CNR Antarctic Data Center
CNR Antarctic Data Center (CNR)
Continents, countries, sea regions of the world.
Lidar backscattering and depolarization data at Concordia Station (Dome C, Antarctica) - FIRCLOUDS PNRA project
Backscattering and depolarization data from a LIDAR positioned at Concordia Station (Dome C, Antarctica). Data are available on the INO-CNR server on request to Dr. Massimo Del Guasta. The main objective of the FIRCLOUDS projectis a complete spectral characterization of cirrus and mixed phase clouds in order to evaluate the radiative models in the FIR regime, where the clouds effect is very strong, and systematic spectral measurements are scarcely available. A backscattering/depolarization lidar contributes to the estimation of the clouds position and phase, and of the optical extinction profile.
Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica), characterized by a moltitude of ice tongues flowing from land to sea, represents an ideal study site for understanding the complex interaction between relative sea level variations and ice sheet dynamics during the Holocene. The DISGELI project, thanks to the combination of innovative technology and traditional methods for geomorphologic and stratigraphic analysis, aims to: i) reconstruct the local variations of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet after the Last Glacial Maximum; ii) provide a time constrain for the deglaciation processes along the coast; iii) reconstruct, with unprecedent detail, the relative sea level variations during Holocene in the Drygalski basin. The morpho-bathymetric and topographic data obtained through this study will be integrated using digital terrain models based on the analyses of key areas onland, where palaeo-coastlines and sea-level markers have been identified.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DATA ORIGIN AND HOW IT GETS TRANSFORMED ALONG THE WAY FROM THE INSTRUMENT TO THE DATABASE.
Human gut microbiome data of volunteers at Mario Zucchelli station
We will collect stool samples from the volunteers at the Mario Zucchelli Station at different time points. The samples will be analysed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing, considering only the microbial component.
human microbiome, microbiome transmission, metagenomics
Aerosol ion chemical composition at Dome C
The data are related to the ionic composition of atmospheric aerosol continuously collected at Dome C. They refer to PM10 and size-segregated aerosol collected at 2-day and 4-day resolution, respectively. The measured chemical parameters include main and trace inorganic anions and cations and selected organic anions (methanesulphonic acid - MSA).
Seismic reflection profiles from the Drygalski Basin
Ice camera and halo camera pictures at Concordia Station (Dome C, Antarctica) - FIRCLOUDS PNRA project
Pictures of the ice camera and the halo camera positioned at Concordia Station (Dome C, Antarctica). Data are available on the INO-CNR server on request to Dr. Massimo Del Guasta. The main objective of the FIRCLOUDS project is a complete spectral characterization of cirrus and mixed phase clouds in order to evaluate the radiative models in the FIR regime, where the clouds effect is very strong, and systematic spectral measurements are scarcely available. The ice and halo imager cameras enable an assessment of the cloud ice crystals micro-physics.
Data has been collected automatically using ground-based instruments on site.
MIDAS: MIcrobial Diversity within the Vicinity of the Concordia Antarctic Station
The Concordia Research Station provides a unique location for preparatory activities for future human journey to Mars, to explore microbial diversity at subzero temperatures and monitor the dissemination of human-associated microorganisms within the pristine surrounding environment. The present study was performed in the frame of the BacFinder project (European Space Agency, ESA AO-13-Concordia) with the aim to unravel the environmental- and human-associated microbial diversity in the surrounding of the Concordia Station. This is the first intensive and extensive surface snow sampling performed monthly over a two-year period at three distances (10, 500, and 1000 m) from the Concordia Station, and investigated by a high-throughput sequencing approach. Emphasis was laid on the relation between microbial presence and both seasonality and distance from the Base. Data suggested that if present the anthropogenic impact was below the detection limit of the employed DNA sequencing-based techniques. On the other hand, our study corroborated the use of DNA sequencing for revealing microbial presence in remote and hostile environments, with implications for Planetary Protections and for life-detection in astrobiology relevant targets.
Pelagic ecosystem monitoring of the key species of Middle Trophic Level in the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
The Middle Trophic Level of the Ross Sea is still not well known but it mainly characterized by two species of Krill: Euphausia superba, Euphausia Crystallorophias. These species are a key food source for a wide variety of marine birds and mammals in the Ross Sea. For this reason, it's necessary to improve the knowledge on abundance and spatial distribution of MTL species, and their interconnection with environmental parameters to understand the main drivers of the reproductive success and migrations of these species. In this project, an acoustic survey, a synoptic net sampling and a CTD/XBT samplings were carried out following the standard protocols indicated by CCAMLR. Acoustic monitoring was performed at five frequencies: 38, 70, 120, 200 and 333 kHz. Targeted net samplings were performed to validate the preliminary species allocation of the aggregations observed on the echosounder screen. Biometric measures of krill samples was made on board and samples were taken for further analysis. CTD and XBT data was collected and elaborated to characterize water masses and to study the possible influences of the distribution of the main oceanographic parameters on MTL species.
ESCAPE-Sky brightness measurements obtained during the summer campaign 2022-2023
Calibrated (in unit of solar disk brightness) measurements of the sky brightness at DOME C as obtained by the ESCAPE experiment during the campaign 2022-2023
Crustal anatexis up to ultra-high temperature conditions in Antarctica (PNRA18_00103 - HotAntarctica).
Below the results obtained by the HOT ANTARCTICA project are presented. Results regarding geochemistry of crustal melts Main results obtained by the most prominent samples are described separately for each of the investigated terranes (Napier Complex, Lützow Holm Complex, Rauer Islands and Schrimacher Hills). The methodology employed during the work is also listed below: 1) Samples interrogated in this project were previously collected from Napier Complex (provided by the collaboration with Prof. Simon Harley, University of Edinburgh), Lützow Holm Complex (provided by the collaboration with Prof. Satish-Kumar, University of Niigata), Rauer Islands (provided by the collaboration with Prof. Simon Harley, University of Edinburgh and in collaboration with Zhao Liu, Northwest University ,China) and Schrimacher Hills (provided by the Museo Nazionale dell’Antartide, Siena, Italy). 2) Microstructural and petrographic study were done in all samples to identify equilibrium assemblages, melting reaction microstructures and occurrence of nanogranitoids (i.e. crystallized inclusions), melt and fluid inclusions. 3) Microstructural characterization of inclusions using Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) analyses were done: i) to identify the submicrometric phases within nanogranitoids and ii) to verify the homogeneity of remelted nanogranites and preserved glassy melt inclusions. 4) Experimental remelting of crystallized melt inclusions was performed to overcome the problem of MI decrepitation and volatile loss. The remelting of nanogranitoids was performed at high pressure with a piston cylinder apparatus using a QUICKpress piston cylinder apparatus produced by Depths of the Earth (installed at the Dipartimento di Geoscienze, UniPd). 5) Analysis of the major and trace elements contents of melt inclusions was carried out using i) an electron microprobe at the at University of Milan and ii) a LAICPMS at University of Perugia. 6) Thermodynamic modeling of anatectic conditions: the evaluation of P-T-X parameters and of P-T paths in the different geologic contexts were carried out using the software Perple_X. 7) Micro-Raman spectroscopy: characterization of fluid inclusions coexisting with melt inclusions was done using a HORIBA LabRam HR (high resolution) Raman microspectrometer at the University of Pavia. 8) Cross-comparison of data: during the development of this research project all collected data were analyzed by cross-comparing the information from the different geological contexts, with the aim to highlight similarities and differences. 9) Data discussion and evaluation: all data was analyzed and discussed in tight collaboration with the researchers involved in this project. 10) Synthesis and dissemination of results: dissemination of results was done with oral and poster presentations in several international conferences (see list on the appropriate section - Atti). Presentations include invited keynote presentations by the PI, Bruna Borges Carvalho at Goldschmidt (France, 2023) and Hutton Symposium (Italy, 2023). Invited seminars were also given in several important universities around the world [University of Bern, Switzerland; University of Cambridge, UK; University of Niigata, University of Kyoto, Japan]. Furthermore, a total of two research papers have been published in journals of high impact factor, and other two articles are in preparation. Here we also provide mineral, geochemical and geochronological data of studied areas at Rundvagshetta and Rauer Islands. Preprinted versions of two published article where the data is explained are also provided. Carvalho, B.B., Bartoli, O., Cesare, B., Satish-Kumar, M., Petrelli, M., Kawakami, T., Hokada, T., Gilio, M. (2023). Revealing the link between A-type granites and hottest melts from residual metasedimentary crust. Geology 51, 845-849. https://doi.org/10.1130/G51097.1 Liu, Z., Carvalho, B.B., Li, W., Tong, L., Bartoli, O., Li, C., Chen, L., ,Yan, Q, Wu, H. 2023. Into the high to ultrahigh temperature melting of Earth’s crust: Investigations of melt and fluid inclusions within Mg–rich metapelitic granulites from the Mather Peninsula, East Antarctica. Journal of Petrology 64, egad051. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egad051 Results regarding petrology and geochronology of granulites In northern Victoria Land, the presence of two contrasting P-T paths suggests the possibility that high-grade complexes could have experienced a different metamorphic evolution both in space and time. Geochronological data of the Granite Harbour Intrusives support a prolonged magmatic activity (540-480 Ma), with multiple igneous pulses. This could imply the existence of magmatic underplating triggering the development of monometamorphic granulites during the Ross Orogeny. On the other hand, structural and PT evolution suggest the presence of a polymetamorphic granulitic belt that could be remnant of older orogeny as the Panafrican (ca. 600-500 Ma) (Lombardo et al., 1987; Palmeri, 1997; Talarico and Castelli, 1995). In order to discriminate mono- from poly-metamorphic evolution, metasedimentary granulite complex from the Deep Freeze Range has been investigated. Among all available granulite samples, a detailed petrographical study has been conducted to select the most representative and suitable HT granulite-facies rocks: four samples have been individuated for petrological and geochronological analyses (Opx-Grt and >30 µm Zrn/Mnz bearing), fifteen for geochemistry (absence of leucosome). In the Deep Freeze Range, HT granulites consist of Grt-Opx±Bt±Crd±Spl±Crn gneisses characterized by the presence of numerous Opx±Grt leucocratic segregations. Geochemical results confirm that analyzed granulite protholites have sedimentary origin, being comparable to Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS; Taylor and McLennan, 1985), and they have been deposited in an orogenic setting (active continental margin). Petrographical, microstructural and mineral chemistry analyses show a metamorphic evolution including three different stages: Pl-Grt1-Spl-Crn-Ilm medium-P granulite facies (M1), Qtz-Pl-Opx-Grt1-Crd-Ilm-Kfs low-P granulite facies (M2), and Qtz-Pl-Grt2-Kfs-Bt-Ath low-P amphibolite (M3). Preliminary petrological results indicate that evolving metamorphic parageneses describe an initial isothermal decompression (exhumation event) followed by isobaric cooling; further thermodynamic modeling by software Perple_X will allow to better define P-T-X conditions. Geochronological studies involved the observation and analysis of monazites and zircons on four selected granulite thin sections. Investigations included X-ray mapping carried out under the electron microscope, CL-BSE imaging (zircons), and trace element analysis and U-Pb dating using LA-ICP-MS. Acquired data are still under review and will have a fundamental role in the reconstruction of the P-T-t path, thus making it possible to discriminate between mono- and poly-metamorphic hypotheses. References Lombardo et al 1987. Memorie della Società Geologica Italiana 33, 99-130. Palmeri R. 1997. Lithos 42, 47-66. Talarico and Castelli D. 1995. Precamb. Res. 75, 157-174. Taylor and McLennan S.M. 1985. Blackwell, Oxford, 312 p.
East Antarctica, melt inclusions, ultrahigh temperature granulites, crustal anatexis
CNR - Consiglio nazionale delle ricerche
INAF - Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
Website of Dr. Massimo Del Guasta (coordinator)
LINK A PROPRIA SCHEDA PROGETTO su PORTALE PNRA
Rock database Museo Nazionale dell'Antartide
Ca' Foscari University of Venice and CNR ISAC Rome
INAF-Astrophysical Observatory Of Torino
Dipartimento di Geoscienze, Universita degli Studi di Padova
Dipartimento di Geoscienze, Università degli Studi di Padova
Metadata Point of Contact name and surname