The article analyzes the observation data for the total optical thickness of the atmosphere at mid-latitude stations of the background air pollution monitoring on the territory of the Russian Federation for more than 40 years. The obtained results are compared with similar results in Northern and Southern Polar regions.

The data of direct spectral observations of the aerosol optical thickness at the AERONET stations located in high and middle latitudes, as well as the spectral observational data over the Atlantic and Southern oceans collected during the voyages of research vessels to Antarctic and back, have been also drawn to the consideration. The analysis of observational data collected in such diverse conditions, allows evaluating the specificity and dynamics of aerosol pollution in various regions of the planet.

The features of modified version of the extended harmonic analysis of tides in a least-squares version of the AARI, taking into account the seasonal variability of tides in the annual cycle are evaluated. For example analysis and prediction of the tides in the Kara sea shows its higher accuracy describe the curve of the tide. There is also effective method of calibration of tides in the control, quality assessment and correction of observations at polar stations, bringing the long series in sea level dataset to uniforms series. The results of evaluating seasonal and multiyear variability of the tidal constituents M₂ and K₁ of the p/st. Golomyanniy for the period 1963–2006 yy. are received. The fine resolution (satellites) of the main diurnal and semi-diurnal tides forming a nodal modulation is performed.

Extensive archives of observations have been used to analyze changes of water salinity, temperature and thickness of the upper,Atlanticand bottom layers in the Eurasian and Amerasian basins of the Arctic Ocean (AO) in 1950–1993 and 2007–2013. Multivariate models revealed the mechanisms of the coherency of the layer properties. An opposition of variations of thicknesses of the Atlantic layer from one side and the upper and bottom layers from the other side was established; it was also shown that the increase of temperature of the Atlantic layer is followed by salinification of the upper layer with a 4 year lag. Strong correlation of temperature and salinity of the upper and Atlantic layers with climatic indexes (like the North Atlantic Oscillation index) suggests the connection between processes in theArcticand lower latitude regions. The role of external hydrometeorological forcings in climatic changes of the AO state was revealed. The statistical multivariable model is capable of describing large-scale components of the Transpolar system of the AO which is an important contribution for understanding of the Arctic climate system.

Discusses the relationship of a large-scale field variability of drift ice in the Arctic Ocean with a climate change total sea ice extent, occurring in recent decades, based on a unique data set of daily drift fields derived from remote sensing data analysis. Analysis of vector fields of the sea ice drift is done using vector-algebraic method that allows to significantly compress the initial information and describe the vector fields by a limited set of scalar parameters. The joint analysis of the variability of drift field and changes in atmospheric circulation types was carried out within the framework of the classification of large-scale atmospheric processes in theArcticby Vangengeim-Girs-Dydina. It was shown that the predominant circulating type now (B type) contributes to the creation of conditions for ice buildup.

Hydrocarbons (aliphatic and aromatic polyciclic) in water and bottom sediments were investigated on geochemical barrier river (the Northern Dvina, Ob, Yenisei and Lena) to the sea. It is established that there is a sharp decrease in concentration and deposition of anthropogenic hydrocarbons as well as particulates, and other organic compounds, mixing of river water with the sea. Relatively clean water flows to pelagic marine areas. Despite the low Arctic temperature the transformation of anthropogenic hydrocarbons is fast. Therefore, natural compounds predominant in the water and sediments.

During 58th and the 59th seasons of the Russian Antarctic Expedition to the Fildes Peninsula (King George Island, West Antarctica) hydrochemical investigation of 29 lakes, 3 streams and glacier Bellinghausen have been carried out.

Detailed chemical analysis of water, snow and ice samples allows to get modern and qualitatively new information about major ions, trace elements, nutrients content of the objects as well as isotopic composition of Fildes peninsula water bodies. Data analysis provide the most comprehensive hydrochemical characteristic of lake on Fildes Peninsula and identifies individual characteristics of water bodies.

During four field seasons (Russian Antarctic Expeditions 52, 56, 58, 60), we estimated anthropogenic-induced variations of microflora in soils and surface grounds in the area of Druzhnaya-4 field camp. Systematic and regular environmental protection activities were found to have a significant influence on the character and recovery intensity of microbiota that is indigenous to the geographical and climatic conditions of the territory of the camp.

The main design aspects, purposes and composition of the measuring part of ice loads monitoring systems are considered in this article. The description of ice loads monitoring systems, which are operating at the Confederation bridge (Canada) and at the platform Molikpaq (Russia) is given. As an example of design of an ice loads monitoring system for ships operating in ice is presented the system for the research vessel «Akademik Tryoshnikov» designed according to technical requirement of the department of ships performance in ice, AARI.