Abstract
While long-range transport is believed to be the primary source of mercury (Hg) in Antarctica, it is known that seabirds transport organic matter, nutrients, and contaminants from the sea to land. However, these biologically mediated inputs have not been widely evaluated. Anthropogenic contamination and natural occurrence have increased Hg in the environment. Antarctic seabirds, such as penguins and shags, form dense colonies and may provide an important local source of Hg input. This study determined the concentrations of total mercury (THg) in ornithogenic soils associated with eight species of seabirds on King George Island (Antarctica Peninsula) and evaluated species-specific differences. Soils from colonies of Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus; mean ± SD, 213 ± 132 ng g−1) and Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps; 144 ± 54 ng g−1) had significantly higher THg concentrations than non-ornithogenically influenced (29 ± 35 ng g−1) soil samples. Soils associated with Southern Giant Petrels also had significantly higher THg than those of Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus; mean 17 ± 15 ng g−1), which we speculate is a result of petrels occupying a higher trophic position in the marine food web, which leads to a greater accumulation of Hg in their organism, then being excreted through guano. Moreover, a moderate relationship observed between THg-Cd and THg-SOM suggests an influence of those species. Our data confirm that Antarctic seabird colonies are associated with higher soil THg concentrations and report the higher concentration for ornithogenically influenced soil (508 ng g−1) in a level similar to an anthropogenic site and highlight the need for a more thorough evaluation.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq/MCTIC: 557049/2009-1). We thank the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) and the Secretaria da Comissão Interministerial para os Recursos do Mar (SECIRM/ Brazilian Navy) for logistical support. We also thank researchers from the “Pinguins and Skuas” Project who participated in the fieldwork. JSK is supported by HighChem—interdisciplinary and international doctoral studies with elements of support for intersectoral cooperation (POWR.03.02.00-00-I020/17) and PC by NERC core funding to the BAS ‘Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation’ Team.
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq/MCTIC:557049/2009-1, CNPq/MCTIC:557049/2009-1.
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TAS performed the laboratory, statistical, and data analysis and contributed to the original draft of the manuscript. JSK designed the study, collected samples, analysed the data and contributed to the original draft of the manuscript. JAGP designed the study, collected samples, analysed the data and contributed to the original draft of the manuscript. PC contributed to data interpretation, discussion, and edited and revised the manuscript. ESC conceived and designed the research project, collected samples and obtained funding for this study. JPMT conceived and designed the research project and obtained funding for this study. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Soares, T.A., Souza-Kasprzyk, J., de Assis Guilherme Padilha, J. et al. Ornithogenic mercury input to soils of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Polar Biol 47, 891–901 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03162-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03162-4