Program Leader's Progress Report for Human Impacts to the Antarctic Science Advisory Committee for the 2000-01 Antarctic Season

Dr Martin Riddle, Australian Antarctic Division

Goal 1 - Maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and Enhance Australia's Influence within the System.

Human Impacts: Research that contributes directly to the Antarctic Treaty System via one of its instruments, the CEP, and assists Australia to fulfil its obligations under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, is the highest priority for the Human Impacts Research Program. Research will focus on the development of procedures and standards for environmental protection with the objective of adoption of these by the Antarctic Treaty System.

Key Scientific Output 1

Australian scientists contribute scientific, environmental and technical expertise to the work of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and the CEP.

Assessment Milestones

Guidelines to reduce the impacts of visitors and helicopter operations to Adélie penguin colonies based on behavioural experiments (2003).
Report to CEP with recommendations arising from the experiments on contaminant dispersion, remediation and monitoring (2001).
Report to CEP on standard methods for monitoring Adélie penguin colonies (2002).
Provide a report to CEP on technical and practical measures to minimise the risk of introduction and spread of non-indigenous species to the Antarctic region (2003).
Report to CEP on guidelines to reduce visitor's impacts on Emperor penguin colonies and Weddell and Southern elephant seals (2004).
Report to CEP on the scientific basis of procedures for identifying sites to be included in the series of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (2005).
Provide SCAR with the 'Important Bird Areas' inventory for the Antarctic continent and the peri-Antarctic Islands according to International Union for the Conservation of Nature criteria (2002).
Lead the Joint Committee for Antarctic Data Management to establish guidelines for National Antarctic Data Centres (2000) and to establish a "Virtual Antarctic Master Directory" as part of the Global Change Master Directory (2000)
Develop an Antarctic standard for a survey control database and an Antarctic map symbology standard, to be accepted by the SCAR Working Group on Geodesy and Geographic Information of the Australian map catalogue as the SCAR Map Catalogue system (2000)
Advise the CEP on procedures for managing scientific data relevant to environmental management (2001)

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

Oral presentation on 'contaminant dispersal, remediation and monitoring' to national operators at COMNAP/SCALOP in Tokyo. Paper published in 2000 in Proceedings of the IX SCALOP symposium instead of CEP.
At CEP III Australia presented Working Paper (XII SATCM/WP6) on diseases of Antarctic wildlife, reporting the work of the intersessional open-ended contact group set-up at CEP II and convened by Australia. On the basis of the report CEP noted that there has not yet been a disease outbreak in Antarctic wildlife directly attributed to human activity. However, this should not prevent the Parties from taking a precautionary approach to disease introduction. CEP also stressed that it would be advisable to increase awareness and scientific knowledge about diseases in Antarctic wildlife, aimed at identifying possible risks so that appropriate measures could be taken to prevent them.
Effective leadership of the Joint Committee for Antarctic Data Management. Guidelines for National Antarctic Data Centres Guidelines complete. JCADM Web site hosted by the AADC (http://www.jcadm.scar.org/). Antarctic master directory complete http://gcmd.nasa.gov/amd/ft_search.html). Prototype standard is operational. Delivery of a paper (accepted) at SCAR XXVII in Shanghai in 2002 will complete this milestone.
Comprehensive Antarctic GIS Data Dictionary (including symbology) complete.
Advice given to CEP. AADC taking a lead role in environmental data management for SCAR.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities (e.g. Broke Survey of Krill in Antarctic waters)

A benchmark assessment and analysis of status and trends of Antarctic and subantarctic seabirds was completed for CCAMLR. A substantive seabird census and survey at Heard Island documented a 50 year + increase in the breeding population of King Penguins, a long-term increase on the breeding population of Black-browed Albatrosses, and tentative signs of a recovery in the breeding population of southern Giant Petrels.

Woehler, E.J., Cooper, J., Croxall, J.P., Fraser, W.R., Kooyman, G.L., Miller, G.D., Nel, D.C., Patterson, D.L., Peter, H.-U., Ribic, C.A., Salwicka, K., Trivelpiece, W.Z., Weimerskirch, H. (2000) A statistical assessment of the status and trends of Antarctic and subantarctic seabirds CCAMLR WG-EMM 00/16, 50pp; [Ref:9642]; AAS Project 1219

Research/Activities in the 2000-01 strategic plan NOT achieved and why

Paper presented to COMNAP/SCALOP instead of CEP. All other milestone targets achieved.

Goal 2 - To Protect the Antarctic Environment

Human Impacts: All research by the Human Impacts Research Program has the objective of protecting the Antarctic environment by providing information as the basis for environmental management decisions.

Key Scientific Outputs - KSO1

Information to reduce environmental impacts from waste disposal sites and abandoned work sites in Antarctica and on the sub-Antarctic islands

Assessments Milestones

Preliminary assessment of abandoned work sites on Heard Island (2000).
Determine the rate of natural biological remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in the sub-Antarctic and the potential for enhancing remediation (2001-2004).
Undertake a detailed site assessment, and develop procedures for contaminated site remediation appropriate for Heard Island (2001).
Monitor clean up at Heard Island to ensure environmental and heritage values are not degraded (2001-2005).
Determine the rates and mechanisms of contaminant dispersion from waste tips including meltwater flow and groundwater movement in the terrestrial environment (2000-2002).
Develop models for the dispersion of contaminants in the marine environment adjacent to the Old Casey tip and Wilkes (2000-2003).
Assess the potential for barrier technologies to limit the dispersion of contaminants during clean-up operations in the Antarctic (2000-2005).
Determine the potential for enhancing biological remediation of contaminated soils in Antarctica (2000-2005).
Develop rapid survey techniques to identify the effects of natural variability for monitoring and impact assessment (2004-2005).
Determine the potential of benthic communities and their ecotoxicology for assessing the impact of Antarctic contaminated sites and for monitoring clean-up operations and as the basis for environmental guidelines and for Ecological Risk Assessment specific to Antarctic conditions (2000-2005)
Undertake accumulation and depuration experiments as the basis for Musselwatch-type monitoring using local species (2000-2005)
Establish baseline conditions and implement monitoring in the receiving environment adjacent to Wilkes (2001-2004)
Monitor clean-up operations at Wilkes to ensure that environment and heritage values are not degraded (2001-2005)

KSO2

Creation of a database on the disease status of Antarctic wildlife and the construction of a risk assessment model for disease introduction and spread in Antarctic wildlife

(with Biology).

Assessment Milestones

Create a tissue and serum baseline for determining whether micro-organisms associated with animals taken from future mass mortality events are normal (2000-2005).
Determine whether penguins in colonies adjacent to and remote from Antarctic station contain different levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria (2000-2003).
Document the clinical signs of health and non-health in wildlife, as an aid to the identification of disease (2000-2002).
Identify viruses and bacteria in station effluent with and without UV treatment and determination of their survivability in the Antarctic receiving environment (2001).
Isolate viruses causing antibody reactions in Adélie penguins such as bursal viral disease, avian influenza and Newcastle Disease (2002-2005).
Complete risk assessment model to quantify risk of disease introduction under different environmental and logistical conditions (2005).

KSO 3

Information on the status of introduced species in the Australian Antarctic Territory and Heard Island and risk assessment models for the establishment of invasive species.

Assessment Milestones

Survey on Heard Island to confirm introduction-free status (2001).
Quantify the rates of establishment and spread of previously established invasive species on Macquarie Island (2001-2005).
Develop risk assessment model to quantify risks of introductions from tourism and national Antarctic programs (2005).

KSO4

Information to reduce the risk of harmful disturbance to the fauna and flora of Antarctica.

Assessment Milestones

Develop methods for long-term monitoring of frequently visited Adélie penguin colonies to identify cumulative impacts on numbers or breeding success (2000-2003).
Determine the effects of visitor and vehicle disturbance on Weddell and Southern elephant seals (2001), Petrels and Fulmars (2003) and Fur seals, King penguins, crested penguins and Albatross (2004).
Monitor impacted and control colonies of Antarctic wildlife to identify long-term or cumulative effects of disturbance on breeding success, survival and colony size (2000-2005).
Assess the impact of human activities on terrestrial and nearshore marine vegetation communities (2000-2005).

KSO5

Information to understand the environmental impacts from marine debris in the Southern Ocean.

Assessment Milestones

Analyse the sources of pelagic plastics and their spatial and temporal patterns in the Southern Ocean (2000).

Identify type and size of plastic particles ingested by Southern Ocean predators from analysis of scat samples (2001), and determination of whether the quantity of pelagic plastics ingested by wildlife is increasing, using dated chick carcasses from Wilson's storm petrel and Snow petrel nests (2002).
Determine whether wave action at0sub-Antarctic islands generates large quantities of millimetre-scale plastic particles (2003).

KSO6

A systematic, GIS-based environmental-geographical framework for area management in the Antarctic and for identifying areas to include in the series of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas.

Assessment Milestones

Evaluate the scientific basis of procedures for designation of Protected Areas in non-polar regions and identify the key characteristics that determine whether these procedures are appropriate to Antarctica (2002-2003).

Test and evaluate semi-automated GIS-based procedures for assessing Antarctic wilderness and aesthetic quality, and for predicting impacts of proposed activities on these qualities (2000-2003).

Develop theoretical models for the selection of representative examples of major terrestrial and marine ecosystems to be included in a series of Antarctic SPAs (2001-2005).
Identify the characteristics (including size, location, connectivity, buffer zones etc) required of areas set-aside for protecting important or unusual assemblages of species (2001-2005).
Identify type localities, or only known habitats, of any rare species in the AAT (2002).

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

& = Peer reviewed papers submitted or published towards fulfilment of milestone.

Delivery of KSO1 milestones

Preliminary assessment of abandoned work sites at Heard Island complete. All spatial data, photographs and sample sites entered into an online web-based GIS.

Detailed site assessment of Heard Island complete (October 2001). Research for site remediation techniques appropriate for Heard Island undertaken at more accessible sites at Casey. Proposal submitted to develop techniques suitable for Heard Island by studying the similar but more accessible Macquarie Island. Samples taken at Heard Island and Macquarie Island indicate that a comprehensive R&D program is required to reduce risks to human health and the environment from fuel spills at both sub-Antarctic islands. ASAC 1163 submitted to fulfil these requirements.
Monitoring was successfully undertaken for limited clean-up at Heard Island.

Other achievements towards various milestones include: flux estimates and pathways have been determined for heavy metals (&); particulate entrainment (and hence management) identified as being of key importance during site remediation (2002-2003); 3-D diffusion/advection model of nearshore marine complete and contaminant dispersal is now known to be wind dominated (&); compromise barrier design chosen for Casey clean-up in 2002-2003 (&); analysis of sediments and biota on-going (&); greatly enhanced rates of petroleum degradation are possible for in situ remediation with nutrients and water (&); benthic communities proven to be sensitive to pollution associated with station activities (&); key organisms identified as being more sensitive in marine ecosystems than temperate ones (&).

Delivery of KSO2 milestones

Viruses and bacteria were NOT significantly reduced by UV treatment and the technology needs further modification and testing. Alternatives are also being considered. Bacteria do survive in the Antarctic receiving environment (&).

Delivery of KSO3 milestones

Survey of introduced species on Heard Island complete. Major sources of potential and actual contamination were identified. Most significant of these are: gas bottles, the underside of cage pallets, expeditioner equipment, velcro fasteners on field clothing, camera cases, and substandard fruit and vegetables that have both insect and fungal contaminants.

Several loading procedures were identified as potential contamination points. These included the difficulty of securing rat guards to boat lines. The location of the ship at port also presents potential contamination problems. Recommendations have been presented to Expedition Operations and substantial changes have been made to operational procedures. Most notably store and loading crew are aware of the issues and are taking much more care to inspect and clean cargo.

Delivery of KSO4 milestone

Substantial progress towards KSO4. Extensive field experiments at Davis in 2000-2001 have allowed quantification of behavioural response for Weddell seals and their pups to individual expeditioner, tourist groups, quads and Hagglands approach patterns (&). Preliminary recordings were made of the sound generated under the ice by quads, Hagglunds and skidoos operating at different speeds and different distances from the recording point. Data is not yet sufficiently analysed to enable final reporting on significant findings (or complete delivery of milestone), fieldwork continues during the 01-02 season.

Delivery of KSO5 milestones

Sources of pelagic plastics successfully monitored at Macquarie Island. Key trends include an increase in fisheries-sourced material. Annual totals of plastics (~92% of all marine debris) have not changed during the last 10-years. There is a strong link between Southern Ocean fisheries operations and plastics debris, and there is a time delay of weeks between plastic debris being discarded and accumulation on sub-antarctic island beaches.
Type and size of plastic particles ingested by Southern Ocean predators from analysis of Scat samples reveals that ingested particles are derived from physically abraded macro-plastics. Electron micrograph and infrared transmission scanning spectrophotometer analysis indicate that polyethylene dominates plastics in scats. It is hypothesised that particles were washed out to sea, consumed by fish, which were in turn consumed by seals.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities (e.g. Broke Survey of Krill in Antarctic waters)

Bench- and pilot-scale water treatment technologies have been developed into a design for a full-scale water treatment plant. Research at Casey station incorporated into plans for a full-scale trial remediation operation of the Thala valley tip site in 2002-2003.

Research/Activities in the 2000-01 strategic plan NOT achieved and why

Field research at Casey in the 2000-2001 season was hampered by unplanned changes to the shipping schedule. The main casualty was research into dispersal, remediation and management in preparation for 2002-2003 clean-up and subsequent remediation of Wilkes and other sites. The problem was that large experiments consigned on the resupply voyage were due to be delivered 3 weeks into the season before the summer melt, arrived 6 weeks late just before the final voyage out of Casey. The work on permeable reactive barriers and bioremediation was particularly set back and the work program for ASAC 1163 has been adjusted accordingly.

Goal 4 - To Undertake Work of Practical, Economic and National Significance.

Human Impacts: Protection of the Antarctic environment based on scientific information is a practical application of science and is of national significance. Human Impacts research will also contribute the Antarctic regional component to several national environmental initiatives including the National Environmental Protection Measures, the National Strategy for Australia's Heritage Places, the National Reserve System Program, the Australian Natural Heritage Charter, Australia's Oceans Policy and the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity. Information will be of practical value to management authorities such as state parks and wildlife services.

Key Scientific Outputs

Information that contributes to national environmental and heritage initiatives

Assessment Milestones

Data from the Antarctic incorporated into national strategies (Ongoing).
Experience gained by Australia through its Antarctic program used to national benefit (Ongoing).
Ensure compliance with Departmental and national standards for management of scientific data and geographical information (Ongoing).

Research Output achieved against the strategic plan

Development of web-based State of Environment reporting system based on environmental indicators leading the way in Australia for a national strategy of indicator reporting. AADC systems and processes have been emulated by the Data Centre of the Polar Research Institute of China. AADC is creating the standard for data management in Australia and both AIMS and CSIRO are using the AADC as a model.
Significant developments relating to the compliance, assessment, excavation, transport and disposal of contaminated waste (Federal and State requirements). A key area of progress concerns the development of techniques that will allow real-time chemical monitoring and assessment of hazardous waste and contaminated runoff during clean-up operations.

Major Research Output(s) completed in 2000-01 relating to previous seasons' activities (e.g. Broke Survey of Krill in Antarctic waters)

NIL

Research/Activities in the 2000-01 strategic plan NOT achieved and why

NIL

General Comment

Milestones put forward in 2000 have been modified to reflect shipping difficulties of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons. Namely non-delivery of experiments at Casey in 2000-2001 and reduction of access in 2001-2002 to two voyages from three, and no summer program at Casey during the melt.

Milestones with ongoing or a range of years indicated have been replaced by firm single year delivery dates.

Loss of Dr Geise to Environment Australia will hamper future efforts to deliver milestones and KSOs concerning reducing impacts to wildlife from tourists and expeditioners.

Research activity for 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons will be dominated by research and overseeing chemical and biological monitoring in support of clean-up activities at Casey Station.

Research Output for Human Impacts Program published in 2000

Category 1 publications

Burns, R., Sullivan, P. (2000) Perceptions of danger, risk taking, and outcomes in a remote community Peter Suedfeld, Karine Weiss, Environment and Behavior 32(1). 32-71; [Ref:9152]; AAS Projects 12, 13, 911

Burns, R.J. (2000) Women in Antarctic Science. Forging new meanings and practices. Sue, V.Rosser Women's Studies Quarterly 28(1&2). 165-179; [Ref:9596]; AAS Project 911

Burns, R.J. (2000) Investigating Women's Antarctic Experiences: Some methodological reflections on a qualitative, feminist project Linda Cullum, Diane Tye, Resources for Feminist Research 28(1&2). 133-149; [Ref:9597]; AAS Project 911

Cooper, J., Woehler, E., Belbin, L. (2000) Guest Editorial. Selecting Antarctic Specially Protected Areas: Important Bird Areas can help. Antarctic Science 12. 129; [Ref:9342]; AAS Project 1219

Duquesne, S., Riddle, M.J., Schulz, R. and Liess, M. (2000) Effects of contaminants in the Antarctic environment - Potential of the gammarid amphipod crustacean Paramorea walkeri as a biological indicator for Antarctic ecosystems based on toxicity and bioacccumulation of copper and cadmium. In: (Ed.). Aquatic Toxicology (49) . 131-143 ; [Ref: 9798 ] Projects 1005 , 1100

Gasparon, M., Burgess, J.S. (2000) Human impacts in Antarctica: trace-element geochemistry of freshwater lakes in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Environmental Geology 39(9). 963-976; [Ref:9987]; AAS Project 1095

Giese, M, Goldsworthy, S.D., Gales, R, Brothers, N., Hamill, J. (2000) Effects of the Iron Baron oil spill on little penguins (Eudyptula minor). III. Breeding success of rehabilitated oiled birds. Wildlife Research. 27. 583-59; [Ref:9865]

Goldsworthy, P.M., Thomson, P.G. (2000) An extreme inland breeding locality of snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea) in the southern Prince Charles Mountains, Antarctica G. Hempel, Polar Biology 23(10). 717-720; [Ref:9595]; AAS Project 2091

Goldsworthy, S.D., Gales, R, Giese, M, Brothers, N. (2000) Effects of the Iron Baron oil spill on little penguins (Eudyptula minor). I: Estimates of mortality. Wildlife Research 27. 559-57; [Ref:9863]

Goldsworthy, S.D., Giese, M, Gales, R, Brothers, N., Hamill, J. (2000) Effects of the Iron Baron oil spill on little penguins (Eudyptula minor). II. Post-release survival of rehabilitated oiled birds. Wildlife Research. 27. 573-58; [Ref:9864]

Hughes, J.D. (2000) Ten Myths about the preservation of historic sites in Antarctica and some implications for Mawson's Huts at Cape Denison Dr Beau Riffenburgh, Polar Record. 36(197). 117-130; [Ref:8905]; AAS Project 2283

Hughes, J. and Lazer, E. (2000) Importance of "Historic Sites" on Heard Island for Protection of Scientific Resources and Environmental Management of a World Heritage Site In: Max Banks (Ed.). Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Vol 133(2). 71-77 ; [Ref: 9340 ] Projects 2283

Kiernan, K. and McConnell, A. (2000) Management considerations for the Heard Island lava tube caves In: Banks, M.R. & Brown, M.J. (Ed.). Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 133 (2) . 13-22 ; [Ref: 9370 ] Projects 959 , 1118

McGowan, A. (2000) On their own: Towards an analysis of sealers' sites on Heard Island Banks, M.R.&, Brown, M.J. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania Vol 133(2). 61-70; [Ref:10098]; AAS Project 380

Riddle, M.J. (2000) Scientific studies of Antarctic life are still the essential basis for long-term conservation measures In: Davidson, W., Howard-Williams, C. and Broady, P. (Ed.). Antarctic Ecosystems: Models for wider ecological understanding . 297-302 ; [Ref: 9799 ] Projects 1100 , 2201

Smith, S.D.A. (2000) Evaluating stress in rocky shore and shallow reef habitats using the macrofauna of kelp holdfasts Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery (7). 259-272; [Ref:9813]; AAS Project 1229

Smith, S.D.A. (2000) The effects of a small sewage outfall on an algal epifaunal community at Macquarie Island (sub-Antarctic): a drop in the Southern Ocean? Marine Pollution Bulletin 40. 873-878; [Ref:9814]; AAS Project 996

Stark, J.S. (2000) The distribution and abundance of soft-sediment macrobenthos around Casey Station, East Antarctica Polar Biology (23). 840-850; [Ref:9207]; AAS Projects 1100, 2201

Summerson, R and Riddle, M.,J. (2000) Assessing Wilderness and Aesthetic Values in Antarctica In: William Davison, Clive Howard-Williams and Paul Broady (Ed.). Antarctic Ecosystems: Models for Wider Ecological Understanding . 303-307 ; [Ref: 9635 ] Projects 2250

Category 2 publications

Riddle, M.J. (2000) Diseases of Antarctic wildlife Committee for Environmental Protection Working Paper CEPIII/WP6. 1-3; [Ref:9802]; AAS Project 1190

And 22 Category 3 publications; a number of assorted posters, videos and cds.