Bruner 1

The Negative Impact Humans

Have on the South Pole

Figure 1. Image of the South Pole (Nield)

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Author: Aaron Bruner

Date: 03-17-2022
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Table of Contents
AbstractThe Problem - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Current issues problems in the South Pole - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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The Problem StatementSolution - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Impact of marine pollution on the surrounding environmentResolving the issue of Marine

Pollution - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

Resolving the issue of Illegal Fishing - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Impact of illegal fishing on the

surrounding environment- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5

How the Solution Solves the ProblemSolution Statement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Current solutions working to repair marine pollution - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Current solutions working to prevent illegal fishing - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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References - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Figures
Figure 1 – Image of the South Pole - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Figure 2 – An extreme case of pollution by fifty-five-gallon drum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4

Figure 3 – Visual representation of masses of krill fish - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5

Figure 4 – Amundsen – Scott South Pole Station - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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AbstractThe Problem
Current issues problems in the South Pole
There are many issues problems in the South Pole. Unfortunately, the most impactful problems issues are

primarily human related. Wildlife in the South Pole must attempt to survive in their horribly infested

environment filled with money driven fishermen. Not only is it already difficult for humans to survive in

the South Pole, but krill is being fished so much that they’re risking potential extension. In addition,

theThe fishermen and local scientists treat the environment as a landfill. With no concern for how their

waste impacts the wildlife, they continue to pollute the environment as if nobody lives there.

The primary purpose of this document is to outline two major issues in the South Pole and the best

proposed solutions to work towards fixing these issues. The first problem issue is the amount of marine

pollution being put into the surrounding environment and how that impacts the wildlife. The next problem

issue is the mass illegal fishing influenced by profit. In addition to illegal fishing, we must consider how

this will impact the surrounding wildlife and global supply chain for fish oil. After addressing the primary

problems issues, the document goes into detail about current solutions being implemented and how the

solution fixes the problems of y are working to repair marine pollution and prevent illegal fishing.g.

Finally, we discuss how these proposed solutions are working to resolve the initial problem and help

prevent further damage.

Problem StatementSolution
Issue of Marine Pollution
Marine Pollution is the leading source of many issues for the South Pole environment. As

mentioned in an article on the Australian Government’s website, “On the shores of the subantarctic

islands, tonnes of waste (mainly plastics) are washed up every year.” This article further discusses just

how impactful the plastic is to the wildlife. Many of the local animals will mistake these small pieces of

plastic for food. This is just one small issue that leads to more unnecessary death of wildlife that could

have been prevented.

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Another source of pollution is from the small research camps in the South Pole. Many of these

camps must use oil and chemicals to operate their equipment. Once the liquids they are using need to be

replaced, they must be disposed of in some form. Typically, they are stored in containers and are then

taken on the next outbound airplane. However, in some instances these containers are left behind,

forgotten about, or intentionally disposed of in a manner that makes them temporarily unrecoverable. The

most common issue is disposal by fifty-five-gallon drums demonstrated in figure 2. Based on an article

about Pollution and Waste by the Australian Government we are finding out that trace amounts of

chemicals found in the South Pole are being found in snow fall (“Pollution and Waste”). This could be a

major issue for the surrounding wildlife. These chemicals are toxic and dangerous to their life and the life

of researchers.

Figure 2. An extreme case of pollution by fifty-five-gallon drums (“Pollution and Waste”)

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Issue of Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing is another global issue that is occurring at the South Pole. A very popular fish in

the South Pole is the Antarctic krill. This fish is primarily chosen because of its rich attributes which

make it valuable for the global economy. In particular, the krill fish has primarily been focused on

because of its large biomass (Administrator). Meaning, it exists throughout the South Pole and can be

found in many different regions throughout the South Pole. The reason that this fish is of the most interest

is because of its large amount of oil in its system. Many consumers take fish oil as a daily supplement.

Thus, the fishery in the South Pole is expected to be harvested in masses.

The fishing of krill is not the only issue this environment is having. By fishing the krill, many

other predators of krill are being deprived of a food source. By removing a primary predator, we may

have unexpected results. Reviewing figure 3 we can see this massive population of krill fish. Thus,

systems must be put into place to ensure that the krill are not over fished and that there is a balance in the

environment.

Figure 3. Visual representation of masses of krill fish (Administrator)

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Solution StatementHow the Solution Solves the

Problem
Repairing Marine Pollution
There are many ways of solving the issues of marine pollution. The easiest way to prevent marine

pollution is to completely ban individuals from entering that area. While this would initially solve the

issue of marine pollution there may be more side effects that were unexpected, such as an increase of

drifting plastic from nearby islands. In addition, by preventing research in the South Pole we will

completely miss out on important visuals of space and the universe. Since there is little to no air pollution

in the South Pole it creates an ideal environment for astronomy. Research labs such as the Scott South

Pole Station in figure 4 are doing lots of research. Also, a large Some research being done includes

amount of research into how ice sheets grow or shrinkk is being done. Thus, removing the South Pole is

not a practical option.

Figure 4. Amundsen – Scott South Pole Station (Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station)

A more realistic solution to fixing the marine pollution is mandating how much disposable

materials a commercial ship is allowed to have on board. This would mean that before a commercial ship

is allowed to leave the port must pass inspection. Another solution would be to invest money into better

materials that are more reusable. Many tools that are used to catch fish eventually deteriorate over time. A
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solution would be to plan to eventually replace all plastic tools with things that can be reused for longer

periods of time.

Repairing Illegal Fishing Practices

To begin repairing illegal fishing practices, there must be much more stringent restrictions on

who is allowed to fish in these areas. There should be a team assembled that patrols around the areas of

the South Pole and remotely monitors ships that are coming inbound and outbound. Fortunately, due to

the advances of technology, we can deploy buoys with trackers and other complex systems to detect ships

nearby. Thus, ships without receivers are intercepted and are instructed to leave the area. Another method

of dealing with illegal fishing practices is to add tariffs to the materials that these ships are bringing in.

So, if you cannot stop them from overfishing, then make it not worth doing. Then they will reduce how

much they fish.

Conclusion
Illegal fishing in the South Pole has global impacts on the environment and economy. In addition, the

amount of marine pollution is continuing to have impacts on the surrounding wildlife. The proposed

solutions are intended to help prevent further damage from occurring in this area. It is impossible to solve

these issues completely because there are so many factors that come into play that cannot be controlled.

Instead of thinking of a solution it is better to think of preventative ways to better the future.
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References
Administrator. “Southern Ocean Fisheries.” Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, 16 Dec. 2010,
https://www.asoc.org/advocacy/wildlife-conservation/southern-ocean-fisheries.

“Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2022,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amundsen%E2%80%93Scott_South_Pole_Station.

“Marine Pollution.” Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment:
Australian Antarctic Division | Australian Antarctic Program, 7 Apr. 2016,
https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/environment/pollution-and-waste/pollution/.

Nield, David. “There Were Trees at the South Pole the Last Time There Was This Much CO2 in the Air.”
ScienceAlert, 7 Apr. 2019, https://www.sciencealert.com/there-were-trees-at-the-south-pole-the-
last-time-there-was-this-much-co2-in-the-air.

“Pollution and Waste.” Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Water and the
Environment: Australian Antarctic Division | Australian Antarctic Program, 24 Aug. 2012,
https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/environment/pollution-and-waste/.