Pollution at Australia’s largest Antarctic research station exceeded guidelines for almost 20 years

Wastewater disposal in Antarctica (left), rubbish on the seafloor next to Casey station (top right) and an abandoned waste disposal site near the former Wilkes station (bottom right). Photograph: Chris Patterson, Ian Snape and Jonathan Stark/Australian Antarctic Division

Pollution at Australia’s largest Antarctic research station, Casey, has exceeded international guidelines for close to 20 years, new research shows.

Analysing marine sediment levels around Casey station between 1997 and 2015, Australian and Canadian scientists found that levels of multiple contaminants exceeded international quality guidelines.