Total mercury and methylmercury levels in blood of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from the Antarctic Peninsula area

Antarctica is one of the most remote regions on the planet, where many species of penguins inhabit. One of these species is the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), which occupies a high trophic level. Blood is an important indicator of short-term exposure to mercury (Hg) in avian species, however there are few publications investigating methylmercury (MeHg) in Antarctic penguin blood. During the austral summer of 2016, thirty adult specimens of Adélie penguins were captured at three locations of the King George Island and the north-west Antarctic Peninsula. This study determined by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, Hg levels in the blood of adult Adélie penguins. Concentrations of MeHg ranged from 22.0 to 323.3 (ng/g dw), while concentrations of total Hg (THg) ranged from 31.9 to 410.1 (ng/g dw). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report MeHg levels in the blood of adult Adélie penguins in these locations. The results showed that the highest Hg levels were found where human activities are more prevalent. Future studies are needed to determine the actual impact of these activities on local Hg contamination.