Abstract
Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine regions on Earth, but evidences of global and local anthropogenic pollution exist. Chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are bioaccumulated and sometimes biomagnified through the trophic web. We aim to determine whether a latitudinal gradient of these trace elements exists in benthic organisms along the rocky shores of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Levels of Cr, Pb, and Hg were measured by ICP-MS in two macroalgae (Palmaria decipiens and Desmarestia anceps or Desmarestia menziesii), one gastropod (Nacella concinna), two starfishes (Odontaster validus and Diplasterias brucei), and suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) from five sampling sites ranging in latitude from 62°11′17″S to 67°33′47″S. Levels of trace elements differed among sites and species, but no latitudinal gradient was observed for these pollutants. Levels of Hg and Pb in animals were consistent with biomagnifications along the food web, as were higher is starfish than in limpets. However, macroalgae and SPOM are unlikely to be the main primary producers supporting those consumers, as Hg levels in macroalgae and Pb levels in SPOM were much higher than in animals. The levels of trace elements detected were similar or higher than in other Antarctic places and other regions of the world, thus indicating that the Antarctic Peninsula area is as polluted as the rest of the world.
Highlights
Trace elements current average concentration is less than about 100 parts per million atoms or less than 100 μg g−11
There is a wealth of studies reporting the levels of trace elements in Antarctic, benthic organisms[11,26,27,28,29], but we are not aware of any study addressing the existence of a latitudinal gradient in the levels of any trace element in benthic species
The main aim of this study is to assess and compare the levels of the three trace elements (Cr, Pb, and Hg) in suspended particulate organic matter and five benthic species from shallow, sheltered rocky bottom ecosystems along a latitudinal gradient along the South Shetland Islands and the western Antarctic Peninsula to test the hypothesis that the pollution levels decrease southward in parallel to human activity
Summary
Trace elements current average concentration is less than about 100 parts per million atoms (ppma) or less than 100 μg g−11 They occur naturally in the earth crust, being present in soil parent materials and in the surface soil in variable proportions[2,3,4], but human activities, mainly mining, metal processing, fossil fuel combustion, use of pesticides, and waste disposal have introduced high quantities of them in the environment, resulting in significant pollution levels[2,3,5,6,7]. Jerez et al.[25] reported a latitudinal gradient in the levels of Pb, Cr, Al, and Mn in feathers of Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae nesting along the Antarctic Peninsula Such pattern might not exist for species inhabiting shallow benthic habitats, more influenced by local processes. Hg is interesting because it biomagnifies through the food chain and may be useful as trophic tracer[40]
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