The Czech Antarctic Station of Johann Gregor Mendel – from project

The Czech Antarctic Station of Johann
Gregor Mendel – from project to
realization
Brno, June 2006
1
Authors of text and graphic supplements
Asst. Prof. Ing. Josef Elster, Institute of Botany, CAS
Dr. Petr Mixa, Czech Geological Survey
Prof. Dr. Pavel Prošek, Masaryk University
Dipl. Ing. Alois Suchánek
Mgr. Zdeněk Venera, Ph.D., Czech Geological Survey
Mgr. Ondřej Vícha, Czech Ministry for Environmental Protection
Authors of photographs
Asst. Prof. Ing. Josef Elster, Institute of Botany, CAS
Mgr. Kamil Láska, Ph.D., Masaryk University
Dr. Petr Mixa, Czech Geological Survey
Prof. Dr. Pavel Prošek, Masaryk University
To obtain more detailed information turn please to belowe mentioned persons
Building and technical solutions, infrastructure of the station:
Dipl. Ing. Viktor Hybner – [email protected]
Dipl. Ing. Alois Suchánek – [email protected]; [email protected]
Environmental protection:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ing. Josef Elster – [email protected]
Dr. Petr Mixa - [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Pavel Prošek – [email protected]
Dipl. Ing. Alois Suchánek – [email protected], [email protected]
Planned scientific program:
GEOLOGY
Dr. Petr Mixa – [email protected]
Martin Svojtka - [email protected]
Mgr. Zdeněk Venera, Ph.D. – [email protected]
GEOMORPHOLOGY
Mgr. Zdeněk Máčka, Ph.D. – [email protected]
CLIMATOLOGY
Mgr. Kamil Láska, Ph.D. – [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Pavel Prošek – [email protected]
CHEMISTRY AND GEOCHEMISTRY
Dipl. Ing. Jiří Faimon, Ph.D. – [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Josef Havel – [email protected]
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BIOLOGY
Asst. Prof. Ing. Miloš Bartak – [email protected]
Asst. Prof. Oleg Ditrich, Ph.D. - [email protected]
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ing. Josef Elster – [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Jiří Komárek – [email protected]
Acronyms
AT
ATCM
BAS
CADIC
CEE
CEP
CMEYS
COMNAP
CR
IAA
IP
JRI
MEP CR
NASCU
PEP
SCAR
Antarctic Treaty
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting
British Antarctic Survey
Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas
Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation
Committee for Environmental Protection
Czech Ministry for Education Youth and Sports
Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes
Czech Republic
Instituto Antártico Argentino
Information paper
James Ross Island
Czech ministry for Environmental Protection
National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
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Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
10.1
10.2
10.3
11.
12.
13.
14.
14.1
14.2
14.3
15.
16.
17.
18.
Foreword by the Ministr of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Introduction
Johann Gregor Mendel
Non technical summary
Czech Antarctic legislation
Context and reasons for the station’s construction, history of project
Site on James Ross Island
Description of the initial environmental reference state
Geology and geomorphology
Atmosphere
Soil
Water
Flora
Fauna
Characteristic of construction site proper
Brief description of the station design
Accessibility of the construction site
Assumed extent of the construction site, building up koncept,
and structure of buildings
Technical structure of the station
Generation of energy
Means of transportation
Transport operation
Waste and waste management plan
Waste from the station’s construction
Waste resulting from the station’s operation
Waste water
Course of building and technical operations, testing of technical systems
Station environment potential from point of view of staff
stay and actitivies
Supply of the station
Scientific program of the station
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5
6
7
8
9
9
13
16
24
27
28
28
30
41
43
43
44
46
46
48
49
52
53
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1. Foreword by the Ministr of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
5
2. Introduction
This document introduces the Czech scientific base in Antarctica and summarises its
preparation and construction. This project was designed between the years 2000 and 2001 and
constructed during southern summer seasons 2004/05 and 2005/06 in the northern part of
James Ross Island (Ulu Peninsula). The geographic co-ordinates are: φ = 63o48´02.3´´ S, λ =
57o52´56.7´ W. Background work resulting in the Czech Antarctic Act (see Part 5) was in
progress at the same time as the project development, preparatory construction and technical
activities. The proposal for the construction of the base and consequent CEE was discussed at
the CEP meetings during the years 2002 (Warsaw), 2003 (Madrid) and 2004 (Cape Town). It
was defended at the following CEP meeting and immediately afterward, in the autumn of
2004, the transport of construction and technical materials to Punta Arenas in southern Chile
began. Consequently, in austral summers 2004/05 and 2005/06 the base was constructed. It
was finished in the latter part of February 2006. The base bears the name of the father of
modern genetics who was also an 19th century meteorologist, Johann Gregor Mendel.
The construction of the Czech scientific station has been part of our long-term foreign policy
objective – to achieve consultative status in the Antarfctic Treaty system. The Czech Republic
also intends to take an active part in the implementation of the relevant international
instruments. In 2004 it ratified the PEP. As a result Czech representatives participate in the
work of the CEP as its members since the VIII session of this important internatioínal body.
This text presents the steps that lead to the choice of the location, the construction of an
appropriate physical plant for the base and the solutions to various technical questions, and to
an analysis of its potential impact on the environment and presumed scientific programme.
At this point, we would like to thank the individuals and institutions that participated in the
construction arrangements and the construction itself. Among the Czech are:
Czech Ministry for Education, Youth and Sports
Czech Ministry of Environmental Protection
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Technical University Brno, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication
PSG International Zlín;
Investprojekt, ltd. Zlín;
CZECH PAN, ltd. Varnsdorf;
Ekololaris Kroměříž;
ELMA-TERM, ltd. Kroměříž;
AZ Klima, ltd. Brno;
MG PLAST, ltd. Letovice;
VLW, ltd. Zlín;
Ct, ltd. Komárno;
Marine equipment, ltd. N. Město nad Metují;
CSM Tisovec;
Czechoslovak Ocean Shipping, ltd.
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3. Johann Gregor Mendel
The new Czech station bears the name of Johann Gregor Mendel – the abbot of Augustinian
Monastry in Brno.
Fig. 1 – J. G. Mendel, the official abbatial portrait
An Augustinian friar, Johann Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) lived and worked from 1843 in
Brno, in the Abbey of St Thomas, of which he became the abbot in 1867. At the beginning of
the 19th century, Brno, capital of the province of Moravia - then a region of the AustrianHungarian empire - was a culturally active, multi-lingual city. Mendel, who took part in the
social and cultural life of the town, gained titles such as that first of Vice-President, and then
President of the local Mortgage Bank, the Hypotheque Bank. He was especially known for his
activity as a teacher, for his interest in meteorology and in the breeding of bees.
Brno was the centre of a major textile industry and the local economy was deeply rooted in
agriculture, sheep-breeding (for wool production) and the cultivation of fruit trees and vines.
The Abbey of St Thomas, like other religious institutions, received tithes from local farms.
Abbot F. C. Napp had already established an experimental garden in the Abbey's grounds in
1830. Napp also supported Mendel in his full-time studies at Vienna University from 1851 to
1853. Under his leadership, rare Moravian plants were grown in the Abbey and a herbarium
was founded.
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J. G. Mendel was special interested in meteorology. He observed at the station in monastry
and in St Anna Hospital between 1857 and 1883. As a member of Natural Science Section
by Agricultural Society was J. G. Mendel deputed to process the results of meteorological
observations and to describe the climatic conditions of the town Brno.
Mendel's own systematic experiments on pea plants were started in 1856 in the Abbey's
greenhouse. In 1865 Mendel presented his seminal paper on pea hybrids, Experiments in Plant
Hybridization, and in 1866 this was published in the proceedings of the local Society for
Natural Sciences. Yet, over fifty years later, the monk who experimented on pea hybrids was
to be acclaimed as the father of classical genetics. The concepts he established in 1865 came
to be known universally as Mendel's laws of heredity, and the man himself came to be
regarded as the "father of genetics".
4. Non technical summary
The objective of the Czech Republic to build a small, seasonal, research station in the
Antarctic stems from experience gathered through activities of Czech scientists in the area of
the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands, and from the need to establish a logistic
background for development of complex and long-term research.
The first site of the station was proposed at the Turret point, east part of King George Island
(South shetlands). After comments on the first proposal of the station site presented at XXIV
ATCM in St Petersburg, 2001, and based on two reconnaissance trips to the Antarctic
Peninsula, South Shetlands, and South Orkneys, a new location was proposed at the northern
coast of James Ross Island. This area was the destination of another reconnaissance journey
in March 2004. The aims were as follows:
1. Selection of a suitable building site,
2. Evaluation of its suitability from the point of view of landing and disembarkation,
construction of buildings with application of the design and technological solutions
proposed for the former location (Turret Point),
3. Evaluation of the site from the point of view of possible disturbing the existing
ecosystems with regard to minimization of this impact,
4. Identification of a suitable fresh water source,
5. Assessment of the site and the environs from the point of view of research potential
corresponding to the existing scientific programme.
Thanks to IAA colleagues and their close cooperation with the Czech party, 8 locations at the
northern coast of JRI (Ulu Peninsula) in the section from the Lewis Hill to St Martha Cove
were evaluated and as generally most suitable the site between Bibby Point (378 m a.s.l.) and
Cape Lachmann (98 m a.s.l.) NW of Brandy Bay, under spot 64 m, was selected.
Before the projection of the station the requiremets on possible environmental impacts by
construction and operation of the station were defined:
1. The station construction and its foundation would not disturb significantly either the
surface or subsoil or vegetation at the selected site,
2. Proposed energy generation and effort to use maximum of renewable energy
resources (wind, solar energy) would minimize fuel combustion emissions to a level
which should not significantly influence the station’s environs,
3. Discharge of non-toxic liquid waste to the sea would be directed to an area with
sufficient flow, thus it is not supposed to increase singnificantly concentration of
pollution along the coast,
4. Toxic and incombustible waste would be transported out the Antarctic area pursuant
to Protocol,
8
5. Sources of acoustic emissions (diesel generators, waste incinerator, wind generators)
would not be as considerable as to disturb significantly birds and mammals in the
surroundings,
6. Continuous vegetation does not occur in the proximate surroundings of the selected
site and thus it could not be affected by the station construction and operation,
7. In the vicinity of the selected site no bird-nesting areas or areas of large
concentrations of pinnipeds exist, thus they could no be affected by the station
construction and operation,
8. Occurrence of flora and fauna in the station environs would regularly monitored
pursuant to PEP requirements. Results of the monitoring would be processed,
interpreted and if necessary, measures for the station operation would be adopted.
5. Czech Antarctic legislation
The Czech Antarctic Act significantly moved forward the approval process. It was proposed
by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, passed by the Chamber of
Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic on 6 August 2003, and published in the
Collection of Acts as Act No. 276/2003 on Antarctica and Amendment of Some Other Acts.
The act came into effect 31 March 2005, and on the same day the Protocol on Environmental
Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was published in the Collection of International Treaties as
No. 42/2005. These were necessary prerequisites for the acceptance of the Czech Republic as
a CEP member which took place at the ATCM meeting in Stockholm in June 2005.
In compliance with the Antarctic Act, the Czech Committee of Antarctica was established in
2006. The committee is an interdepartmental body of the Ministry of the Environment of the
Czech Republic on the issues concerning Antarctica. Its purpose is to:
− Oversee the compliance with the international commitments of the Czech Republic
concerning Antarctica,
− Co-ordinate the activities of the Czech people and scientific programmes in Antarctica,
− Respond to issues relative to Czech tourism in Antarctica,
− Respond to applications for permission for activities in Antarctica,
− Discuss work and information documents for the meetings of ATCM and CEP or other
international bodies and organisations,
− Follow the changes in international regulations on Antarctica and initiate their reflecting
in intrastate regulations,
− Propose candidates to MEP CR for the positions of observers,
− Co-operate with similar institutions in the states of the Antarctic Treaty.
6. Context and reasons for the station’s construction, history of project
The CR has become an active participant in the scientific research of the Antarctica and in the
protection of its environment.
- The CR intends to participate in international organizations which co-ordinate the scientific
research and the environmental protection of the Antarctica.
- The CR intends to achieve a consultative status in the Antarctic Treaty Parties.
- The CR is going to prepare and sing agreements concerning the co-operation in scientific
research in the Antarctic with other countries in case of joint interest.
- The systematic activities of the Czech scientists in the Antarctica would open possibilities to
establish the Czech National Institute for Antarctic Research.
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- Together with the research, which was and is linked with the Ukrainian station Vernadski
and the Peruvian station Machu Picchu, and in compliance with the designing of new
station, the Czech scientific institutions aimed to Antarctic research in cooperation with the
Ministry of Environment of the CR exerted themselves at solving the legalization of the
relationship of CR to the environmental protection of Antarctica, particularly consistent
with the PEP. The Czech delegation notified this intention the session of CEP IV, V, VI,
VII and VIII on the occasion of ATCM XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII and XXVIII.
- A plan for the construction of an original Czech scientific station was set up following many
years’ activities of Czech scientists in the Antarctic area, in particular during the last ten
years. The station will be located in such a place that would enable by its accessibility a
seasonal function, i.e. providing conditions for several-months’ systematic work. At the
same time, the location would be easily accessible during summer for transport of persons
and material as well as for emergency cases, e.g. acute diseases, etc.
Due to the above-mentioned facts and the tradition of Czech research activities in Antarctica
during the fifties and sixties (astrophysics, geophysics, meteorology, geology), and also
following the experience of research programmes in the nineties, a group of Czech scientists
from several institutions decided to formulate a plan for the construction of the first official
Czech Antarctic station, which is a necessary condition for future successful development of
research activities.
Among the leading institutions that have participated in research programmes in the polar
areas, we can mention especially the Institute of geography, departments of plant physiology
and anatomy, department of zoology and ecology and also the department of analytic
chemistry by the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University, where continuous and consistent
research of polar areas has been carried out. Botanical Institute of the Academy of Science of
the CR, the Department of the Environment of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of
Czech Technical University in Prague and other scientific institutions have permanently
cooperated on the projects. The operation of the station should also extend international
collaboration. All aforesaid institutions have systematically supplied technical means, i.e.
monitoring equipment and systems for various geographic measurements and researches,
devices for the measurements of the properties of the environment of flora and the parameters
defining the living conditions of flora and fauna as well as for the research of the most
universal conditions of global climate and the problems of common aspects of the
environment.
Besides the above described professional readiness of the Czech scientists acquired mainly
during several expeditions to Spitsbergen, to the Canadian Arctic and to the Antarctic, the
construction of the official Czech station was also supported by the knowledge of the function
of several polar stations, their technology and logistics.
Based on own knowledge and experience with terrain research, the site of Turret Point on
King George Island in the South Shetlands was assessed as the first alternative.
Trying to locate the station with respect to its minimum environmental impact, we also
considered the use of old and currently not-operating stations of other countries that could be
reconstructed or replaced by a new station at a previously used site. Consequently, we also
considered the possibility of carrying out research projects at new localities, as well as near
the former stations Danco and station Rothera. This possibility was rejected, and our attention
shifted to the area of relatively little-researched islands to the east of Antarctic Peninsula.
Based on consultation with and recommendation of BAS specialists in Cambridge, we
assessed Brandy Bay on James Ross Island as second potentially suitable site. Then, after
10
specific terrain reconnaissance and the recommendation of IAA in Buenos Aires, seven
further sites on this island were assessed.
In the late eighties, when the eastern political block started to collapse, Czech scientists
started to work in polar research. Masaryk University and former Czechoslovak Academy of
Science organized several research expeditions to the Spitsbergen area. Later opportunities to
participate in international research projects quickly increased. Czech researchers took part,
for example, in research projects on Elesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic, in the South
Shetlands, and elsewhere. Currently, several projects have been conducted in the Arctic and
Antarctic. Our activities cover a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines focused mainly on
terrestrial and freshwater ecology and biology, meteorology, climatology, geology and
physical geography.
In this time started also the discussions about possibility to construct a Czech national
research station in Antarctica.
Since their stay at the Polish H. Arctowski base in Admiralty Bay on King George Island the
Czech scientists were familiar with the environment of the South Shetlands. This fact and
experience with terrain research sway the idea to built the Czech station at Turret Point in the
north-eastern part of King George Island. An advance team visited this locality in austral
summer 2000/01. The locality was investigated with respect to the occurrence of organisms
and the site´s importance as a potential bird nesting areas, or as a locality for resting and
breeding of pinnipeds. Terrain research aimed as well at the station´s location and the
accessibility of the subjects of research program interest was carried out. For this locality, a
detailed construction plan of the station was drawn.
The Czech government via the CMEYS started to finance the station´s design and
construction in 2001. Professor Pavel Prosek of Masaryk University became the head of the
project. The project was introduced at the ATCM XXIV held in St Petersburg, Russia in
2001. A discussion concerning the project arose because some Antarctic Treaty Parties did
not recommend the construction at Turret point. The main reason for their concern was the
current existence of a number of stations on King George Island. British and Ukraine
delegations kindly offered their help with the survey of further localities around the Antarctic
Peninsula that could be suitable for the station´s location.
In October 2001 were a group of Czech scientists invited by British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
to Cambridge to discuss the problems, and they were offered several sites where BAS had
carried out research. Danco station (in the Anvers Islands Area) appeared the most suitable
due to the possibility of logistic co-operation. Prof. Prosek and Ing. Suchanek (construction
engineer) visited the island with a Ukraine vessel at the beginning of 2002. They concluded
that the proposed island area is not suitable because the deglaciated area, which would be
available for research activities, is highly limited.
Dr. Z. Venera and Ing. J.Elster were invited by BAS to participate in the R.R.S. Ernest
Shackleton research cruise from the Falkland Islands to Rothera Station and back. During the
trip, they discussed the construction of a Czech scientific station with Captain Stuart
Lawrence, other members of the vessel´s crew, and Rothera Station workers. They also
studied various maps and literature at Rothera Station and in the ship´s library. Finally, James
Ross Island near the north-eastern edge of the Antarctic Peninsula was proposed as a locality
suitable for the station´s location. Large area of the island is deglaciated and comprise a wide
spectrum of various freshwater and terrestrial habitats. BAS and IAA organized and organize
several research programmes on James Ross Island but no research station has been
constructed there. The only structure in this area is the old and partly destroyed Argentinian
refugio near entrance of Brandy Bay. Because the Ernest Shackleton vessel hat to return
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quickly to the Falkland Islands to meet the time schedule, the group did not manage to visit
James Ross Island.
Because of the need to have another (reserve) site for the station´s location, we asked BAS
representatives to extend Ing. Elster´s stay on board the Ernest Shackleton for the journey to
the South Orkney (Signy Island) and South Georgia. The geographical and natural conditions
of the South Orkney, especially Signy Island, were discussed again with Captain Lawrence,
and written sources were studied again.
Information about the intent to build the Czech scientific station on the northern coast of
James Ross Island, inclusive of the constructional and energetic design of the station’s
buildings, was presented at ATCM XXV (CEP V) in Warsaw in 2002 and was accepted
without any comments or suggestions (IP 93)
Based on the gathered data, another expedition to the area was organized for March 2003 to
survey the proposed part of Brandy Bay on James Ross Island. It was led by Prof. Prosek –
climatologist; other members included Ing. Suchanek – construction engineer, Dr. Kostkan –
biologist and chief editor of CEE and Dr. Vashenko – geophysicist and the deputy head for
logistic operation of the NASCU. This expedition was organized with the kind help of Prof.
Marschoff – at that time head of IAA, in close collaboration with specialists from this
institute, namely Dr. Strelin – geomorphologists and the employee of IAA and CADIC, and
Dr. Torielli – geologist and geomorphologist, the employee of Universidad Cordoba, who
have been working on James Ross Island for many summer seasons and have sound
knowledge of the area. The team of geologists and geomorphologists, who are specialized in
the field of permafrost and which consists of researchers from IAA and Hokkaido University,
operates at James Ross Island (especially at the territory of Ulu Peninsula) already from 1998
and spends regularly summer seasons there. Their knowledge of the landscape and the
environment is extensive and detailed and were considered as very reliable.
After the air transport to Argentinean base Marambio, deplaning on the site should have taken
place. However, the plan had to be changed due to limited chances of helicopter utilization
during the supplying operations at Marambio and Esperanza stations as well as poor
accessibility of the locations at the end of austral summer by Twin Otter, which van land on
glaciers. Therefore, upon their return to Buenos Aires, the expedition members carried out a
week´s theoretical analysis of James Ross Island together with IAA experts. The source
materials were supplied mainly by the above mentioned Argentinean colleagues, and by Dr.
Juan Manuel Lirio – geologist and IAA employee who has been working in the area as well.
There were analyzed satellite and detailed aerial photographs of James Ross´ northern coast,
geological and geomorphological maps and photo-documentation of the terrain of the island´s
north coast. Besides the aforesaid data, the terrain experience of IAA experts proved valuable,
especially their knowledge of climatic conditions of individual parts of the island, geological
conditions, accessibility for disembarkation, construction and provision, of location, yield and
quality of water sources, orientation of locations with respect to solar and wind sources of
energy etc. After a week´s workshop, altogether eight locations on the coast of the northern
part of the island were selected (most have not had geographical names and were, therefore,
marked as sites 1 – 8).
The general selection of considered localities (Turret point, Danco Island and James Ross
Island) was conducted on the basis of the convenience for the construction and function of the
station and from the point of view of impacts on the environment. Altogether 5 positive and 7
negative factors for assessment were defined and arranged into the matrix. These factors are
listed in the following outline.
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Positive factors:
• Suitability for the scientific programme
• Seasonal accessibility from the sea (sea ice)
• Suitability of the site for construction
• Exposure to wind and solar radiation (using of both as renewable energy source)
• Proximity of water sources and water quality
Negative factors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Risk of snowdrift and snow accumulation
Risk of soilflow
Loading capacity of the assumed footing bottom
Bank character with respect to disembarkation needs
Potential negative impact on fauna
Cumulation of stations in the area
Because the area has not been utilized yet, we were able to analyze tens of kilometers of
ragged coast and consider the advantages and disadvantages of the station’s locations. Based
on the analysis of all eight localities with respect to the above mentioned implications,
location “Site No. 4” on the north coast easterly of Lachman Point was selected as a priority
site for the assessment and construction of the station.
7. Site on James Ross Island
The scientific importance of Site No 4 is in its novelty because of the non-existence of a
permanent station on James Ross Island. So far, all research oriented toward geology,
paleontology and geomorphology has been carried out during shot-term expeditions equipped
with tents or utilizing the currently not-operating refuge at site San Carlos Point.
However, it is a highly precious area both from the point of view of climatological,
geological, geographical and biological sciences. The relatively large deglaciated area in the
northern part of the island is quite young (about 6 000 years) and de-glaciating continues here.
Therefore, we can study the processes following de-glaciating and subsequent (mainly periglacial) phenomena, which are connected with pedogenesis and later colonization by living
organisms.
So far, there is no station on the island and, therefore, no risk of cumulative effects. Due to a
present scarce biological colonization, there is little risk of substantial interventions to
biological systems. The mutually compared localities differ mainly in their construction and
transportation opportunities; some were not recommended for their extreme local climatic
conditions (wind exposure), or other later described negative phenomena.
The Site No. 4 (Figs. 2, 3, 4) is situated by the estuary of a nameless stream (working
designation Waterworks Stream) on the north coast below elevation point 64. This site is well
accessible from the sea with an opportunity for a ship’s retreat from storms to nearby Brandy
Bay. The sea does not freeze over here even in austral winter which allows early spring
provision of the station. On site, there is a vast and geologically stable area for the station’s
foundation, with a source of water and the opportunity to orient the structures in east-west
axis for the utilization of solar energy and also in the west-wind direction for wind generators’
operation. Slowly upward-sloping terrain allows, across the Crame Col (200 m a.s.l.), an easy
access to the whole north area of James Ross Island.
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Fig 2 – Satellite image of James Ross Island (site of the station in red ring)
14
Fig. 3 – Aerial photograph of Czech station area (Site No 4 in red circle) with main streems
(blue lines)
15
Fig. 4 – View at the station site from Bibby Point
8. Description of the initial environmental reference state
The construction of the station concerned directly only the built-up area and part of the
adjacent coast. With respect to the extent of the station area, only local environmental impacts
by the landing operation and by the construction were assumed. This presumption was
confirm by booth acitivities.
GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
James Ross Island is formed by a sequence of Upper Jurassic to Lower Tertiary marine clastic
sediments and tuffs. Its sedimentary basin developed as a back-arc basin in the period of the
Pacific, Phoenix and Auk plates´subduction under the Antarctic Peninsula microcontinent.
The sediments are roofed with volcanic formations dated from Miocene up to present. A
morfolgically prominent feature is the central volcano, Mt. Haddington (1628 m a.s.l.), and
coastal volcanic plateaus. Lava fluxes up to 200 m thick and up to 30 km long reach the
periphery of the island and erosion of their fronts characterizes the cliffs along most of the
coast. The volcanic sequences are dominated by basanites, tephrites, alkali basalts, and
tholeiites. Only the northern part of the coast is formed by Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and,
therefore, slopes slightly. The rocks are created by marine, in particular Cretaceous, less
common Tertiary unmetamorphosed sediments. Prolific paleontological localities of
vertebrate and invertebrate faunas item micro- and macrofauna has been described especially
in Santa Marta and Lopez de Bertnado Formation (Marambio Group, upper Cretaceous –
Santonian, Campanian). The main described fossils: ammonites, belemnites, bivalves,
gastropods, corals, fish, dinoflagellate, bryozoans and fossil wood.
16
About 80 % of the island surface is covered with ice. Only the northernmost part of the island
(Ulu Peninsula) is significantly deglaciated and represents one of the areally vastest ice-free
areas within the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula. The systems of elevations, lining
Brandy Bay in the southwest and northeast, have a specific geological structure reflected in
their morphology. The slope areas are formed by softer Cretaceous sediments and rise
approximately up to 300 m above the sea level. Summit flats are formed by Tertiary volcanic
rocks with body of intrusive rocks.
The slope areas are intensively shaped by periglacial processes, summer erosion and
accumulation activities of melt water and eolic processes. Stream channels, saturated by
melting of snow patches or spatially less significant ice caps, erode intensively in the upper
parts of the slopes. Transported material accumulates in the lower valley parts and conditions
braiding of the streams. Valley and elevation slopes are shaped mainly by erosion processes
combined with solifluction. The solifluction-stretched slopes are at the valley bottoms
secondarily eroded by stream channels. On the summits of interfluve ridges, the dominant role
is played by the gravitational movement of regolith (in places saturated by melt water) in the
active layer of permafrost. Periglacially shaped flat interfluve ridges are in the lowest parts
stretched toward the sea. Besides valleys with braiding rivers, they represent a significant
feature in a gently rolling landscape of the coastal zone. Such a landscape character contrasts
with steep erosional valley slopes, which develop due to the undercutting of foot slope by
stream channels (especially during spring thawing) and solifluction during the thawing of the
surface active layer of permafrost. In such a terrain, flat, almost horizontal surfaces of low
abrasion coastal terraces protrude partially as another typical morphological feature. The
construction of the Czech station was realised on one of them (below spot height 64 m).
In the broader surroundings of the station, structural relief control is highly apparent. It is
influenced by the depositional relations of the locations of clastic sedimentary rocks,
hyaloclastic tufs and basalt lava flows. The relief is formed of vast mesets; their tops consist
of basalt layers surrounded by lower relief founded in sedimentary rocks (Cretaceous marine
sediments, Cenozoic glaciomarine and glacigenic deposits). Morphostructural ground of the
relief was formed by glacial and periglacial processes in the Cenozoic period. In the
deglaciated part of the Ulu Peninsula there are remnants of former glaciation represented by
ice caps on meset tops. In some areas, the glacier descends to the foot of mesets in the form of
ice tongues. Though, piedmont glaciers are more common and they rim in particular the
eastern ridge slope of Lachman Crags meset. Their surface is covered with much debris from
eroded rocky walls above the glaciers. In an ablation zone, the glaciers often change into icecored rock glaciers. Rock glaciers represent a typical relief shape at the eastern foot of
Lachman Crags. Current climatic conditions cause their degradation, which results in the
formation of little ablation lakes on their surface. In the station’s vicinity, the glacial
formation of relief is represented mainly by the presence of five glacier cirques recessed into
the marginal slopes of mesets. Two of these glacier cirques are still bordered with end
moraines that contain ice cores.
The entire deglaciated part of the Ulu Peninsula is covered with coherent permafrost, which
conditions or influences the development of various paraglacial and periglacial surface
structures. Periglacial modelling of the relief reflects in the development of coarse-grained
regolith mantles, rock glaciers, structural soils and solifluction structures on slopes. Individual
types of periglacial structures exhibit a regular special distribution within the geomorphologic
system of mesets and their peripheral depressions. Vast flat meset tops are fully covered with
structural soils of sorted-net type. The outer slopes of mesets are composed of rocky walls,
under which taluses have developed, rimmed with protalus ramparts. The relief slopes
slightly, usually gradually, from the mesets foot toward the sea. Depending on the slopes’
17
declination, sorted polygons, sorted stripes, sorted stone banked tongues or solifluction lobes
can be found here. Steeper slope segments are dissected by slope dellens. Fluvial processes
also significantly shape the relief of peripheral depressions founded in sloping Cretaceous
sediments. The brooks have a character of braided streams; the valley legs, following the
direction of layers, are asymmetric.
ATMOSPHERE
They didn´t exit the systematic meteorological measurements at the James Ross Island untill
beginning 2004. Physical parameters of the atmosphere, as one of the environmental factors
that affect biota, environment and especially the type and dynamics of recent
geomorphological processes, have been measured only occasionally. Such activities comprise,
for example, the measurements taken within the IAA and Hokkaido University activities in
the northern part of Ulu Peninsula. First systematic measurements of air temperature and
humidity and of soil temperature were started directly on the construction site and at the
Bibby Point beginning 2004. They are continued until today by the standard station of the
Czech base and several another topoclimatic stations (Plateau and top of Bibby Point, top of
Davis Dome Glacier, Abernethy Flats to the NE of the Monolith Lake and NW slope of Berry
Hill).
The standard station facility is made in the Czech Republic (Environmental Measuring
Systems, Brno). The following table presents information on the measured parameters.
Parameter
Sensor’s height
Description
above ground (m)
Global sun radiation
PHAR
UV radiation total
UVB radiation (erythemal)
Air temperature
Relative air humidity
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
2.0
2.0
pyranometer Kipp Zonen CM11
radiometer EMS12
radiometer Kipp Zonen CUV3
Solar Light UV Biometer 501A
platinum resistance sensor Pt 100
capacity sensor
Soil temperature
-0.05, -0.10, -0.20,
-0.30, -0,50, -0.75
platinum resistance sensor Pt100
Wind speed and wind
direction
10.0
MetOne 013A and 023A
The measuring of the global Sun radiation is carried out in one-minute intervals and archived
as thirty-minute averages. Air temperature and humidity are taken every five minutes, and soil
temperature every 10 minutes. These measurements are archived as hourly averages. Similar
equipment and program has the station at the Bibby Point Plateau. The measured
characteristic of topoclimatic stations are: air temperature and air humidity (2 m), soil
temperature, or soil surface temperature resp.
Data from the period between 1 January to 31 December 2005 were used for the first
assessment of climatic conditions in the surroundings of the Czech base (Figs. 5, 6).
Global solar radiation
Fig. 5 shows the impact of the changes of the Sun zenith distance on global solar radiation
during the year. Overall simple annual course exhibits the highest daily sums in December,
e.g. 9 December (32.082 MJ.m-2), 15 December (33.611 MJ.m-2), monthly sums culminate in
November (587.0 MJ.m-2/month) and December (636.2 MJ.m-2/month). Annual sum of solar
radiation in 2005 reached to 3331.966 MJ.m-2. On the contrary, daily sums lower than 1
MJ.m-2 occur almost continuously from 8 May to 26 July. An increased content of water
18
Fig. 5 –Daily summs of global Sun radiation - annual regime of 2005, J. G. Mendel Station
Fig. 6 – Mean daily temperatures – annual regime of 2005, J. G. Mendel Station
vapour in the air and cyclonic circulation condition the substantial variability of cloudiness,
which then reflects in strongly unstable sun radiation regime.
Air temperature and relative humidity
The annual course of mean daily temperatures (Fig. 6) follows a typical, simple, though
strongly damped and in short periods considerably fluctuating wave. The annual mean air
temperature in 2005 was –6.0°C; the lowest mean monthly air temperature –17.3°C occurred
in June. The highest mean monthly air temperature 1.0°C was recorded in January. The
lowest temperature –30.7°C was recorded on 1 July, the highest temperature 11.0°C on 10
February. Rather a great variability of the temperature is a result of high advection together
with frequent change of oceanic and continental air masses. Such changes manifest in
particular in enormous temperature fluctuations with a period of several days, which often
exceed 20°C in winter.
The course of relative air humidity is quite balanced during an annual period. Similar to air
temperature, the short-time fluctuations of air humidity are connected with the character and
features of the in-flowing air masses. The average relative humidity reached up to 78.7%
during the monitored period of time.
SOIL
There are no soils in the real sense of the word at the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. There is
only sporadic occurrence of lithosols, regosols and gelic regosols (gelisols). The deglaciated
surface is formed of material of various structure and texture with respect to its origin and
19
development (glacial moraines, old beaches, erosion of bedrock of different origins on slopes
of varying gradient and exposure, aquifers, etc.).
Rather thin layers of crude humus horizons are present at James Ross Island within the
patches covered by vegetation mainly by growths of algae, lichens and mosses out of the area
of the intended construction site, where is present the substrate typical of raised and stabilized
beaches (i.e. pebbles in the matrix of finer material partially reworked by wind transport).
Larger vegetation oases, which are the basis of soil formation if such a process potentially
happens due to the changing climate, can be identified in aerial photographs. The construction
site is covered by a coarse-grained gravel foundation without fine particles on the surface and
little aquiferous permafrost. Soil in the real sense of the word not its initial stages are
occupied. Due to technical reasons, the construction involved mainly coarse pebble and
boulder debris of a morainic and/or fossil sea terrace character.
WATER
Two brooks run on the boundaries of the base. The one running approximately from SW to
NE forms the southern boundary of the station. It’s working name is Waterwork Stream. This
stream has 12 left-side tributaries, the longest of which rises under snowfields on the upper
part of the north-eastern slope of Bibby Point. The second brook has a north-south orientation.
Unlike the Waterwork Stream, it is deeply incised into sediments, and in its lower part its
valley is covered with permanent firn filling, in deeper layers transformed into ice. It’s
working name is Algae Stream.
Fig. 7 – Catchment of Waterworks Stream
20
Fig. 8 – Discharge of Algae Stream from firn and ice fill in the lover part of valley
Both brooks join the sea by a common estuary at a distance of ca 120 m. The daily flow
regime of both brooks is typical for glacial or snow melt streams. Depending on the
temperature, flows reach their peak in the afternoon and are at their minimum in the early
morning. At its crest, water is turbid with a significant amount of suspended load, the content
of which decreases rapidly at night. Water samples taken during the low flows were evaluated
as good, rather demineralised drinking water without biological compounds. Water from the
Waterwork Stream will be drawn for the base’s needs in the amount of ca 2.25 m3 per day.
FLORA
The reconnaissance covers the northwestern deglaciated area of the Ulu Peninsula up to the
distance of 12-15 km from the station building site. The vegetation is poorly developed,
represented predominantly by cryptogamic tundra, with mosses and lichens as the principal
components of the plant communities. Based on the widely accepted system of the
classification of vegetation types (Longton,R.,E.,1988: Biology of polar bryophytes and
lichens. Cambridge University Press) the communities belong to the fruticose lichen and moss
cushion sub-formation. This sub-formation is dominated by macrolichens and short turf and
small cushion-forming mosses (Andreaea-Usnea association), particularly on rocks and cliffs.
It is typified by large species of fruticose lichens including Usnea sphacelata, together with U.
antarctica and U. aurantiaco-atra, and various foliose species dominated by Umbilicaria spp.
Mosses, such as Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Syntrichia princeps, and Schistidium spp., and
lichens Xanthoria elegans and Leptogium puberulum, are often abundant at the margins of
seepage areas and along solifluction stone stripes, and form a distinctive community. There
are no vascular plants on the island. Rich communities of fruticose lichens, dominated by the
black Usnea sphacelata achieving 50-70% ground cover, occur primarily on the basalt summit
plateaux of Berry Hill, Lachman Crags and Cape Lachman. They extend over several hundred
21
square meters. This continental Antarctic (and bipolar) lichen species is near the northern
limit of its Southern
Hemisphere distribution, and this site is important for the extent and density of its growth.
Macrolichens also cover large areas of the slopes below the plateaux on the upland platforms.
In addition, soil cryptogamic crust and microbial communities of the active layer of the
permafrost represent important components of the terrestrial ecosystem. The soil cryptogamic
crust consists of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and soil
invertebrates). The soil surface (crust) comprises a variety of organisms as well as a range of
inorganic components such as various salts, which create a specific coloration of their surface.
Such soil crust microhabitat, and its component plants and invertebrates in the active layer,
create a complex trophic network.
Rich communities of fruticose lichens achieving 50-70% ground cover occur primarily on the
basalt summit plateaux of Berry Hill, Lachman Crags and Cape Lachman. They can reach an
area of several hundred square meters. Lichen covers at the slope foot of the upland platforms
are lower, however fruticose lichens dominate here as well. Moss cushion carpets are usually
much smaller, up to several or a few dozen square meters.
In the vicinity of the station the most productive ecosystems are (1) the wetland communities
(moss – cyanobacteria - algae seepages) dominated by moss cushions and carpets, and (2)
snowmelt streams with periphyton communities dominated mainly by mucilaginous algal
clusters and gelatinous algal-cyanobacterial biomass in water and, less commonly,
cyanobacterial mats and crusts. Moss seepage carpets are usually small in extent, up to several
or a few dozen square meters. Smaller moss carpets also line the streams and their tributaries
that lay southwest of the station’s construction site. Other moss carpets can be found at the
southwestern and northeastern bases of Bibby Point, southward of Cape Lachman, near the
coast of Halozetes Valley and Bengtson Cliffs. The most frequent and largest moss carpets
can be found on the lower part of Berry Hills’ northwestern slope, where they produce ”moss
seepages”. There are very rich cyanobacterial and algal communities in the area of interest.
These communities can be divided into the following habitats:
Shallow lotic wetlands (or streams) - There are a few streams saturated by melting waters
from snow patches or small glaciers in the area of interest. The Waterworks Stream and Algae
Stream, including their tributaries, are rich in periphyton biomass (Fig. 9, 10). Periphyton
consists mainly of algal mucilaginous clusters and jelly biomass floating in water and less of
cyanobacterial mats and crusts.
22
Fig. 9, 10 - Cyanobacteria and algae at the bottom of Algae Stream
The third stream of the northern coast is a stream running close to Bibby Point. This stream
erodes and transports a high quantity of material (mostly soft sand). Periphytic communities
are rather sporadic here. The similatr character have the streams and two glacial rivers in
Abernethy Flats. There are several streams as well on the eastern coast and in the areas of the
Halozetes Valley and Bentson Cliffs. Some of them are very short, others have the character
of seepages.
Shallow wetlands (seepages) - seepages frequently occur in and around the whole area of
interest. They can be divided into two types: (1) moss seepages, and (2) cyanobacterial
seepages. In some cases, seepages may be composed of a mosaic of mosses, cyanobacteria
and algae, and in other cases they may be moss or cyanobacteria monocultures.
Lentic wetlands (lakes) - stagnant water-bodies can be divided into two types: (1) shallow
lakes occurring on raised coastal areas, frequently brackish or saline, and (2) frozen stratified
lakes. Many similar lakes can be also found in the areas of Brandy Bay and Abernethy Flats.
However, during summer the access to some of these lakes is complicated by soft muddy
surroundings. One of the biggest lakes of this area - Phormidium Lake on the western coast of
Brandy Bay – may fall in this category. Regular study of some of these lakes will be possible
only after freezing.
Frozen stratified lakes are located on the eastern part of the Ulu Peninsula in the areas of
Halozetes Valley, Bengtson Cliffs, and also below an ice stream on the south-eastern part of
the Bibby Point. Frozen lakes differ in their size and most commonly occur on deglaciated
moraines or bare subglacial depressions. During the summer period only shore sections melt.
Wet rocky walls and waterfalls - they can be found in upper parts of Bibby Point, Berry Hill
and Lachman Crags. The most extensive site is on the south wall of Lachman Crags.
However, in all these habitats access is limited without climbing equipment and experience.
These habitats were not visited.
23
Soil cryptogamic crust and microbial communities of active layer of permafrost - soil crusts
represent an important component of the area of interest. They are composed of microbial
components (bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, and zoo-edaphon). The soil surface
(crust) is conglomerated not only by various organisms but also frequently pervaded by
different salts that create a specific coloration of their surface. Soil crusts and phyto- and zooedaphon in the active layer create a complicated mosaic of microhabitats.
Subglacial systems - there are several flumes and canyons, which are crossed by streams in
the area of interest. The streams often bore tunnels under snow patches transformed by the
bortím into small glaciers. From these tunnels it is possible to collect subglacial soils for the
study of microbial ecosystems. However, collection of these samples requires special
equipment and experienced sample collectors (speleologists).
Snow and ice microbiotas – The area of interest is permanently covered with huge icecaps at
the summit plateaux. Furthermore, there are many small glaciers or snow patches here. Due to
the high vertical variability of the relief there are many different snow/ice localities. Their
respective microbiota differ remarkably.
FAUNA
There is no nesting colony of birds or colony of pinnipeds in the area of north part of James
Ross Island. The species observed, always as individuals, by J. Strelin and C. Torrielli (IAA verbal evidence) in the vicinity of site No. 4 were: Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis Adeliae),
Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) and Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), Snow
Petrel (Pagodorma nivea), Willsons Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), South Polar Skua
(Catharacta maccormicki) (Fig. 11), Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), Antarctic Tern (Sterna
vittata), Weddel Seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) and Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonine).
Expected species is Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) - the rests were founded on the beach
near the station). In all cases, the species were observed in the wider surroundings of the
assessed locality (north of Ulu Peninsula), not solely at the proposed construction site.
On James Ross Island, no systematic zoological research has been carried out so far, and
therefore, no comparison data are available. No birds nests at the construction´s site, sporadic
nesting have been observed on the bottom of Algae Stream valley and on the cliffs located
hundreds of meters from the construction site.
9. Characteristics of the construction site proper
GEOLOGY
A detailed field reconnaissance with regard to the conditions anticipated during the station’s
construction was carried out at the projected construction site of the Czech Antarctic station
designated by the coordinates 63°48'2.3'' S; 57°52'56.7'' W early 2004.
The station facilities are situated on an E-W orientated coastal elevation (Fig. 12 and 13),
dipping to the east towards the confluence of the Waterworks and Algae Streams and inclined
further to the north to the coast. The construction site is marked by a cut of the Waterworks
Stream. The elevation is made up of an uplifted marine terrace covered with angular debris of
Cretaceous sediments and basalt fragments, on average up to 5 cm in size, with rather rare
basaltic wind-carved pebbles (maximum 50 cm in size). The debris layer is 10–20 cm thick,
beneath which occur well-sorted beach sands to fine-grained gravels and which extends as far
as the lower boundary of the active layer of permafrost. Two test pits were dug out to observe
the depth of the active layer of permafrost, which turned out to be 55 and 60 cm deep,
respectively. Sands and beach gravels are somewhat water-bearing in their upper layer due to
thawing snow from occasional precipitation. The layer above the permafrost is dry and welldrained. No paleontological or important geological localities were observed within a distance
24
of ca 1 km around the construction site, which is primarily the result of the occurrence of
glacial sediments and Cretaceous conglomerates of the Whisky Bay Formation along the
northern coast of James Ross Island.
Fig. 11 – South Polar Skua nesting immediately by a seal mummy
The surface of the marine terrace is solid, packed and levelled. No running water was
observed in area of the construction. This is caused by a lack of precipitation in the northern
part of James Ross Island, which is in the precipitation shadow of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Occasional rapidly-thawing snowfall occurs in summer months and is fully absorbed by wellsorted sandy sediments.
In the south, the beach barrier is bordered by the bed of the Waterworks Stream, which is
supplied with water from snow patches and rock glaciers on the eastern and northern slopes of
Bibby Point and Crame Col, respectively. The strems flows through a large wide and cirque
depression and its lower stretches at the construction site separate the northern uplifted marine
terrace from the southerly glacigennic sediments. Fluvial sediments are bimodal, consisting of
sandy-silty Cretaceous regolith with quartz pebbles from Whisky Bay conglomerates and
large basalt boulders up to 50 cm in size coming mainly from taluses of basalt lava flows.
They are also supplemented by the debris and wind carved pebbles from the surface of
southerly glacigennic sediments.
Basalt gravel and boulders to blocks from the stream bed of the lower stretch of the stream or
from the flood-plain have been used as a ballast material for construction of foundations of
the station and for the filling of gabion boxes for meteorological, radio and wind power
station masts. Boulders from the stream bed could simply be lifted so that sites of their
extraction were filled within a short period of time with a suspension, which is carried away
in large volume by the thawing water of the streams. The extracted boulders were transported
directly to the construction site along the marine terrace surface (ca 140 m). With regard to
the packed surface of the marine terrace, fairly well-drained sediments and the prevalence of
25
Fig. 12 – Coastal terrace - the presumed site of the station (see arrow). Bellow plateau surface
flows the Waterworks Stream
Fig. 13 – More detailed view on presumed construction site – the plateau of coastal terrace
precipitation in the form of snow (i.e. without the erosive effects of flowing water), no
significant degradation and subsequent erosion of the surface along the course of boulder
transport is expected to occur.
The broader area of the construction site is demarcated by the coast to the north, which is
about 190 m long and the Waterworks Stream valley to the east and south. The stream bed is
incised ca 8 - 12 m into the surface of the adjacent relief and is fed by thawing water from
26
snow patches. The western boundary is formed by a gully ca 1 m deep. The maximum
elevation of the defined area above the sea level fluctuates in an interval 13.5 – 15.0 m.
FLORA
Detailed reconnaissance showed that there is no vegetation (including cryptogamic soil crusts)
at the station construction site and its surroundings. Similarly, no vegetation was found in the
wider area of the station’s construction site in both directions along the seashore (distances of
0.8 -1.0 km). In longer distance - the thin subsurface layers of raw humus up to 2 cm thick can
occur only in sporadic and incoherent places of vegetation (mainly moss, or eventually
lichen). There is no moss and lichens vegetation at the proposed construction site, and,
therefore, we cannot talk about an impact on soils. The closest occurrence of periphyton
communities and moss carpets is associated with the bottom the Waterworks Stream Valley at
a distance of about 450 m southwest of the station. Two seepage sites, composed of mosaics
of mosses, cyanobacteria and algae, occur east of Bibby Point. It is expected that due to
prevailing westerly winds and due to elevation of the station (about 15 m a.s.l.), emissions
should not influence these plant communities negatively. The stretch of the stream south of
the station is characterised by relatively big declination and considerable transportation of
suspended-load and bed-load sediments. Periphytic communities occur here very rarely. The
valley is narrow here, which precludes the existence of moss carpets. Only about 2.25 m3 of
water per day will be used during the station’s operation. This amount canot affect the
possible water biota. In addition, water consumption from the stream will be regulated to
maintain a stable water level in the stream.
10. Brief description of the station design
The Czech scientific station was proposed as a smaller seasonal (summer) base for 15 - 20
people including the technical personnel. The station would be used for about 4 months
(December – March) each year.
Based on the presumption of a seasonal operation of the station, it was not necessary to fit all
systems into one structure. This basic presumption was then reflected in the station‘s
conception as a complex of several smaller single-story structures, which are less prominent
and aesthetically less obtrusive. Division of the station into several smaller structures
simplified the design from the technical point of view, and at the same time minimized the
interventions to the substrate and its disturbance. The founding of the structures excludes
massive transport of material and concreting (wooden grates are used, and in the case of the
main structure they are secured by freely laid stone). At the same time, this solution allows for
rapid return to the original surface character in case of the station‘s dismantling. Therefore,
the use of station for personnel and professional activities were separated from the technical
and provisioning activities. This solution also significantly decreased the risk of fire and
solved the problem of emergency accommodation in such an event.
The foundations of all structures is laid on relatively solid subsoil. The building site of the
main structure, sized app. 11 x 26 m, is located in an area with a flat and slightly lengthwise
sloping profile, east-west (E-W) longitudinal axis orientation, and with a minimal need for
landscaping.
The longitudinal E-W axis of the main structure reflects the need for a direct orientation of the
front towards the sun for maximum accumulation of solar energy. The placing of other
structures follows the requirements and functions of the main structure (Fig. 14, 15).
When designing the technical concept of the station, we strictly followed Article 3 of the PEP
and its other parts, in particular Appendixes I, II, III and IV. The refer to these parts of the
PEP are included in various parts of this information.
27
10.1 Accessibility of the construction site
The station site is accessible only from the sea. The particular building site, and the system of
constructions and individual components of the structure respect this fact. Such a prerequisite
determined the logistic requirements for the landing, transport and basic assembly on site, and
the station’s provision during its operation.
Experts, especially from Chilean, Argentinean, Polish, Ukrainian and another institutions,
were consulted on the specific conditions of landing operations and subsequent transport of
the material to the construction site.
The construction site is situated with respect to landing needs, such as anchoring the transport
ship as close to the coast as possible, finding a suitable place on the beach where
disembarkation could be directed and from which the material could be easily transported to
the construction site. The station site full complies this requirements.
The surface layers of the substrate within the area of the proposed construction are formed
mainly by regolith (Tertiary sediments). These are partially transported from the slopes by
solifluction. Recent fluvial sediments occur in the valley bottoms of both streams. The ground
of construction site is a remnant of a low abrasion terrace formed by beach boulders with a
filling of fine sand.
10.2 Assumed extent of the construction site, build-up concept, and
structure of buildings
The proposed construction site cover the area of approximately 100 x 40 m. There was a need
to reduce the concentration of structures with respect both to their location in the terrain and
operation safety. The aim was to separate the structures with a potential mutual hazard, such
as fire and safety risks, and also to separate the structures whose operations are not mutually
related. The conception of the arrangement of buildings respects these requirements.
The main operation and accommodation building was proposed as a solid structure with three
basic functions:
- provide for scientific and other sorts of work,
- provide for accommodation, essential human and social needs,
- serve as the center of a technical complex that will provide thermo-technical and
hygienic conditions,
Due to the transport and function conditions, other structures were proposed as conventional
cargo containers (Figs. 15, 26). However, these containers have a more durable surface finish
than usual, with pre-assembled technology and equipment for special functions. The
structures are interconnected only by cable lines. Marked unpaved paths will connect the
structures.
The basic philosophy of the project calls for ecological requirements to be met in as realistic a
way as possible. This would include both the disembarkation operation for construction and
technical material, the construction itself and the subsequent operation of the base. This
philosophical orientation is reflected in:
− the choice of construction materials used for the main building,
28
Fig.14 – Built up plan of the station objects
29
Fig. 15 – General view on the station
− the final instalment of technical wholes into containers before their transport to Antarctica,
− the use of renewable energy sources (solar radiation, wind power),
− the implementation of a programme of environmental impact management.
The project for the base was developed by Investprojekt, ltd. Zlín, in collaboration with
Ecosolaris Kroměříž, the Czech Technical University Prague, and the Technical University
Brno. The chief construction contractor was PSG International Zlín. Subcontractors were:
CZECH PAN ltd. Varnsdorf (wooden structures); Elma-therm ltd. Kroměříž (electrosystems);
AZ KLIMA ltd. Brno (air-conditioning); MG PLAST ltd. Letovice (wind energy); VLW ltd.
Zlín (diesel-powered generators); Ct ltd. Komárno, Slovakia (containers); Marine Equipment
ltd. Nové Město nad Metují (ship equipment); Ekosolaris Kroměříž (solar equipment); and
CSM Tisovec (off-road vehicle). The shipping was organised by Czechoslovak Ocean
Shipping ltd.
10.3 Technical structure of the station
The basic conditions for the preparation of the project, production, transport, and construction
on site was adjusted with respect to the assumed possibilities of the station’s construction and
its seasonal character. The structure itself is divided into construction buildings and
operational sets due to methodical and concept complexity reasons. Modification is possible if
needed.
BUILDINGS OF THE STATION
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
01
02
03
04
05
Operation and accommodation building
Waste treatment
Generators storage
Engine room of power supply equipment
Diesel generators
30
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
06 Cold stores
06/1 Intermediate storage
06/2 Fuel storage
06/3 Spare parts storage
07 Water intake and distribution
08 Waste water treatment
09 Watercraft storage
10 Launching ramp
11 External cable distribution system
12 Parking garage for wheeled/crawler vehicle
SO 01 Operation and accommodation building
Built-up area
280 m2
Built-in volume 1 033 m3.
The building is intended as a main building of the station and is designed as a one-story
structure, fully erected from the K-Kontrol construction system. The system comprises
sandwich panels consisting of two OSB chipboards with an inner insulation layer of selfextinguishing styrofoam. Due to climatic conditions, the building is designed as a simple
structure of minimal height above the ground. The thermo-technical properties, transport and
erection aspects, and the need for minimized heat losses influenced the choice of the
construction type. Floor and roof panels are 320 mm, external walls 265 mm thick. The Nwall panels are 170 mm thick where a solar collectors are installed here. Statically, the
building is a quasi-three-wing structure with two inner longitudinal supporting walls. The
structure is compact because of its box arrangement of horizontal and vertical elements that
are firmly interconnected. The building has a rectangular ground plan 10 530 x 26 530 mm. It
is covered with a pent roof of an approximate 5% slope (Figs. 16, 17, 18).
With respect to the prevailing wind direction, the location in the terrain maximizes the
absorption surface for solar energy by orienting the longitudinal axis E-W with the higher
frontage facing north.
Typologically, the layout follows requirements of the proposed operation rather than cardinal
points. The E-W orientation maximizes the catchment surface of solar collectors. With respect
to the station’s location in the coastal wind exposed area, the foundation of the building
(wooden pier grillage) is proposed adjacent to the terrain to minimize drought under the floor.
The building is assembled of pre-fabricated elements slightly adjusted on site. It is erect on a
conditioned floor area. In the panels, the fillings of the openings – windows and doors – were
prepared and pre-tested for assembly. The roof of 320 mm thick sandwich panels is covered
with rubber foil, mechanically anchored, and glued to the base. Strips of roof covering are
approximately 5700 mm long. The roof is drain to the ground without gutters. Coating the
outer walls is made with waterproof plywood 6 mm thick fasted on lath grill. It protect the
building against corrosion by saltwater aerosols during wind exposures, and mechanical
abrasion by over-frozen snow during the winter. Its expected lifetime is calculated for
approximately 10 – 15 years. Then, it would be renewed. The interior walls surface is painted
with a basic color acrylate paint of a glazing type. When the outer treatment gradually wears
off, such a solution enables an easy repair. All proposed painting systems are based on water
diluted materials, and carbohydrate-diluters-free materials.
The heating system use hot air. A system of air conditioning equipment provides the heating
of air by heat recovery from hot air collectors, and by recuperation of heated air from the
interior around the exhaust of the ventilation system.
31
Fig. 16 – Ground plan of operation and accommodation building SO 01
Fig. 17 – Laying of floor on the foundational wooden pier grillage and erection of panels
Sanitary installations of a standard kind (Fig. 21) of predominantly plastic fixtures are used.
Plastic pipelines are insulated with cavity blocks. The interior sewerage is also made of
plastic. All pipings are run on the surface for easy inspection. The sewerage outlet from the
building will contain control shafts with covers.
32
Electrical installations in the building (lighting and distribution systems for appliances) - the
internal power supply system include a distribution net for lighting, sockets, and the main
switchboard. The station is supplied with electric energy in combined wals (see Part 11).
Fig. 18 – Operational and accommodation building with waste treatment container on the left
The laboratory equipment contain besides typical workbenches, a bench with a stainless-steel
worktop, a fume chamber, a desk for scales, and supplementary furniture (Fig. 22). The
instrumentation will vary according to the needs and character of scientific work.
Other furniture is standard (Figs. 19, 20, 22). To specify complete furnishings, interior
documentation was prepared as a separate part of the project.
SO 02 Waste treatment
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
The structure is located with a direct relationship to the main building of the station (Fig. 18).
It is accessible through a technical entrance from the eastern front, directly from an entrance
ramp. The structure comprises a modified cargo container 20 feet long (6055 x 2438 x 2591
mm). It contain waste management facilities following the requirements of waste treatment,
disposal or modification prior to the transport of waste from the area in accordance with the
PEP of AT. Due to its location, the structure is consequently used to produce hot service
water. The system of hot waste processing is based on the solar warm-water collectors with
the primary circuit filled with antifreeze. The container include equipment for solid waste
disposal – incinerator OG 120 SW, a product of TEAMTEC Norway (Fig. 23).
33
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
34
Figs. 19, 20, 21 – Interiors of the operational and accommodation building
Fig.22 – Part of dry laboratory
35
Such incinerators are currently in use in the area. The container will provide storage,
manipulation and treatment of incinerable wastes, and storage of wastes to be removed from
the Antarctic area. This container carry a mast for small wind powered generator for
automatic meteorological station and meteorological platform with solar instruments at the
roof.
SO 03 Generators storage
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
It is a modified cargo container 20 feet long. The structure serve for storing wind generators
during the wintering break. Wind generators, means of small manipulation machinery and
spare parts for the complex of them will be stored there. The structure will be connected to the
system of electric distribution, lighting and sockets. The container carry a mast for windpowered generator.
SO 04 Engine room of power supply equipment
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
The engine room comprises of a 20 feet long standard cargo container. It was equipped,
already in the CR, with all necessary machinery for the production and distribution of electric
energy. It contain main switching room of the electrocomplex of the station, location of
transformers, accumulators and spare parts of this technical system (Fig. 24). The container is
thermally insulated and it carry a mast for wind-powered generator.
SO 05 Diesel generator
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
The structure consists of a cargo container 20 feet long with both permanently mounted and
with mobile diesel generators for the production of elektricity (Part 11, Fig. 25). The
permanently generators are anchored to the floor of the container, and complementary
elements for the completion of a diesel power plant are placed within the container. From the
inside, the system is insulated with a sandwich layer of thermal and acoustic insulation to
reduce noise immission to the surroundings and the accommodation structure. The container
carry a wind-powered generator.
nb These storage structures complement a cluster of single-purpose technical container
structures. The structure carry a wind-powered generator.
SO 06/1 Intermediate storage
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
It serves as storage for the reserves of preserved food that must be kept in a cool place. Large
packages of foodstuffs are stored on shelves or loose in the container. This is a standard
container without thermal insulation and it carry a wind-powered generator.
36
Fig. 23 - Incinerator OG 120 SW
37
SO 06/2 Fuel storage
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
It serves as storage for diesel oil and gasoline. This cargo container is adjusted to correspond
with safety and ecological requirements for the storage of oil products. The container has a
double floor that creates 200-liter retention reservoirs. This is distributed throughout the
container’s floor and covered with pore-grill-boards of zinc-coated steel. Steel drums with a
volume of 200 liters are stored on the floor. The structure is situated furthest from the
accommodation building but at the same time closest to the disembarkation site on the beach
with respect to necessary manipulation during periodic fuel supply. The structure carry a
wind-powered generator.
SO 06/3 Spare parts storage
Built-up area 14.78 m2
Built-in volume 38.30 m3
It serve as a storage for spare parts and material that will be used according to the needs of the
station, and eventually for storing treated and wrapped waste to be transported out, etc. The
structure contain dismantled ready-to-assemble shelves to be assembled if needed. It is
assumed that the container will be also used for storing packaging material (such as wooden
profiles, cardboard, etc.) for eventual treatment as mixed waste for incineration. A windpowered generator is mounted on a corner of the structure.
SO 07 Water intake and distribution
Total distribution length app. 130 m
For common hygienic needs as well as for cooking, water from natural sources will be used.
Many other stations obtain water in the same manner. Bottled water, imported from the nonAntarctic area, will be used for drinking and supplementing the physiologically required daily
amount of mineralized water. Water will be drained from a local natural freshwater
Watterworks Stream – a glacial stream that runs down the rock glacier’s forefront SW of the
station’s location and meanders to the sea so that it flows around the station site and flows
into the sea on a NE beach. The water extraction point is ca 100 m from the base. Water is
drawn via a flexible hose hung on a steel rope above the brook bed, which makes it possible
to quickly drop the hose in at a different spot. Water is electrically pumped from the brook’s
trench to its edge. From the pump the water runs through heated, thermally insulated pipes to
the main building of the station where it is stored in two plastic reservoirs with a total volume
of 600 litres.
SO 08 Waste water treatment
The total amount of domestic sewage will be 2.25 m3 per day.
The total length of the pipeline will be approximately 200 m.
The structure serves for the basic treatment of sewage water from the operation structure.
Since the waste water will have a character of biological sewage only, without chemical
admixtures, its disposal is rather easy. Waste water disposal will conform to the requirement
of draining the sewage below sea level in order to provide an instant dilution and avoid
impact on the station’s freshwater systems. The proposed route of the wastewater pipeline
uses gravity to drain the untreated materials. With respect to the need to minimize the solid
particle content, the re-pumping and grinding of sewage will be carried out.
38
Fig. 24 – Part of engine room of power supply equipment
39
Fig. 25 – Diesel generators
SO 09 Watercraft storage
Built-up area 14.8 m2
Built-in volume 30 m3
The structure serves to store watercraft, i.e. two inflatable boats of Zodiac GRANT RAID MK
III type. During storage, one of them will be hung under the container’s ceiling, the other will
be placed on an undercarriage on the floor. A wind-powered generator is installed on this
container.
SO 10 Launching ramp
Built-up area - trimming of the ramp plain 150 m2
- plank platform
20 m2
The construction of the ramp will allow for a sufficiently safe and controllable facility for
floating watercraft as well as conditions for the unloading of supplies (foodstuffs, fuel, etc.) at
the beginning of the working season and at the abandonment and preservation of the station.
The structure’s fundation is a bevelled plain of the existing terrain that allows access to and
from the coast; it could be bevelled merely with local coarse gravel and aggregates to the
flattest possible surface. With respect to the construction of the launching cart, it was not
necessary to create a guide rail (unless inevitable) as the cart would move on the conditioned
surface only. The following data are.
40
SO 11 External cable distribution system
The system concerns the external cable connection among the individual structures. With
respect to the character of the station’s operation, which assumes only pedestrian traffic of
people with knowledge of local conditions, the external cables in casing are laid in shallow
trenches about 30 cm deep. The cable routes are proposed along the walkways indicated by
marking.
SO 12 Parking garage for wheeled/crawler vehicle
The standard 20 ft container without any special alterations or fittings with lighting equipment
and flanges for an incidental installation of the wind mill.
11. Generation of energy
The station is conceived of as being an insular system. This means resources that are either
locally available (water) or that work using solar and wind power cover all needs. These
sources are backed up by energy systems for production of electric energy or heat using
diesel generators with a defined 100% reserve capacity. Each aspect of the infrastructure is
divided up into blocks, each of which will now be described.
ELECTRIC ENERGY PRODUCTION
The part of the infrastructure deals with the creation, distribution and consumption of electric
energy. It utilize two sources, namely wind energy as the primary source and diesel generators
as the secondary source.
A significant part of the proposed electric energy consumption of 20-25kW can be covered by
8 wind-generated power stations (windmills) (Fig. 26, 27). By installation of windmills it was
rightly assumed that the wind speed conditions on the selected site will be similar to those on
the South Shetlands. This presumption was confirmed by the wind speed measurement. We
may expect approximately 60% of the time during the Antarctic summer that there will be
exploitable wind velocities with a dispensable power of 1500W and voltage 3 x
48V alternating current per wind mill. These will provide 50-60% of the seasonal
consumption of electric energy. The wind aggregates supply electric energy to the distribution
system through a block of batteries and converters and from there to the distribution systems
3PEN AC 50Hz 230/400 V/TN-C, 3 NPE AC 230/400 V/TN-S and 2DC 48V. The
distribution systems are separated with respect to the type and importance of the appliances
hooked up to them.
The electric batteries fulfil an important task in compensating the disproportion between the
supply and consumption of the electric energy during normal operations. If there were to be a
serious failure of the electric energy supply, the capacity of the full loaded batteries is to be
designed to supply full coverage (i.e. about 10 kWh) of the expected average consumption for
24 hours (in this case approximately the 24 h is considered sufficient time to for contingency
to the failure, refilling fuel into the tanks or starting-up of the backup source). Ni-Cd batteries
with a nominal voltage 24V are suggested because of their particular characteristics.
The whole of electric energy supply system is backed-up using liquid fuel sources, ensuring a
supply of is in the event of a total lack of wind-generated electric energy. Two reserve Gesan
R12 diesel generators and one R30 diesel generator have been selected as a generators with a
sufficiently stabile capacity of 12kW/400V (R12) and 30kW/400V (R30). This generators
uses low viscosity oil, has fully body-supported body with a sound damper, a transport cart
and a pulley and is equipped with automatic regulation and remote starting.
41
Fig. 26 – Group of technical containers - the farm of windmills
Fig. 27 - Installation of windmill
42
As instantaneous mobile sources of electric energy serve generators Honda G5000 and
GS170, portable petrol generator sets incl. welding with manual start-up and capacities up to
6kW (230 V), which is not a problem in this case, as petrol must be in the fuel store for the
ship’s engines will be used.
HEAT SUPPLY
The production of heat is based on the expected and/or real consumption. An external
temperature of -15°C was chose for calculation purposes. The heat loss from the main
building structure is 8.4 kW. According to meteorological data from surrounding stations, the
mean temperature during the summer from beginning of November until the end of March
oscillates around +1.5°C. If the mean temperature inside the object is 23°C, the temperature
difference to be covered by heating make on average 21.5 K. This corresponds with an
average heat loss 4.52 kW. Under such conditions, the consumption of heat energy for heating
for the 120 days of the Antarctic summer amounts to 13.020 kWh.
Solar energy is absorbed by solar collectors and used for water heating (12 m2) and air heating
(36 m2) (Fig. 28 ).
The hot water produced by solar energy is to be used preferably as water for hygienic needs.
The second one is intended to support the heating of the residential building. This means that
solar energy serve in the daytime as the preferred method preheating of air circulating through
the hot-air heating system.
The original idea to use for heat production a heat pump was abandoned owing to potential
problems.
12. Means of transportation
Two rubber Zodiac inflatable boats will be used as means of transport (Zodiac PRO II 470 +
steering bracket and Zodiac Grand Raid MARK III, outboard gasoline engines MERCURY
60EO and 40MH). The wheeled-crawler vehicle is suggested for the transport of material
within the area of the station and for the transport of people and material during field survey.
The vehicle is produced in the licence of British company Leyland (Hillcat 1 100 – see:
www.teamleyland.demon.co.uk/hillcat.htm) with the model designation Scot Trac 2000 R by
Slovak producer CSM Tisovec ltd. (www.csmtisovec.sk).
The transport of material at the station will utilize two-wheeled carts, a dolly and a universal
winch-operated cart with up to 1000 kg loading capacity. The cart will serve mainly for the
transport of watercraft from the storage to the coast and back.
13. Transport operation
The transport of building and technical material for the construction of the station as well as
its complete interior equipment (all material was transported in the standard 20 ft containers)
have been preliminary agreed and was realized in three previously agreed stages:
1. from the Czech Republic to western-European harbour (Hamburg) - autumn 2004,
2. after the reloading in European harbour by standard cargo ship to south Chile (Punta
Arenas) – autumn 2004,
3. after the reloading to a ship with the ice rank (Chilean Navy icebreaker Almirante O. Viel –
Fig. 29) to the place of destination on the northern coast of Jamess Ross Island - February
2005, December 2005.
43
Fig. 28 – Solar collectors for air heating (right) and water heating (left)
The containers which are going to be the permanent part of the station (SO 02 to SO 12, see
part 10.3 and Fig. 30) were transported to the place of installation on the special removable
steel coulisses. Remaining containers were discharged onto the pier. Fuel drums, personnel
and luggage were transported by the icebreaker’s helicopter.
Transport of personnel was also provided by Fuerza Aerea Argentina (from Rio Gallegos to
Argentinian station Marambio, from Marambio to James Ross Island and back), Fuerza Aerea
de Chile (from the Chilean station Marsh/Frei to Punta Arenas) and by the Chilean company
DAP (via helicopter and ship from James Ross Island to station Marsh/Frei).
14. Waste and waste management plan
Following the regulations that are being incorporated in PEP, the procedure of waste
management will be further elaborated based on the analysis of the monitoring carried out in
1996 and published by SCAR and COMNAP. In accordance with Article 8, Attachment No 3
of the PEP, the waste management plan for Czech station respect the following structure and
categorization of waste:
Group 1. Sewage and domestic liquid waste,
Group 2. Other liquid waste and chemicals, fuels and lubricants inclusive,
Group 3. Solid substances intended for incineration,
Group 4. Other solid waste.
Based on this structure, a realistic estimation of waste production was gradually quantified
already by project creation and successively specified by fabrication of constituent station
elements and by the construction of station itself. The waste production will be monitored
during the first operation season and evaluated according to the conditions set in Attachment
No 3 of the PEP and the expected requirements.
44
Fig 29 - Chilenian icebreaker Almirante Oscar Viel before disembarkment operation
Fig. 30 – Debark of technical container
45
14.1 Waste from the station’s construction
During the construction of the station, two types of waste will occur:
a) solid waste
The assumed amount of approximately 300 kg have been stored in plastic drums during both
construction seasons and either taken away from the Antarctic Treaty area at the transport of
the construction crew, or disposed of in one of the permanent stations.
b) waste resulting from assembly and building activities
b.1 Construction waste
This waste consists of trimmings and pieces of wood that constitute the basic building
material. During the production and pre-assembly operations prior to dispatch, this amount
was adjusted to allow maximum utilization. Usable cut timber are utilized for the construction
of waste bins or shelves in containers intended for operational use, etc. Appropriate
construction elements will be also stored for possible repairs, etc.
b.2 Wrapping material
The materials which are forbidden for use according to Annex III, article 7 of the PEP was not
used for the transport of constructional segments, equipment or any other equipment used at
the station.
There were basically two kinds of this material – 1. safely disposable wood and paper, and 2.
PET foil. Wooden containers (boxes, pieces of wood, etc.) were stored for later use.
Cardboard and PET foil were sorted and later possibly used for additional creation of heatinsulation layers, e.g. for insulating the inner walls of containers. Unutilised waste material
(low density PET) was burned, other materials was deposited, bundled and transported from
the construction site outside the territory of the AT.
In concord with the PEP, Annex III, Article 2 a 3 (paragraph 1), PET low density packing
materials were considered in particular. These are combusted at temperatures above 1000°C
in the incinerator unit by TEAMTEC Norway - Golar 120 Marine Type Incinerator (see also
ATCM XXVI, IP-93, Annex No. 10), which meets the requirements of SCAR and COMNAP
(Monitoring of Environmental Impacts from Scientific Research and Operations in Antarctica,
1996).
14.2 Waste resulting from the station’s operation
For the purpose of estimating the occurrence and disposal, waste resulting from the station’s
operation is keeping with Annex III, Article 8 of the PEP categorized as follows:
a) solid waste
The estimated amount of municipal waste are amount 300 kg per 15 people per 5 months.
This figure relates to the remaining non-combustible waste during the construction itself, and
this waste will have to be transported outside the Antarctic Treaty area.
Solid waste (Group 3) will be sorted as combustible and non-combustible at its formation and
collection. Mixed combustible waste, i.e. remains of office paper, wrapping paper, foil
wrapping of foodstuffs and consumables, PET bottles, PET wraps (low density – see ANNEX
III, Article 2 and 3, paragraph 1 of the PEP), etc. will be separated and stored in designated
boxes in the container SO 02 (see Part 10.3).
The disposal of solid waste in the station will be carried out by an incineration process in a
special facility placed in structure SO 02 (incineration unit), which is connected directly to the
main building of the station. The incineration cycle will be based on experience from the
46
specific operation. According to the information obtained from other stations, a two-week
cycle of incineration of approximately 200 kg of waste is expected. Waste will be collected
and sorted into designated bins in the cargo container. Combustible waste will be incinerated
as municipal-type mixed waste.
A specialized manufacturer of incinerators TEAMTEC Norway recommended for the station
the GOLAR 120 Marine type incinerator. The technology of burning in this apparatus is
compliant with the PEP. Mentioned incinerator can combust all types of solid waste based on
their heating value:
Classified material
Waste of type II
17,270 kJ.kg-1 (dry paper)
9,901 kJ.kg-1
Type II of waste can be processed by this incineration equipment in 200 liter batches at a
frequency of 3-5 hours.
The incinerator is supplemented with boxes for sorting of waste into the groups:
noncombustibles and combustibles. Beforee the liquidation, burnable material will be mixed
to the required heating capacity in order to reach the optimal temperature during the burning
process.
Other kinds of rigid waste (Group 4 – according PEP, Annex III, Article 8 uncombustible
parts of municipal waste) i.e. glas, PVC high density, metals, batteries, composited wrappings
etc. will be separated, packed and transported out of AT territory.
b) liquid waste
Sewage (Group 1):
- liquid waste of a domestic sewage character that will be drained directly to the sea in the
amount of app. 2.5 m3. It is the amount which was inferred from the water consumption
statistics in the Czech Republic which indicate expected consumption 160 – 200 l per person
and day.
Other liquid waste and chemicals (Group 2)
- liquid waste of physical-chemical solutions from laboratory research - the character of these
substances will be specific according to the types of laboratory research activities. It is
assumed that for certain laboratory activities, which are proposed and will result in this sort of
waste, its expected amount, the manner of primary neutralization (if needed), wrapping,
adjustment and placing in a cargo container will be specified.
- liquid waste of oil products such as used oil from engines or spillage from fuelling - after
sorting, this waste will be collected in separated canisters and during supply operations
returned to the service ship either for incineration outside the AT area or for the application as
a fuel for the ship’s engine.
c. gaseous waste
- exhaust gases of diesel-electric generators or small gasoline-powered generators; in the
given case, their amount should be reduced by the utilization of renewable sources of energy
- combustion gases resulting from the disposal of solid combustible waste from the station’s
operation.
Within the station‘s area, we can assume the cumulation of some impacts during its lifetime
(app. 30 years). To reveal the possible cumulation of impacts, monitoring started right at the
beginning of the station‘s construction.
47
Theoretically, we can assume that cumulation of immissions – mainly NOx group – would
occur at the station and its vicinity. This assumption would be subject of one part of the
mentioned monitoring program. Cumulative impacts would be limited mainly due to the fact
that wastes would not be combusted during calm situations (immission and dispersal study
takes into account immission concentrations at still air).
Cumulative impact of discharged liquid wastes on littoral zone communities cannot be
excluded either, even though the coast at the station‘s location is open. The coastline is simple
and would not limit the dispersal of compounds around the discharge. Monitoring will also be
conducted from the beginning of the construction.
14.3 Waste water
The waste water is only sewage water from the hygienic facilities and from food preparation.
Therefore, it is common municipal waste water. The amount of waste water is the result of
water consumption. The balance of the production of pollution is calculated per one
equivalent inhabitant (EI). The calculation takes in account 15 EI at the station. Besides
standard parameters (Qannual – annual volumen of waste water, qmax – maximal seasonal
(summer) volumen, Qseasonal - mean daily volumen in summer season, Qdaily – annual volumen
pro time unit) the mean seasonal (summer) volumen pro time unit (qaverage) were used.
Balance sheet
Characteristic
Unit
Value
Q annual
m3 per year
821.25
q max
m3 per 150 days
337.50
Q seasonal
m3.d-1
2.25
Q daily
l.s-1
0.03
q average
l.s-1
0.25
Given a daily water consumption of 2.25 m3.d-1, the production of pollution is:
Matter
Units
kg.d-1
kg per year
kg per season
mg.l-1
0.90
328.5
135
400
BOD5
0.83
302.95
124.5
367
DS
0.67
264.65
100.5
300
COD
6.0 – 8.0
pH
1.88
686.2
282
834
dissolved matter
0.18
65.7
27
80
N total
0.02
7.3
3
10
P total
Notes: BOD5 – biological consumption of oxygen in 5 days (biological pollution of water)
DS
- non dissolved matter in water
COD - chemical consumption of oxygen (chemical pollution of water)
The process of maceration was rejected (in concord with Annex III, Article 5, paragraph 1b of
the PEP) because the station have a seasonal character and a smaller personnel than the stated
material presumes. The amount of liquid wastes would be significantly lower. At Site No. 4
the liquid wastes would be discharged directly into the Prince Gustav Channel. Due to the
character of the coast at the given place, the disposed wastes would immediately and rapidly
dissolve and disperse. Therefore, it would meet the requirements defined in the above
mentioned Annex, Paragraph 1 a.
48
A separation of used toilet paper into special containers (bags) and their incineration with
solid waste is considered. This would decrease the total input of organic matter into the
marine environment, and, furthermore, it would eliminate the unappealing presence of slowly
decaying paper by the coast.
15. The progress of construction-technical activities and the testing of
technical systems
Technical activities at the construction site were carried out in two phases: phase one during
the first months of 2005, and phase two at the turn of 2005/06.
Phase One took place between 19 January and 15 March 2005 and involved sixteen workers.
They started with a detailed survey of the construction site and the position of individual
buildings. They then began excavating for the foundations of the main building (SO 01) and
grading the surface for locating the technical containers. These activities accelerated the
construction itself straight after disembarkation. After the transport by Chilean icebreaker
Almirante Viel (17-24 February 2005), the disembarkation took one and a half days and
proceeded smoothly to the construction of the main building, which continued until 12 March
2005. By that time, the construction was approximately 70 % completed, and it then served as
temporary accommodations for the workers while the site was prepared for winterising (Fig.
31).
Between 6 - 11 March 2005 the much lightened technical containers were gradually
transported from the beach. This operation was carried out using steel slides which were fixed
to the bottom of containers and pulled by caterpillar tractor. The transport of one container to
its final location took approximately 3 hours.
As a final measure, some of the unused and less durable material was stored in the containers,
while the rest was safely deposited outside. The technical crew left the site by ship on 15
March 2005.
On 28 February 2005 the construction site was visited by an Antarctic Treaty Inspections
group including Dr. M. G .Richardson (Foreign and Commonwealth Office London), R. H.
Downie (BAS, Cambridge), T. R. Maggs (Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania)
and J. C. Rivera (Instituto Antártico Peruano, Lima). Members of the inspection group did not
find any violations to the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty or the Madrid Protocol.
In addition to the construction activities themselves, an automatic meteorological station was
installed at the site inclusive of temporarily set up equipment for sun radiation measurement.
Phase Two (17 December 2005 – 4 March 2006) started with the transport of the remaining
construction materials, twelve technical personnel and two scientists from Punta Arenas to
James Ross Island. In this case, the icebreaker Almirante Viel provided transport and landed
on 21 December 2005. The following day was devoted to the disembarkation of people and
material, while subsequent days were given to technical aspects of the construction. Several
activities were carried out:
First, the incinerator container was transported to its permanent location. This was followed
by the installation of solar panels, a check of distribution systems, getting the water heating
system tested and running, and the installation of the meteorological platform on the roof of
the structure.
49
Fig. 31 – Finish of first construction phase (23 March)
Second, the accommodations and service building of the station (Fig. 32) was completed. This
work included 1) the outer protective layer, flooring, fitting with doors, assembly and
placement of furniture, 2) distribution systems, completing and inspection of wiring, 3) airconditioning, including the ductwork to the engine room, solar panels, and their testing, 4)
setting up water pipes and the sewage system both inside and outside the building, and the
applicable service checks (Fig. 33).
Third, the exterior distribution systems and structures were installed. This included 1) cable
distribution, 2) starting up and testing the power distribution system, 3) setting up permanent
fuel storage, and, 4) final stocking of the storage containers.
Fourth, the meteorological equipment and radio tower were set up. This included 1) erection
of meteorological and radio towers (height 10 and 8 m respectively), 2) installation of the
basic meteorological station, 3) construction of a meteorological platform including
radiometers, photovoltaic panels and small wind-powered plant providing for the stations
operation, 4) installation of five field meteorological stations.
Fifth, the station and its environs were cleaned up to dispose of the remains of the 2005 camp
and to landscape the ground disturbed by the vehicles so as to return the immediate area to a
reasonable reflection of its former state.
The structures were secured or dismantled according to the needs (windmills) and closed,
combustible wastes were burnt and incombustible wastes were stored. This phase ended with
the air transport of workers to Marambio station and then on to Rio Gallegos (Argentina).
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Fig. 32 – Finish of second construction phase at the beginning of March 2006
Fig. 33 – Assembly of air-conditioning and electric distribution inside of main building
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Operation instructions and regulations obligatory for all expedition members were developed
concerning all technical systems of the station, fire safety, means of transport operation, and
activities and stay of workers outdoors.
16. The base as a suitable environment for work and habitation
The base offers suitable conditions for the stay of a crew with fifteen (temporarily up to
twenty) members both in terms of accommodation quality (single and double bedrooms),
temperature comfort of the rooms, personal hygienic needs (hot and cold water), and the basic
conditions for expert scientific work (dry and wet laboratory with proper laboratory facilities,
dry and wet desks, fume chamber, etc.). There are one freezer and a refrigerator for storing
food susceptible to heat, and a kitchen equipped with electrical appliances for cooking.
The station is equipped with basic devices for giving first aid; one of every two members of
the technical staff in each expedition group must have emergency medical training. Serious
health problems would be solved in co-operation with the Argentinean station Marambio.
The maintenance and technical shop can be used for the technical support of the scientific
activities. It is fully equipped with locksmith tools including a welding unit, compressor,
mobile diesel-powered electric generators and electrical appliances (grinding machines, drills,
saws, soldering lamps, etc.).
At present the base already has a basic meteorological station with automatic operation and
standard measuring programme, complemented by set of devices for radiation measurements
(global sun radiation, photosynthetically active radiation, total UV, UV-B, UV-B
erythemogenic – Fig. 34).
Fig. 34 – Meteorological platform with radiation sensors
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For local radio communication, the base is equipped with a radio station Yaetsu FT-8700 and
for regional communication with an Ultra-compact Transceiver Yaetsu FT-857. During
assembly activities, communication outside Antarctica was provided via telephone within
satellite communication network Iridium which also provides for the exchange of text
messages. Such a level of communication will be provided for the initiation of the regular
base’s operation as well.
As a whole the station provides a sufficient framework for undertaking the research
programme briefly described in Part 18.
17. Supply of the base
The base will operate in summer and its supply as well as transport of staff will take place in
co-operation with particular Chilean and Argentinean institutions. This issue has already been
discussed and at present bilateral agreements on co-operation in the field of logistic operations
and scientific research are being prepared by the ministries of foreign affairs of both countries
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
We would like to thank in particular the following institutions for their positive approach to
the agreements:
Instituto Antártico Argentino
Ministerio Relaciones Exteriores de Argentina, Comercio Internacional y Culto,
Instituto Nacional Antártico Chileno
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile, Dirreccion de Medio Ambiente, Departamento
Antártico
18. Scientific programme of the base
The major factor in the location of J. G. Mendel Station was the existence of conditions for a
survey of deglaciated areas of Antarctica. This topic has been dealt with previously in a
narrower scope within Czech scientific programmes at the stations H. Arctowski (Poland),
Machu Pichu (Peru) and Vernadsky (the Ukraine). During these activities, content and
methodology experience was gained for future research activities. Therefore, we will be able
to broaden our research questions and draw upon expertise from other fields of science, and to
examine larger deglaciated areas.
The northern deglaciated part of James Ross Island which forms the Ulu Peninsula (about 180
km2) belongs to one of the largest deglaciated areas of Antarctica. It is quite a young oasis
with approximately 6000 years of deglaciation. This area whose morphology includes summit
plateaux, remnants of ice caps and relatively vast depressions offers studies which include:
1. Geological structure, its morphostructural effects and changes under impact of many
factors that have influenced the Earth’s surface and its bedrock during gradual
deglaciation, their mutual conditionality and combined effects. This includes the
atmosphere with respect to its temperature and humidity regime, running water and
erosion, transport and sedimentation of eroded material, periglacial modelling of the
surface, processes of chemical weathering and the initiation of pedogenetic processes
which are already the result of the influence of gradual colonisation of deglaciated area by
biota.
2. the course of deglaciation in space and time, and reconstruction of past climate;
3. succession of living organisms in regolith and on its surface, their biodiversity, biomass
production and adaptability to the new enviromnetal conditions;
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4. dependence of biota on external conditions (radiation, temperature, atmospheric and
substrate humidity, attendance of water in liquid state, nutrient resources and their
utilizability);
5. structure of plant and animal communities – structure and function under influence of
external factors;
6. physiological acclimatization of plants and animals to the environmental conditions of
leevard and relatively arid east coast of Antarctic Peninsula;
7. impacts of continental processes on marine benthic littoral ecosystems (sedimentation of
regolith transported by streams into the littoral zone of the sea and its impact on benthic
ecosystems including the study of the impact of seabed erosion by ice blocks).
The briefly presented topics will be dealt with by several scientific disciplines: geology,
geomorphology, glaciology, hydrology, limnology, climatology, analytic chemistry, organic
chemistry and geochemistry. From biological point of view taxonomy, soil biology,
biodiverzity, ecophysiology and stress plant physiology, ecology and environmental risk
assessment.
The results of individual scientific disciplines will then in mutual confrontation provide a
complex view of the inner structure of deglaciated oasis ecosystem and its function. The
crowning achievement of the programme will be the modelling of this ecosystem’s function.
Moreover, this step will make it possible to forecast the reactions of the ecosystem to
potential changes in outer conditions (e.g. the process of global climate warming), to which
the simple polar ecosystems are highly susceptible.
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