Assessment of contamination by heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons at Atlas Cove Station, Heard Island

Abstract

Located on the northwest coast of Heard Island, a World Heritage-listed sub-Antarctic territory of Australia, Atlas Cove served as the site of the first permanently occupied Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) station (1947–55). Subsequent to its closure, Atlas Cove Station was abandoned and left largely to the mercy of the natural elements, although it has been visited and occupied on an infrequent basis by ANARE. All activities on the island are now subject to the provisions of the Heard Island Wilderness Reserve Management Plan. During 2000–2001 a major clean-up of the site was undertaken, with most of the remaining structures demolished and material collected for return to Australia and disposal. To assess the extent and intensity of contamination within the station area, soil and water samples were collected and analysed for petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Assessment of site contamination was made with reference to specific background control limits calculated for Atlas Cove Station, and comparison was also made with Australian and New Zealand guidelines for the protection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Contamination by heavy metals is evident throughout the station but not at levels of sufficient magnitude to infer a significant potential toxic impact on local ecosystems. Hence remedial action to reduce the concentration and mobility of heavy metals in soil and water is not a high priority, although monitoring of changes at the site through time is recommended. Contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons is at a level that may cause a significant toxic impact on the environment and requires further investigation to assess impacts and possibly to undertake remedial action. Given the large quantity of petroleum-contaminated soil present, remediation processes that can be carried out in situ are likely to be the preferable clean-up options. The benefits of remediation, however, must be balanced against any negative effect this might exert on the plant and animal wildlife that have recolonised this historically important site.

On-site and in situ remediation technologies applicable to petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites in the Antarctic and Arctic

“…In instances where a shortage of research in the Antarctic and Arctic exists, recent research from temperate, alpine and lower latitude cold environments with relevance to the Antarctic and Arctic is considered and discussed. research stations (Snape et al 2001;Poland et al 2003;Stark et al 2003;Curtosi et al 2007). Snape et al (2001) identified petroleum-derived contamination as the most significant environmental pollution issue in the Antarctic.…”

Hidrocarbonetos Em Solos E Sedimentos Do Entorno Da Estação Antártica Brasileira Comandante Feraz

“…As amostras coletadas na Área 1 apresentaram maiores teores de HAs em relação às demais. O mesmo ocorreu no trabalho de Stark et al (2003) (Bícego et al 1996). No presente estudo, por se tratar de um estudo mais detalhado em toda área do entorno da EACF, as maiores concentrações foram encontradas próximo aos tanques de combustíveis.…”

Comparative copper sensitivity between life stages of common subantarctic marine invertebrates

“…Legacy waste tip and fuel spill sites around subantarctic and Antarctic research stations generally contain elevated concentrations of contaminants including metals [1][2][3]. Legacy waste tip and fuel spill sites around subantarctic and Antarctic research stations generally contain elevated concentrations of contaminants including metals [1][2][3].…”

“…It is common in wastewater discharges [22] and is found in legacy waste sites and fuel spills associated with polar research stations [1,3]. It is common in wastewater discharges [22] and is found in legacy waste sites and fuel spills associated with polar research stations [1,3].…”

“…Although the subantarctic and Antarctic regions are still largely considered pristine environments many decades of human activity have left them exposed to and impacted by a range of contaminants. Legacy waste tip and fuel spill sites around subantarctic and Antarctic research stations generally contain elevated concentrations of contaminants including metals [1][2][3]. Effects of climate change including increased rainfall and sea-level rise may increase the mobilization of contaminants from such sites and enhance their movement to intertidal zones [4], whereas other effects such as increased temperature and decreased pH could alter toxicity [5,6].…”