Effect of diet on the capacity to remove mercury from the body of a penguin (<b><i>Spheniscus demersus</i></b>) living in the ZOO

Falkowska, Lucyna; Szumiło, Emilia; Hajdryh, J.; Grajewska, Agnieszka; Bełdowska, Magdalena; Krause, Izabela

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/20130112002

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…The mercury content we found in the feathers of the Humboldt penguins was in the range of the mercury levels found in penguins that forage in environments with a moderate degree of pollution (Dunlop et al 2013;Finger et al 2015), and was comparable to previous investigations in the African penguin (Falkowska et al 2013a;Squadrone et al 2018) ex-situ. In these studies, Hg levels in fish (the only source of food) were comparable, and in the range of 0.022-0.069 mg Kg -1 , demonstrating an important bio-magnification of this metal in captive penguins, which were shown to have Hg levels in their feathers in the range (mean values) of 2.0-2.8 mg Kg -1 .…”

Section: 1supporting

confidence: 89%

Humboldt penguins' feathers as bioindicators of metal exposure

Squadrone

Brizio

Favaro

et al. 2019

Science of The Total Environment

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Avian feathers have the potential to accumulate trace elements originating from contaminated food and polluted environments. In fact, in feathers, metals bind to keratin, a sulphur-containing protein for which several metals have a strong affinity. Here, the concentrations of 18 essential and nonessential elements were investigated in a Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) colony housed at the Acquario di Cattolica (Italy). This species is listed as vulnerable in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to the literature, there is usually a link between metal levels in the diet of birds and levels detected in their feathers. Thus, metals were also determined in the penguins' food (capelin, Mallotus villosus). We hypothesize that the controlled conditions in which birds are kept in captivity, and the homogeneous diet that they follow could allow a better understanding of metal bioaccumulation (such as mercury) or bio-dilution (such as arsenic) in the marine food chain, indicated by penguins' feathers. Moreover, comparisons with our previous investigations performed on an ex-situ African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colony suggest that penguins living indoors have lower body burden of metals than those living outdoors. Indeed, environmental contaminants usually found in areas subjected to anthropogenic impact, where zoos and aquaria are often located, are not accumulated to levels of concern.

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Section: 1supporting

confidence: 89%

Humboldt penguins' feathers as bioindicators of metal exposure

Squadrone

Brizio

Favaro

et al. 2019

Science of The Total Environment

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Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care

Squadrone

Abete

Brizio

et al. 2018

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol

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Bird feathers have been proven to be reliable indicators of metal exposure originating from contaminated food and polluted environments. The concentrations of 15 essential and non-essential metals were investigated in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) feathers from a Northwestern Italian zoological facility. These birds are exclusively fed with herring from the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Certain elements, such as Hg and Cd, reflected the bioaccumulation phenomena that occur through the marine food chain. The levels of Cr, Mn, and Ni were comparable to those registered in feathers of birds living in polluted areas. These results are important for comparative studies regarding the health, nutrition and welfare of endangered seabirds kept under human care.

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Sex- and age-related variation in metal content of penguin feathers

et al. 2015

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18The presence of xenobiotics, such as metals, in ecosystems is concerning due to their durability and 19 they pose a threat to the health and life of organisms. Moreover, mercury can biomagnify in many 20 marine food chains and, therefore, organisms at higher trophic levels can be adversely impacted. 21 Although feathers have been used extensively as a bio-monitoring tool, only a few studies have

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Effect of diet on the capacity to remove mercury from the body of a penguin (Spheniscus demersus) living in the ZOO

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Humboldt penguins' feathers as bioindicators of metal exposure

Humboldt penguins' feathers as bioindicators of metal exposure

Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care

Sex- and age-related variation in metal content of penguin feathers

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