century of conservation: The ongoing recovery of Svalbard reindeer

Several caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations have experienced recent population declines, often attributed to anthropogenic stressors such as harvesting, landscape fragmentation, and climate change. Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus), the wild reindeer subspecies endemic to the high-Arctic Svalbard archipelago, was protected in 1925, after most subpopulations had been eradicated by harvest. Although direct pressure from harvest has ceased, indirect anthropogenic stressors from environmental changes have increased in this climate change hot spot. An assessment of the current distribution and abundance is therefore urgently needed. We combined distance sampling (300 km transects, n = 489 reindeer groups) and total counts (1,350 km², n = 1,349 groups) to estimate the Svalbard reindeer distribution and abundance across its entire range, which we compared with historical data from the literature and radiocarbon-dated bones. Reindeer have now recolonized nearly all non-glaciated land (i.e., areas occupied prior to human presence), and their spatial variation in abundance reflects vegetation productivity. Independent of vegetation productivity, however, recently recolonized areas have lower reindeer densities than areas not subject to past extirpation. This suggests that recovery from past overharvesting is still in progress. These incompletely recovered areas are potential targets for increased monitoring frequency and maintaining strict conservation to follow the Svalbard management goal (i.e., virtually untouched wilderness areas). Because of such ongoing recolonization, possibly combined with vegetation greening effects of recent warming, our status estimate of Svalbard reindeer abundance (22,435 [95% CI = 21,452–23,425]) is more than twice a previous estimate based on opportunistic counts. Thus, although our study demonstrates the successful outcome of strict harvesting control implemented a century ago, current and future population trajectories are likely shaped by climate change. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.     

Characterization of xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms in ringed and grey seals from the Baltic Sea and reference sites

Earlier studies have shown that members of the cytochrome P4501 (CYP1) enzyme family are constitutively expressed, and are elevated in the livers of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) living in the heavily polluted Baltic Sea. In this study, we compared the expression profiles of several additional CYP enzymes in the liver and extrahepatic tissues of Baltic ringed and grey seals with the corresponding CYP expression in seals from relatively unpolluted waters. We used marker enzyme activity levels, diagnostic inhibitors and immunoblot analysis to assess members of the CYP2A, CYP2B, CYP2C, CYP2D, CYP2E and CYP3A sub-families. Coumarin 7-hydroxylation (COH), a marker of CYP2A activity, was high in the liver and the lungs of all the studied seal populations. The presence of a putative CYP2A form in these seals was further supported by the strong inhibition of COH activity by a chemical inhibitor and by an anti-CYP2A5 antibody. However, antibodies to human and rodent CYP2B, CYP2C and CYP2E forms did not recognize any proteins in these seal species. Dextromethorphan O-demethylation (marker for CYP2D activity) and chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (marker for CYP2E activity) were measurable in the livers of all the seals we studied. Both activities were elevated in the Baltic seal populations, showed a strong positive correlation with CYP1A activity and were at least partly inhibited by a typical CYP1A inhibitor, alpha-naphthoflavone. Further studies are needed to determine the presence and characteristics of CYP2D and CYP2E enzymes in ringed and grey seals. Testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation, a CYP3A marker, showed a relatively high level of activity in the livers of both seal species and was potently inhibited by ketoconazole, a CYP3A-selective inhibitor. The putative CYP3A activity showed an opposing geographical trend to that of CYP2D and CYP2E, since it was elevated in the control area. CYP3A protein levels, revealed by immunoblotting, showed a positive correlation with testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. We conclude tentatively that CYP2A- and CYP3A-like enzymes are expressed in ringed and grey seals, but that CYP2B- and CYP2C-like ones are not. Further information on the individual contaminant profile is needed before any conclusions can be drawn on a possible connection between the varying CYP expressions and the contaminant load.     

Middle triassic Parapopanoceratidae and Nathorstitidae (ammonoidea) of Boreal region: Internal structure,ontogeny and phylogenetic patterns

Internal structure of Stenopopanoceras mirabilePopow, Parapopanoceras sp., P. mediumMcLearn, P. janaense (Popow), P. paniculatumPopow, P. asseretoiDagys & Ermakova, Indigirites krugiPopow, Nathorstites mcconnelli (Whiteaves), N. gibbosusStolley, N. lenticularis (Whiteaves), N. argatassensis (Popow) is described and also ontogenetic development of species I. krugiPopow and N. mcconnelli (Whiteaves) originating from middle triassic deposits of northern part of Middle Siberia, north-eastern part of the USSR and Svalbard is given. For the species mentioned above data is given on the position of siphuncle, shape and dimensions of protoconch, caecum, ammonitella, the angle of primary varix, structure of septal necks and the nature of their change in the course of ontogeny. Significance of these signs for taxonomy and phylogeny of triassic ammonoidea is analysed. Intergeneric difference of Stenopopanoceras and Parapopanoceras is established according to the position of siphuncle on the first whorl of the shell. On the basis of the analysis of internal structure and ontogenetic development of suture line and morphological signs Indigirites is considered to belong to the family Hungaritidae (subfamily Longobarditinae). Phylogenetic patterns of the ammonoidea species described are discussed.     

Speciation,phase association and potential bioavailability of phosphorus on a Svalbard glacier

Glacier surfaces are known to harbour abundant and active microbial communities. Phosphorus has been shown to be deficient in glacial environments, and thus is one of the limits on microbial growth and activity. We quantified the phosphorus pool in cryoconite debris and the concentration of dissolved phosphorus in supraglacial water on Werenskioldbreen, a Svalbard glacier. The mean total P content of the cryoconite debris was ~2.2 mg g⁻¹, which is significantly more than would be expected in rock debris from local sources. 57% of this P was present in the fraction defined as organic P. It may account for the P in excess of the rock debris, and could be explained by allochthonous input of organic matter. The concentration of total dissolved P in supraglacial water was very low (5.2–8.5 μg l⁻¹), which was probably caused by efficient flushing and re-adsorption onto mineral surfaces. Dissolved organic P (DOP) was a very important component of the dissolved phosphorus pool on Werenskioldbreen, as concentrations of DOP typically exceeded those of dissolved inorganic P (or SRP) by more than four times in all the glacial water types. It is very difficult to assess whether P was limiting in this environment solely on the basis of the N:P ratios in the debris or biomass. There may be some degree of biological control over the C:N:P ratios in the debris, but the phosphorus cycling in the supraglacial environment on this glacier seems to be mainly controlled by physical and geochemical processes.     

Lichens on lignum in the coastal regions of western Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

Eighteen species of eleven lichen genera were found on driftwood and worked timber deposited on the beaches in the Hornsund and Billefjorden regions (the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard archipelago). Majority of them indicate low substrate specificity in the high arctic regions. Only three species (Caloplaca spitsbergensis, Lecanora mughicola, L. orae-frigidae) are typical for lignum. Most of the taxa are widespread in Svalbard. Species like: Caloplaca holocarpa, C. spitsbergensis, Protothelenella sphinctrinoidella, Rinodina archaea were sporadically reported till now. Lecanora mughicola was not reported from Svalbard up to the present and this is the first record of the species for the region.     

The law of the sea and the prospects for deep seabed mining: The position of the European community

This article explores the options that the Norwegian government has when it comes to the management of harvesting a new resource (redfeed) in the politically tense area surrounding Svalbard. The article argues that, by preparing a blueprint regime solely for redfeed rather than allowing the resource to be a catalyst for conflict, the impacts of introducing the fishery will be less dramatic.