The state of the art methods for sea ice drift retrieval from sequential SAR images are described. An original algorithm based on scale-spaced image representation that effi cient both to noise suppression and signal preserving is proposed. The validation of the algorithm against the manual-derived reference data presented. Its advantages demonstrated in comparison with previously developed algorithms using Sentinel-1a data.

The analysis of ice conditions in Strait of Tartary during 1950–2016 is made. Estimates of occurrence of positive and negative ice extent large anomalies are given. It is revealed that ice extent large anomalies, and, therefore, diffi cult or easy ice conditions, are not necessarily formed by the thermal conditions in severe or soft winters and the signifi cant role in the ice extent anomaly formation is played by abnormal reorganizations of large-scale atmospheric processes in the Pacifi c-American region. Relationship of ice extent large anomalies with the corresponding kinds of atmospheric circulation types is shown.

On the basis of the analysis of climatic trends in changes of the western form of atmospheric circulation and air temperature during 1900–2016, the predictive estimate on an increased repeatability of easy ice conditions in the Tatar Strait in the next years is given.

Biogeochemistry of permanently frozen deposits on the arctic shore of Gydan peninsula Core drilling was performed in four regions of arctic shore on Gydan peninsula. Complex laboratory analysis of cores allowed to characterize biochemistry of Gydan permafrost. These results are compared with data from other permafrost provinces and are applied for paleoreconstructions.

The analysis of the ice extent variability in the waters surrounding Svalbard archipelago (Fram Strait area, Whalers Bay, adjacent areas of the Barents, Greenland and Norwegian seas) is provided on a basis of Russian and foreign data collected in the AARI. Ice extent seasonal changes are investigated; linear trends of the ice extent and ice area long-term variability during 1979–2015 are quantifi ed.

The analysis on long-term fluctuations of the Laptev Sea ice coverage over a period of 1940–2014 has been performed. Large-scale cycle in ice extent anomalies change with high duration of growth phase and abbreviated phase of its reduction in Western part of the sea was emphasized. It is shown that variation of ice area reduction lasted from 1943 till 1995 indicates the slight impact of global warming on ice clearing process. But the following sharp reduction of ice area from 1995 till 2013 can be hypothetically referred to the beginning of man-caused impact on Arctic climate.

We consider the new radiocarbon and uranium-thorium dating of deposits of Western Taimyr and the islands of the Kara Sea, made from organic material (wood, peat, mollusk shells) and dating performed on the sandy sediments by infrared optical stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL). The greatest number of datings obtained from marine terraces sediments, correlated with Karghinskiy (MIS 3) horizon. The deposits containing peat and wood, mostly have Holocene age. Accumulative ridges Mikhailov Peninsula (Western Taimyr) correlated with Zyryanian (MIS 4) horizon and represented by ancient marine beach ridges.

The article describes the particular solution for modeling of the underwater object surfacing from under ice developed for AARI ice tank. In accordance with the tasks underwater object model was made and equipped with the necessary measuring set and interchangeable design elements. It was also designed and built a special experimental facility for static object model surfacing from under the ice with given buoyancy and in a predetermined position. The test results have shown the adequacy of the chosen modeling concepts and the possibility of its application for solving a wide range of applications.

The paper discusses methods for correction of full-scale ship test data obtained in continuous level ice during sea trials, which are conducted to verify ship specifi cation performance. The focus is on the methods used for extrapolation of full-scale test data when the actual ice thickness and bending strength parameters do not match the specifi cation criteria. Formulas are given to plot the ship speed- ice thickness curve based on full-scale test data as well as to extrapolate the obtained characteristics to other ice bending strength conditions.

The problem of fl uctuations of the sea-level in the Arctic zone of Russian Federation in during Holocene. Based on the analysis of more than 600 dating of documents testifying to the level position of the Russian Arctic seas during the Holocene using principal component analysis was able to identify paleo-events of the high standing of the sea level during the Holocene in time periods 6000, 4000 and 2500–1500 y.b.p. and to identify possible reasons for such changes.