CONSTRUCTION and OPE ANTARCTIC RESEARCH S Draft Comprehensive En ONSTRUCTION and OPERATION of BELARUSIAN RCTIC RESEARCH STATION
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National Academy of Sciences of Belarus STATE SCIENTIFIC INS TITUTION INSTITUTE FOR NATURE MANAGEMENT STATE SCIENTIFIC AND PRODUCTION AMALGAMATION THE SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CENTRE FOR BIORESOURCES STATE INSTITUTION THE REPUBLICAN CENTR E FOR POLAR RESEARCH CONSTRUCTION AND OPE RATION OF BELARUSIAN ANTARCTIC RESEARCH S TATION AT MOUNT VECH ERNYAYA, ENDERBY LAND Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation Minsk 2013 Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation This page intentionally left blank Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 2 Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation Content Acronyms and abbreviations …………………………………………………………………………………….…… 10 Non-technical summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..................................... 20 1.1 Regulatory framework for activities in Antarctica and history of the Belarusian scientific research in Antarctica ………………………………………………………………………………… 20 1.2 Objectives of the Belarusian explorations in Antarctica……………………………..….……. 21 1.3 Necessity of drafting of CEE of the Belarusian Antarctic station construction……… 22 2. Description of planned activity …………………………………………………………………………………… 24 2.1 Major scientific activities the Republic of Belarus in Antarctica…………………………… 24 2.2 Belarusian Antarctic station construction site selection criteria………….................. 24 2.3 Possibilities to use the RAE Mount Vechernyaya field base infrastructure…………… 27 2.4 Station design concept and major parameters ……………………………………………………. 27 2.4.1 Station design concept ……………………………………..…………………………………………. 27 2.4.2 Structural features and major parameters of modules.......………………………….. 28 2.4.3 Power supply system ………………………………………............................................. 35 2.4.4 Water supply and drainage …………………………………………................................. 36 2.4.5 Waste management ……………………………………………………………………………………. 37 2.4.6 Logistics ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 38 2.5 BAS construction alternative sites at Mount Vechernyaya and zero alternative…… 38 2.5.1 Alternative sites at Mount Vechernyaya ……………………………………………………… 38 2.5.2 Alternative construction sites in other Antarctic areas................................... 39 2.5.3 Zero alternative (no construction)………………………………………………………………… 39 3. Initial Environmental Evaluation ……………….……………………………………………………………….. 40 3.1 General geographic description and relief …………………………………………………………… 40 3.2 Sea and sea ice ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 41 3.3 Geology and soils ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 43 3.4 Glaciers and inland waters ………………………………………………………………………………….. 46 3.5 Meteorology and climate …………………………………………………….……………………………… 48 3.6 Flora and fauna …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 52 3.7 Initial environmental situation before BAS construction…………………...................... 56 3.7.1 On-site activities before starting of BAS construction …..………….................... 56 3.7.2 Environmental assessment investigations methodology еды………………………. 60 3.7.3 Chemical composition of snow waters ……………………………….......................... 61 3.7.4 Chemical composition of surface waters …………………………………………………….. 64 3.7.5 Chemical composition of bottom sediments and soils …………………………………. 67 3.7.6 Biotic components ……...………………………………………………………………………………. 71 3.7.7 Aesthetic value of the landscape and natural surroundings………….……………… 71 3.7.8 Projection of the state of environment in absence of the proposed activity 71 4. Environmental impact assessment of the planned activity ……………………………………….. 72 4.1 Sources of impact ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 72 4.1.1 Sources of impact at station construction ……………………................................ 72 4.1.1.1 Station construction phases ………………………………………………………………… 72 4.1.1.2 Impacts on sea delivery of the station modules, equipment and cargo... 73 4.1.1.3 Impacts at cargo vessel-to-site transfers and station assembly works …. 74 Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 3 Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation 4.1.1.4 Activities for reduction of impacts during station construction……………. 78 4.1.2 Sources of impacts during the station operation …………………………………………. 79 4.1.2.1 Air emission sources ……………………………………………………………………………. 79 4.1.2.2 Noise exposure sources ……………………………............................................ 85 4.1.2.3 Fuel storage and distribution ……………………………………………………………….. 86 4.1.2.4 Water supply and sewage disposal …………….……………………………………….. 87 4.1.2.5 Assessment of the environmental impact due to wastewater generation and discharge ………………………………………………………………………………... 90 4.1.2.6 Solid wastes generation and disposal …………………..…………………………….. 92 4.1.2.7 Other impacts ……………………………………………………………………………………… 94 4.2 Exposure analysis ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 94 4.2.1 Exposure identification at the station construction ……………………………………… 94 4.2.1.1 Ambient air exposure …………………………………………………………………………… 95 4.2.1.2 Noise exposure ……………………………………………………………………………………. 95 4.2.1.3 Exposure on soils and rocks …………...……………………………………………………. 99 4.2.1.4 Exposure on surface waters, snow and ice cover ……….……..................... 99 4.2.1.5 Exposure on biota, marine environment and marine ecosystems…….….. 100 4.2.1.6 Impact on aesthetic features of the landscape and natural surroundings……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 100 4.2.2 Identification of environmental exposure at station operation ………............ 101 4.2.2.1 Ambient air exposure ………………………….….…………………………………………… 101 4.2.2.2 Noise exposure …………………….……………………………………………………………… 123 4.2.2.3 Exposure on soils and rocks …………………..………...................................... 125 4.2.2.4 Exposure on surface waters, snow and ice cover ……………...................... 126 4.2.2.5 Impact on aesthetic features of the landscape and natural surroundings……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 127 4.2.2.6 Exposure on biota ……………………………………………..................................... 127 4.2.2.7 Exposure on marine environment and marine ecosystems………………..... 129 4.2.2.8 Specially Protected Areas (ASPA), Specially Managed Areas (ASMA), Historic Sites and Monuments (HSM), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)… 129 4.3 Risk level matrix related to the BAS construction and operation ………………………. 130 4.4 Exposure matrix related to the BAS construction and operation ………………………… 132 4.5 Possible indirect or secondary impacts …………………………………………………………..…… 134 4.6 Cumulative exposure ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 135 4.7 Effect of proposed activity on scientific investigations and other types of activities and valuables …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 135 5. Measures to mitigate or remediate the impacts of the proposed activity and monitoring programs ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 136 5.1 Mitigation and remediation measures …………………….............................................. 136 5.2 Monitoring programs ………………………………………………….......................................... 137 5.3 Operational monitoring and actions in emergency …………………………………………….. 139 6. Gaps in knowledge and uncertainties ………………………………………………………………………… 140 7. Conclusions ……………………………………………………………………….......................................... 141 8. List of references ……………………………………………............................................................. 143 Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 4 Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation 9. Preparers and advisors………...………………………………………............................................... 147 Annexes……………………………………………………………………………............................................... 148 Annex 1 BAS modules description and major specifications .…………………………………..… 148 Annex 2 Maps of air pollutants dispersion from stationary sources at BAS operation. Scenario 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 157 Research Station at Mount Vechernyaya 5 Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation List of tables Table 2.1 – Types and major parameters of BAS modules………………………………………………. 32 Table 2.2 – Parameters of diesel generators to be used at the BAS………………………………… 36 Table 2.3 – Parameters of blow heaters and petrol engines to be used at BAS……………… 36 Table 3.1 – Macroelement content in soil samples taken at Mount Vechernyaya sites.... 45 Table 3.2 – Macroelement content in bottom lake sediments at Mount Vechernyaya area………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 48 Table 3.3 – Long-term average values of major meteorological parameters in the planned BAS deployment site …………………………………………………….……………………………….... 51 Table 3.4 – Average monthly and extreme values of major meteorological measurements at Mount Vechernyaya field camp ………………………………………………………… 52 Table 3.5 – Contents of major ions in snow water samples at the Mount Vechernyaya field base location …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 62 Table 3.6 – Trace element content in the snow cover at the Mount Vechernyaya field base location ………………………………………….......................................................................... 63 Table 3.7 – Major ions content in the lake waters at the Mount Vechernyaya field base location …………………………………………………........................................................................... 64 Table 3.8 – Trace element content in the lake waters at the Mount Vechernyaya field base location………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 66 Table 3.9 – Oil product content in surface water samples taken at the Mount Vechernyaya field base location …………………………………………………………………………………….. 67 Table 3.10 – Concentration of heavy metals in the lake sediments in the Mount Vechernyaya field base vicinity ………………………………………………………………………………………