Heavy metal analysis of soil samples from pits excavated around Scott Base

Comparison of soils from Scott Base (site with human activity) with baseline data taken from pristine sites around the Ross Dependency (without human activity) found elevated levels of most heavy metals. Where these heavy metals are located and how they are mobilized was investigated by taking soil samples from pits dug to frozen ground level (where practicable) along traverses through Scott Base at approximately 50 m spacing�s (15 pits). Samples were taken from a wall of the pit using plastic tools. The depth interval over which the samples were taken varied from 2 cm at the surface, to a maximum of 10 cm, on the assumption that contaminants are likely to be airborne and concentrate on the surface and near surface. Samples were analysed for heavy metal content.