Spatial and Temporal Scales of Human Disturbance - McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Sponsor: Department of Defense


When humans establish a presence in any area they alter their surroundings. Modern societies have a wide range of materials they use that may enter the area they inhabit. Studies in the 1990's reported localized, contamination of sediments in Winter Quarters Bay (WQB) which is adjacent to McMurdo Station, the U.S. scientific research station in Antarctica. The bay's sediments are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) and metals, with little evidence of microbial degradation. PCB sediment concentrations often exceeded concentrations known to cause toxic effects in marine organisms.

GERG researches have been studying the contaminant "footprint" at McMurdo Station since 1999. The "footprint" of PCB, hydrocarbons (TPH and PAH) and metals contamination at most locations at McMurdo Station is minimal. However, there are legacies from previous practices (particularly in Winter Quarter Bay) and areas where current activities create the opportunity for contamination (i.e. small hydrocarbon spills at fueling locations and helicopter pad). Heavily impacted areas are small (meters or less in size). There are limited biological resources in the terrestrial setting that are at risk of exposure to contaminants. Terrestrial contaminants are not at levels of concern for human health. The most severe contamination is the PCB, hydrocarbon and trace element legacy from past disposal practices into Winter Quarters Bay. The sediment contamination within the Bay is patchy and localized. Analyses of biota from the Bay indicates that they concentrate some of these contaminants. GERG researchers and their collaborators continues to monitor these contaminants to determine there persistence, distribution and effects.