Abstract
Penguins are reliable sentinels for environmental assessments of mercury (Hg) due to their longevity, abundance, high trophic level, and relatively small foraging areas. We analyzed Hg concentrations from blood and feathers of adult Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) and feathers of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) from different reproductive colonies with variable degrees of urbanization and industrialization along the Chilean and Antarctic coasts. We evaluated Hg concentration differences between species, sexes (Humboldt penguins), and localities. Our results showed significantly greater levels in Humboldt penguins than in chinstrap penguins and nonsignificant differences between sexes among Humboldts. Penguin Hg concentrations showed a latitudinal pattern, with greater values of the metal at lower latitudes, independent of the species. Both studied penguin species showed elevated Hg concentrations compared to their congeners, highlighting the necessity to investigate potential negative effects on their populations. Although differences between species are possibly due to variation in diet and trophic level, our results suggest an important effect of the degree of Hg pollution adjacent to foraging areas. Further research on Hg content in prey species and environmental samples, together with a larger overall sample size, and investigation on penguin’s diet and trophic level are needed to elucidate Hg bioavailability in each location and the role of local Hg pollution levels. Likewise, it is important to monitor Hg and other heavy metals of ecotoxicological importance in penguin populations in vulnerable regions of Chile.
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Acknowledgements
Financial support for this study was provided by Fondecyt Nos. 11110060 and 1170972, INACH T 12_13, and CONICYT Master Scholarship. Laboratory analyses were performed at the Heavy Metals Laboratory (DECOL) of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and at the Heavy Metal Laboratory of the Universidad Andrés Bello. The authors thank Daniel González’s team for their contribution in sampling and Roberto Meléndez and Sebastian Klarian’s team for their help with laboratory work. Thanks to Nicole Sallaberry, Cayetano Espinosa, Bárbara Ramos, Fernanda Norambuena, Jose Luis Vega, Marcela Jauregui, and Betsy Pincheira for their support in fieldwork, lab analyses and English revision. Finally, the authors thank the journal’s reviewers for their comments and suggestions that helped us improve this manuscript.
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Álvarez-Varas, R., Morales-Moraga, D., González-Acuña, D. et al. Mercury Exposure in Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) Penguins Throughout the Chilean Coast and Antarctica. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 75, 75–86 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-0529-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-0529-7