******************************************************** ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ******************************************************** ************* COMPOSTING ************* __________ QUESTION: Does anyone compost their biodegradables for use in the greenhouse? ANSWER from Terry Trimingham on February 5, 1995 No, I am sorry to say, no one composts their biodegradables at McMurdo. The reason is that it is too cold, and there just aren't the necessary "animals" (i.e., worms, beetle bugs, etc.) to accomplish composting. There are no spiders walking around, no flies or bees buzzing, just wind, rocks, snow and ice! It is difficult to imagine, but that is the way it is. Moreover, the greenhouse here is hydroponic, it doesn't use soil. We put nutrients in water, and the roots pull in what they need. Seedlings are started in little pots of vermiculite. I go in the greenhouse as a volunteer and take readings of the pH and the nutrient levels and add whatever is necessary to the system to make for optimal growth of the plants. ******************** BIOLOGICAL WASTE ******************** __________ QUESTION: How do you deal with biological waste in Antarctica? ANSWER from Robert Cunningham, National Environmental Policy Act Officer for the National Science Foundation, on Jan. 18, 1995 At the South Pole station, as well as at all the stations and field camps in Antarctica, we are very careful to properly dispose of all biological wastes, wastes from toilets, and waste such as bandages and cloths that come in contact with human blood or other human material. Human waste from toilets is collected and discharged to deep pits in the ice of the Polar Plateau. At McMurdo Station and at Palmer Station on the coast of Antarctica, waste water from toilets and kitchens is mixed with sea water and discharged to the ocean for recycling in the environment. All human wastes from field camps in ice free locations are returned to McMurdo Station for proper disposal. Biological wastes from bandages and other materials are carefully collected in plastic-lined containers with tight-fitting lids. Because of the danger of the transmission of disease from one person to another, we are very careful to avoid contact with biological waste. Biological wastes from all stations and field camps are transported in closed containers to McMurdo Station were they are placed in large drums for shipment to the United States. At an approved disposal and recycling facility in the United States, the biological waste is inspected to ensure that it was properly labeled and that all procedures were correctly followed before it is sterilized by incineration. The National Science Foundation maintains strict procedures to ensure that all biological wastes are treated properly. ANSWER from Deane Rink Biological waste in the U.S. program is retrograded back to the Seattle area, where it is disposed of by contractors. This is a fairly new development for the U.S. program, but we now recycle or retrograde over 70% of the waste we generate. *********** POLLUTION *********** __________ QUESTION: Are there signs of pollution or oil spills in or around the Antarctic continent? ANSWER from Jon Rinkenberger on December 19, 1994: Ever since man has stepped foot on this continent there has been pollution. Over the years trash and other forms of pollution have accumulated from living here. In recent years there have been steps taken to reduce and to eliminate the build up here at McMurdo Station. Wherever there is man there will be wasteÑit is part of living. The big question is how to reduce the amount produced and dispose of the rest properly. There have been many news article written over the years on pollution in Antarctica that you should be able to find in your library if you are interested in further information on this topic. ANSWER from Guy Guthridge on December 19, 1994: The National Science Foundation takes great care to minimize the researchers' impact on the environment. For details about how the United States Antarctic Program is protecting Antarctica's environment, see the file called "U.S. Environmental Protection in Antarctica." This is presently item 36 in the "National Science Foundation Resources" section of the "Live from Antarctica" gopher. This information also is in the National Science Foundation's book, "Facts about the United States Antarctic Program," which is also available online in our gopher.