Penguins as bioindicators of mercury contamination in the southern Indian Ocean: geographical and temporal trends

摘要: Penguins have been recently identified as useful bioindicators of mercury (Hg) transfer to food webs in the Southern Ocean over different spatial and temporal scales. Here, feather Hg concentrations were measured in adults chicks all the seven penguin species breeding southern Indian Ocean, over a large latitudinal gradient spanning Antarctic, subantarctic subtropical sites. was also measured feathers museum specimens penguins collected at same sites 1950s and 1970s. Our aim evaluate geographical historical variations penguins, while accounting for feeding habits by using stable isotope technique (d13C, habitat; d15N, diet/trophic level). Adult contemporary individuals ranged from 0.7 ± 0.2 to 5.9 1.9 mg g1 dw Adelie gentoo respectively. Inter-specific differences accumulation were strong among both chicks, mainly linked habits. Overall, penguin that feed Antarctic waters had lower than those in subantarctic waters, irrespective age class dietary group, suggesting Hg incorporation into depending on water mass. While accounting habits, we detected species. Notably, the subantarctic macaroni higher burdens rather sample, despite similar or trophic levels, Whereas increases Hg deposition documented Hemisphere, future monitoring is highly needed confirm not this trend especially context actual changing Hg emission patterns global warming.