Greenhouse gas emissions from the Brazilian Antarctic Station "Comandante Ferraz".

BACKGROUND

Climate change is a natural phenomenon that has been intensified due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). It has become an indispensable issue in international negotiations related to global sustainability and is deeply related to the overall status of environmental health in our planet.

METHODS

We compiled an inventory of GHG emissions that resulted from human activities at the Brazilian Antarctic Scientific Station "Comandante Ferraz" (EACF) and collected emissions data relating to these activities from January to March 2011. The present work aims to identify the sources of GHG emissions, their characteristics, and composition, using as methodology and framework basis the international ISO 14,064:07 and the GHG Protocol.

RESULTS

We addressed emissions of CO(2), CH(4), and N(2)O arising from the use of vehicles, diesel-electric generators, boilers, and wastewater treatment for the sewage treatment plant. We identified that the main GHG emissions derived from the activities of power generation using diesel and boilers (more than 80% of the emissions), adding more than 772 t of CO(2) equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified that the diesel generators and boilers are the most important sources of emission by Expedition XXIX (2010-2011). In that CO(2) is principally emitted in relation to electrical energy generation from diesel generators, we emphasize the need for fuel burning reduction through energy consumption reduction.