Perfluoroalkylated compounds in the eggs and feathers of resident and migratory seabirds from the Antarctic Peninsula

In this study, we investigated factors that influence the differences in exposure of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from eight species of Antarctic seabirds, including Pygoscelis penguins, Stercorarius maccormicki, and Macronectes giganteus. We analyzed the relationship between foraging ecology (based on delta C-13, delta N-15, and delta S-34 values) and PFAAs accumulated in eggs and breast feathers. Ten out of 15 targeted PFAAs were detected in eggs compared to eight in feathers. Mean Sigma PFAA concentrations in feathers ranged from 0.47 in P. antarcticus to 17.4 ng/g dry weight (dw) in S. maccormicki. In eggs, Sigma PFAA concentrations ranged from 3.51 in P. adeliae to 117 ng/g dw in S. maccormicki. The highest concentrations of most PFAAs were found in trans-equatorial migrators such as S. maccormicki, probably due their high trophic position and higher concentrations of PFAAs in the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern Hemisphere. Based on stable isotopes correlations, our results suggest that the trophic position (delta N-15) and the foraging area (delta C-13 and delta S-34) influence PFAAs concentrations in Antarctic seabirds. Our results point to the possibility that long-distance migratory birds may have as bio-vectors in the transport of pollutants, including PFCAs, in Antarctic environments, although this must be further confirmed in future studies using a mass balanced approach, such as extractable organofluorine (EOF).

Automated summary

This study investigated the factors influencing the differences in PFAA exposure among different species of Antarctic seabirds, and found that trophic position and foraging area were correlated with PFAA concentrations. The results suggest that long-distance migratory birds may play a role in the transport of pollutants in the Antarctic environment.