Determining the presence of wood decay fungi in the historic huts of the Ross Sea from splinter samples

Wood that is found in Antarctica at the historic huts originated from materials of Northern and Southern hemisphere origin. The presence of wood decay fungi may pose structural problems for future preservation of the historic huts and have unknown consequences on the Antarctic ecosystem. Wood was also used in the past in the construction and maintenance of Scott Base. This work specifically aimed to isolate, identify and characterise wood inhabiting fungi of the historic huts and Scott Base and to evaluate potential damage to wooden structures and artifacts. Splinter samples were obtained from Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds and from the Scott's Hut at Hut Point. Any fungi isolated was tested as to whether they produce the type of enzymes which degrade the celluloses and lignin compounds in wood. Additionally, pieces of construction wood used in 1997 were collected from the Scott Base yard, gravel and sand samples were obtained from Bratina Island and moss samples were obtained from Beaufort Island. These samples were processes to determine the presence of bacteria and soil fungi.