Concentration of trace metals in excrements of two species of penguins from different locations of the Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract

The presence of metals in Antarctica is becoming an issue that needs to be more investigated as human presence is increasing in the region, especially in the Antarctic Peninsula, where most of the polar animals, scientific bases and tourists are concentrated. Penguins are endemic species of Antarctica situated at the top of food web and are useful sentinels of pollution. To improve data of trace metal contamination in the Antarctic Peninsula region, concentrations of Cd, Pb, As, Cu and Zn in fresh excrement of penguins were determined by atomic absorption. Samples were collected in several locations during the 2011/2012 austral summer: eight sites (O’Higgins Station, Yankee Harbour, Mikkelsen Harbor, Danco Island, Gonzalez Videla Base, Yelcho Station and Brown Station) from gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) colonies and four locations (Hydrurga Rocks, Cape Shirreff, Narebski Point and Kopaitic Island) from chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colonies. Data showed that gentoo penguin colonies had higher levels of metals (μg g−1 dw) like Pb, Cu and Zn at locations such as O’Higgins (2.89 for Pb, 199.95 for Cu and 379.99 for Zn) and Gonzalez Videla (2.74 for Pb and 222.51 for Cu). Levels of Cd in excreta of chinstrap penguins were higher at Narebski Point (3.13 μg g−1). The levels of Pb, As, Cd, Cu and Zn were similar or even higher to those reported in excreta of the same species by previous studies at Antarctica. Data suggest that metals ingested by these two penguin species feeding in the sea end up in terrestrial ecosystems.