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Summary
The concentration, movement and transformation of metal pollutants in Antarctic soils was investigated with two main objectives; i) to assess the fate of pollutants already present in the soil and ii) to establish experimental plots from which the rate of metal movements can be determined. The work was carried out at two different sites: Marble Point and Scott Base. Marble Point was a ... construction camp in 1957-1958 but later abandoned. Many point sources of pollution remain scattered on or near the ground surface. Eleven apparently undisturbed metal point sources of pollution were selected for sampling including objects containing lead, copper, zinc and tin. Where possible soil was sampled laterally and vertically at 1-5cm intervals, to depths of up to 20cm. Reference samples were taken for each site within close proximity, but away from the influence of the point source. A composite reference sample was taken from the perimeter of the abandoned camp and four water samples were also collected. A total of 113 soil samples adjacent to point sources were collected in the Marble Point area. The establishment of experiment plots dosed with low levels of metal ion salt solution was carried out on the northern side of Scott Base. Twelve plots were marked out and at the centre of each plot, a small hole was dug, and the soil from approximately 20 cm below the surface was removed. The sample was contaminated with a low level of a solution of either copper or zinc chloride and was replaced into the hole for resampling in the 2007/08 season. Nine samples of copper foil and zinc wool were also buried and recollected at a later date. Marble Point soil samples were analysed to determine general soil characteristics and levels of pollutant metals. Soil and metal foil samples from the Scott Base site are stored in the Transitional Facility at the School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Auckland.

Geographic Coverage Spatial coordinates   

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1994-01-05 Stop Date: 1994-01-13

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > SCOTT BASE CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > MARBLE POINT GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

HUMAN DIMENSIONS > ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS > CONTAMINANTS LAND SURFACE > SOILS > HEAVY METALS LAND SURFACE > SOILS > RECLAMATION/REVEGETATION/RESTORATION

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS

Instrument

SOIL SAMPLER

Quality
The Marble Point samples were collected by Professor Kipton Powell and Carol Hulse. For any remaining samples and data, please contact this investigator.

Soil and metal foil samples from the Scott Base site are stored in the Transitional Facility at the School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Auckland. The principal contact for these soils is Associate Professor Jenny Webster-Brwon, until they are destroyed. They are currently (2009) being used for an MSc study.

A list of the samples collected is held in the Antarctica New Zealand logistics reports (Event K081B, 2007/08).

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/ Data Center Personnel Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

JENNY WEBSTER-BROWN Role: INVESTIGATOR Phone: +64 9 373 7599 Extn 87374 Email: j.webster at auckland.ac.nz Contact Address: Department of Chemistry University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 City: Auckland Country: New Zealand KIPTON J POWELL Role: INVESTIGATOR Phone: +64 3 364 2460 Fax: +64 3 364 2110 Email: kip.powell at canterbury.ac.nz Contact Address: Department of Chemistry University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand CEISHA POIROT Role: DIF AUTHOR Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand SHULAMIT GORDON Role: DIF AUTHOR Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Publications/References
Claridge, G.G.C. Campbell, I.B. Powell, H.K.J. Amin, Z.H. Balks, M.R. 1995 Heavy metal contamination in some soils of the McMurdo Sounds region, Antarctica. Antarctic science 7(1): 9-14

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-03-03 Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-03-03

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