Title  : Mgmnt. of wastes-Drifting Stn., Weddell
Type   : Antarctic EAM
NSF Org: OD / OPP
Date   : January 11, 1991
File   : opp93016



                                       DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS
                         OFFICE OF SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
                                                     202/357-7766
MEMORANDUM

   Date:  January 11, 1991

   From:  Environmental Officer, DPP

Subject:  Environmental Action Memorandum (Assessment of Soviet
   Proposals for Systems for Management of Liquid and Gaseous
   Wastes from the Drifting Station in the Weddell Sea)

     To:  File S.7 (Environment)

    REF:    Facsimile Correspondence from Valery Lukin; Dated
            December 26, 1990.


Scientific investigations in the Weddell Sea, conducted from an
ice-locked facility, have been proposed.  Concerns for protection
of antarctic marine, atmospheric and biotic resources are being
given high priority in this endeavor.  The materials provided by
Lupin describe and schematically depict systems for:

o  kitchen and shower wastewater treatment;

o  human waste (urine and faeces) treatment;

o  diesel power generation emissions control; and

o  a reverse osmosis water desalination system.

Lupin's cover letter describes a system for solid waste and
garbage combustion; but, I did not clearly identify that system
in the accompanying materials (it is possible that something has
been lost "in translation").

From the information presented, I believe that the Soviets have
done a good deal of prior planning and consultation for the four
systems noted above.  With respect to kitchen and human faecal
wastes, it appears that they will be bagged; and, we need to know
what the final disposition of these wastes shall be (for example,
will they be stored for retrograde, combusted, or otherwise
treated).  With respect to chlorine-treated liquid human wastes
we need to learn if de-chlorination will be effected to prevent
the formation of trihalomethanes (i.e., do the catalytic
                               -2-


oxidations described effectively degrade organics posing
potential environmental harm).

Also, consideration needs to be given to:

o  management of any toxic or hazardous reagents associated with
   the operation of the abovementioned systems;

o  management of other toxic or hazardous substances associated
   with operation of the ice-locked facility;

o  whether the systems to be used are designed and constructed
   for the appropriate number of individuals who will inhabit the
   ice-locked facility;

o  establishment of a modest, carefully tailored environmental
   measurements program to be accomplished concurrent with
   operation of the facility (so as to monitor effectiveness of
   the abovementioned systems, and to identify possible sources
   of contamination not addressed by the systems);

o  whether in the rigorous conditions of the Antarctic, the
   proposed systems can be appropriately constructed, operated
   and maintained (i.e., do the chosen systems have a history of
   reliable use in less than ideal circumstances; and

o  indication of the types of research to be conducted to be
   accompanied by assessment of the potential for environmental
   impacts from the research itself (e.g., use of explosives vs
   presence of marine mammals).




                                Sidney Draggan

Attachments


cc:  Deputy Division Director, DPP
     Safety, Environment and Health Officer, DPP
     Manager, Polar Ocean Sciences Program, DPP