Annual trends in mercury contamination are associated with changing trophic niches of giant petrels

Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 270, С. 121010 - 121010

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Assessing mercury contamination in Southern Hemisphere marine ecosystems: The role of penguins as effective bioindicators

Environmental Pollution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 343, С. 123159 - 123159

Опубликована: Дек. 15, 2023

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant known for its significant bioaccumulation and biomagnification capabilities, posing particular threat to marine environments. Seabirds have been recognized as effective bioindicators of pollution, and, among them, penguins present unique opportunity serve single taxonomic group (Sphenisciformes) monitoring Hg across distinct ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we conducted comprehensive systematic review concentrations, performed meta-analysis that took into account various sources uncertainty associated with contamination penguins. Beyond intrinsic species-specific factors shaping levels, our results showed penguin community effectively reflects spatial patterns bioavailability. We identified geographic hotspots Australia, Indian Ocean, Tierra del Fuego, well coldspots Perú South Atlantic. Furthermore, specific species, namely Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) Macaroni chrysolophus), are highlighted particularly vulnerable toxic effects Hg. Additionally, knowledge gaps areas such Galápagos Islands, Africa, coast Chile, species including Fiordland pachyrhynchus), Snares robustus), Erect-crested sclateri), Royal schlegeli), Yellow-eyed (Megadyptes antipodes), (Spheniscus mendiculus) Overall, study contributes growing body literature emphasizing role but it also highlights where further research data collection needed more understanding

Язык: Английский

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Chemical threats for the sentinel Pygoscelis adeliae from the Ross Sea (Antarctica): Occurrence and levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury within the largest marine protected area worldwide

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 947, С. 174562 - 174562

Опубликована: Июль 7, 2024

The Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (RS-MPA) hosts endemic species that have to cope with multiple threats, including chemical contamination. Adèlie penguin is considered a good sentinel for monitoring pollutants. Here, 23 unhatched eggs, collected from three colonies along the coasts, were analysed provide updated results on legacy pollutants and establish baseline newer ones. Average sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs) at ranged 20.9–24.3 ng/g lipid weight (lw) included PCBs IUPAC nos. 28, 118, 153, 138, 180. dominated by hexachlorinated congeners as previously reported. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) between 134 166 181–228 lw, respectively. Overall, ∑PCBs was exceeded pesticides, contrary previous studies Sea. Sum polybrominated diphenyl ethers (∑PBDEs) 0.90 1.18 lw consisted BDE-47 (that prevailed expected, representing 60–80 % ∑PBDEs) BDE-85. perfluoroalkyl substances (∑PFAS) 1.04 1.53 wet comprised five long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane (PFHxS) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); sulfonamide (PFOSA) also detected. PFAS profile PFCAs already observed in Arctic seabirds. Mercury 0.07 0.15 mg/kg dry similarly studies. Legacy confirmed their ongoing presence Antarctic biota levels seemed mostly line past, but minor variations some cases, likely due continued input or release past reservoirs. reported first time penguins Sea, highlighting ubiquity. Although further would be useful increase sample size accordingly improve our knowledge spatial temporal trends, this study provides interesting data future programs within RS-MPA will crucial test its effectiveness against human impacts.

Язык: Английский

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Mercury contamination of sympatric seabirds and associated health risks in an Antarctic ecosystem

Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 281, С. 121990 - 121990

Опубликована: Май 28, 2025

Antarctic marine ecosystems are located far from industrial pollution sources, yet mercury (Hg) contamination remains an important threat to regional biodiversity. Seabirds occupy mid- high trophic positions in food webs, and can show levels of Hg due biomagnification. Here, total (THg) concentrations stable isotopes carbon (δ13C) nitrogen (δ15N) were measured red blood cells brown skuas Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi (n = 44) south polar S. maccormicki 50) at King George Island/Isla 25 de Mayo (South Shetland Islands) the 2022/23 2023/24 breeding seasons. The objectives to: (i) determine current Island identify underlying drivers (e.g., species, sex, year, δ13C δ15N); (ii) compare contaminant with other sites; (iii) examine potential Hg-associated health risks. At Island, had higher THg (mean ± SD, 3.85 2.99 μg g-1 dw) than (1.67 1.25 dw), potentially their greater reliance on mesopelagic fish carry-over effects non-breeding distributions. males females, deposition into eggs by females being likeliest explanatory factor, positively related δ15N, reflecting biomagnification process. this study Hope Bay (Antarctic Peninsula), but lower South Orkney Islands (Antarctica), Georgia Kerguelen (subantarctic). analysed here Adélie Land continent). Comparisons toxicity benchmarks suggest that currently low risk impacts Island.

Язык: Английский

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Drivers of Mercury Accumulation in Juvenile Antarctic Krill, Epipelagic Fish and Adélie Penguins in Different Regions of the Southern Ocean

Environments, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12(6), С. 180 - 180

Опубликована: Май 29, 2025

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are important sinks in global mercury (Hg) cycle, marine environment, inorganic Hg can be converted by bacteria to monomethylmercury (MeHg), a highly bioavailable toxic compound that biomagnifies along food webs. In Ocean, higher concentrations of MeHg have typically been reported coastal waters Ross Amundsen Seas, where katabatic winds transport from Antarctic Plateau create polynyas, which results spring depletion events atmospheric Hg. However, some studies on biomagnification webs penguins sub-Antarctic and, unexpectedly, levels juvenile krill than those adult krill. light recent estimates phytoplankton zooplankton biomass distribution this review suggests although most refer short diatom–krill–vertebrate chain, alternative more complex pelagic exist Ocean. Thus, micro- mesozooplankton grazing very small autotrophs heterotrophs, high surface-to-volume ratios for ad-/absorption, may accumulate consumers large diatoms, such as addition, increased availability different diet contribute greater metal accumulation feathers Adélie Sea sub-Antarctic.

Язык: Английский

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Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 922, С. 171249 - 171249

Опубликована: Фев. 29, 2024

How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed risks to wildlife still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae well-known bioindicators sentinels of ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved detect stress wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes thus inferring habitat quality. Here, we investigated variation Erythrocytes Nuclear Abnormalities (ENAs) White Blood Cells (WBCs) from three clustered colonies Ross Sea, evaluating immuno-haematological according geography, breeding stage, individual penguin characteristics such as sex, body condition nest Concentrations mercury (Hg) stable isotopes carbon nitrogen (as proxies penguin's trophic ecology) were analysed feathers investigate association between biomarkers Hg contamination penguins. Colony stage not supported predictors parameters. ENAs WBCs respectively ~30 % ~20 higher male than female Body influenced WBCs, with best having ~22 level those worst condition. Nest position affected proportion micronuclei (MNs), inner-nesting more times MNs nesting peripheral positions. Heterophils:Lymphocytes (H:L) ratio was by any above predictors. Multiple factors acting expected increase prominently near future, therefore extensive monitoring aimed assess health status populations is mandatory.

Язык: Английский

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Changing the focus: The need for cross-scale dynamic management in the Southern Ocean and implications for holistic conservation of Antarctic marine living resources

Marine Policy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 170, С. 106361 - 106361

Опубликована: Авг. 30, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Squid beaks as a proxy for mercury concentrations in muscle of the giant warty squid Moroteuthopsis longimana

Marine Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 204, С. 106841 - 106841

Опубликована: Ноя. 16, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Physiological and Toxicological Effects of Nano/Microplastics on Marine Birds

Advances in environmental engineering and green technologies book series, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 257 - 288

Опубликована: Сен. 25, 2024

Micro/nano plastics are emerging as a severe threat to marine birds/ environment worldwide due anthropogenic litter. Increase in production of microplastics combined with inefficient waste management has led its bioaccumulation the environment. Marine sea birds known bioindicators for plastic pollution they get absorbed and accumulated tissues these birds. Negative effects on based toxicological consequences that can be observed their ingestion like starvation, suffocation, entanglement. In majority cases, easily taken up by which results disturbance physiology skin lesions, diminished body weight, fledgling success, reproductive output. conclusion, this chapter demonstrates current status effect microplastic ecosystem related at-risk species will help create awareness regard policies advanced technologies present reduce

Язык: Английский

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Mercury Speciation and Stable Isotopes in Emperor Penguins: First Evidence for Biochemical Demethylation of Methylmercury to Mercury-Dithiolate and Mercury-Tetraselenolate Complexes

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 485, С. 136499 - 136499

Опубликована: Ноя. 13, 2024

Язык: Английский

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