News from the polar regions in December 2009 included new biological discoveries in the Arctic and a focus on climate change and policy with the Copenhagen climate talks. Missed these stories the first time around? Read on!

Scientists have long known that certain species of insects and fish rely on antifreeze proteins to survive in cold polar environments. This month, researchers in Alaska identified a new type of antifreeze in an Alaska beetle capable of surviving temperatures below minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, antifreeze molecules prevent ice crystals from forming in an organism’s cells, or keep the crystals from growing too large. More research is needed to learn exactly how the new molecule works and to determine how common it is.

Four new species of king crab have been discovered in deep sea regions across the world, including one from the Bering Sea. Researchers say that the crabs live in most of the world’s oceans, but that many species remain undiscovered – particularly in the Southern Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the oceans off eastern Africa.

Researchers studying mercury levels in polar bears turned to hair samples to better understand how the element moves through different food webs. They found that polar bears are involved in two main food webs – one with phytoplankton at its base, the other with algae that lives on sea ice. These microorganisms convert mercury emitted by human activities (coal-burning power plants, incinerators, and chlorine-producing plants) into a highly toxic form called methylmercury. Methylmercury then builds up in fish and the animals that eat them, including polar bears. The study found that polar bears involved in the phytoplankton-based food web have higher levels of mercury than those involved in the ice algae-based web.

Portions of Alaska’s northern coastline are eroding as much as 30-45 feet a year. The cause? A “triple whammy” of decreasing sea ice, warming ocean water, and increased wave activity. During the summer months, the bluffs, which contain a large amount of ice, topple into the Beaufort Sea as warm seawater melts them and large waves pound them. Researchers also note that as summer sea ice continues to decline and air and sea temperatures continue to rise, coastal erosion will certainly continue. Coastal erosion is a serious problem in Arctic Alaska, threatening towns as well as the habitat of birds and other wildlife.

Scientists researching the aurora borealis discovered an amazing phenomenon – that they can collide, producing huge outbursts of light known as substorms. The discovery was made using twenty highly sensitive cameras, known as “all-sky imagers,” on the ground as well as a spacecraft to sample charged particles and electromagnetic fields from above. Researchers pieced together the information to identify the collisions.

Researchers in Greenland have long observed the glacial plumbing system in which meltwater drains down through crevices, forming rivers and lakes under the ice. Until recently, scientists believed that this water lubricated the ice against the underlying bedrock and sped the flow of glaciers out to the sea. Now they realize it’s more complicated than that. Recent studies have used inexpensive devices such as GPS and autonomous probes to follow the water’s movement. It seems that for outlet glaciers (those along the coast), sudden increases in ocean water temperature are what cause them to speed up. However, meltwater can still affect these glaciers by forming stress fractures within the ice or by bubbling out from under the ice sheet’s base, stirring up warmer ocean water – both of which can cause ice to break off.

Antarctic tourism is growing – 40,000 visitors last year alone. This increased interest is problematic for several reasons. First, the long trips required to visit the southernmost continent are responsible for enormous greenhouse gas emissions. The local environment is under pressure, both from increased traffic and from the potential accidents brought by more frequent visitors. Most importantly, increased tourism presents the potential for problems because there is no single group responsible for setting policy on tourism. Self-regulation among tour operators has worked well thus far, but there’s no guarantee this will be sufficient as demand increases.

The 2008-2009 austral summer marked a record low in Antarctic snowmelt, despite global concerns about warming temperatures and continued sea ice decline in the Arctic. Why the difference? Scientists point to strong westerly winds that encircle the continent. The winds have gradually strengthened during the past 30-40 years, mostly because of the human-caused ozone hole. The strong winds effectively isolated Antarctica from the warmer air found across the globe. Scientists expect that as the hole is repaired, the winds will weaken and more snowmelt will occur on Antarctica.

A comprehensive review of Antarctica’s climate and its relationship to the global climate system was published this month by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. The review includes current research, areas for future study, and information for policy makers interested in melting, sea-level rise, and biodiversity. SCAR’s executive director, Dr. Colin Summerhayes says, “This review describes what we know now and illustrates how human activity is driving rapid climate change. By integrating this multidisciplinary evidence into a single source, we will help scientists and policy makers understand the distinction between environmental changes linked to the Earth’s natural cycles, and those that are human induced. The work is particularly important because it puts Antarctic climate change into context and reveals the impact on the rest of the planet.” Among the key points are that the ozone hole has delayed the impact on greenhouse gas increases on Antarctica’s climate and that as the ozone hole heals over the next century, Antarctica will warm by around three degrees Celsius.

Much of this month’s polar-related news was in the area of climate change, as the Copenhagen climate talks again pushed the environmental issue to the forefront. In anticipation of the event, the Wildlife Conservation Society released a list of animals affected by climate change in a wide variety of ways, including changing land and sea temperatures, shifting rain patterns, exposure to new pathogens and disease, and increased threats of predation. Species listed included musk oxen, dolphins, and even flamingos. Others announced that polar ice sheets are vulnerable to high degrees of melting even under moderate warming scenarios and that emissions during the next century might be sufficient to trigger these if action is not taken. A delegation of indigenous people shared video evidence and testimonials of climate change problems with the Copenhagen attendees. The climate talks ended in the Copenhagen Accord, an agreement that leaders agree is not sufficient but still represents a step forward.

Know of another significant news story from December that you’d like to share? Reactions to one of the stories mentioned above? Post a comment – we’d love to hear from you!