Antarctica's Fragile Ecosystem

Human Impacts and Threats to the Environment in Antarctica

• Antarctica has been visited for over a century, resulting in contamination and disturbance of the environment.
• Climate change is the greatest long-term threat to the region, causing the loss of sea and land-based ice, altered penguin populations, and oceanic acidification.
• Fishing, both legal and illegal, poses a threat to Antarctic wildlife, with overfishing and krill fishing being particularly significant.
• Invasive species, such as rats, pose a threat to ground-nesting birds on sub-Antarctic islands.
• Tourism can lead to the pollution of the environment, oil spills, and disturbance of wildlife.
• Pollution from CFCs and other ozone depletors has caused the ozone hole over Antarctica, and discarded equipment and chemicals can degrade the landscape.
• Exploration and exploitation of mineral reserves, oil, and gas could become an increasing threat to Antarctica.
• Direct impacts associated with the development of infrastructure for scientific bases and programs, such as construction and waste disposal, also pose a threat.
• Antarctica is a laboratory for research into global impacts, with lakes on Signy Island showing a rapid response to regional climate change.
• The polar ice cap holds a record of past atmospheres, allowing study of the earth's natural climate cycles.
• Waste disposal in the past was inadequately managed, but the Madrid Protocol now requires clean-up of abandoned sites and waste tips.
• Environmental audits, alternative energy sources, protected areas, and codes of conduct are measures being taken towards a cleaner future in Antarctica.