A new research project led by Dr Michelle Power from the Department of Biological Sciences has found that human sewage disposal in Antarctica presents a risk of introducing non-native bacterial species, specifically E. coli, into endemic Antarctic wildlife, potentially affecting its diversity and evolution.

Published in the Journal of Environmental Pollution and funded by an Australian Antarctic Science Grant from the Australian Antarctic Division, the research has detected E. coli genes in seals, penguins and invertebrates that are commonly associated with E. coli from humans.

“Some of the identified E. coli strains that we have detected in seals are known to cause disease in humans and birds. Antibiotic resistance genes, currently a major global issue, were discovered in many of the E. coli strains we tested. The antibiotic resistance genes were not detected in penguins or seals but were found in an Antarctic shellfish species which filters the water for its food,” said Dr Power.

The study, performed at Davis Station – one of four Australian Antarctic stations – included the collection of marine sediments at various coastal points within a 10 kilometre radius in addition to faecal samples from southern elephant seals, Adelie penguins and Weddell seals. Divers also collected heart urchins and Antarctic soft-shelled clam as part of the study.

“With more than 30 nations operating in Antarctica, and around 4000 people living in Antarctic research stations during the summer months, the potential impact of their presence to the surrounding ecosystem cannot be underestimated,” continued Dr Power.

Guidelines currently in place for treatment of sewage, established by the Antarctic Treaty system, allow research stations to dispose of untreated sewage directly into the sea – within certain parameters. With most research stations located on the coast of Antarctica, the research provides scientific evidence to support development of improved regulations for human waste disposal.

“There is currently no acceptable measure of impact of untreated sewage disposal in Antarctica and I would argue that simple genetic tools can, and should be used to determine the extent of gene pollution across Antarctica,” concluded Dr Power.