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Special influence on the characteristics of the projected seaports is made by meteorological conditions of the area of their position. The meteorological conditions can significantly affect the uneven arrival of ships, which in turn leads to an increase in their turnaround time. The standards of technological design of seaports are supposed to take into account the unevenness of cargo traffic and weather conditions with the help of appropriate coefficients that increase the amount of required resources. However, the operating conditions of seaports in the Arctic, in the general case, are random, difficult to predict, which negates the use of these coefficients. At the same time, in the practice of seaports, the method of scenario planning is actively used, which, together with simulation modeling, makes it possible to estimate the probability that an appropriate amount of resources will be required, as well as the probability of a vessel's turnaround time in the port, taking into account a given uneven cargo flow, meteorological conditions, random the nature of the berth performance. An approach to the scenario generation of seaport operating conditions, based on the method of soft computing is described in this article. It is proved in the paper that described method provides flexible scenario generation. The scenario characteristics can be set not just with quantitative values, but also with the qualitative ones: for example, "medium", "high" or "low" levels of cargo flow. The Authors show that the generated scenarios allow providing the "if, else" scenario for the existing and developing ports. The proposed method for generating scenarios is used in simulation models, the main task of which is to estimate the amount of seaport resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The representation of Arctic clouds in numerical weather prediction models is challenging, especially for mixed-phase clouds with both a liquid and ice phase present. This cloud type is frequently observed in the Arctic with a pronounced longevity. In this paper, measurements conducted during the Arctic CLoud Observations Using airborne measurements during polar Day (ACLOUD) campaign, which took place in May/June 2017 northwest of Svalbard, Norway, are compared with the operational 'Atmospheric Model high resolution' configuration (HRES) of the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), operated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Instead of using cloud retrieval products from airborne remote sensing, the comparison is performed in the observational space of spectral solar irradiances reflected by the clouds. To allow such an analysis along the flight track at flight level, the operational ecRad radiation scheme of the IFS is used in offline mode. Besides the HRES model output, vertical profiles of concentrations of trace and greenhouse gases provided by the ECMWF Atmospheric Composition Reanalysis 4 serve as the input for ecRad. The ability of the IFS to realistically represent the airborne radiation measurements collected during ACLOUD is evaluated for flight sections above sea ice and open ocean. Based on the good agreement of the HRES output with common sea-ice concentration satellite products, the radiation measurements are not significantly biased by sea-ice fraction. A case study with boundary-layer clouds of changing cloud phase is investigated in detail and the impact of the ice cloud mass mixing ratio on the spectral irradiance is investigated. For the cloud dominated by ice crystals, the common ice optics parameterization applied in the ecRad simulations is tested against more advanced scattering databases. The ice optics parameterization from Baran et al. (2016) agrees closest to ACLOUD observations in the 778−1242 nm and the 1626−1942 nm band, the parameterization from Yi et al. (2013) agrees closest in the 1299−1626 nm band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses a fundamental framework for developing prospective materials and technologies to ensure the technological advantage in the North and the Arctic as well as the energy and technological safety of the industrial sector in cold climates, the analysis of remote energy systems of the Arctic of Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is also carried out. Operation of power equipment in harsh climates leads to accelerated wear and tear and demands additional repair and reconstruction costs and stricter safety procedures. Examples are given for the application of new metal and composite materials with enhanced cold resistance and production of welding joints. A possibility is discussed for speeding up and enhancing construction reliability in the permafrost zone, reducing risks and improving human protection in developing mining and processing industries, including oil and gas production, based on the following: digitization, artificial intelligence, big and small data analysis, quantum approaches to devising and implementing eco-friendly technologies and enterprises, renewable and efficient energy and access to transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the energy supply problems in the eastern areas of the Russian Arctic. The sequence and relations of the main stages of research focusing on the comprehensive substantiation of feasible energy technologies in the areas with off-grid power supply are indicated. The description of the model tools developed by the authors and the structure of the information-analytical system are given. Findings indicate the conditions for the competitiveness of centralized and decentralized power supply and competitive prices for liquefied natural gas to replace coal, crude oil, and diesel fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the prospects for development of the railway transport system in the Ural sector of the Arctic. The Arctic region from the Urals to the exit to the sea from the port Sabetta is considered. The following is provided to your attention. Possible prospects for the export of natural liquefied gas from Sabetta port were considered. Progressive development will be placement of two projects near the Sabetta port: Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 with the further goal of exporting by sea to Europe and Asia. The ways of delivery of goods by rail to Sabetta port are analyzed. The analysis of the plan for the construction of the railway line in the project Northern Latitudinal Railway was carried out. The advantages and disadvantages of the construction of the railway line between Salekhard and Novy Urengoy in the project Northern Latitudinal Railway are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arctic low clouds strongly affect the Arctic surface energy budget. Through this impact Arctic low clouds influence important aspects of the Arctic climate system, namely surface and atmospheric temperature, sea ice extent and thickness, and atmospheric circulation. Arctic clouds are in turn influenced by these elements of the Arctic climate system, and these interactions create the potential for Arctic cloud-climate feedbacks. To further our understanding of potential Arctic cloudclimate feedbacks, the goal of this paper is to quantify the influence of atmospheric state on the surface cloud radiative effect (CRE) and its covariation with sea ice concentration (SIC). We build on previous research using instantaneous, active remote sensing satellite footprint data from the NASA A-Train. First, the results indicate significant differences in the surface CRE when stratified by atmospheric state. Second, there is a weak covariation between CRE and SIC for most atmospheric conditions. Third, the results show statistically significant differences in the average surface CRE under different SIC values in fall indicating a 3-5 W m-2 larger LW CRE in 0% versus 100% SIC footprints. Because systematic changes on the order of 1 W m-2 are sufficient to explain the observed long-term reductions in sea ice extent, our results indicate a potentially significant amplifying sea ice-cloud feedback, under certain meteorological conditions, that could delay the fall freeze-up and influence the variability in sea ice extent and volume. Lastly, a small change in the frequency of occurrence of atmosphere states may yield a larger Arctic cloud feedback than any cloud response to sea ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of investigation of heterophase cryogels with dispersed fillers such as sand, sandy loam, loam, and clay. The elastic and thermophysical properties of heterophase cryogels as well as mechanical properties of dry heterophase cryogels are studied. The results of the morphology of the intraporous surface of filled cryogels are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elements of Earth's cryosphere, such as the summer Arctic sea ice pack, are melting at precipitous rates that have far outpaced the projections of large scale climate models. Understanding key processes, such as the evolution of melt ponds that form atop Arctic sea ice and control its optical properties, is crucial to improving climate projections. These types of critical phenomena in the cryosphere are of increasing interest as the climate system warms, and are crucial for predicting its stability. In this paper, we consider how geometrical properties of melt ponds can influence ice-albedo feedback and how it can influence the equilibria in the energy balance of the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the comparative analysis of physicochemical properties of oils in North American, Scandinavian, and Russian sectors of the Arctic. The analysis of oil reserve distribution in the arctic territory and aquatory shows that the Russian sector is much higher in oil reserves than North American and Scandinavian sectors. The comparative analysis is given for heavy and viscous oils of the West Siberian Arctic region so as to provide crude oil supply to the pipeline transportation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a problem that has been studied in many researches over the past four decades. The study of climate change is a task that can rightly be called interdisciplinary, because it includes not only modeling these changes, but also assessing the impact of forecast climate changes on all spheres of life within individual branches of knowledge. A significant task is to assess the impact of climate change on areas of great socio-economic and household importance, as well as making a significant contribution to the development of the country. One of these areas is hydraulic engineering construction. In particular, one of the promising directions is the assessment of the impact of climate change on the operation mode of port hydraulic structures. This area of research is in demand in various countries of the world that have maritime borders, including Russia. The presented article analyzes the main consequences of climate change, which may affect the operation of port hydraulic structures in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation and in particular the Barents Sea. Of all the variety of changeable factors, this article considers the rise in global sea level as one of the most distinctive indicators of observed climate change, which can potentially affect the reliability of sea port hydraulic structures during their life cycle. The non-linearity of the trend of sea level change, which has been observed until now, and the values characteristic of various scenarios in forecast modeling are shown. The main scenarios of climate change and their evolution with the development of climatology and the accumulation of empirical data are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technogenic and climatic influences have a significant impact on the degradation of permafrost. Long-term forecasts of such changes during long-time periods have to be taken into account in the oil and gas and construction industries in view to development the Arctic and Subarctic regions. There are considered constantly operating technical systems (for example, oil and gas wells) that affect changes in permafrost, as well as the technical systems that have a short-term impact on permafrost (for example, flare systems for emergency flaring of associated gas). The second type of technical systems is rather complex for simulation, since it is required to reserve both short and long-scales in computations with variable time steps describing the complex technological processes. The main attention is paid to the simulation of long-term influence on the permafrost from the second type of the technical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When designing ship mechanical systems for work in the Arctic, their reliability is calculated according to the technical conditions of the structural elements of the system. Taking into account the effects of external cyclic loads and marine corrosive environments to predict service life for new shipboard equipment is a complex challenge. The purpose of this work was to analyze the actual data on the life cycle of various ship systems. Such data will contribute to the refinement of reliability calculations and the development of regulations for the maintenance, repair and instrumental diagnostics of ship mechanical systems. Items of equipment for general ship systems and auxiliary power plants were selected as objects for the study. The equipment in question needs proper maintenance and technical control. The criteria of durability were chosen as indicators of reliability: service life, operating time, frequency of repairs. The article considers accidents on ships that occurred at sea and inland waterways, reflects the procedure for extending the service life during the classification survey in operation. Leading design and technological organizations participate in the survey of the technical condition of ships to extend the terms of their safe operation, organize technical control and supervision. Repair, maintenance or replacement of ship equipment is carried out in accordance with the designated regulations or in the event of an unforeseen failure. Technical monitoring can provide up-to-date information on the actual state of the ship's mechanical systems, which can reduce the economic costs of their maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of mathematical modeling of the strength characteristics of fresh ice reinforced with basalt fibers. It is shown that the results of the carried out mathematical modeling can be used for the design and construction of structures for Arctic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic attracts the attention of many countries of the world, as it is rich in hydrocarbons. The polar people are faced with the problem of providing electricity. Traditionally, diesel generators are used in the Arctic, while electricity is costly, and the generators themselves pollute the environment. Many researchers use wind generators and solar power plants. Wind generators do not withstand severe frosts and strong winds. This study is devoted to the problem of choosing the type of solar cells that could work efficiently at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Arctic Dipole (AD) on the radiative flux into the Arctic mean atmospheric column is quantified. 3-month-averaged AO and AD indices are regressed with corresponding surface and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) fluxes from the CERES-SFC and CERES-TOA EBAF datasets over the period 2000-2014. An increase in clear-sky fluxes into the Arctic mean atmospheric column during fall is the largest net flux anomaly associated with AO, primarily driven by a positive net longwave flux anomaly (i.e. increase of net flux into the atmospheric column) at the surface. A decrease in the Arctic mean atmospheric column cloud radiative effect during winter and spring is the largest flux anomaly associated with AD, primarily driven by a change in the longwave cloud radiative effect at the surface. These prominent responses to AO and AD are widely distributed across the ice-covered Arctic, suggesting that the physical process or processes that bring about the flux change associated with AO and AD are distributed throughout the Arctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]