Assessment of trace metals and porphyrins in excreta of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in different locations of the northern coast of Chile

Abstract

To add data on trace metal contamination of Humboldt penguins in the South Pacific, levels of trace metals (As, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd) and porphyrins (copro-, uro-, and proto-) in excreta of Humboldt penguins that inhabit some important nesting sites on the northern coast of Chile were determined. Fresh excreta were collected on Pan de Azúcar Island, Chañaral Island, and Cachagua Island, from December 2011 to January 2012. Concentration of metals was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, whereas porphyrins levels were measured by fluorimetric analysis. Concentrations (dry weight) of Cu (199.67 μg g(-1)), As (7.85 μg g(-1)), and Pb (12.78 μg g(-1)) were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in Cachagua Island. Colonies from Pan de Azúcar Island showed the highest levels of Hg (0.76 μg g(-1)), Cd (47.70 μg g(-1)), and Zn (487.10 μg g(-1)). Samples from Cachagua Island showed the highest (p ≤ 0.05) levels of copro- (2.16 nmol g(-1)), uro- (2.20 nmol g(-1)), and protoporphyrins (2.23 nmol g(-1)). There was a positive correlation between the metals As, Pb, and Cu with uro-, copro-, and protoporphyrins. The results indicated that penguin colonies from Cachagua Island are more exposed to metal contamination than penguin colonies from Pan de Azúcar and Chañaral Islands, thus being more likely to develop certain diseases caused by contamination with metals. Considering biomagnification, the metals detected in the excreta of Humboldt penguins can be a source of contamination from marine environments to terrestrial ecosystems, which could also affect other living organisms.

Seabird colonies as relevant sources of pollutants in Antarctic ecosystems: Part 1 - Trace elements

“…Moreover, Cd concentrations remained under the limit of detection in all but one of the soil control sites suggesting the input of this element starkly linked to the bird colonies. Overall results seem in agreement with excreta and soil data (Celis et al, 2015;Espejo et al, 2014). The fact that most of the times colony soil samples present higher values when compared to excreta emphasizes the role of the former as a sink of trace elements.…”

“…Zvěřina et al, 2016) as an important secondary contaminants source for terrestrial or coastal Polar ecosystems. In addition, studies pointing out the concentration of trace elements in seabird faeces (Celis et al, 2015;Espejo et al, 2014;Finger et al, 2017) reinforce the fact that this input should be more deeply explored.…”

“…However, this input of nutrients given by bird colonies comes along with an input of contaminants as well, by a more direct influence of the contaminants present in the excretion itself (Espejo et al, 2014;Nie et al, 2012;Rudolph et al, 2016) or of the transport of trace elements during biogeochemical cycles (e.g. Malandrino et al, 2009;Zheng et al, 2015).…”

Trace Element Concentrations in Biotic Matrices of Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis Papua) and Coastal Soils from Different Locations of the Antarctic Peninsula

“…In addition to that, our Pb levels overcame by about 4 times the values reported by Ancora et al (2002) in excreta of Adélie penguins. Our Pb levels were about 6 times lower than those found by Celis et al (2014) in Humboldt penguin excreta from the northern of Chile. When comparing with other regions and species, our Pb levels are lower than 10 mg kg −1 d.w. as described in faeces from other species of birds from noncontaminated areas of the world (Beyer et al 1997;Mateo et al 2006;Martinez-Haro et al 2010).…”

“…Our Cd levels are 13 % lower than those Cd levels found by Espejo et al (2014) in Gentoo penguins from Mikkelsen Harbor and Chinstrap penguins in Hydrurga Rocks. Our Cd levels are about 16 times lower than those levels found by Celis et al (2014) in excreta of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) from the northern of Chile.…”