Scratches on the trail of cars, extruded into a thin layer of vegetation, stretching for miles and miles. Cottages and scientific equipment remains subject to the ravages of time slowly. Piles of waste often contain dangerous ingredients, empty barrels of fuel or batteries, lying freely in nature. Coastal waters and beaches of scientific stations are covered with a glossy film of oil - as a result ledabylého waste fuel at the base.
"In Antarctica, we have a serious problem with waste," says Hans-Ulrich Peter from the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany, the main author of a scientific study on the impact of human activities in the area. The worst situation is, according to researchers at King George Island, which lies about 120 kilometers from the Antarctic continent itself. Fildes Peninsula at the local scientists regularly carried out his research since 1983, and it was also possible to carefully document environmental changes.
"Fildes Peninsula is one of the largest areas of Antarctica without snow cover and relatively high degree of biodiversity," explains Hans-Ulrich Peter, why this place is popular as a permanent base of many scientific expeditions, as well as a destination for tourists. The peninsula is six permanent bases including airfields for aircraft. All inflated to a relatively small area. It is a kind of logistic terminal of scientific research in Antarctica. Which, of course, their impact on nature.
Scientists from Jena University, pointed out that Antarctica only endanger global climate change. Over the last thirty years with her at the local level and impress effects of scientific and tourist expeditions. "Local climatic conditions are very harsh, and vegetation is very vulnerable. To her recovery is very slow, "says Christina Braun, a member of the team that the state of the continent reported.
Braun on the Peninsula of King George went for his scientific life seven times. "Traces of cars remain visible even in the stand after decades," says Braun. The threats are people imported plants, insects and animals, poorly treated waste water residues equipment for scientific experiments or building roads between bases.
According to scientists, the pressure on the local environment intensifies over the years, and the trend will probably continue. Scientists from Jena German claim that the Fildes Peninsula became a protected area (Antarktic Specially Managed Area). It is the administrative designation of locations, but the tools to balance the scientific and tourist interests and the interests of nature conservation. Hans-Ulrich Peter is skeptical about the fact that some protection sites can agree on an international level.
Source: Ekolist.cz
