Assessment of the human footprint in Antarctica: A case study Larsemann Hills.

The article is devoted to assessment of the anthropogenic influence in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. The emission of the main pollutants and greenhouse gases from diesel generators used at Antarctic stations are estimated for the period since the beginning of the development of the oasis area (from 1986 to 2019). It is shown that SO 2 emissions decreased in 2019 compared to peak values in 1990 by 5.6 times, which was due to a significant decrease of the sulfur content in fuel. Emissions of other pollutants mostly increased. Surface air pollution by SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, PM 10 and black carbon (BC) using the AERMOD dispersion model are characterized. It is revealed that the most significant emission health impact is due to increase of surface concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Deposition fluxes of PM 10 and BC are estimated. The fluxes of PM 10 and BC dry deposition in the territory of Larsemann Hills can reach maximum values of 27.5 and 21.7 mg/m²/year, respectively; can be traced in certain directions at a distance of up to 2.0 km or more. Modeling of BC deposition due to the dispersion of emission allowed to make draft estimates of soot concentration in the snow of the area and resulting radiative forcing climatic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]