Trace elements and stable isotopes in penguin chicks and eggs: A baseline for monitoring the Ross Sea MPA and trophic transfer studies

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:170

Article

Calizza, Edoardo^1,2  Signa, Geraldina^2,3  Rossi, Loreto^1,2  Vizzini, Salvatrice^2,3  Careddu, Giulio^1,2  Tramati, Cecilia Doriana^2,3  Sporta Caputi, Simona^1,2  Mazzola, Antonio^2,3  Costantini, Maria Letizia^1,2 

[1] Sapienza Univ Rome, Dept Environm Biol, Via Sardi 70, I-00185 Rome, Italy

[2] Natl Interuniv Consortium Marine Sci, CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, I-00196 Rome, Italy

[3] Univ Palermo, Dept Earth & Marine Sci, Via Archirafi 18, I-90123 Palermo, Italy

关键词: Antarctica;    Pygoscelis adeliae;    Aptenodytes forsteri;    Contamination;    Internal tissues;    Food web;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112667

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Multi-tissue trace elements (TEs), C, N concentrations and stable isotopes (delta C-13, delta N-15) of chick carcasses and eggs of Ade ' lie and Emperor penguins were studied to i) provide reference data before the recent institution of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (Antarctica), and ii) provide conversion factors that allow estimating C, N, delta C-13 and delta N-15 in edible tissues from non-edible ones, thus improving the use of stable isotopes in contamination and trophic transfer studies. Higher concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn and Pb were found in chick carcasses than in eggs, suggesting increasing contamination in recent decades and high toxicity risks for penguin consumers. Isotopic conversion factors highlighted small differences among body tissues and conspecifics. These values suggest that chick carcasses are reliable indicators of the energy pathways underlying the two penguin species, their trophic position in the food web and their exposure to TEs.

【 授权许可】

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