Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 2008-09: VUWAE 53
*ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
*ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Information from this section helps us to assess the environmental (including cumulative) impacts and overall environmental performance of New Zealand's activities each year. This reporting is a requirement of the Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act, which implements the internationally agreed Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in New Zealand. The report also forms the basis for annual input into Antarctica New Zealand's environmental database, an electronic record of all New Zealand activities in the Ross Sea region since 1957.
page 9Please be as specific as possible. For locations occupied, provide the site or protected area name, and GPS coordinates or map references where appropriate. GPS coordinates should be given in degrees, minutes and decimal minutes (e.g. 78° 20.835′S 166° 33.541′E). Note that the geodetic reference used should be WGS84.
Two sub-sections are compulsory as they are relevant to all events. Sub-sections without asterisks need only be completed if relevant. Unnecessary sections should be deleted. Comments on any area of environmental management are welcome and can be added beneath the relevant table.
Site name | Evans Piedmont Glacier |
Site coordinates | 76°43.5335′ S, 162° 35.2940′ E, 314m asl |
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? | McMurdo Dry Valleys ASMA |
Dates occupied (from – to) | 13 Nov 2008 |
Total time (days /hours) at site | 3 |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 9 person hours |
Main activity undertaken | Maintenance of automatic weather station and retrieval of recorded data; and mass balance measurement |
Cumulative impacts observed | None |
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked | None |
Site name | Victoria Lower Glacier |
Site coordinates | 77°19′48.31″S, 162°31′55.29″E, 626.2 m asl |
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? | McMurdo Dry Valleys ASMA |
Dates occupied (from – to) | 13 Nov 2008 |
Total time (days /hours) at site | 3 hours |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 9 person-hours |
Main activity undertaken | Mass balance measurements |
Cumulative impacts observed | None |
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked | N.A. |
Site name | Skinner Saddle |
Site coordinates | 80°55′54.66″S, 159°30′11.56″E, 917.5m asl |
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? | No |
Dates occupied (from – to) | 18 Nov 2008 |
Total time (days /hours) at site | 6 |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 4 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 24 |
Main activity undertaken | Relocation and maintenance of automatic weather station and retrieval of recorded data |
Cumulative impacts observed | None |
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked | N.A. |
Site name | Windless Bight |
Site coordinates | 78°03.273′S, 166°57.604′E 77°59.224′S, 166°59.673′E 77°56.201′S, 167°00.063′E 77°53.502′S, 166°00.053′E 77°51.324′S, 166°57.250′E |
Is this site in an ASMA or ASPA? If so, which one? | No |
Dates occupied (from – to) | 19 Nov 2008 |
Total time (days /hours) at site | 10 |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 30 person-hours |
Main activity undertaken | Recovery of 5 shallow (~3m deep) firn cores |
Cumulative impacts observed | None |
Helo landing site coordinates if not established AND marked | N.A. |
Geological Material
Location | Specimen type | Quantity (kg) | |
Site name | Coordinates | ||
Windless Bight | 78°03.273′S 166°57.604′E | Shallow firn core | 10 kg |
Windless Bight | 77°59.224′S 166°59.673′E | Shallow firn core | 10 kg |
Windless Bight | 77°56.201′S 167°00.063′E | Shallow firn core | 10 kg |
Windless Bight | 77°53.502′S 166°00.053′E | Shallow firn core | 10 kg |
Windless Bight | 77°51.324′S 166°57.250′E | Shallow firn core | 10 kg |
Equipment installed/left in field
Type of equipment/marker installed | Year of installatio n | Location (name and coordinates) | Number of items left in field | Dimension (in metres: H, W, L) | Removal status* |
Automatic weather station | 2007 | Skinner Saddle, 80°55′54.66″S, 159°30′11.56″E | 1 | 3m, 4m, 4m | Ongoing Use |
Automatic weather station | 2004 | Evans Piedmont Glacier 76°43.5335′ S, 162°35.2940′E | 1 | 3m, 4m, 4m | Ongoing Use |
Mass balance device | 2004 | Evans Piedmont Glacier 76°43.5335′ S, 162°35.2940′E | 1 | 20cm (∼12m below surface) × 3cm × 3cm | Ongoing Use |
Mass balance device | 1999 | Victoria Lower Glacier 77°19′48.31″S, 162°31′55.29″E | 2 | 0.5m (∼12m below surface) × 3cm × 3cm | Ongoing Use |
If equipment has been left in the photograph of the installation(s): field please provide a justification and insert or append a photograph of the installation(s): |
*Bioprospecting activities
New Zealand is collecting data for discussions on bioprospecting in Antarctica at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings. Here, we define bioprospecting as 'The search for chemical compounds and genetic materials from plants, animals and micro-organisms; the extraction and testing of those compounds and materials; and the research and commercial development of those that show activity.'
To your knowledge, does your science involve any bioprospecting activity? No
*Differences from original Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)
If the activities described above differ from the environmental impact assessment (usually a Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)) completed for this event (and any approved changes), or from the Environmental Authorisation issued to it, explain how and why they differed. If there were no differences, please specify 'None'.
'None'