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Trophic and fitness correlates of mercury and organochlorine compound residues in egg-laying Antarctic petrels
- Source :
- Environmental Research, Environmental Research, Elsevier, 2021, 193, pp.110518. ⟨10.1016/j.envres.2020.110518⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- HAL CCSD, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Understanding the drivers and effects of exposure to contaminants such as mercury (Hg) and organochlorine compounds (OCs) in Antarctic wildlife is still limited. Yet, Hg and OCs have known physiological and fitness effects in animals, with consequences on their populations. Here we measured total Hg (a proxy of methyl-Hg) in blood cells and feathers, and 12 OCs (seven polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, and five organochlorine pesticides, OCPs) in plasma of 30 breeding female Antarctic petrels Thalassoica antarctica from one of the largest colonies in Antarctica (Svarthamaren, Dronning Maud Land). This colony is declining and there is poor documentation on the potential role played by contaminants on individual physiology and fitness. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values measured in the females' blood cells and feathers served as proxies of their feeding ecology during the pre-laying (austral spring) and moulting (winter) periods, respectively. We document feather Hg concentrations (mean ± SD, 2.41 ± 0.83 μg g−1 dry weight, dw) for the first time in this species. Blood cell Hg concentrations (1.38 ± 0.43 μg g−1 dw) were almost twice as high as those reported in a recent study, and increased with pre-laying trophic position (blood cell δ15N). Moulting trophic ecology did not predict blood Hg concentrations. PCB concentrations were very low (Σ7PCBs, 0.35 ± 0.31 ng g−1 wet weight, ww). Among OCPs, HCB (1.02 ± 0.36 ng g−1 ww) and p, p’-DDE (1.02 ± 1.49 ng g−1 ww) residues were comparable to those of ecologically-similar polar seabirds, while Mirex residues (0.72 ± 0.35 ng g−1 ww) were higher. PCB and OCP concentrations showed no clear relationship with pre-laying or moulting feeding ecology, indicating that other factors overcome dietary drivers. OC residues were inversely related to body condition, suggesting stronger release of OCs into the circulation of egg-laying females upon depletion of their lipid reserves. Egg volume, hatching success, chick body condition and survival were not related to maternal Hg or OC concentrations. Legacy contaminant exposure does not seem to represent a threat for the breeding fraction of this population over the short term. Yet, exposure to contaminants, especially Mirex, and other concurring environmental stressors should be monitored over the long-term in this declining population.
- Subjects :
- [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]
Population
Antarctic Regions
Zoology
010501 environmental sciences
Biology
01 natural sciences
Biochemistry
Birds
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Dry weight
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
Animals
030212 general & internal medicine
education
ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
General Environmental Science
Trophic level
VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400
education.field_of_study
Hatching
Mercury
VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400
biology.organism_classification
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
13. Climate action
Organochlorine Compound
Bioaccumulation
[SDE]Environmental Sciences
Thalassoica antarctica
Female
Moulting
Environmental Monitoring
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00139351 and 10960953
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Environmental Research, Environmental Research, Elsevier, 2021, 193, pp.110518. ⟨10.1016/j.envres.2020.110518⟩
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....98994b25c76425dcb1314c456736f7c8