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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1998-99: VUWAE 43

MISCELLANEOUS

page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

13. Battery Acid (sulphuric acid). There are two 20 litre clear plastic containers of battery acid. Each is kept in the Italian tent at the Drill Site and CR Camp. The person responsible for this acid is Jeremy Ridgen.

14. Hydrochloric Acid. A 500ml plastic bottle of 10% hydrochloric acid is kept in the CR Camp Laboratory where small amounts are used by the sedimentologists. This strength acid is about twice the acidity of vinegar, but it is still capable of damaging skin and eyes. The person responsible for the acid is Dr Ross Powell.

15. Lime-Away. This is a caustic soda-based cleaning agent for removing scale in pipes. It is poisonous and will burn the skin. It is in a 1 litre red plastic container in the CR Camp workshop. The person responsible for it is Brian Reid.

16. Calcium Chloride (CaCl). CaCl is used as an accelerant in the curing of cement in the drill hole. It comes in cystal form in clearly labelled 25kg bags. It is stored on Cape Roberts with the drill muds and also at the Drill Site, also with the drill muds. In its dry form, and even more so when mixed with water, it is a skin, eyes and respiratory irritant. The results of prolonged exposure can be severe. It is corrosive to metals when moist or dissolved in water.

17. When working with CaCI ensure skin is covered. A dust mask is advised. Safety glasses should be worn especially when it is dissolved in water. The persons responsible for the CaCI the Drill Manager and the 'mud doctors' on each shift.

18. Radianuclide. A small radioactive source, Cs-137, is used in core scanning analysis at the DS Laboratory. This source is enclosed in a lead-lined cylinder labelled with the radioactive logo. Protected as it is the radioactive source is harmless but for obvious safety reasons the cylinder is not to be touched or a hand placed in the area where the beam scans the core . When not in use scanning core the radioactive source is closed off. The person responsible for the radionuclide is Dr Frank Neissen.

19. The radioactive source conforms to international standards in terms of its storage, transportation and use. If for example, the Laboratory was destroyed by fire it is highly unlikely the container would sustain any damage likely to result in a leak or contamination.

Jim Cowie

Cape Roberts Project Manager