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 Base (0.21, 20.89, 1.44, 1.19, 5.90, 0.63 and 64.07 for Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively) and Stranger Point (0.14, 19.65, 1.47, 1.23, 3.85, 0.60 and 64.19 for Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, 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.