South Pole Station Funding

Congratulations to Robert Lee Hotz for a clear-eyed explication of the choice we face over the future of the United States’ Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (March 5), which is at a budgetary crossroads. The aging station is a keystone of Antarctic science. The Earth’s climate and air quality, the ozone hole, even the history of the universe are all under study from this premier research site at the bottom of the world.

Despite the problems with the aging station’s infrastructure, the U.S. Antarctic program complies fully with international environmental standards for Antarctica.

Regarding fire safety, we recognize that a significant fire poses sizable risk of property loss at South Pole Station. At the same time, we have taken substantial steps to minimize risk to life--improving, for example, emergency exits from station buildings and fire detection procedures. We have also incorporated state-of-the-art fire safety into plans for replacement facilities.

We are also mitigating safety hazards in some working areas of the station. In the garage, which lacks proper ventilation, we limit workers’ exposure to pollutants. Our design for a new garage includes a proper exhaust system.

The station’s fuel storage tanks--made of material selected for its performance at low temperatures--sit atop liners that prevent spilled fuel from draining into the hard-packed snow. Large amounts of fuel cannot therefore “weep” from the tanks, as the article said. Some eight years ago, however, a leak in the fuel system did cause a sizable spill. Our plans call for eventual use of steel tanks.

The U.S. Antarctic program is committed to keeping the station as safe as possible for those who live and work there, while recognizing that the aging infrastructure will require more and more maintenance.

CORNELIUS SULLIVAN

Office Director

National Science Foundation

Arlington, Va.