HEAVY-METAL CONTAMINATION IN SOME SOILS OF THE MCMURDO SOUND REGION, ANTARCTICA

Soil samples from eight sites at Marble Point and Pram Point, McMurdo Sound region, contaminated by human activities were examined for heavy metal content, using sequential extraction methods. The redistributio n of lead, zinc and copper arising from point sources of these metals was demonstrated. The levels found are not considered to represent ser ious pollution but do indicate that human activities can change the ch emistry of the Antarctic environment in localized areas.