Waste Management Outlook for Mountain Regions

Impacts from mountaineering can vary depending on the altitude. For instance, erosion and surface waste disposal are more visible at lower elevations below the treeline compared to higher elevation zones, where waste and pollution accumulate in water bodies and glaciers (Pickering and Barros, 2015; Welling, Árnason and Ólafsdottír, 2015). Furthermore, the extent and duration of the impact on mountain environments depends on many factors, including the number of visitiors and the seasonal and locally- specific nature of mountain-based adventure tourism, which tends to concentrate proportionaly large numbers of people into specific areas or corridors during particular times of the year. The most common forms of waste from mountaineering activities are human waste (excreta and urine), other solid waste material associated with equipment and supplies (for example, tin cans, glass and plastic bottles, food packaging, oxygen bottles, batteries, plastic bags, drums, discarded ropes and tents, pharmaceuticals, personal and cleaning products such as detergents, etc.), and waste frompack animals (UNEP, 2007). In particularly inaccessible mountain areas, bodies of deceased mountaineers are also sometimes left behind. Human waste is by far the most cited waste problem associated withmountaineering; it is difficult to burywaste in exposed alpine environments and the extreme climatic conditions slow down decomposition (Pickering and Barros, 2015; Ells and Monz, 2011; UNEP, 2007). For example, since 1970, over 34,000 people have attempted to climb Denali (Mount McKinley, USA) via the west buttress route, resulting in an estimated 66 metric tons of faeces left in the glaciated environment (Goodwin, Loso and Braun,

2012). The bacteria, viruses and other pathogens associated with such waste contaminate waterways and soil surfaces (Derlet et al., 2008; Goodwin, Loso and Braun, 2012) and can persist in these environments despite the extreme climatic conditions (Goodwin, Loso and Braun, 2012). These can pose immediate or short-term health risks, not only for climbers. Cases of contaminated terminus meltwater discharge have been reported also in Europe (Edwards, 2015; Goodwin, Loso and Braun, 2012). Given that many of these areas are the main headwaters for downstream users and dwellers, contamination of water sources is of particular concern (Barros, Monz and Pickering, 2015). Other types of solid waste are also an issue – as much as 140,000 kg of rubbish still remains on Mount Everest following 60 years of expeditions (Kelliher, 2014). Waste from pack animals such as horses and mules also creates stress in mountain environments. For instance, approximately 299 tons of manure and 65 m 3 of urine were produced by pack animals during the 2011 climbing season on Mountain Aconcagua. This was often deposited near water bodies in the low and intermediate alpine zones (Barros, Pickering and Gudes, 2015). Coupled with human waste, this results in an estimated 660 kg of nitrogen and 48 kg of potassium per season (Barros, Pickering and Gudes, 2015), increasing the risk of eutrophication, algal growth and toxicity of water bodies (Derlet et al., 2008). In parts of some mountain destinations, such as in the Huascaran and Aconcagua National Parks in Peru and Argentina, grazing and pastoralist activities are also permitted, adding to the environmental stress andwaste issues.

TOURISM IMPACT ON ACONCAGUA PROVINCIAL PARK - ARGENTINA (for the season 2010-2011)

number of visitors

574 m³ of black water 812 m³ of grey water HUMAN & ANIMAL WASTE

via flush toilets

Plaza Guanaco 3760m

CHILE

Casa de Piedra 3240m

not properly disposed of

Mulas 4320m

number of pack animals

Mt. Aconcagua 6961m

Aconcagua Provincial Park

ARGENTINA

299 000 kg of manure 65 m³ of urine

200 kg of faeces 60 m³ of urine

Source: BARROS, A. & et al (2015) “Desktop analysis of potential impacts of visitor

Horcones 2920m

released in nature

Vacas 2420m

use.” Journal of Environmental Management .

11 kg

48 kg of Phosphate 27 kg

600 kg of Nitrogen

CHILE

ARGENTINA

10 km

Alpine steppe vegetation Black water: waste water and sewage from toilets ; Grey water: relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances. Tourist trail Camp site Environmental stress due to human actions

1 000 visitors

1 000 pack animals

47