Exploitation of Polar Environments (OCR GCSE Geography)

The cost to keep a scientist in Antarctica is approximately $1 million a year, so competition for research is high

Due to the remoteness and extreme conditions, scientists have to undergo physical and psychological screening before being accepted 

Scientists have left rubbish and broken equipment which has polluted the land and sea, damaged habitats and posed a risk to wildlife

Research stations and ships produce chemical and sewage pollution

Huskie dogs were used as companions and transportation but also posed a threat of infecting seals and penguins

RSS David Attenborough will add to pollution within the Arctic waters

Researchers have dumped rubbish and brought non-native invasive species on their shoes

Research stations and ships produce chemical and sewage pollution

None

Only take what they need so don’t upset the balance of the ecosystem

Many indigenous people now live in towns and cities (e.g. Anchorage, Canada). These urban areas impact the environment through waste disposal, air and noise pollution from vehicles, and heat from buildings which melts the permafrost

Despite a ban on whaling, Japan continues to hunt whales and its industry is government subsidise under the guise of scientific research

As with the Arctic, commercial whaling brought many species of whales to the brink of extinction

Whales are very slow breeders so it takes a long time for their population to recover

Bowhead whale lives all year round and hunted to almost extinction

Whales are still hunted by Iceland and Norway and indigenous people (although this is considered sustainable as they take only what they need) Minke, Fin and Humpback whales remain the main species still hunted in the Arctic waters

The Arctic waters provide 70% of the world’s white fish catch

Reduced fish populations have knock-on effects on other species in the food chain (i.e. the larger fish and birds that eat them)

Some species are also affected by getting caught in fishing lines and drowning (e.g. albatross)

Over-fishing threatens many species (e.g. in Antarctica the Patagonian toothfish has been fished to near extinction)

Many countries are increasing their mining activities beneath the tundra

Russia has exploited a large portion of the tundra to extract minerals

The extraction process of metals produces pollution, damaging local ecosystems

Not allowed under the Antarctic Treaty of 1994

However, energy used to heat research stations has led to melting ice and damage to the ice sheets

The heat from the terminal buildings, worker's homes and transport to and from the oil fields has led to permafrost melt and buildings subsiding

Oil spills are difficult to clean up and can harm habitats and wildlife

Pipelines are used to transport oil and gas but have melted the permafrost below

Pipelines have also disrupted the migration routes of caribou/reindeer herds

An Antarctic cruise can cost as much as £10,000 and visits are concentrated in the more accessible but highly sensitive areas

Tourists disrupt breeding colonies of penguins and seals

In the summer months, there are queues of cruise liners in Fildes Bay; fuel spills and collisions between vessels and marine life have occurred

In some areas, tourists have walked over delicate mosses and plants, and some historic structures have been damaged by graffiti

There is concern over the introduction of non-native species which could alter food webs, changing the ecosystem irreversibly

Tourism increases shipping and air travel, leading to water and air pollution

There is also an increased risk of boats grounding, which can cause oil spills

Trampling damages fragile vegetation and erodes the landscape, leaving paths

As decomposition rates are so slow in the cold temperatures, litter and waste disposal damages habitats and threatens wildlife