During the last several decades there has been much financial investment in the cold regions on projects (mining, oil and gas, etc) that can be the source of ground contamination and that require actions to prevent, mitigate, or remedy such effects. Yet contamination in freezing ground and its remediation have been the subject of research largely only in the last 10 years. This is a short time in terms of research and subsequent technology development, particularly as so few scientists are involved. Probably, therefore, many significant advances remain to be made.

Normally in the development of new technologies there is a driving financial input from industrial activity; a certain, if small, percentage of expenditures goes towards research and development. In the case of major geotechnical, contaminant-remediation projects in the cold regions, it appears that a substantially smaller percentage of expenditures than might be expected is going into inherently necessary research. The implication is that contamination management is not developing at a rate that would be the most effective and cost-efficient. The reasons for this are examined with regard to international funding of major construction projects in cold regions, and the associated requirements for contaminant management, and political and societal pressures. The potential scientific advances are examined and it is concluded that not only the contaminant management industry (consultants, contractors) but the industries behind cold-regions development and society more generally, would benefit greatly from an understanding of and provision for such advances.

The Twenty-fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (XXV ATCM) adopted four Decisions, three Resolutions and one Measure. The texts of the Decisions, together with two appendices, and the Resolutions are reproduced here. The text of the Measure is also reproduced here but, due to limitations for space, the Annexes have been abbreviated and only the essential information has been given here. In addition, it has not been possible to give all the Annexes, even in abbreviated form, and those remaining will be published in a later Bulletin.

Located on the northwest coast of Heard Island, a World Heritage-listed sub-Antarctic territory of Australia, Atlas Cove served as the site of the first permanently occupied Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) station (1947–55). Subsequent to its closure, Atlas Cove Station was abandoned and left largely to the mercy of the natural elements, although it has been visited and occupied on an infrequent basis by ANARE. All activities on the island are now subject to the provisions of the Heard Island Wilderness Reserve Management Plan. During 2000–2001 a major clean-up of the site was undertaken, with most of the remaining structures demolished and material collected for return to Australia and disposal. To assess the extent and intensity of contamination within the station area, soil and water samples were collected and analysed for petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Assessment of site contamination was made with reference to specific background control limits calculated for Atlas Cove Station, and comparison was also made with Australian and New Zealand guidelines for the protection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Contamination by heavy metals is evident throughout the station but not at levels of sufficient magnitude to infer a significant potential toxic impact on local ecosystems. Hence remedial action to reduce the concentration and mobility of heavy metals in soil and water is not a high priority, although monitoring of changes at the site through time is recommended. Contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons is at a level that may cause a significant toxic impact on the environment and requires further investigation to assess impacts and possibly to undertake remedial action. Given the large quantity of petroleum-contaminated soil present, remediation processes that can be carried out in situ are likely to be the preferable clean-up options. The benefits of remediation, however, must be balanced against any negative effect this might exert on the plant and animal wildlife that have recolonised this historically important site.

Twenty-fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Warsaw, Poland, 10–20 September 2002

Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 130 TRAMWAY RIDGE, MT. EREBUS, ROSS ISLAND

Each year Polar Record calls upon numerous scholars to assist in the demanding and intensive procedure of reviewing manuscripts submitted for publication by their peers. These individuals give generously of their time and expertise to help insure that a high academic quality is maintained in Polar Record. During the year 2002, some 110 individuals assisted in the review and refereeing process.

Executive Committee: R H Rutford (President); A C Rocha-Campos (Past President); J A Valencia, A D M Walker, R Schlich, C G Rapley (Vice-Presidents); P D Clarkson (Executive Secretary).