Anthropogenic impacts on the Sea & Soils of Antarctica

• Main Author: Gemmell, Michael
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: Endeavour; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14277

Every thing we do creates an impact. Everything we do influence those things around us at least some way. Even the act of observing in some way influences the object we are observing. Physicists doing sub atomic particle studies have found that by observing the sub atomic particles they were altering the behaviour of the particle. According to a common interpretation of quantum mechanics, sub-atomic particles such as electrons do not have a well-defined existence unül we try to observe them. They exist in all possible states until our act of observation forces them into one particular state (Anderson 1998). No matter how hard we try we cannot avoid having impacts on our environment so we must endeavour to minimise these especially any harmful ones. In Antarctica special care is taken to minimise any effects the actions are having on the environment although this has not always necessarily been the case. The value of Antarctica in its relatively pristine condition has been recognised. Even now with stringent rules governing behaviour in Antarctica people are still having detrimental effects on the environment. The logistics of getting to Antarctica and being able to survive means that this will always be the case this does not mean that we need not do anything rather we should always be looking for ways of further reducing our impact on Antarctica. Getting to Antarctica requires either air flight or ship travel, both Of which involve large amounts of fuel consumption and the associated release of pollutants into the environment. Hopefully with advances in technology more efficient and cleaner engines and energy sources will reduce these. The same goes for base logistics such as heating and local travel both of these again rely on fuel consumption diesel generators for heat and electricity and vehicle transport around the bases and to and from field camps. Every thing we do creates an impact. Everything we do influence those things around us at least some way. Even the act of observing in some way influences the ...