A question people ask at my book signings for “Mighty Bad Land” is, where’s the toilet in Antarctica?
Of course, if you were exploring and not at a research station, the answer is no toilet in Antarctica exists unless you bring one or make one. I’ll explain what we did and warn you that some content may cause offense.
To set the scene for what we dealt with, we stayed in the wilderness of Marie Byrd Land in two-person tents. You might think the options are a toilet outside or inside the tent. Clearly, my tentmate and I didn’t want to create a toilet inside our tent. Even in blizzards, we made our way outside our tents to perform bodily functions. The two methods we used incorporated another tent specifically for a toilet or a snow structure, such as a windbreak or an igloo made from snow blocks.
About toilet shelters in Antarctica
Regardless of the shelter type, we needed three essential pieces of equipment. First, a five-gallon bucket. Second, a toilet seat made to fit over the bucket, and third, toilet paper. Before I get too far with the details, the bottom line is all human waste must be removed from the wilderness. It went back with us to McMurdo Station, where they combined it with other human waste from the station and shipped to the US at the end of the summer season.
Creating and using a toilet shelter
The most accessible toilet shelter to erect in Antarctica is a tent dedicated to the purpose. However, that means obtaining a tent from scant supplies at McMurdo and hauling it with you when you travel on the trail. Scott polar tents, the ones we used, are heavy and take two people to carry and set up. Thus, hauling one around, setting it up, and taking it down means extra work.
A snow block wall requires cutting blocks with a carpenter’s saw from hard-packed snow and then stacking blocks as a windbreak about six feet high above the surface. That takes two people a couple of hours. The result leaves something to be desired, but under most conditions, it is sufficient.
An igloo, which, if constructed correctly, is an excellent Antarctic toilet shelter. It takes about four hours for two people to make one. You need a supply of snow blocks you cut and then shave into the correct shape to stack in an inward-facing circular wall that closes at the top. In Marie Byrd Land, we used a toilet tent and snowblock walls on our expeditions. On a later expedition with the Germans GANOVEX VII, enthusiastic members built an igloo shown here.
Constipation
A unique problem with bodily functions in the wilderness is the brutal blizzards that trap you in your tent for days. This makes a trip to a toilet shelter a harrowing prospect. Some people feel reluctant to claw their way through a blizzard to a toilet tent or igloo, thereby delaying bodily functions. Veterans warned us during orientations not to delay bodily functions. The result could cause constipation and other problems resulting from that.
What are the official rules about human waste?
I thought it interesting to give AI a test drive on this topic.
From ChatGPT and vetted for accuracy by Bruce!
My Prompt:
What does the Antarctic Treaty or Antarctic Conservation Act say about the disposal of human waste in Antarctica?
Response:
The disposal of human waste in Antarctica is subject to strict regulations outlined in the Antarctic Treaty and its associated agreements, as well as national regulations of the countries that are signatories to the treaty. The Antarctic Treaty System regulates human activities in Antarctica and promote environmental protection. Please note that I base my knowledge on information available up to September 2021, and there may have been updates or changes since then.
Key points related to the disposal of human waste in Antarctica:
- General Principles: The Antarctic Treaty emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment and preserving the region’s unique scientific and wilderness values. Therefore, all activities in Antarctica, including waste disposal, must minimizes environmental impact.
- Waste Removal: In general, the disposal of human waste in Antarctica is regulated to ensure it is removed from the continent. Waste is typically collected and transported back to the home country of the expedition or research station for proper disposal. This includes both liquid and solid waste.
- Biological Waste: Special attention is given to biological waste to prevent contamination of the delicate Antarctic ecosystem. Human waste, including sewage, is treated and stored in accordance with specific guidelines to prevent the spread of diseases and protect native wildlife.
- Waste Management Plans: Research stations and expeditions in Antarctica are required to have comprehensive waste management plans. These include provisions for the proper handling and disposal of human waste.
- Chemical Waste: Any chemicals used in waste treatment must also be managed carefully to prevent contamination of the environment. Chemical waste should be removed from Antarctica whenever possible.
- Non-disposal Zones: Certain areas of Antarctica, particularly those of high ecological significance, may be designated as non-disposal zones. In these areas, strict regulations apply to waste disposal to minimize environmental impact.
- Research and Monitoring: Scientific research and monitoring programs are conducted to assess the impact of human activities, including waste disposal, on the Antarctic environment. This information is used to refine regulations over time.
Important Note
Specific practices may vary among the countries operating research stations in Antarctica. However, all activities are expected to adhere to the overarching principles of environmental protection outlined in the Antarctic Treaty System. Violations of these regulations can result in penalties. Countries operating in Antarctica are committed to upholding these regulations to preserve the pristine environment of the continent.