A geochemical method for the reconstruction of the occupation history of a penguin colony in the maritime Antarctic

A geochemical method, mainly based upon analyses of bio-elements in the sediments from the inter-zone depression between a penguin colony and tundra vegetation, was proposed and applied to reconstruct the occupation history of a penguin colony in the maritime Antarctic. The results from the samples of Ardley Island and Barton Peninsula revealed a general, seesaw-like relationship between a penguin colony and tundra vegetation and several basic occupation patterns. This method and the results may provide new and valuable information about the history of penguin-colony occupation and the paleoenvironment in the maritime Antarctic.