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

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

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

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

Quantity of fuel used by generator sets and boilers at all stations. Fuel use is high but steady

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 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

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

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