Water and sediment samples around the Atlas Cove Station, Heard Island. For analysis of hydrocarbons and heavy metal contamination.

• Other Authors: SNAPE, IAN (hasPrincipalInvestigator), SNAPE, IAN (processor), Australian Antarctic Data Centre (publisher)
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: Australian Antarctic Data Centre
• Subjects: environment; CONTAMINANT LEVELS/SPILLS; EARTH SCIENCE; HUMAN DIMENSIONS; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; Heavy Metals; Contamination; GPS > Global Positioning System; FIELD SURVEYS; OCEAN > SOUTHERN OCEAN > HEARD AND MCDONALD ISLANDS; GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR; Heard Island; Southern Ocean; Heard; Gardner; McDonald Islands; Atlas Cove
• Online Access: https://researchdata.ands.org.au/water-sediment-samples-metal-contamination/700465; https://doi.org/10.4225/15/58a524c17733e; https://data.aad.gov.au/metadata/records/atlas_sample_gis; http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-617536

Dave Gardner went to Heard Island in January and February 2000 as part of the 2000 ANARE. Samples of sediments and water from the old atlas Cove ANARE station area were taken to obtain data on the extent and intensity of contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Contamination from hydrocarbons was obvious in places and this guided where samples were taken. Sample locations were taken with a differential GPS system.The system consisted of a Magellan ProMark X-CM receiver to operate as the base station, and a Trimble Pro XL receiver with TDC2 Asset Surveyor for recording GIS information along with GPS locations. The GPS base station was erected over one of the reference marks for the International Satellite Triangulation Station Pageos ISTS 0044, 1969. The absolute accuracy of the base station survey marks used is of a 'few metres' according to the Geoscience Australia National Geodetic Data Base notes supplied with the data. The internal accuracy of the survey should be within 1 metre. Sediment samples for hydrocarbon analysis were collected using a metal trowel, and stored in clean 250ml glass jars. An aluminium foil cap was placed over the jar top before sealing, to avoid contact with the plastic lid. Samples for heavy metal analysis were collected with a plastic trowel and stored in plastic bags. Trowels were cleaned with ethanol between collecting samples. Water samples were collected with minimal disturbance to the sediments, but from below the surface level of the water. In a number of cases this required digging holes and allowing them to fill and settle. Samples for hydrocarbon analysis were collected in clean 500ml glass jars covered with aluminium foil. Samples for metal analysis were collected in acid washed 250ml plastic jars. Site details were recorded at each sample site, and a location recorded using differential GPS. All samples were frozen after collection, and stored in the ships freezer at -22 degrees Celsius. Sample results will be used to build up an environmental management plan for the station.