Data

Assessment of the potential for microbial contamination of antarctic terrestrial habitats resulting from human activities (previously ASAC 870)

Australian Antarctic Data Centre
LINE, MARTIN
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ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://data.aad.gov.au/metadata/records/ASAC_1093&rft.title=Assessment of the potential for microbial contamination of antarctic terrestrial habitats resulting from human activities (previously ASAC 870)&rft.identifier=https://data.aad.gov.au/metadata/records/ASAC_1093&rft.publisher=Australian Antarctic Data Centre&rft.description=This project was a continuation of ASAC project 870 (ASAC_870). The aim of the project is to assess the possible routes for the carriage of microorganisms by humans to Antarctic soil habitats. Such pathways include footwear, vehicle treads and washings of root vegetables. These have been examined and measures have already been implemented to minimise further risk from these sources. A further aim was to determine the likelihood of foreign microorganisms successfully competing with indigenous terrestrial antarctic microorganisms; this has proved more difficult to ascertain under simulated antarctic conditions. Work is continuing on this aspect. The danger posed by microbial contaminants on expeditioners' boots to antarctic wildlife habitats has been assessed, with the finding that bacterial spores would survive current walk-through disinfection procedures using 2% Virkon or 3%-chlorine bleach, although coliforms would not. The problem of spore-survival in sanitizing solutions is exacerbated by residual clay in boot treads. It is recommended that boots be scrubbed clean of residual soil or clay before entering antarctic waters, and again as necessary between geographically isolated areas within Antarctica. Soaking for four hours in 2.0% Virkon or for 11 minutes in 3% chlorine bleach is needed for a 3-log reduction in Bacillus spore numbers. Results: The following Decimal Reduction Times (DRTs) were obtained: B. subtilis, 80 and 84 minutes in 2% Virkon , 3.6 min in 3%-chlorine bleach. B. polymyxa, 32 minutes in 2% Virkon , 3.0 min in 3%-chlorine bleach. Vegetative cells of E. coli died very rapidly in both Virkon and 3%-chlorine bleach, with DRTs being less than 18 seconds, the limit of detection using the described method.&rft.creator=LINE, MARTIN &rft.date=2000&rft.coverage=northlimit=-66.0; southlimit=-70.0; westlimit=62.0; eastLimit=159.0; projection=WGS84&rft.coverage=northlimit=-66.0; southlimit=-70.0; westlimit=62.0; eastLimit=159.0; projection=WGS84&rft_rights=This data set conforms to the CCBY Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Please follow instructions listed in the citation reference provided at http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/metadata/citation.cfm?entry_id=ASAC_1093 when using these data.&rft_subject=environment&rft_subject=CONTAMINANT LEVELS/SPILLS&rft_subject=EARTH SCIENCE&rft_subject=HUMAN DIMENSIONS&rft_subject=ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS&rft_subject=BACTERIA/ARCHAEA&rft_subject=BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION&rft_subject=SURVIVAL RATES&rft_subject=BIOSPHERE&rft_subject=ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS&rft_subject=SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS&rft_subject=ANTARCTICA&rft_subject=BACTERIA&rft_subject=BOOTS&rft_subject=CLOTHING&rft_subject=CONTAMINATION&rft_subject=SPORES&rft_subject=SURVIVAL&rft_subject=CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA&rft_subject=GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR&rft_place=Hobart&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
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This data set conforms to the CCBY Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Please follow instructions listed in the citation reference provided at http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/metadata/citation.cfm?entry_id=ASAC_1093 when using these data.

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Brief description

This project was a continuation of ASAC project 870 (ASAC_870). The aim of the project is to assess the possible routes for the carriage of microorganisms by humans to Antarctic soil habitats. Such pathways include footwear, vehicle treads and washings of root vegetables. These have been examined and measures have already been implemented to minimise further risk from these sources. A further aim was to determine the likelihood of foreign microorganisms successfully competing with indigenous terrestrial antarctic microorganisms; this has proved more difficult to ascertain under simulated antarctic conditions. Work is continuing on this aspect. The danger posed by microbial contaminants on expeditioners' boots to antarctic wildlife habitats has been assessed, with the finding that bacterial spores would survive current walk-through disinfection procedures using 2% Virkon or 3%-chlorine bleach, although coliforms would not. The problem of spore-survival in sanitizing solutions is exacerbated by residual clay in boot treads. It is recommended that boots be scrubbed clean of residual soil or clay before entering antarctic waters, and again as necessary between geographically isolated areas within Antarctica. Soaking for four hours in 2.0% Virkon or for 11 minutes in 3% chlorine bleach is needed for a 3-log reduction in Bacillus spore numbers. Results: The following Decimal Reduction Times (DRTs) were obtained: B. subtilis, 80 and 84 minutes in 2% Virkon , 3.6 min in 3%-chlorine bleach. B. polymyxa, 32 minutes in 2% Virkon , 3.0 min in 3%-chlorine bleach. Vegetative cells of E. coli died very rapidly in both Virkon and 3%-chlorine bleach, with DRTs being less than 18 seconds, the limit of detection using the described method.

Issued: 2000-08-08

Data time period: 1998-09-30 to 1999-03-31

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159,-66 159,-70 62,-70 62,-66 159,-66

110.5,-68

text: northlimit=-66.0; southlimit=-70.0; westlimit=62.0; eastLimit=159.0; projection=WGS84

Subjects
ANTARCTICA | BACTERIA | BACTERIA/ARCHAEA | BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION | BIOSPHERE | BOOTS | CLOTHING | CONTAMINANT LEVELS/SPILLS | CONTAMINATION | CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA | EARTH SCIENCE | ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS | ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS | GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR | HUMAN DIMENSIONS | SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS | SPORES | SURVIVAL | SURVIVAL RATES | environment |

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AU-ANL:PEAU : http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-617536

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