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A large database of rocket measurements of the D-region electron concentration has been studied. The data were obtained at four sites in the Antarctic (Molodezhnaya and Syowa) and Arctic (Heiss Island, and Andøya/Kiruna). The electron densities were analysed in terms of their variations with solar zenith angle, geomagnetic activity and atmospheric temperature. We found that there is a particle ionisation source in the auroral oval even in quiet conditions. The energy of the particles is such, that they penetrate down to 85km, are partially absorbed between 85 and 80km but do not penetrate (are completely absorbed) below 75km. Analysis of the dependence of the electron concentration [e] on the daily sum of Kp indices, ∑Kp, shows that at all heights considered there is an increase of [e] with ∑Kp up to some saturation value of ∑Kp and beyond this level [e] is either constant (with large scatter of the data) or even decreases. This indicates that when the auroral oval expands with increasing geomagnetic activity, a particular station may move from a position outside or at the boundary of the oval, to a position inside the polar cap. An attempt is made to find the temperature dependence of the electron concentration. It is found that [e] at 75 and 80km increases with temperature T. Analysis of the flights conducted during noctilucent cloud (NLC) events at Andøya/Kiruna reveals a strong dependence of [e] on ∑Kp at 80 and 85km. This dependence is stronger and better defined than that for the entire data set. This may be explained by the low mesopause temperatures observed in summer when NLC occur. A comparison of the electron density data sets with empirical and theoretical models is presented and during quiet magnetic conditions a good agreement with mid-latitude models is found.

Sea ice is a remarkable component of the global climate system. It can form over up to about 10 % of the global ocean area, and creates an insulating barrier between the relatively warm seawater and the cold atmosphere, allowing a temperature difference that may be tens of degrees over only a couple of meters. It reduces evaporation from the ocean, leading to a drier atmosphere than would otherwise exist. Sea ice modifies the radiation balance at the Earth’s surface because it supports snow (the most reflective of the Earth’s natural surfaces, with an albedo of up to approximately 0.8), where otherwise there would be seawater (the least reflective, with an albedo of about 0.07). As sea ice forms it excludes brine, deepening the ocean surface mixed layer and influencing the formation of deep and bottom water. As it melts, it releases relatively fresh water, stratifying the upper layers of the ocean. Through these processes sea ice exerts an enormous influence on the atmospheric and oceanic circulation in cold regions and indeed the climate of the rest of the globe.

A hindcast simulation of the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice variability during 1955–2001 has been performed with a global, coarse resolution ice–ocean model driven by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction / National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis daily surface air temperatures and winds. Both the mean state and variability of the ice packs over the satellite observing period are reasonably well reproduced by the model. Over the 47-year period, the simulated ice area (defined as the total ice-covered oceanic area) in each hemisphere experiences large decadal variability together with a decreasing trend of ~1 % per decade. In the Southern Hemisphere, this trend is mostly caused by an abrupt retreat of the ice cover during the second half of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. The modelled ice volume also exhibits pronounced decadal variability, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Besides these fluctuations, we detected a downward trend in Arctic ice volume of 1.8 % per decade and an upward trend in Antarctic ice volume of 1.5 % per decade. However, caution must be exercised when interpreting these trends because of the shortness of the simulation and the strong decadal variations. Furthermore, sensitivity experiments have revealed that the trend in Antarctic ice volume is model-dependent.

A new coupled atmosphere–ocean–sea ice model has been developed, named the Bergen Climate Model (BCM). It consists of the atmospheric model ARPEGE/IFS, together with a global version of the ocean model MICOM including a dynamic–thermodynamic sea ice model. The coupling between the two models uses the OASIS software package. The new model concept is described, and results from a 300-year control integration is evaluated against observational data. In BCM, both the atmosphere and the ocean components use grids which can be irregular and have non-matching coastlines. Much effort has been put into the development of optimal interpolation schemes between the models, in particular the non-trivial problem of flux conservation in the coastal areas. A flux adjustment technique has been applied to the heat and fresh-water fluxes. There is, however, a weak drift in global mean sea-surface temperature (SST) and sea-surface salinity (SSS) of respectively 0.1 °C and 0.02 psu per century. The model gives a realistic simulation of the radiation balance at the top-of-the-atmosphere, and the net surface fluxes of longwave, shortwave, and turbulent heat fluxes are within observed values. Both global and total zonal means of cloud cover and precipitation are fairly close to observations, and errors are mainly related to the strength and positioning of the Hadley cell. The mean sea-level pressure (SLP) is well simulated, and both the mean state and the interannual standard deviation show realistic features. The SST field is several degrees too cold in the equatorial upwelling area in the Pacific, and about 1 °C too warm along the eastern margins of the oceans, and in the polar regions. The deviation from Levitus salinity is typically 0.1 psu – 0.4 psu, with a tendency for positive anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere, and negative in the Southern Hemisphere. The sea-ice distribution is realistic, but with too thin ice in the Arctic Ocean and too small ice coverage in the Southern Ocean. These model deficiencies have a strong influence on the surface air temperatures in these regions. Horizontal oceanic mass transports are in the lower range of those observed. The strength of the meridional overturning in the Atlantic is 18 Sv. An analysis of the large-scale variability in the model climate reveals realistic El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and North Atlantic–Arctic Oscillation (NAO/AO) characteristics in the SLP and surface temperatures, including spatial patterns, frequencies, and strength. While the NAO/AO spectrum is white in SLP and red in temperature, the ENSO spectrum shows an energy maximum near 3 years.

The distribution of calcareous dinoflagellates has been analysed for the Maastrichtian–Miocene interval of Ocean Drilling Project Hole 689B (Maud Rise, Weddell Sea). The investigation thus represents a primary evaluation of the long-term evolution in high-latitude calcareous dinoflagellate assemblages during the transition from a relatively warm Late Cretaceous to a cold Neogene climate. Major assemblage changes during this interval occurred in characteristic steps: (1) an increase in relative abundance of tangentially structured species – particularly Operculodinella operculata – at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary; (2) a diversity decrease and several first and last appearances across the Middle–Late Eocene boundary, possibly attributed to increased climate cooling; (3) a diversity decrease associated with the dominance of Calciodinellum levantinum in the late Early Oligocene; (4) the reappearance and dominance of Pirumella edgarii in the Early Miocene, probably reflecting a warming trend; (5) monogeneric assemblages dominated by Caracomia spp. denoting strong Middle Miocene cooling. The results not only extend the biogeographic ranges of many taxa into the Antarctic region, but also indicate that the evolution of high-latitude calcareous dinoflagellate assemblages parallels the changing environmental conditions in the course of the Cenozoic climate transition. Therefore, calcareous dinoflagellates contribute to our understanding of the biotic effects associated with palaeoenvironmental changes and might possess the potential for reconstructing past conditions. The flora in the core includes one new taxon: Caracomia arctica forma spinosa Hildebrand-Habel and Streng, forma nov. Additionally, two new combinations are proposed: Fuettererella deflandrei (Kamptner, 1956) Hildebrand-Habel and Streng, comb. nov. and Fuettererella flora (Fütterer, 1990) Hildebrand-Habel and Streng, comb. nov.

Expedition teams provide a number of analogs relevant to crew selection for long-duration space missions. Three groups were studied that varied in team composition. Group 1 was a two woman international dyad that traversed the Antarctic continent in 97 days. Similarities in problem solving approach, respect for each other's opinions, and a collaborative process of decision making were evident. Group 2 was composed of four women, all from different countries, engaged in a six week trek across Greenland. The most important factors in overcoming interpersonal difficulties and contributing to the successful completion of the expedition were mutual respect and motivation to maintain positive and supportive relationships. Group 3 consisted of three married couples from different countries icelocked on a boat in the High Arctic for a 9 month period. The emotional support of and ability to confide in their partner were extremely important in alleviating interpersonal tensions, and contributed to the generally effective functioning of the group. Women add an element of emotional support and help to other team members that is not as evident in all-male groups. Selection of couples with strong bonds to each other is another paradigm for crew selection for extended missions.

In this study laboratory experiments of sea ice formed on a vertical surface with initial temperature of −30 to −50°C are presented. The ice formation is rapid, and in 300 s >5 mm of sea ice is formed. Ice formation cooled and salinified the water, and induced a vertical down wards flow of ∼5 mm/s with a boundary layer about 5 mm thick. This ice has a structure with columnar crystals that have small circular cross sections (0.2–1.0 mm) and sea ice salinities are between 24 and 32. A simple model approach indicate that the thermal conductivity of such ice is lower than for other types of sea ice.