Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2008-2009 Activities

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Clean up operation to be conducted in the coastal waters of Ukrainian Antarctic station "AKADEMIK VERNADSKY" removal of underwater waste to be conducted in conjunction with research, outlining the influence of anthropogenic contaminators on the sea biota

Outline


The nations of the Antarctic Treaty System agreed in 1991 on the 'Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty' (called the Madrid Protocol). Under the Madrid Protocol, Antarctica was designated a natural reserve dedicated to peace and the environment. Environmental principles were laid down for planning and conducting all activities in the region. Most countries ratified the Protocol and it came into force in 1998. The President of the Ukraine signed the law 'About the joining of the Ukraine to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty' (№ 2284-ІІІ) on 22 February, 2001.

The Annex III to the Protocol was to impose an obligation on the removal of wastes produced or disposed in the Antarctic Treaty area.  In particular, past and present waste disposal sites on land and abandoned work sites regarding Antarctic activities shall be cleaned up by the generator of such wastes and the user of such sites. The following wastes shall be removed from the Antarctic Treaty area:  wastes containing harmful levels of heavy metals or acutely toxic or harmful persistent compounds; electrical batteries; poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, rubber and lubricating oils, treated timbers and other products which contain additives that could produce harmful emissions if incinerated and all other plastic, solid and non-combustible wastes.

The annex IV is devoted to the prevention of marine pollution. The disposal into the sea of garbage, including paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, incineration ash, dunnage, lining and packing materials, shall be prohibited.

Waste storage, disposal and removal at the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" will be undertaken on the basis of special instructions and in direct correspondence with the Madrid Protocol. Yearly waste management plans are developed based on the principles in articles in 8-9-10 annex ІІІ
of the Protocol. All solid wastes are sorted, packed under the press in special compactors each day during the year, wastes are then stored and removed from the station for further processing. Utilization of the ships facilities usually takes place during the change of (winterers) February- March. Modern technology has been developed and is now used at the station for processing of solid wastes from plants (potato, carrot, onion, orange, banana, etc.). The process is based on microbial detoxification of these products to nontoxic for the Antarctic biota substances.

International inspection by SCAR carried out in accordance with the article VII of the Antarctic Treaty and article 14 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection in 2005 positively estimated the ecological situation around the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" and near historic site “Wordie House” (former scientific English base "F" situated 600 m from the station) to be under the care of Ukrainian specialists.

Despite the fact that the state of the environment near the Ukrainian Antarctic station satisfies the requirements of the Madrid Protocol, the underwater observations showed the presence of a large quantity of underwater rubbish near the station and nearby “Wordie House”. These observations were made during explorative dives conducted by Ukrainian divers Dr. Ilyin and Dr. Utevsky in the summer season 2002-2003, and recently by Dr. Chesalin and Australian diver D. Armstrong who last arrived in this region on the tourist yacht "Spirit of Sydney" in January 2006.

The main purpose of the underwater work conducted was the collection of samples of algae and macrozoobenthos and the underwater photography of flora and fauna in different places. During these works household and construction rubbish including (batteries, accumulators, pipes, rubber hoses, tires, wires, metal sheets, case from the cartridges, bottles, foot-wears, etc.) were discovered 20 m underwater off the main station and “Wordie House”.

An analysis showed that the waste discovered around the station near Marina Point (Galindez Is.) had been accumulated since 1954 to 1996, during existence of base “F”, renamed in 1977. Most of the underwater trash can be linked to the intensive construction of new buildings in the summer of 1979-80, when more than 800 tons of building materials were delivered to the station during a complete building reconstruction.

The underwater wastes near “Wordie House” in Skua Creek predominantly consist of the building materials from the “northern” base of British expedition to the Graham Land under the leadership of Australian John Raymill. The base was constructed in 1935 and fully destroyed in 1946 by high tide. Other trash evident in the area was accumulated during the construction of base "F" (“Argentinean Islands”) during 1947 to 1953.

Unfortunately, problems pertaining to the ‘whole’ protection of unique Antarctic ecosystems were not placed on the agenda until the end of 1980. As a result, Antarctic biological resources were intensively exploited, the search for mineral resources was instigated and polar researches constructed new scientific stations. Construction rubbish, household and food trash from the majority of coastal stations was not adequately removed, but instead burnt or simply discarded into the sea, subsequently polluting coastal waters. These wastes do not undergo decomposition during decades at very low water temperature, which all year-round is about 0oC.
Currently waste in this area contains dangerous quantities of heavy metals and harmful steady chemical substances, which have accumulated in the unique Antarctic animal and plant organisms.
 
A project designed to not only clean up the areas mentioned, but to also undertake studies necessary to determine the affects of these contaminants on Antarctic Sea organisms is proposed for 2008. The following research will also be undertaken.

The research will help to better understand the delicate processes in the Antarctic ecosystems under anthropogenic influence. Results will hopefully help to work out practical recommendations for using and disposing of different construction materials on coastal scientific stations. This information will contribute to implementing the safe practices necessary for the protection of the Antarctic environment and ensure sustainable development of the region.

Major Targets

1. Complete clean up of underwater areas, removing solid wastes near Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" and possibly "Wordie House" and the restoration of the coastal ecosystem.

2. The study of influences pertaining to the inorganic contaminators on the delicate sea organisms.

Principal Goals

  • Clean up of the underwater area near the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" and the removal of solid construction and household trash, located 20 m underwater from Jetty to Marina Point. 
  • Clean area of water near “Wordie House” and the removal of solid construction and household trash, located 15 m underwater in Scua Creek.
  • Package and store all collected wastes for its removal from the station by ship, together with other waste, which has been collected by Ukrainian (winterers) during the year.
  • Photo and video documentation regarding all aspects of this project to be carried out.
  • Study species composition of macro- and micro- epibionts on different materials of anthropogenic origin (iron, cooper metals, wood, cardboard, rubber, plastic and others), use these object as the habitats or refuges.
  • Calculate the quantity of large hydrobionts on different anthropogenic objects and to estimate their selectivity to the different materials.
  • Collect samples of hydrobionts for further study in laboratories.
  • Collect solid trash from the sea for further study relating to chemical composition.
  • Study the destruction of different objects under the affects of sea water and other sea organisms.
  • Study the accumulation and affects of heavy metals and other harmful chemical substances on small  and large hydrobionts.
  • Conduct experimental studies of epibionts, their influence on different materials and the accumulation of different substances during the year (in the period of wintering 12 Ukrainian Antarctic expedition 2008-2009).  

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project addresses the IPY themes?

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project will be carried out by specialists of the Ukraine and Australia.

 

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS


Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The proposed project will include sites near Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" (65o15’ S, 64o16’ W) and near "Wordie House".

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:

Antarctic:


Stage I.            Underwater works will be executed during the month (January 2007) (in summer season 2006-2007 in agreement with the director of National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine).

Stage II.          Research works will be carried out during March to December 2007 by specialists from the National Antarctic Scientific Center of the Ukraine (Kiev) and the Institute of Biology of South Seas (Sevastopol, Ukraine).


Significant facilities will be required for this project:
To complete the requirements of the project, it is necessary to buy special equipment for diving and to make underwater photo- and videos, which includes:
1. Dry diving suits and spares Gloves - 6 pcs.
2. Regulators and Dive Computers - 6 pcs.
3. Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BCD) - 6 pcs.
4. Video camera  and Underwater video housings - 1.
5. Digital Camera and Underwater digital camera housing – 1.
6. Compressor - 1
7. Tanks, Valves and Weights – 7 (One Spare)

Upon completion of the project, all equipment not owned already owned by project members, will remain at the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky".

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The scientific data obtained during this project will help to better understand the processes in the Antarctic ecosystems under anthropogenic influence, practical recommendations for using different construction  materials in coastal scientific stations will also be made evident after research has been carried out. This information can be used to help determine safe usage of these materials, so as to not impact on the delicate  Antarctic environment.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
The required logistics will be secured with Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky".

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project is endorsed by National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
This project is the component of  the National Ukrainian Antarctic program. The investigations will help develop new initiatives within the intended study area, thereby contributing to new information regarding polar ecosystems.


How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized and managed by the National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine, Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (Sevastopol, Ukraine) and Executive Excellence (EE) (Australia).


What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The next activities planned under the project: 1 – to make a video about underwater life and underwater work regarding the clean up operation of underwater area near the proposed Antarctic stations; 2 – using the obtained data regarding ecological results for education purposes at various universities, 3 – The publication of project outlines and findings and project summary and experiences in various literary magazines.


What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The initial report containing video footage and photos regarding the project outlines and findings will be presented to the National Antarctic Scientific Center (Kiev), Scientific Antarctic Committee (SCAR) and financial organization in April 2007. The final report will be presented to these organizations in March 2008.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
 Based on the relevant scientific and ecological benefit of this project, financial support is requested from IPY, International funding agencies.

Participants of underwater works in the region of Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadsky" and “Wordie House”:

From the Ukrainian side:

  1. Dr. Vladimir Ilyin – Project leader
  1. Dr. Mikhail Chesalin - Senior Researcher, Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas.
    Ichthyology Department, Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, 2 Nakhimov ave., Sevastopol, 99011, Ukraine
    Tel: 38-0692-456187
    Fax: 38-0692-555477
    Email: Chesalin@ibss.iuf.net
  1. TBC

From the Australian side:

  1. David Armstrong – MSDT Instructor, Professional Dive Instructor and Organiser of Dive Antarctica 2006.
    Email: D.Armstrong@DiveAntarctica.com
  1. Paul Beck – Dive Master – Cinematographer for Dive Antarctica 2006
    Email: P.Beck@DiveAntarctica.com

Scientific studies in the Ukraine:

  1. Dr. Alexander Tashirev - Deputy Director of National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine - study of the microorganisms (bacteria) and the accumulation of metals and other pollutants, the destruction of different mechanical contaminators.
    Email: uac@uac.gov.ua
  1. Dr. Ernest Samyshev - Head of Department of Marine Ecosystem Functioning Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Professor in the study regarding species composition of hydrobionts on different types of the wastes, investigations of their functional relations and transfer of pollutants on the trophic chain. Nakhimov ave., Sevastopol, 99011, Ukraine
    Email: fme@ibss.iuf.net
  1. Dr. Chesalin - study of the quantitative and qualitative composition of hydrobionts on collected wastes, sampling for the chemical and biological analyses, the study of the trophic structure of the association of epibionts.
    Email: Chesalin@ibss.iuf.net