CNR Antarctic Data Center
CNR Antarctic Data Center (CNR)
Continents, countries, sea regions of the world.
Elemental composition of particulate matter at Concordia
Concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in particulate matter (PM10) samples, collected at Concordia with monthly time resolution, since January 2018, obtained by PIXE-PIGE and HR-ICP-MS measurements.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DATA ORIGIN AND HOW IT GETS TRANSFORMED ALONG THE WAY FROM THE INSTRUMENT TO THE DATABASE.
Near-surface snow density at Concordia Station, Antarctica
This dataset reports the snow density observations at the Concordia Station, Antarctica. A snow trench is dig once per month (or every three months during winter) in the clean area near the Station (< 1 km). Four measurements are taken inserting a core barrel (with a diameter of 4.5 cm and a length of 25 cm) horizontally into the snow at 10 cm depth, and four more measurements are taken inserting another core barrel (with a diameter of 3.7 cm and a length of 9.2 cm) vertically, from the surface to 10 cm depth. The snow density is calculated from the weight.
2025-01-13T09:45:00Z First upload of the dataset
SIZA - Macrozoobenthic community samplings in Terra Nova Bay
Antarctic ecosystems have a high number of species, that are closely linked to the presence of sea ice and seasonal cycles. This biodiversity is subject to anthropogenic and natural influences. Macrozoobenthic communities are the 'biological memory' of the ecosystem, structuring themselves as a function of environmental changes over the years. Macrozoobenthos samples were collected using suction dredging and scraping techniques, in soft and hard bottoms. Sampling occurred in 5 different sites.
Macrozoobenthos samples were collected using suction dredging and scraping techniques, in soft and hard bottoms, preserved in a solution of seawater and 70% alcohol.
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
Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) 500nm and alpha.
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.
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.
Observations of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) at the lidar observatory of McMurdo station.
The lidar observatory at Mcmurod, was one of the primary stations of the NDACC network (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) from 2004 to 2010. The lidar observes polar stratospheric clouds at a height between 12 and 26 km typically, from early June until the end of Settember. These PSCs play an important role in the ozone chemistry and promote the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. The lidar can detect even very thin PSC layers and can provide important information about their chemical composition. The lidar can be used to study formation and dynamical processes and to provide long term records useful for climate studies.
Raw data are collected routinely by the lidar data acquisition system and successively elaborated and uploaded to the NDACC data base, usually at the end of the winter season.
High Frequency radar measurement of the polar ionosphere by the Dome C North SuperDARN radar
The HF radar denominated Dome C North (DCN) emits pulses of HF waves (8–20 MHz) which are refracted in the ionosphere and can be back-scattered by field aligned decameter scale irregularities of the electron density at distances ranging from 180 to 3550 km from the radar and at heights between 100 and 400 km. The radar signals are steered in 16 emission beams, separated by 3.3 degrees, in an azimuthal interval of 52 degrees, usually swept in 2 minutes. The signals are emitted according to multi-pulse sequences that allow the real-time acquisition of the autocorrelation function of the back scatter echoes, from which the reflected power, the VD Doppler velocity of the irregularities, and the spectral width can be calculated for each distance-azimuth cell. VD coincides with the velocity of the plasma along the line of sight. DCN is part of the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN). In SuperDARN, pairs of radars, typically located at 2000 km distance and oriented so that their beams cross each other over the region to be studied, are used to get the velocity vector in two dimensions. DCN forms a common-volume pair with the SuperDARN Zhongshan radar (China). SuperDARN radars are devoted to the study of ionosphere, between 100 and 400 km from ground, in the polar, auroral and medium latitude regions. The sscientific objectives of SuperDARN and DCN span from fundamental plasma physics to space weather, in the framework of Sun-Earth relations. Italy participates in the SuperDARN international network also with the Dome C East (DCE) radar,installed at Concordia in 2013 and operative since then.
Data is collected automatically by ground-based instruments on site.
Snow pits collected along the scientific traverse EAIIST
Here we present the snow pits collected along the international EAIIST project traverse, which took place in 2019-2020 Antarctic Campaign. We report the number of snow pits collected, the depth of the samplings and their geographic information.
Snow Pits, East Antarctica, EAIIST, paleoclimate, glaciology, water stable isotopes
The snow pits were dug in the frame of the EAIIST project during the austral summer 2019/2020. The snow pits have been transported to EU at -20°C and stored at -20°C in Italy at Ca' Foscari University of Venice as well as in other Italian laboratories involved in the project. The analyses are underway.
GLACIER MASS BALANCE/ICE SHEET MASS BALANCE
Rock database Museo Nazionale dell'Antartide
Website of Dr. Massimo Del Guasta (coordinator)
Ca' Foscari University of Venice - Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics
Dipartimento di Geoscienze, Universita degli Studi di Padova
Dipartimento di Geoscienze, Università degli Studi di Padova
Italian National Research Council - Institute of Polar Sciences
Ca' Foscari University of Venice and CNR ISAC Rome