Research at the Historic Expedition Huts of Antarctica

The explorers brought newly developed motorized vehicles with them on their expeditions and fuel depots left at the huts have contaminated the sites. This photo shows historic fuel containers near the Cape Evans hut that have leaked into the ground. Our investigations have identified the petroleum products and other environmental pollutants left in Antarctica and provide recommendations for remedial action. For more information see PDF reprint on Environmental pollutants at the historic huts.

Data loggers placed at several locations in each hut record environmental conditions every hour throughout the year. Here University of Minnesota and University of Waikato researchers are examining data being downloaded for analysis. High relative humidity within the huts is responsible for the blooms of mold growth occurring in the huts. For more information see research paper published in Int. Biodeterioration and Biodegradation.