Chinese scientists have discovered organochlorine residue in sea
birds' droppings on the King George Island of Antarctica.
Wang Ziqing and Lu Bing, two scientists from the Second Institute
of Oceanology under the National Bureau of Oceanography (NBO),
released their findings on Friday.
Their findings are believed to be one proof that pollution is
spreading into Antarctica, supposedly the last pollution-free
region on the earth.
The two scientists had collected more than 200 samples of droppings
of four species of sea birds and seals in the King George Island
where the Great Wall station, Chinese headquarters in Antarctica,
is located.
According an examination by laboratories in China and Germany, the
samples were found to have a high level of organochlorines.
Organochlorines have been forbidden in many countries since the
1980s but the impact on the environment is still going on due to
residue in the ocean and atmosphere.
Bird manure guano is becoming an important source for scientists to
study and evaluate the environment in Antarctica.
(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2003)