Assessing the trophic ecology and migration on the exposure of cape petrels and Wilson's storm petrels from Antarctica to perfluoroalkylated substances, trace and major elements
Janeide Padilha, Sônia Barbosa dos Santos, Tim Willems, Juliana Souza‐Kasprzyk, Ângela Leite, Larissa Schmauder Teixeira da Cunha, Erli Schneider Costa, Adriana R. L. Pessôa, Marcel Eens, Els Prinsen, João Paulo Machado Torres, Krishna Das, Gilles Lepoint, Paulo R. Dorneles, Lieven Bervoets, Thimo Groffen
Abstract
Chemical pollution is a global concern as contaminants are transported and reach even the remote regions of Antarctica . Seabirds serve as important sentinels of pollution due to their high trophic position and wide distribution. This study examines the influence of migration and trophic ecology on the exposure of two Antarctic seabirds, Wilson's storm petrel ( Oceanites oceanicus - Ooc), and Cape petrel ( Daption capense - Dca), to chemical elements and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Our methodology involved assessing the concentration of these pollutants in feather samples obtained from carcasses, offering a practical means for monitoring contamination. Trace and major element concentrations were comparable in both species, suggesting that migratory patterns have a minimal impact on exposure levels. However, Ooc had higher concentration of PFAS compared to Dca (mean, ng g −1 dry weight, PFOA : Ooc:0.710, Dca:0.170; PFTrDA: Ooc:0.550, Dca:0.360, and PFTeDA: Ooc:1.01, Dca:0.190), indicating that migration to the more polluted Northern Hemisphere significantly affects PFAS exposure. Furthermore, while no strong associations were found between either trace elements or PFAS and the three stable isotopes (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ 34 S), a negative association was observed between PFUnDA and δ 15 N, hinting at potential biodilution. The research concludes that the migratory patterns of these seabird species affect their PFAS exposure, underscoring the critical need for further exploration and understanding of these relationships to better inform conservation strategies.