Antarctica_homework_project (1).doc

InstructionsAlways follow what the instructions carefully. These will be in red . How much is completed and the quality will determine the level and FP’s awarded-best ones have potential to gain 5 FPs, Postcard home or even Principals’ breakfast.

Task number

Task Completed

1 Locating Antarctica2 Summary table on Antarctica’s location3 Fact file on Antarctica4 Climate tables for different places in Antarctica5 Ozone hole, global warming and climate change tables6 Wildlife research7 Antarctic Treaty System8 ATS sustainable comments9 Mining and minerals in Antarctica

10 tourism in Antarctica11 Which Antarctica holiday is the most sustainable?12 For or against tourism in Antarctica13 Concerns over tourism14 Is tourism good or bad for Antarctica

If you cannot read information in text boxes then enlarge the screen by zooming in to 150%. See me if you are unsure how to do this.

Antarctica - The Last Wilderness!

Faculty Point Homework Project

Name: Ollie merten

Task 1

Locating Antarctica

Task 2Complete the table summary for the location of Antarctica using the maps above

What is Antarctica? Delete as applicable Continent, country, region?

What hemisphere is it in?Delete as applicable

North or South

What is the name of the closest continent/country to it?Delete as applicable

North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania

Antarctica covers an area of 14 million km2.

Delete as applicableTrue or False

Antarctica records the lowest temperatures.Delete as applicable

True or False

Task - Draw arrows linking all 3 maps from this box to Antarctica

Task 3

Complete this fact file on Antarctica using the information below.

Population

Continent ranking in size

Coastline distance kilometres

Average land height

Highest land point

Ocean surrounding Antarctica

Surface temperatures of the water

Prevailing wind direction

Ocean current type

When is winter in Antarctica?

When is summer in Antarctica?

Task 4

Complete the climate information for the scientific stations in Antarctica using the internet-type in the station name and what you wish to find out.

Task 9:

Vostok

LatitudeLongitudeAltitude in metresAnnual mean temperature (oC)

Annual mean wind speed (km per hour)

Mawson

LatitudeLongitudeAltitude in metresAnnual mean temperature (oC)

Annual mean wind speed (km per hour)

Amundsen-Scott (South Pole)LatitudeLongitudeAltitude in metresAnnual mean temperature (oC)

Annual mean wind speed (km per hour)

Rothera

LatitudeLongitudeAltitude in metresAnnual mean temperature (oC)

Annual mean wind speed (km per hour)

Task 5

Complete the questions below using the information in the text box. You may need to do extra research as well.

The Ozone Hole

Who discovered the hole in the ozone layer? When? At which time of year is the ozone almost completely depleted?

October

Is this in the Antarctic winter, spring, summer or autumn?

Winter

The cause. What is probably responsible for the destruction of the ozone?

Refrigerator gasses

What is the main consequence of this ozone depletion?

Disruption to marine life

What is it? Ozone is a gas resulting from UV radiation on oxygen. UV radiation creates ozone but it also destroys it. In 1998, 40% of the ozone in the layer between 14 and 22km was destroyed, for a 6-week period; this ‘hole’ covered all of Antarctica.

Its depletion is caused by a range of man-made gases. These are CFCs = chlorofluorocarbons. They were mainly used in fridges, air-conditioning units, plastic foams and aerosols. Most of these are now banned in all parts of the world.

Consequences of its depletionOzone is created by UV radiation and protects us from the harmful effects of certain wavelengths of UV, especially UV-B. Without the protection, increased UV-B can damage cells and lead for example to sunburn, skin disorders and skin cancer in humans. The chlorophyll in algae, lichens and mosses can also be damaged and become non-functional. However, in Antarctica, lichens and mosses have developed protective pigments. Humans have developed brown melanin to protect them from sunburn and can use protective creams and sun block.

There is also recent evidence that increased UV-B is harmful to phytoplankton, plankton and the larvae of fish and shrimps. Damage to phytoplankton could be crucial to the whole of the marine food web in the Southern Ocean.

Climate: The marine ecosystem uses large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, decreasing levels of CO2. If primary productivity declines (i.e. phytoplankton do not thrive) then there will be higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

(nb. Ozone itself is a greenhouse gas!)

Why is it depleted in October?During the winter thin clouds form in the stratosphere (I don’t know why!) – 14-22km high. When the sun returns (October = ‘spring’) reactions with the gases containing chlorine occur and destroy the ozone. When it warms up further in the late spring and summer these reactions cease.

Global Warming

In which part of Antarctica have temperatures increased by approximately 2.5 c since the1940s?

The cause. What is suggested as the explanation for this temperature increase?

Global warming and the combustion of fossil fuels

What are the short and long-term consequences of the temperature rise?

Short term the ice will melt. Long term the temperature will be permanently higher.

Monitoring climate change in Antarctica

Identify the two techniques used to monitor changes in climate and changes in the ozone layer.

a. climate

b. ozone layer:

Heat sensor and rate which the ice Is melting.

The amount of gas the ozone layer has not absorbed.

Task 6

Wildlife in Antarctica

Research on the internet animals and plants found in Antarctica – copy and paste them into here

Task 7

The Antarctic Treaty System

Use the information above to answer the questions in the table below. Enlarge the page size if the writing is too small

1. What is the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)? They control what goes in and out of Antarctica and what manmade things go into it.

2. When was the original Antarctic Treaty signed? 1991

3. The main aim of the Antarctic Treaty was to establish the Antarctic as a region of what?:

Purity and as a untouched place,

4. What does ‘international governance’ mean? Is the political intervention by a group of people (the governance) when something effecting more than one region or country.

Task 8

Select 3 statements from the table above that highlight the role of the ATS in promoting environmental sustainable development of Antarctica (keep something going without using it up or spoiling it). Complete the table below to explain your choices:

Comment Explanation why this represents sustainable development

Military action should not be allowed

Because if military activities were allowed they would probably conduct experiments, make runways or making bases.

Nuclear explosions radio activity and waste disposal.

Because it could pollute damage or destroy the worlds last wilderness.

Task 9

Minerals in Antarctica – answer the questions using the text box below and do extra research on the internet if necessary

1. What are minerals?

2. What minerals have been found in Antarctica in significant amounts?

3. What minerals are known to exist in Antarctica in economically viable quantities?

4. Why do you think all of the known mineral deposits shown on the map are all around the coast of Antarctica?

A naturally occurring substance usually in the form of a rock.

Wassonite lonsdaleite. Meteorite impervium

Impervium wassonite

Task 10

Tourism in Antarctica

Why do tourists want to go to Antarctica? List the main tourist attractions/activities and tourist locations. Research this on the internet and use the text box below.

Attractions/Activities Top locations/sights

Arctic cruises Arctic sea/polar waters

Antarctic peninsula Along the most southerly point of Antarctica’s coast line. Penguins can be seendivin into the water.

South Georgia Seals. And penguins huddling for warmth.

Stethland islands (drake passage)Mother seals caring for their young. Penguins, whales sea lions.

Crossing the arctic circle cruise Ice bergs wildlife.

Task 11

Below are examples of holidays to Antarctica. Read the information and complete the task.

Which Antarctic holiday is the most sustainable? Think about:

Damage to the environment

Jobs creation Making money

Rank the following holiday types in terms of their sustainability.

Holiday types – Cruise; Diving holiday; climbing holiday; Skiing holiday; Hotel holiday

Types of holidays to AntarcticaAntarctica CruiseThe vast majority of tourists who visit Antarctica do so in cruise ships on 1 to 2 week tours with landings of only a few hours around the peninsula or islands. Resource 11 contains information about and an itinerary for a typical Antarctic cruise which would cost in the region of £4,000 to £6,000.

Antarctic diving holiday

This dedicated Antarctic diving expedition offers insights into the white continent, which few are privileged to experience. The Antarctic dive sites vary from shallow ice diving, diving along a wall, from a beach or from a zodiac to a maximum depth of around 20 meters. We do not dive from a hole in the ice. We hope to observe penguins from under the surface as well as sealions and perhaps even leopard seals. Marine life includes kelp walls, sea-snails, crabs, sea butterflies, Antarctic fish, shrubby horsetails, jellyfish, sea hedgehogs, starfishes, krill and giant isopods. The combination of sunlight and the often extraordinary formations of ice, in this one of the wildest and most remote realms on the planet is a spectacle to be seen. You will need to be a very experienced diver and must be familiar with cold water diving and dry suit diving (at least 20 dives).

Rank Holiday type

1 (Most

sustainable)

2

3

4

5 (Least

sustainable)

Cost - £3,290 (11 days) excluding flights

Itinerary

Day 1: Ship leaves Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Day 2-3: At sea.

Day 4-10: Antarctic Peninsula and islands – locations for dives

Day 9-10: At sea

Day 11: Arrive Ushuaia and fly back home

How this holiday makes a differenceWe are committed to the conservation of the places we visit. This is why the company has calculated the average CO2 emissions of its Arctic and Antarctic Voyages and will automatically offset each client’s share of emissions via the charity Rainforest Concern’s new Rainforest4Climate programme. We will also automatically offset the carbon emissions of flights booked through the company. Our Antarctic ships are smaller, less imposing on the polar landscape than the bigger cruise ships. Group landings by zodiac are more easily managed and a low ratio of leaders to passengers provides a personalised, added value experience. Your onboard natural history experts, through guided walks and evening talks, reveal the wonders of Antarctic scenery and wildlife. In this way you will be introduced to some of the local and global conservation issues which this fragile habitat faces. Our polar trips are made under full membership of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and as such abide by their strict codes of conduct. Encounters with all wildlife are controlled by strict responsible codes of conduct.

Climbing in Antarctica

Cost - £2,676 for 12 days excluding flightsA small group expedition to climb the impressive Transantarctic Mountain Range. Our aim is to combine our classic voyage to the Peninsula with an opportunity to trek up the glaciers and make first ascents of some of the peaks that form the western flanks of the Transantarctic Range. For the climbers, the true delight is that there are literally hundreds of unclimbed peaks to choose from. Many are accessible from the ocean so our ship can be used as a floating base camp. The peaks range from technically easy snow climbs to steep rock walls rising straight out of the sea.

How this holiday makes a difference

Antarctica is the largest wilderness region on earth and deserves special protection. We are proud to be an Associate Member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and abide strictly by their code of conduct. All of our polar guests are briefed not only on the guidelines set by IAATO but also on the scientific reasons for these guidelines. Everyone will learn how to enjoy the wildlife encounters without being intrusive and thus will get the most out of their visit without compromising the pristine environment.From our pre-departure Responsible Travel Guidebook to our on-board comprehensive educational programme, passengers are well informed on all aspects of the environmental issues affecting Antarctica.Our belief in small group adventure travel extends to Antarctica as we cruise in 52 passenger vessels, among the smallest in the business allowing for minimum impact landings and maximum enjoyment.

Skiing in Antarctica

“Ski in all seven continents,” DAP Antarctica announced. DAP Antarctica, the first airline to provide flights to Antarctica, is initiating a project which will fly skiers to Antarctica for a ski experience like no other.

Businessman Nicolás Pivcevic, one of the founders of the project, said the idea surfaced when a group of 18 Europeans decided to organize a tour to Antarctica. The Antarctica ski tours will be a new and expensive experience for tourists. One trip will cost approximately £3,250, which includes air transportation, food and accommodations for four days. The tourists will stay in a ship and from there, a helicopter will take them to the mountains for skiing each day.

Before beginning the project, DAP Antarctica must present Chile's National Environmental Commision (CONAMA) for Region XII with a study of the environmental impact such a project will have on one of the purest environments on the planet. Both Sernatur and CONAMA in Chile believe there have to be precautions taken on projects like this because of the potential impact on Antarctica's fragile environment. Bowles Mountain, on Livingstone Island, has been chosen by experts as the most appropriate place for the project. The area is most suitable because there are excellent ski conditions and no protected animal species living there. DAP Antarctica hopes to have the project up and running in November 2005.

An Hotel development on AntarcticaThere have been plans put forward for a hotel and even a casino on the Antarctic continent itself. This would allow tourists to be accommodated on land rather than at sea as has been the case so far. Some form of energy production would be needed, whether through conventional burning of fossil fuels or a cleaner renewable source (e.g. wind turbines or solar cells). A permanent jetty would need to be built so that tourists and their luggage could be landed safely. Tourists would need land based transport to take them to local and more distant sites of interest, probably in the form of large skidoo based vehicles with snow tracks rather than wheels. Waste and sewage would need to be disposed of in some way.

Justify (give reasons for) your ranking:

Answer…

Task 12

For or against the development of tourism in Antarctica? Use the table below to divide these interest groups into those who you think might be for tourism and those who might be against it.

Interest group FOR or AGAINST Interest group FOR or AGAINST

Greenpeace for Non-ATS countries against

GAP expeditions against Scientists For

United Nations against Oil/Gas companies against

Thomas Cook For Antarctic Airways against

ATS countries for Environmental agencies

For

Penguins for

Task 13

Some concerns over tourism in Antarctica. Write in the boxes why the following my cause concerns

Concern How and/or why is this a problem?Tourism will damage the Antarctic environment

Yes gift shops, bars, restaurants and things like that will damage it.

Tourism places large numbers of people close to wildlife during breeding season

Yes as it could prevent animals from breeding as they may feel uncomfortable being watched.

Larger tourist ships are equipped with helicopters that allow access to many previously out of the way spots

The helicopters may pollute the area or harm vegetation and wildlife, if it lands on them.

The Antarctic Treaty countries have adopted a ‘wait and see’ policy whereby the negative impacts of tourism have to be blatant before any response is made

If they do not act quickly the company trying to encourage tourism could just wade in.

Visits are concentrated into a small number of landing sites which can destroy parts of a unique environment and jeopardise scientific research

Because any unofficial, unimportant people will wish to land.

Accidents can occur with major environmental consequences e.g. an oil spill from a tourist supply ship on the Antarctic Peninsula

It could kill animals and ruin the landscape not to mention pollute the air depending on what substance it is.

Task 14

Is tourism good for Antarctica? Some people believe that allowing tourism on Antarctica is very beneficial because tourists gain a great deal of knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the area and invariably become life-long ambassadors for the conservation of it, passing on information and the need to preserve Antarctica to others. Do you agree with this? Is this likely to outweigh the possible damage that they may cause during their visit? Use the information in the text boxes to help you. Write your answer in the blank box at the bottom of the page.

Answer … I do not agree that tourists should gain easy access to Antarctica I believe that Antarctica’s amazing landscape should stay untouched, as is always the way with humans when they find something they want more of it that is our trait and I believe that we will want more of Antarctica, however it is not right it is the last landscape that is untouched, and uninhabited it should stay that way.

Antarctica has belonged to our animal friends and it is not our right to wade in and spoil there homes, if you think about it would you like someone to take the roof of your home on chillingly cold day?

I think Antarctica is a perfect landscape and God obviously wanted it untouched thus the cold weather and uninhabitable conditions, is it our job to medal with the all mighty’s work?

Task 15-Challenge

Write a letter to yourself FROM your future self about the state of Antarctica in 50 years time.

How to write a really good letter:• Introduce yourself (what do you do now?)• Explain why Antarctica is so important to you.• What is the current situation (in 50 yrs time)? • How did it come to be that way?• What advice can you give your past self to save Antarctica?

Dear myself,

The once beautiful landscape of Antarctica has changed, now cars roam polluting the crisp white sky’s, buildings tower above where the penguins once huddled and the penguins are now in a contained zoo, it is like chalk and cheese London and Antarctica in a cruel twist of fate.

It makes me sick just to see the dirty foul smoke rising saying to Antarctica HA!

Thankyou very much my olden day counter part just enjoy Antarctica while it is Antarctica not London.