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

Abstract

The aim of this work is to increase the information on trace metals in seabirds and coastal soils in the Antarctica. Concentrations (mg kg −1 dry weight) of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mn, Zn and Pb were determined by ICP-MS in fresh excreta and feathers of Gentoo penguins as well as in soils around the nesting sites where this species inhabits. Samples were collected in four locations throughout the Antarctic Peninsula (January 2014): O'Higgins Base, Stranger Point, Neko Harbor and Doumer Island. The highest levels of elements were found in excreta from O'Higgins Base (2.92, 266.83, 2.99, 44.75, 18.15, 1.68 and 317.92 for Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively) and Stranger Point (1.97, 222.51, 2.98, 36.62, 13.41, 1.46 and 201.18 for Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. Similarly, the highest levels were found in feathers from O'Higgins , Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively). In soils, the highest levels were found in O'Higgins Base (4.31, 421.94, 64.75, 404.76, 28.13, 281.54 and 484.99 for Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively), whereas the lowest levels were found in Neko Harbor and Doumer Island. These results observed could be related to the major human presence in the northern area of the Antarctic Peninsula and large-scale transport of pollutants. The metals detected in the excreta of the Gentoo penguin can contribute to increase the contamination of coastal 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.…”

“…It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that seabird colonies enrich their ecosystems as a whole, in a mass balance perspective. Given that previous literature indicates that seabird faeces contain not only organic matter, but various of the concerned trace elements in the present work (Celis et al, 2015(Celis et al, , 2014Espejo et al, 2014;Finger et al, 2017), one can assume that the same affirmation made for organic matter is also valid for trace elements. To corroborate this assumption, literature brings also positive inputs for some trace elements in the Southern Ocean, for instance Hg (Cossa et al, 2011).…”

“…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.…”

Seabird colonies as relevant sources of pollutants in Antarctic ecosystems: Part 2 - Persistent Organic Pollutants

“…The first one, besides the previously discussed occurrence in lichens, was also found in several of the trace elements (Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and V) analysed in the first part of the study (Cipro et al, 2018a). Some of these, particularly Mn and Pb, have already been reported with comparatively higher concentrations in Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) faeces (Celis et al, 2015) and, therefore, might confirm the role of colonies as secondary sources for PCBs in an analogous manner. The correlation between HCB and δ 13 C is at a first glance, somewhat contrary to the previous literature that suggests lower δ 13 C values are related to moister habitats and marine influence (Cipro et al, 2011;Huiskes et al, 2006;Lee et al, 2009), since mosses are more water dependant than lichens, negative correlations were to be expected.…”

Soil features in rookeries of Antarctic penguins reveal sea to land biotransport of chemical pollutants

“…The possible increase of metal concentration in Antarctic soils via penguin excreta has been suggested by several authors [ 16 , 17 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], though its influence on both the chemical and biological features of the affected soils was not jointly demonstrated so far. Penguins are placed in a high trophic level within the food web, and they are potential sentinels of pollution as they can be easily monitored, have a wide-range, and are abundant and long-living [ 26 ].…”