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Construction and Operation of Belarusian Antarctic Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya, Enderby Land

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Construction and Operation of Belarusian Antarctic Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya, Enderby Land National Academy of Sciences of Belarus STATE SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION INSTITUTE FOR NATURE MANAGEMENT STATE SCIENTIFIC AND PRODUCTION AMALGAMATION THE SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CENTRE FOR BIORESOURCES STATE INSTITUTION THE REPUBLICAN CENTRE FOR POLAR RESEARCH CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF BELARUSIAN ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION AT MOUNT VECHERNYAYA, ENDERBY LAND Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation Minsk 2015 Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation This page intentionally left blank _____________________________ Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 2 Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation Content Acronyms and abbreviations …………………………………………………………………………………….…… 10 Non-technical summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..................................... 21 1.1 Regulatory framework for activities in Antarctica and history of the Belarusian scientific research in Antarctica ………………………………………………………………………………… 21 1.2 Objectives of the Belarusian explorations in Antarctica……………………………..….……. 22 1.3 Necessity of drafting of CEE of the Belarusian Antarctic station construction……… 23 2. Description of planned activity …………………………………………………………………………………… 25 2.1 Major scientific activities the Republic of Belarus in Antarctica…………………………… 25 2.2 International cooperation……………………………………………………………………………………. 26 2.3 Belarusian Antarctic station construction site selection criteria………….................. 27 2.4 Possibilities to use the RAE Mount Vechernyaya field base infrastructure…………… 29 2.5 Station design concept and major parameters ……………………………………………………. 30 2.5.1 Station design concept ……………………………………..…………………………………………. 30 2.5.2 Structural features and major parameters of modules.......………………………….. 31 2.5.3 Power supply system ……………………………………….............................................. 38 2.5.4 Water supply and drainage ………………………………………….................................. 39 2.5.5 Waste management ……………………………………………………………………………………. 40 2.5.6 Logistics ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 41 2.5.7 Station dismantling………………………………………………………………………………………. 41 2.6 BAS construction alternative sites at Mount Vechernyaya and zero alternative…… 41 2.6.1 Alternative sites at Mount Vechernyaya ……………………………………………………… 41 2.6.2 Alternative construction sites in other Antarctic areas.................................... 42 2.6.3 Zero alternative (no construction)………………………………………………………………… 42 3. Initial Environmental Reference State ….……………………………………………………………………. 44 3.1 History of investigation ..……………………………………………………………………………………… 44 3.2 General geographic description and relief …………………………………………………………… 45 3.3 Sea and sea ice ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 46 3.4 Geology and soils ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 48 3.5 Glaciers and inland waters ………………………………………………………………………………….. 51 3.6 Meteorology and climate …………………………………………………….……………………………… 53 3.7 Flora and fauna …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 57 3.8 Initial environmental situation before BAS construction…………………....................... 61 3.8.1 On-site activities before starting of BAS construction …..…………..................... 61 3.8.2 Environmental assessment investigations methodology …….………………………. 65 3.8.3 Chemical composition of snow waters ………………………………........................... 66 3.8.4 Chemical composition of surface waters …………………………………………………….. 69 3.8.5 Chemical composition of bottom sediments and soils …………………………………. 72 3.8.6 Biota……...……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 76 3.8.7 Aesthetic value of the landscape and natural surroundings………….……………… 76 3.8.8 Projection of the state of environment in absence of the proposed activity 76 4. Environmental impact assessment of the planned activity ……………………………………….. 77 _____________________________ Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 3 Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation 4.1 Methods of assessment and initial data……………………………………………………………….. 77 4.2 Sources of impact ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 78 4.2.1 Sources of impact at station construction ……………………................................. 78 4.2.1.1 Station construction phases ………………………………………………………………… 78 4.2.1.2 Impacts on sea delivery of the station modules, equipment and cargo... 80 4.2.1.3 Impacts at cargo vessel-to-site transfers and station assembly works …. 80 4.2.1.4 Activities for reduction of impacts during station construction……………. 84 4.2.2 Sources of impacts during the station operation …………………………………………. 85 4.2.2.1 Air emission sources ……………………………………………………………………………. 86 4.2.2.2 Noise exposure sources ……………………………............................................. 91 4.2.2.3 Fuel storage and distribution ……………………………………………………………….. 92 4.2.2.4 Water supply and sewage disposal …………….……………………………………….. 93 4.2.2.5 Assessment of the environmental impact due to wastewater generation and discharge ………………………………………………………………………………... 97 4.2.2.6 Solid wastes generation and disposal …………………..…………………………….. 99 4.2.2.7 Other impacts ……………………………………………………………………………………… 101 4.3 Exposure analysis ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 102 4.3.1 Exposure identification at the station construction ……………………………………… 102 4.3.1.1 Ambient air exposure …………………………………………………………………………… 102 4.3.1.2 Noise exposure ……………………………………………………………………………………. 103 4.3.1.3 Exposure on soils and rocks …………...……………………………………………………. 106 4.3.1.4 Exposure on surface waters, snow and ice cover ……….……...................... 107 4.3.1.5 Exposure on biota, marine environment and marine ecosystems…….….. 107 4.3.1.6 Impact on aesthetic features of the landscape and natural surroundings……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 108 4.3.2 Identification of environmental exposure at station operation ………............ 108 4.3.2.1 Ambient air exposure ………………………….….…………………………………………… 108 4.3.2.2 Noise exposure …………………….……………………………………………………………… 131 4.3.2.3 Exposure on soils and rocks …………………..………....................................... 132 4.3.2.4 Exposure on surface waters, snow and ice cover ……………...................... 132 4.3.2.5 Impact on aesthetic features of the landscape and natural surroundings .…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 133 4.3.2.6 Exposure on biota ……………………………………………..................................... 133 4.3.2.7 Exposure on marine environment and marine ecosystems………………..... 135 4.3.2.8 Specially Protected Areas (ASPA), Specially Managed Areas (ASMA), Historic Sites and Monuments (HSM), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)… 136 4.4 Risk level matrix related to the BAS construction and operation ………………………. 136 4.5 Exposure matrix related to the BAS construction and operation ………………………… 138 4.6 Possible indirect or secondary impacts …………………………………………………………..…… 141 4.7 Cumulative exposure ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 141 4.8 Effect of proposed activity on scientific investigations and other types of activities and valuables …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 142 5. Measures to mitigate the impacts of the proposed activity and monitoring programs………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 143 _____________________________ Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 4 Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation 5.1 Mitigation measures …………………….......................................................................... 143 5.2 Monitoring programs ………………………………………………….......................................... 144 5.3 Operational monitoring and actions in emergency …………………………………………….. 147 6. Gaps in knowledge and uncertainties ………………………………………………………………………… 149 7. Conclusions ………………………………………………………………………........................................... 150 8. List of references ……………………………………………............................................................. 152 9. Preparers and advisors………...………………………………………................................................ 157 Annexes……………………………………………………………………………................................................ 158 Annex 1. BAS modules description and major specifications .………………………………..… 158 Annex 2. Maps of air pollutants dispersion from stationary sources at BAS operation. Scenario 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 167 Annex 3. CEP XVII advice to the XXXVII ATCM on Draft CEE prepared by Belarus ‘Construction and Operation of Belarusian Antarctic Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya, Enderby Land’…………………………………………………………………………………….. 175 Annex 4 Responses to comments received on Draft CEE…………………………………………… 176 _____________________________ Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 5 Final Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation List of tables Table 2.1 – Types and major parameters of BAS modules………………………………………………. 35 Table 2.2 – Parameters of diesel generators to be used at the BAS………………………………… 39 Table 2.3 – Parameters of blow heaters and petrol engines to be used at BAS……………… 39 Table 3.1 – Macroelement content in soil samples taken at Mount Vechernyaya sites.... 50 Table 3.2 – Macroelement content in bottom lake sediments at Mount Vechernyaya area………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53 Table 3.3 – Long-term average values of major meteorological parameters in the planned BAS deployment site …………………………………………………….……………………………….... 56 Table 3.4 – Average monthly and extreme values of major meteorological measurements at Mount Vechernyaya field camp ………………………………………………………… 56 Table 3.5 – Information about birds and mammals reported at the Vechernyaya Mount area……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 61 Table 3.6 – Contents of major ions in snow water samples at the Mount Vechernyaya field base location
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