Clean-up of past waste disposal sites and abandoned work sites in Antarctic (UPDATED)
Historical operational practices have left waste disposal and abandoned work sites in many locations in Antarctica. Many countries have undertaken clean-up activities in order to minimise ongoing environmental impacts at these sites, but many sites remain that require attention. The environmental im...
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Antarctic Environments Portal
2019
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.18124/vjzy-q847 https://www.environments.aq/information-summaries/clean-up-of-past-waste-disposal-sites-and-abandoned-work-sites-in-antarctica-updated/ |
| Summary: | Historical operational practices have left waste disposal and abandoned work sites in many locations in Antarctica. Many countries have undertaken clean-up activities in order to minimise ongoing environmental impacts at these sites, but many sites remain that require attention. The environmental impacts at these sites are expected to increase over time, as structures and containers continue to degrade. The practical difficulties and escalating costs of clean-up increase the urgency of undertaking remediation actions in a timely manner. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Protocol) includes requirements that aim to prevent the creation of further contaminated sites. It also requires that existing sites be cleaned up, provided that doing so does not result in greater adverse environmental impact. The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) is continuing to to develop a Clean-Up Manual intended to comprise a central repository of best-practice guidance for these efforts. Much work remains to develop agreed environmental quality targets, remediation / clean-up technologies, and monitoring and evaluation customised to the Antarctic and individual sites. : Abandoned facility Clean-up Contaminated site Environmental damage Environmental repair and remediation Spill Waste disposal Waste management |
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