Distribution of metals and trace elements in adult and juvenile penguins from the Antarctic Peninsula area

Abstract

The presence of metals in the Antarctic environment is a natural phenomenon caused by geochemical characteristics of the region, however some anthropogenic activities can increase these natural levels. Antarctic penguins present several characteristics to become useful sentinels of pollution in Antarctica and can give away phenomena of accumulation and magnification of toxic metals. Concentrations of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb were determinated by ICP-MS in liver, kidney, muscle, bone, feather and stomach contents of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin (12 adults, 5 juveniles) collected opportunistically in the Antarctic Peninsula area. The obtained results showed that bioaccumulation and biomagnification phenomena of several metals are ocurring, so that Cd and Se reached leves potentially toxic in some penguin specimens. The presence of human activities in Antarctica seems to be increasing the presence of toxic metals such as Mn, Cr, Ni or Pb in penguins.