

State and trends of the Australian Antarctic program’s station environment
State and trends of the Australian Antarctic program’s station environment
The title of this assessment summary has changed for 2016. The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Person-days are a proxy measure for wide-ranging human activities that can interfere with physical, chemical and biological systems. Person-days vary annually depending on the number of scientific and operational projects that are approved
Biological oxygen demand of effluent discharged into the ocean from the waste treatment plants at each continental station. Threshold ratings are occasionally reached when occupation of the stations is highest. There is a new sewage treatment facility at Davis Station, and one is under construction at Casey Station
Estimate of the biological oxygen demand of effluent discharged into the ocean from the waste treatment plants at each continental station Impact of sewage on environment at Davis Station currently under investigation
Amount of organic matter in effluent discharged into the ocean from the waste treatment plants at each continental station. Moderately high levels of suspended solids are discharged into the ocean. There is a new wastewater treatment plant at Davis Station, and one is under construction at Casey Station
Amount of organic matter in effluent discharged into the ocean from the waste-treatment plants at each continental station
Composition and weight of waste returned to Australia from Macquarie Island and the continental stations. The amount of waste returned to Australia is dependent on the cargo limit of the ship and varies between years
Composition and weight of waste returned to Australia from Macquarie Island and the continental stations. The amount of waste returned to Australia is dependent upon the cargo limit of the ship and varies between years
Total weight of material incinerated, and the weights of the major components at all stations, is decreasing. This is because of improved practices—for example, the amount of imported packing materials is being reduced
Total weight of material incinerated, and the weights of the major components at all stations, is decreasing as importation of packing materials, for example, is being reduced
Quantity of fuel used by generator sets and boilers at all stations. Fuel use is high but steady
Quantity of fuel used by generator sets and boilers at all stations
Quantity of fuel used for vehicles at all station is highly variable and depends on the use of vehicles. Increased fuel use at Casey Station is related to Wilkins Aerodrome
Quantity of fuel used for vehicles at all stations is highly variable and depends on the use of vehicles; however, the total quantity of fuel across all stations is increasing
Quantity of electricity used; also indicates fuel use. ‘Smart’ energy is being increasingly used at Mawson Station, where 40–45% of the electricity used is from renewable energy sources
Quantity of electricity used; also indicates fuel use. At Mawson Station and Macquarie Island, great savings are being achieved through the use of renewable energy sources
Fuel use of all vessels engaged in transport of goods and people, as well as marine science voyages, varies between years, because of differing demands and sea ice conditions. For example, more fuel is required in years of heavy sea ice
Fuel use of all vessels engaged in transport of goods and people, as well as marine science voyages, varies with year because of differing demands and also variations in sea ice conditions. More fuel is required in years of heavy sea ice
Although fuel use by fixed-wing aircraft has been highly variable in the past, it has been relatively stable for the past 5 years
Fuel use by helicopters is reasonably stable
Fuel use does not include aviation ground-support elements
Although fuel use by fixed-wing aircraft has been highly variable in the past, it has been fairly stable for the past 3-4 years, and has been less than expected due to minimal intra-station flights
Fuel use by helicopters is reasonably stable
Fuel use does not include aviation ground-support elements
Assessment Summary Key
Grades
Very good
No risk of pollution and contamination of environment
Good
Low risk of pollution and contamination of environment
Poor
Medium risk of pollution and contamination of environment
Very poor
High risk of pollution and contamination of environment
Recent Trends
-
Improving
-
Stable
-
Deteriorating
-
Unclear
Confidence
-
Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
-
Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus
-
Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus
-
Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus
-
Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment
Comparability
-
Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment
-
Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment
-
Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment
-
Not previously assessed
Comments
One major improvement occurred in regard to the biological oxygen demand in the treatment of effluent. A new sewage treatment plant came on line at Davis, and another one is under construction at Casey.