Potential Environmental Impact of Non-retrieval

Environmental impact of the corer remaining on the sea floor depends on rates of corrosion of the metal components, biological response (encrustation, biocorrosion), and on the release of sulphuric acid and lead to the sea some time in the next few years. The main sealed lead acid batteries contain a total of 12.5 kg of sulphuric acid and approximately 240 kg of lead and lead compounds. Rates for all of these reactions are unknown.

The impact on the corer on organisms and sea floor within a few metres could well be significant, but insignificant on a decameter - kilometre scale. Any localised toxic effects are expected to be short term and dissipate within a few years.

An important argument for retrieval, beyond the obligation to endeavour to keep the Antarctic environment pristine, is to provide information on rates of encrustation and corrosion on metals in Antarctic marine waters, and hence obtain realistic estimates of the environmental impact of the loss of equipment in Antarctic waters.