ATCM XXXVIII, CEP XVIII, Sofia 2015 Annex A to the WP presented by Italy In progress Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation Proposed construction and operation of a gravel runway in the area of Mario Zucchelli Station, Terra Nova Bay, Victoria Land, Antarctica April 2015 Rev. 0 (INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK) TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................... 3 Figures Index ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Non-technical summary ...................................................................................................................... i I Introduction ........................................................................................................................ i II Description of Proposed Activities .................................................................................. iii III Alternatives to the proposed activities ............................................................................. vi IV Initial Environmental Reference State of the Region ...................................................... vi V Identification and Prediction of Environmental Impact, Assessment and Mitigation Measures of the Proposed Activities ............................................................................... vii VI Environmental Management and Environmental Impact Monitoring Plan ................... viii VII Gaps in Knowledge and Uncertainties ........................................................................... viii VIII Conclusion...................................................................................................................... viii 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. History of PNRA activities and logistic structures at MZS .............................................. 1 1.2. Necessity of a new gravel airstrip and site selection work (IPs) ....................................... 2 1.3. Preparation and submission of the Draft CEE .................................................................. 4 1.4. Laws, standards and guidelines ......................................................................................... 4 1.5. Project management system .............................................................................................. 5 2. Description of the Proposed Activity ...................................................................................... 6 2.1. Scope ................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2. Location of the activity ..................................................................................................... 7 2.3. Airstrip design ................................................................................................................. 10 2.3.1. General specifications.................................................................................................. 10 2.3.2. Project description ....................................................................................................... 10 2.3.3. Runway facilities ......................................................................................................... 13 2.3.4. Mechanical properties of soil ...................................................................................... 15 2.4. Airstrip construction and operation plan ......................................................................... 23 2.4.1. Engineering design ...................................................................................................... 23 2.4.2. Embankment design .................................................................................................... 23 2.4.3. Numerical modelling ................................................................................................... 34 2.4.4. Material requirements and quarries ............................................................................. 37 2.4.5. Construction Method ................................................................................................... 40 2.4.6. Maintenance and Repair of Surface Layer .................................................................. 42 2.4.7. Case Histories .............................................................................................................. 44 2.5. Aeronautic characteristics ............................................................................................... 44 2.5.1. Runway geometric characteristics ............................................................................... 44 2.5.2. Runway Considerations ............................................................................................... 47 2.5.3. Flight approach and take off ........................................................................................ 48 2.6. Future air operations and International profits ................................................................ 49 2.7. BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 51 3. Alternatives to the Proposed Activity ................................................................................... 52 3.1. Situation of skyway operations at Mario Zucchelli station ............................................. 52 3.2. Evaluation of the naval alternative to the skyway operations in MZS ........................... 55 3.3. Using other operative airstrips ........................................................................................ 56 3.3.1. Efficiency of the airway facilities around MZS .......................................................... 56 3.3.2. Effectiveness of the Nansen ice sheet airstrip ............................................................. 58 3.4. An alternative site for the gravel runway: Campo Antenne ............................................ 59 3.4.1. Description of the site .................................................................................................. 59 3.4.2. Feasibility of the alternative airstrip ............................................................................ 62 3.4.3. Flight clearances at the site .......................................................................................... 64 3.4.4. Climate and meteorology............................................................................................. 64 3.5. Alternative solution studied for the realization of the Boulder Clay embankment ......... 66 3.6. BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 67 4. Initial Environmental Reference state on the site ................................................................ 68 4.1. Geomorphological and Geological framework ............................................................... 68 4.1.1. The Boulder Clay Moraine features ............................................................................ 72 4.1.2. Boulder Clay GPR survey ........................................................................................... 76 4.1.3. Geodetic survey ........................................................................................................... 84 4.1.4. Moraine deformation by satellite SAR interferometry ................................................ 86 4.2. Climate and meteorology ................................................................................................ 91 4.2.1. Temperature ................................................................................................................. 93 4.2.2. Wind ............................................................................................................................ 94 4.2.3. Wind shear ................................................................................................................... 96 4.2.4. Precipitation ................................................................................................................. 99 4.3. Biology and natural environment .................................................................................... 99 4.3.1. Fauna ........................................................................................................................... 99 4.3.2. Flora ........................................................................................................................... 102 4.4. Antarctic protected areas ............................................................................................... 108 4.4.1. ASPA n°161 .............................................................................................................. 108 4.5. Air quality ..................................................................................................................... 110 4.6. Research activities ......................................................................................................... 112 4.6.1. Permafrost and active layer study at Boulder Clay ................................................... 112 4.6.2. Research activities in ASPA n°161 ........................................................................... 112 4.7. BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................