Ecological monitoring in the region of Akademik Vernadsky Antarctic Station

General issues of ecological monitoring in the region of the Ukrainian Antarctic Station 'Akademik Vernadskij' are presented. Basic information on water circulation, temporal (daily and annual) and spatial variability of hydrological and hydrochemical parameters as well as the vertical water structure are presented on the basis of 1997-1998 experimental data. The description of the current state of the chemical pollution of the basic elements of the Argentina Archipelago Islands shallow water ecosystem is given. The broad spectrum of pollutants, such as oil pollution, including carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons, highly toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons, heavy metals have been found in the majority of the ecosystem elements under analysis. The local areas of oil pollution were found in the region of Galindez Isles.