ABSTRACT
Human activities in polar regions (continental Antarctica and regions lying north of the tree line in continuous permafrost in the Arctic) can result in hydrocarbon contamination of terrestrial ecosystems. Crude oil is extracted in the Arctic, and petroleum hydrocarbons are required for power generation, heating, and the operation of vehicles, aircraft, and ships. Accidental spills of crude oil and past disposal practices of re ned products, petroleum contamination of polar soils has occurred, especially around sites exploiting and distributing the northern oil reserves in the Arctic (Poland et al. 2003) and settlements including current and former scienti c bases and eld camps in the Antarctic (Aislabie et al. 2004).
