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Mcmurdo Dry Valley Lakes: Impacts of Research Activities GOLDTHWAIT POLAR 1.,.IBRARY BYRD POLAR RESEARCH CENTER THE OH!O 2TATE UNIVERSITY 1090 CARMACK ROAD COLUMBUS, OHIO 43210 USA McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes: Impacts of Research Activities Report of a National Science Foundation Workshop held at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 15 - 17 July 1998 R.A. Wharton, Jr., Editor Desert Research Institute, University and Community College System of Nevada - Reno, Nevada 89512, USA P. T. Doran, Editor University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, Illinois 60607-7059, USA -v1_R II QL- ~4.2. rn j~ l \qqo Produced by Desert Research Institute University and Community College System of Nevada 2215 Raggio Parkway Reno, Nevada 89512, USA Phone: (775) 673-7300 Fax: (775) 673-7397 This document should be cited as Wharton, R.A., Jr. and PT. Doran (eds.) 1999. McMurdo Dry Valley Lakes: Impacts of Research Activities. Desert Research Institute, University and Community College System of Nevada, USA, special publication, 54 p. Additional copies of this document may be obtained from the Desert Research Institute. Cover photograph: Researcher at Lake Chad in Taylor Valley with Seuss Glacier and 2000 m-high mountains in the background. III TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Preface............................. .. ............................... ............ ............. ................... .. 3 1. Introduction............................................................. ........ .... ................ ... .. 6 1.1 Dry Valley Lakes and Environment .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. 8 2. Impacts Common Throughout the Valleys.......................... ..... ............ ... 13 2.1 Helicopter Traffic and Operations.. ................. .. ............................ 13 2.1.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations.. .......... ... .. 14 2.2 Surface Travel............................. ....................... ... .................... ... .. 16 2.2.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations................. 17 2.3 Camping ....................................... ................................................. 17 2.3 .1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations.......... .. ..... 20 3. Impacts Unique to Basin Activities......... ........................ ........ ... .... ......... 22 3.1 Glaciers.................. ......... .. .................. ..................... ........ .. ............ 22 3 .1.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations................. 23 3.2 Streams and Stream Margins ........... .... .. .. ... .................................. 24 3.2.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations................. 26 3.3 Soils and Surficial Deposits... .. .......... ...... ..................... ... ...... ....... 27 3.3.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations................. 27 4. Impacts From Lake Research .... .......................................... ...... .............. 29 4.1 Ice Covers..................................... ................................................. 29 4.1.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations................. 31 4.2 Water Column...................................... ....................... ............. ...... 32 4.2.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations................. 33 4.3 Benthos ... .. .............. ... .. ............. ....................... .............................. 34 4.3.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations............. .. .. 35 4.4 Diving and Remotely-Operated Vehicles (ROV) .. .......... .............. 35 4.4.1 Prevention and Mitigation Recommendations... .............. 37 5. Conclusions and Recommendations .............. .. .. ...................................... 38 6. References 42 Appendices Appendix 1: Workshop Participants .... ............. .......... .......... .. .... .............. 46 Appendix 2: Environmental Code of Conduct for Field Work in the McMurdo Dry Valleys ....... .......... ................ .............. 50 Photo Credits 54 IV Two helicopters loading passengers at Lake Hoare Field Camp. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys members of field parties and visitors recog­ (latitude 77-78.5° S; longitude 160-164.5° nize potential environmental problems and E) in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica impacts of their activities. The participants represent a unique subset of lakes on Earth. recommended numerous prevention and mit­ The Dry Valley lakes are perennially ice igation approaches to reduce the impact on covered, exist mostly in closed basins, and the lakes from helicopter traffic, surface trav­ are biologically dominated by microorgan­ el, camping, and research activities specific to isms. Given the uniqueness and high sci­ glaciers, streams, soils, and lakes. entific profile of the Dry Valley lakes, there The workshop participants also identi­ is great interest in preserving their pristine fied a number of areas where additional nature. In the process of conducting scientific information is required to assess research on the lakes and their watersheds, the effects of the various research activities significant and potentially irreversible on the lakes. These include: impacts may be occurring. However, a quantifiable understanding of the impacts • Quantitative studies investigating the of camps, surface travel, and the various input of pollutants from helicopters, observational, experimental, and manipu­ vehicles, and generators; lative approaches to studying the Dry • A comparison of these inputs against Valley lakes is not available. the natural background of various ele­ In July 1998, a workshop sponsored by ments and chemicals; the National Science Foundation was held • Additional research on groundwater at the University of Illinois at Chicago to movement and the hydrological con­ identify potential lake impacts from nections among the glaciers, streams, research activities and suggest possible and lakes, as well as circulation pat­ management approaches designed to mini­ terns within the lakes; mize these impacts. The 35 participants • Development of a soil map indicating came from five countries representing a areas near streams and lakes that are variety of disciplines and Antarctic experi­ vulnerable to physical disruption; ences, as well as limnologists with global scale perspectives. • Additional quantifiable evaluations of the impacts of ice removal, and water The workshop participants suggested that column and benthic sampling. individuals visiting and working in the McMurdo Dry Valleys recognize the extraor­ Additionally, the participants identified dinary value of the lakes. It is incumbent approaches that need to be developed and upon the NSF to provide training so that all implemented for documenting and manag- Executive Summary 2 ing research activities impacting the lakes. Dry Valleys. The Environmental Protocol In particular, the workshop participants of the Antarctic Treaty offers an ideal strongly recommended that the data con­ structure that would allow the development cerning the scientific usage of the of a long-term management strategy for McMurdo Dry Valleys-past, present, and the Dry Valleys which could incorporate future-be incorporated into a database. the recommendations in this report. In par­ For example, sampling locations need to be ticular, the McMurdo Dry Valleys should determined using a global positioning sys­ be seriously considered for designation as - tem (OPS) and activity levels (e.g. heli­ an Antarctic Specially Managed Area copter takeoffs and landings, campsite (ASMA). This and previous international usage, ice and water removal, etc.) should workshop reports provide much of the be measured. This information will be rationale and scientific basis for pursuing most beneficial if incorporated into a the establishment of a McMurdo Dry web accessible database and a geo­ Valleys ASMA. The participants in the graphic information system (GIS). workshop recommend that the NSF take the lead in pursuing the ASMA designa­ Consideration needs to be given to tion for the McMurdo Dry Valleys in approaches that allow incorporation of the conjunction with Antarctica New recommendations within this report into an Zealand and other interested parties. overall management plan for the McMurdo 3 PREFACE The lakes of McMurdo Dry Valleys rep­ ingly, the voices speaking out on behalf of resent a significant scientific resource in that these lakes have been the very scientists that they are among the few natural waters on have had the privilege of visiting and working Earth to be minimally impacted by human on these remote lakes. Several previous activities. The Dry Valley lakes and their workshops have discussed and addressed watersheds have been intensely studied since many of the concerns of scientists related to the late 1950's. The overall impact of these the impact of their research on the Dry Valley activities on the lakes is not known. lakes (Parker 1972; Parker and Holliman 1978; Whru.ton 1992; Vincent 1996). While Over the past forty years, the level of con­ these workshops covered a wide range of cern about the impact of research activities on environments in the Dry Valleys, none have these lakes has increased as our knowledge of focused specifically upon the lakes. environmental impacts from human activities has become more sophisticated. Not surpris- A remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) used to explore the under-ice environment of an ice-covered lake. This particular ROV had a range of 150 m. Preface 4 In 1993, the National Science approaches
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