Given our current modes of living, it was inevitable that human habitations on the last unsettled land mass of the planet would pollute the pristine waters of the Antarctic. New Zealand, which operates Scott Base research station, discharges sewage into coastal waters as do other nations' Antarctic research bases
[see map]. The discharge has contaminated coastal waters with chemicals found in personal care products such as sunscreens and cosmetics. The contaminants are ingredients intended to be biologically active, therefore they may have adverse effects on sensitive marine organisms not previously exposed to pollution. The concentrations found were comparable to urban areas elsewhere in the world and found in areas more extensive than expected. Thirty countries operate seasonal and year-round stations on the continent inhabited by 4,000 people in summer to 1,000 in winter. The study was conducted by University of Canterbury researchers and published in the
Journal of Environemental Research.
