The toxicant XRF-analysis of gentoo penguin feather of Petermann Island

colony, Antarctic Peninsula

Andreev A.A. (1), Andreev A.V.(1), Shnyukov S.E. (1), Milinevsky G.P. (1, 2), Morozenko V.R (1), Kursa M.O. (1, 2)

 (1) National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv

(2) National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine, Kyiv

science@uac.gov.ua

The work was supported by grant INTAS-2001 - 0571

Objective:

The results of the study the element migration The results of the study the element migration processes in Antarctic ecosystem and heavy metal processes in Antarctic ecosystem and heavy metal accumulation in gentoo penguin feather/guano are accumulation in gentoo penguin feather/guano are discussed. discussed.

Method:

The work is based on XRF multi-element method of The work is based on XRF multi-element method of analysis with 1 – 10 microgram/g detection limit for an analysis with 1 – 10 microgram/g detection limit for an element with atomic number above 20.element with atomic number above 20.

Idea:

Particular kinds of feathers and their Particular kinds of feathers and their different parts can accumulate different different parts can accumulate different amounts of elements. amounts of elements.

The moulting plumage analysis is a useful The moulting plumage analysis is a useful biology monitor for metal pollution biology monitor for metal pollution because the plumage renews annually. because the plumage renews annually.

It gives a possibility for comparison and It gives a possibility for comparison and forecasting the environmental changesforecasting the environmental changes..

There are feather samples of 39 gentoo penguins from head and chest collected at Petermann in 2005 season and 120 guano samples for four sites of colony.

Penguins & flying birds: Adélie and gentoo penguins blue-eyed shags Wilson’s storm-petrel south polar skuas

Petermann Island appears to represent thesouthernmost breeding population of gentoo penguin.

Feather sampling at Petermann Is

The samples were developed using wet air oxidation in nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide with precipitation on spectral pure carbonic dust.

The guano was dried at 30 degree Celsius.

All feather samples and 40 guano samples have been analyzed.

The percentage of Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Br, Au, Bi elements was determined.

High resolution spectrometer for micro-volume analysis

Feather head XRF-spectrum contained Au

AVERAGE ELEMENT'S CONTENT

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Fe Cu Zn Se Sr

ppm

feathers without ashing

guano without ashing

Feather and guano microelement content comparison

AVERAGE ELEMENT'S CONTENT IN FEATHERS OBTAINED BY METHOD WITH AND WITHOUT ASHING

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Fe Cu Zn Se Sr Pb

ppm

feathers with ashing

feathers without ashing

AVERAGE RELATIVE REPEATABILITY

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Fe Ni Cu Zn Se Br Sr Pb

%

feathers with ashing

feathers without ashing

guano without ashing

AVERAGE ELEMENT'S CONTENT IN HEAD AND CHEST FEATHERS

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Fe Cu Zn Se Br Sr Pb

ppm

chest

head

Conclusion

The data of the southernmost gentoo population are important as an indicator of the possible changes in the ecological system of Antarctic Peninsula.

The further investigations in this direction help to understand the elements migration processes in the Antarctic ecosystem.