11. Human being as an indicator of Ozone hole

After the polar night, daytime becomes longer by 5 hours a month, leading into the white night season. There are four clear seasons with noticeable light changes in Antarctica.

In October, the sun reflects on brand-new, pure white snow and ice, creating a world of light. During this time, the ozone hole is emphasised.

The ozone hole was first observed in 1980, and it continues to expand.

Ultraviolet rays from space are pouring through the hole in the ozone layer, which normally blocks them.

We have compared the ultraviolet rays in Antarctica in October with those at the equator (Figure 17) [10].

The results show that ultraviolet rays emanating from the sun's precise direction are as strong as those at the equator, and that the ultraviolet rays irradiating a person's face are stronger in Antarctica because of the low sun and reflection by the snow and ice (Figure 18).

Diseases caused by ultraviolet rays include dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and facial dermatitis. The incidence of these issues is low in winter and tends to increase in summer, which shows a correlation with the quantity of ultraviolet rays encountered. The highest incidence spans from October to December. Looking at the number of occurrences at this time in terms of annual change, a trend of gradual

#### Figure 17.

Among party members, the serum concentration of erythropoietin quickly increased, subsequently leading to increased red blood cell count in a sevenmember party which sets out during the austral summer of 1999–2000 (Figure 15). Haematological adaptation to a high altitude was completed in several weeks [8]. Percutaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels from four parties (totalling 33 members) had a significant negative correlation with higher elevation above sea levels. However, after arriving at Dome F, party members` SpO2 levels showed a positive correlation in the duration of their stay. This may be explained by

Correlation between percutaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels and altitude above sea level

Trends in the serum concentration of erythropoietin and red blood cell count. Sampling point: A, Syowa Station

effective high-altitude adaptation [9] (Figure 16).

(left), and duration of stay (days) at Dome F (right).

(29 m); B, 3032 m; C, Dome F; D, 2960 m; E 2077 m; F, Syowa Station.

Figure 15.

Antarctica - A Key to Global Change

Figure 16.

116

Change in UVB radiation dose by latitude, season, direction, and time of day. Measurement of the ultraviolet ray radiation doses was conducted at S 18°on November 25, when the sun is directly overhead, and at Syowa Station in December (during the white nights), March, April, and November (under the ozone hole). The measurement was made every hour from 7:00 to 19:00 in four directions (zenith, direct sunlight direction, horizontal direction of the sun's direction, and horizontal direction opposite to the sun). Ultraviolet rays in Antarctica in November were as strong as those at the equator. Ultraviolet rays irradiating the face of a person were stronger in Antarctica because of the low sun and the reflection by the snow and ice. (Quoted from reference [9] and partially modified.)

#### Figure 18.

Monthly occurrence of UVB-related diseases. A total of 127 cases of UVB-related diseases were recorded from 1956 to 1999. Here, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and facial dermatitis are compiled as UV-related diseases. Not all of these are exclusively caused by ultraviolet rays; for example, they may be affected by the amount of outdoor work. The incidence is low in winter and tends to increase in summer, which shows correlation with the amount of ultraviolet rays. The highest peak is recorded from October to December, when the ozone hole appears. (Quoted from reference [9] and partially modified.)

Figure 20.

Human Beings in Antarctica

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81974

Figure 21.

119

Monthly change in number of diseases attributed to stress. A total of 231 stress- related diseases were recorded from 1956 to 1999. A small peak is observed at the beginning of the wintering-over period, increasing continuously until the polar night period, when it makes the highest peak. Subsequently, it decreases gradually.

Changes in numbers of major diseases attributed to stress. Several diseases caused by stress, including headaches, insomnia, circulatory system issues, urticaria, fatigue, and alcohol-related disorders were indicated in 228 cases at Syowa Station from 1956 to 1999. The blue line shows each disease, and the black line in each graph shows the total number of stress-related diseases. Each disease showed a characteristic distribution. The peak of all

stress-related diseases is the sum of these various diseases, that is, various stresses.

In early summer, incidence increases again until reaching a second lower peak.

#### Figure 19.

Annual change in incidence of UV-related cases in the ozone hole season. Time series of total number of UVrelated cases per person from August to December and moving average from 1956 to 1999. The ozone hole first appeared in the 1980<sup>0</sup> and continues to expand. Both annual incidence and moving average have been increasing since the late 1980s (Quoted from reference [9] and partially modified.).

increases can be observed from around 1980, consistent with the appearance and expansion of the ozone hole (Figure 19).

Statistical analysis of these diseases has revealed the effect of the ozone hole on human health in this context.

#### 12. Third-quarter syndrome

For many team members, wintering-over is a year in which they will endure stresses that they never previously experienced.

Diseases attributed to stress include insomnia, headaches, urticaria, hypertension, and digestive troubles. The annual occurrence of such diseases shows a

Human Beings in Antarctica DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81974

#### Figure 20.

Monthly change in number of diseases attributed to stress. A total of 231 stress- related diseases were recorded from 1956 to 1999. A small peak is observed at the beginning of the wintering-over period, increasing continuously until the polar night period, when it makes the highest peak. Subsequently, it decreases gradually. In early summer, incidence increases again until reaching a second lower peak.

#### Figure 21.

increases can be observed from around 1980, consistent with the appearance and

increasing since the late 1980s (Quoted from reference [9] and partially modified.).

Annual change in incidence of UV-related cases in the ozone hole season. Time series of total number of UVrelated cases per person from August to December and moving average from 1956 to 1999. The ozone hole first appeared in the 1980<sup>0</sup> and continues to expand. Both annual incidence and moving average have been

Monthly occurrence of UVB-related diseases. A total of 127 cases of UVB-related diseases were recorded from 1956 to 1999. Here, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and facial dermatitis are compiled as UV-related diseases. Not all of these are exclusively caused by ultraviolet rays; for example, they may be affected by the amount of outdoor work. The incidence is low in winter and tends to increase in summer, which shows correlation with the amount of ultraviolet rays. The highest peak is recorded from October to December, when the ozone hole

Statistical analysis of these diseases has revealed the effect of the ozone hole on

For many team members, wintering-over is a year in which they will endure

Diseases attributed to stress include insomnia, headaches, urticaria, hyperten-

sion, and digestive troubles. The annual occurrence of such diseases shows a

expansion of the ozone hole (Figure 19).

appears. (Quoted from reference [9] and partially modified.)

Antarctica - A Key to Global Change

stresses that they never previously experienced.

human health in this context.

Figure 18.

Figure 19.

118

12. Third-quarter syndrome

Changes in numbers of major diseases attributed to stress. Several diseases caused by stress, including headaches, insomnia, circulatory system issues, urticaria, fatigue, and alcohol-related disorders were indicated in 228 cases at Syowa Station from 1956 to 1999. The blue line shows each disease, and the black line in each graph shows the total number of stress-related diseases. Each disease showed a characteristic distribution. The peak of all stress-related diseases is the sum of these various diseases, that is, various stresses.

three-peak pattern, highest at the beginning of overwintering, during polar nights and in late spring (Figure 20). The last peak coincides with the so-called thirdquarter syndrome. It is hypothesised that the third quarter of the mission is when psychological crises tend to arise, such as a drop in morale and a rise in negative emotions.

Thus, various stresses that cause changes in each disease and the sum of those

Numerous psychological investigations have been conducted at Syowa Station

Each December, the icebreaker arrives at Syowa Station for the first time in a year. The ship brings the next wintering-over participants wearing brand-new coldweather gear and bearing fresh vegetables, fruits, and consigned items from the

After finishing the handover to the new participants, the previous participants

The helicopter circles the station before heading to the ship. The departing members recognise later that they had just taken their very last step in Antarctica. How do wintering-over members adapt to the environment and life in Antarctica on their first visit? One-fourth of participants reported that they were able to live without feeling discomfort from the beginning. Although they are embarrassed at their lack of experience, they soon adapt. Many members have indicated that they get used to Antarctic life gradually (Figure 22). Regarding human relations and lifestyle, all surveyed participants answered that they got acclimatised by July

Meanwhile, full physical adaptation takes time, usually not occurring until November. Dramatic changes in this wholly novel environment appear one after another. Therefore, adaptation is a continuous process that lasts until the end of the

Reintegration after living in Antarctica for a year. This graph shows the percentage of crew members who feel accustomed to Japan after returning home. Family relationships (orange) recover as if there was no absence. Half of participants perceive difficulties at work (blue) and with social relationships (red) upon returning. Many members recover in about 3 months, whereas some members need more than 1 year to reintegrate. Most people face difficulty at the beginning, and it takes 1 year to regain their intuition and skill at work (black). It

takes time for many members to regain motivation (light blue).

stresses are causing a yearly change such as the third-quarter syndrome.

[11]. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate these problems.

13. The fifth-quarter? Difficulty in acclimatising

families of wintering-over members.

withdraw sequentially.

Human Beings in Antarctica

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81974

when the polar night ends.

overwintering experience.

Figure 23.

121

In a psychological study of 10 consecutive years from 2003 to 2013, such a phenomenon was recognised in seven parties. Various fluctuations were found in the number of injuries and diseases experienced by these parties. However, in other parties, the number of medical consultations decreased during this time. These facts may suggest that while the harsh nature of Antarctica is similar every year, the cause of stresses experienced by team members differs each year, perhaps in accordance with human group formation changes every year.

Looking at the number of occurrences by month of each stress-related disease individually, we observe seasonal variations peculiar to each (Figure 21). But these changes have no relation to a seasonal change in the total number of all stressrelated diseases and there is no similarity between diseases.

This suggests that the third-quarter syndrome exists, but it is not inevitable or consistent in its emergence. Second, we may infer that stress in the Antarctic is, in fact, a complex of a wide variety of stresses. Moreover, the stress that causes stressrelated diseases can differ from disease to disease.

#### Figure 22.

Percentage of people who feel accustomed to Antarctica. The data source is a questionnaire survey on when each member felt he or she became accustomed to Antarctic relationships (orange line), lifestyle (pink) and physical condition (blue) during their overwintering year. Many persons indicated feeling that they had gotten used to Antarctic life gradually. Regarding human relations and lifestyle, all members answered that they got accustomed by July, when the polar night is over. Meanwhile, physical adaptation appears to take until November. Dramatic changes in the environment that participants had never previously experienced appear one after another. Therefore, adaptation is a continuous process that lasts until the final overwintering period.

three-peak pattern, highest at the beginning of overwintering, during polar nights and in late spring (Figure 20). The last peak coincides with the so-called thirdquarter syndrome. It is hypothesised that the third quarter of the mission is when psychological crises tend to arise, such as a drop in morale and a rise in negative

In a psychological study of 10 consecutive years from 2003 to 2013, such a phenomenon was recognised in seven parties. Various fluctuations were found in the number of injuries and diseases experienced by these parties. However, in other parties, the number of medical consultations decreased during this time. These facts may suggest that while the harsh nature of Antarctica is similar every year, the cause of stresses experienced by team members differs each year, perhaps in accor-

Looking at the number of occurrences by month of each stress-related disease individually, we observe seasonal variations peculiar to each (Figure 21). But these changes have no relation to a seasonal change in the total number of all stress-

This suggests that the third-quarter syndrome exists, but it is not inevitable or consistent in its emergence. Second, we may infer that stress in the Antarctic is, in fact, a complex of a wide variety of stresses. Moreover, the stress that causes stress-

Percentage of people who feel accustomed to Antarctica. The data source is a questionnaire survey on when each member felt he or she became accustomed to Antarctic relationships (orange line), lifestyle (pink) and physical condition (blue) during their overwintering year. Many persons indicated feeling that they had gotten used to Antarctic life gradually. Regarding human relations and lifestyle, all members answered that they got accustomed by July, when the polar night is over. Meanwhile, physical adaptation appears to take until November. Dramatic changes in the environment that participants had never previously experienced appear one after another. Therefore, adaptation is a continuous process that lasts until the final overwintering period.

dance with human group formation changes every year.

related diseases and there is no similarity between diseases.

related diseases can differ from disease to disease.

emotions.

Antarctica - A Key to Global Change

Figure 22.

120

Thus, various stresses that cause changes in each disease and the sum of those stresses are causing a yearly change such as the third-quarter syndrome.

Numerous psychological investigations have been conducted at Syowa Station [11]. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate these problems.
