Environmental monitoring around Indian Antarctic stations

Abstract

Environmental monitoring is integral part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Continuous efforts of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programme (COMNAP) and establishment of Convention for Conservation of Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has given impetus to establish scientific approach towards environmental monitoring thus formed a core part of Antarctica Treaty System (ATS). Adoption of Madrid Protocol in 1998 brought forward guidelines for environmental monitoring and environmental impact assessment defining indicators for assessment of contamination in the environment due to anthropogenic activities. Continuous presence of human and activities in Antarctica no longer justify the meaning of "Sustainable Development" in order to safeguard the pristine nature of continent. Indian scientists successfully laid the foundation of scientific research in Antarctica during the maiden expedition in 1981- 82. Owing to prevailing requirement, Environmental Monitoring of Maitri station carried out by, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (BARC) in air, water, terrestrial and biological environment during austral summer of VIII, IX and X- Indian Antarctic Scientific Expeditions in the year 1988, 1989 and 1990, respectively. Comprehensive environmental monitoring carried out at Maitri station in year 1999, in which air, water, noise, soil and biological indicator selected to form baseline as well as to compare individual indicators, with those assessed in the past from same locations. Black carbon concentration at site showed the range of carbon concentration as 26.5±16.2 ng/m3 at Bharati station while average concentration recorded was 13±5 ng/m3 at Maitri station. PM2.5 values recorded in the range of 1.0-7.0 μg/m3, whereas Suspended Particute Matter (SPM) variation recorded in the range of 7.7±6.0 μg/m3 at Maitri station.