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How are we managing the Casey quarry?Casey has a rock extraction quarry and rock crusher plant. The rock is needed for yearly reconstruction of the wharf access road and other intermittent construction projects. In the 2002/2003 summer season the rock was also used for the wharf extension and for the foundations for the new field equipment store.
Snow petrel at Ardery Is near Casey
Photo: Rowan Butler |
The quarry has been in operation since 1986 and is immediately adjacent to a snow petrel colony on Reeve Hill. This snow petrel colony has a particular scientific interest: it is one of two studied colonies in the Australian Antarctic Territory of snow petrels.
Due to the potential impact to snow petrel breeding success from blasting and crushing noise, AAD's policy is to only undertake quarry operations outside of the sensitive snow petrel courtship-laying-incubation period (end of November to 1 February).
Environmental approvals for quarrying are required by the Environmental Protection and Policy Section (EPPS) of the AAD each season that quarry operations are conducted. In 2005, an IEE was prepared in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty (Environmental Protection) Act [AT(EP)].
The IEE has included a thorough assessment of the likely environmental impacts and an examination of possible alternatives for the activity. It was submitted in August 2006 and was approved. The quarry operations now proceed in accordance with the IEE requirements. How do we manage waste in Antarctica?Waste management on station
Expeditioner removing excess packaging before departure.
Photo: A. Rushton |
To reduce the amount of waste on station, we actively promote waste minimisation strategies.
A number of products are supplied in bulk or concentrate. For example, we provide only powdered cow, soy and coconut milks, and only concentrated forms of soft drinks and fruit juices. Since the introduction of these Postmix cordial drinks, we have reduced our use of plastic bottles by 25,000 each year!
On station, waste is sorted into three categories:
- Recyclables
- Burnables
- Return to Australia (RTA) for landfill
Other station waste management measures include the following:
- To reduce bulk, recyclable aluminium cans are crushed and stored securely for return to Australia (RTA)
- Burnable waste, such as foodstuffs and paper, is incinerated on station
- To reduce the likelihood of wind-blown debris, station 'rubbish-runs' use cages fitted to the back of vehicles
- Waste water (grey water and sewage) is treated before discharge into the sea
- Waste management audits are undertaken each year at every station. Expeditioners are encouraged to log hazards or suggestions resulting from these audits, and their suggestions are used to improve the system
Waste management in the field
Human waste and grey water
- The aim is to return all waste from the field, including human waste. There are some exceptions, such as on Macquarie Island, where human waste can be deposited directly into the sea.
- Special containers are provided to assist in the return of waste from the field.
- Frozen urine and grey water is returned to the waste treatment plant to thaw and go through the system.
Wire cages on back of vehicles prevents rubbish being blown around
Photo: AAD | |
Urine tank from field emptying into waste water treatement plant
Photo: L. Frost | |
Recycling bins are used for sorting rubbish on Macquarie island
Photo: G. Beech | |
Field huts
Australia maintains a number of permanent field huts, and periodic clean-ups are organised to maintain, clean and replenish the huts. This includes the removal of accumulated waste back to station for recycling, incineration or RTA.
During the 2005-06 summer, a number of old fuel drums near the Beaver Lake tide crack were also cleaned up. Most have now been returned to station. Is any waste burned on station?A certain amount of waste is incinerated each year on Australian stations.
Casey incinerator, known as "Warren"
Photo: AAD | |
Inside the Mawson incinerator building Photo: D. McVeigh | | Incinerated items include food scraps, hydroponic waste, human waste returned from the field, any infectious or contaminated materials and medical waste, food soiled LDP plastics, and some cardboard and wood.
No open burning is allowed except at some of the field huts on Macquarie Island. Incineration occurs in two stage, high temperature burners with low emission levels. Which waste is reused on station?
Waste recycling at Casey Photo: S. Walsh |
Waste on station is divided into three categories.
Paper, cardboard and wood is reused on station as much as possible.
In the photo on the left, old 44 gallon drums have been cleaned and are being used to store rubbish ready for return to Australia. Most of the waste products generated on station are sorted for returning to Australia for recycling or land fill. A third category of waste is incinerated in high temperature, two stage incinerators on station.
What happens to recyclables when they are returned to Australia?
Containers labelled for recycling waste
Photo: L. Frost | On return to Australia (RTA), recyclable products from the stations are distributed to recycling companies, where they are processed appropriately. The AAD has recycling agreements in place with Collex/Veolia.
If waste products are not sorted correctly, or are contaminated in some way, for example with oil, they may not be able to be recycled, so expeditioners ensure that the items are cleaned and stored appropriately.
There are various bins and containers on station for the different categories of rubbish, as in the photo on the left.
Are you reducing fossil fuels on station and in the field?
Remote area power supply at a field hut on Macquarie Island
Photo: AAD |
We are reducing fossil fuel use wherever possible in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island, in particular through the use alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
All the AAD field huts on Macquarie Island rely on Remote Area Power Supplies (RAPS) which harness wind and solar energy. This not only reduces fuel use, but also minimises risk of fuel spill.
A wind turbine system at Mawson has significantly reduced the use of fossil fuels, while the automated Building Monitoring Control System (BMCS) at continental stations is also resulting in significant cuts to fuel usage.
Wind and solar power is being harnessed through small installations on Bechervaise Island near Mawson.
See also:
What happens if there is an oil spill?
Refuelling over the sea ice
Photo: AAD | The impact of oil spills can be devastating to the environment. Strict guidelines must be followed to prevent spills, and to clean up properly if such an accident occurs.
Expeditioners involved in fuel management receive specialised training, and observe strict operational procedures outlined in the the Fuel Management Standard Operating Procedures.
Sophisticated gear is used to help minimise the likelihood of spills, such as a hose regulator. AAD engineers have also developed a flat re-fuelling hose, which is less vulnerable to breaks and punctures during ship-to-shore transfers.
If a spill should occur, either during a major fuel transfer or out in the field, fuel spill procedures are in place. Large fuel spill kits are kept on station, and smaller ones are routinely issued for all field trips.
Fuel spill soil sampling kits are also supplied to the stations to be used to sample contaminated soil in the event that a spill does occur. Can solar power be used in Antarctica?
Solar panel at Davis
Photo: A. Guichard | Contrary to what one may think, solar power can be harnessed in Antarctica during the summer months as there is almost 24 hour sunlight at the height of the season.
Solar power is also used at some of the field huts, for example in the remote area power supply units at the field huts on Macquarie Island.
At Davis station, heat from the sun is currently supplying one hundred percent of the hot water for personal ablutions and laundry use in the summer ablutions block.
See also:
What do you do to protect wildlife?
Expeditioners must observe wildlife approach distances
Photo: D. McVeigh | A number of areas containing penguin and bird breeding sites are protected and entry is only by permit.
Expeditioners are educated to recognise signs of wildlife disturbance and are provided with approach guidelines. We recommend that photographers equip themselves with telephoto lenses for that special 'close-up' image! Penguins are curious creatures and sometimes approach humans, as you can see in this photograph!
Can you feed the wildlife?
Weddell seals
Photo: D. McVeigh | No! It is important that people do not feed wildlife at all, as this interferes with their normal feeding activities and behaviour, and creates the potential for disease.
Expeditioners are instructed not to leave any food lying around, as the south polar skua in particular is a voracious scavenger.
Skuas, known as the 'vultures of the Antarctic', are frequent visitors to field camps and station surrounds in the hope of a free feed.
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