A scientific team has confirmed the “widespread presence” of microplastics in the diet of penguins in Antarctica, after analyzing the faeces of three species of these animals in different places and years.
Among other particles of human origin, the researchers identified polyester and polyethylene.
Publish the work in the magazine college ecology It was signed, among other things, by researchers from the National Museum of Natural Sciences of the Spanish Supreme Council for Scientific Research (MNCN-CSIC).
Microplastics are particles less than 5 millimeters in size and are increasingly prevalent in marine ecosystems, which is a concern as they persist in the environment and accumulate in feeding chains, according to a CSIC statement.
“These pollutants reach the seas and oceans mainly through litter and waste generated by human activities,” explains Andres Barbosa, MNCN scientist and author of the work.
Fishing boats and cruise ships are among the culprits
Given the low human presence in the Antarctic Ocean and Antarctica, low pollution by microplastics is expected.
However, research stations, fishing boats, tourist boats and ocean currents make these particles reach these habitats, which can cause a high concentration at the local level, says Jose Xavier, a researcher at the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and one of the authors.
Although far from human societies, Antarctic penguins consume microplastics
For this, the feces of three species of penguin were analyzed: the adelie penguin (“Pygoscelis adeliae”), the chinstrap (“Pygoscelis Antarcticus”) and the gentoo (“Pygoscelis papua”).
The results show that the diet of the three species consists of different proportions of Antarctic krill, 85% in the case of the Adélie penguin; 66% in the chin strap, and finally 54% in Papua.
“Microplastics were found in 15, 28 and 29% of the samples, respectively, in the three species studied,” details Joanna Fragao, of the University of Coimbra.
The frequency of appearance of these substances was similar in all colonies, indicating that there was no specific point of origin for pollution within the Scotia Sea.
EL (efe, STE)
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An expedition to the Antarctic reveals a significant decline in the number of penguins
Antarctica mission
In early 2020, a group of scientists from two American universities embarked on an expedition to Antarctica. They studied the impact of climate change in the region. In particular, they wanted to assess the number of chinstrap penguins still living in West Antarctica, compared to the last study of its population, in the 1970s.
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An expedition to the Antarctic reveals a significant decline in the number of penguins
meek and inquisitive
Chinstrap penguins live on the islands and coasts of the South Pacific and Antarctic Oceans. They are named after the narrow black stripe across their heads. Before scientists hear their loud cries, the pungent smell indicates the presence of a nearby colony. Penguins have not yet learned to fear humans, so they ignore their visitors.
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An expedition to the Antarctic reveals a significant decline in the number of penguins
Amazing results
Scientists used manual techniques and drones to count the penguins. Their findings revealed that some of the colonies had injuries of more than 70%. “The declines we’ve seen are certainly dramatic,” Steve Forrest, a conservation biologist who was part of the expedition, told Reuters.
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An expedition to the Antarctic reveals a significant decline in the number of penguins
The food chain is shrinking
Chinstrap penguins feed on fish and crustaceans, such as krill, shrimp, and squid. They can swim up to 80 kilometers from shore every day to get their food. Their narrow feathers act as a waterproof layer and allow them to swim in icy waters. But climate change is reducing the abundance of krill, making it difficult for birds to survive.
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An expedition to the Antarctic reveals a significant decline in the number of penguins
Operational challenges
They choose to nest in remote, hard-to-reach places. When breeding, they build nests of stones and lay two eggs. Both males and females work in shifts of 6 days each to incubate the eggs. But as global warming melts the ice sheet and reduces the abundance of food, reproduction becomes less successful.
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An expedition to the Antarctic reveals a significant decline in the number of penguins
Broader effects of a changing environment
There are an estimated eight million penguins around the world, so until now, there wasn’t much to worry about. But in the past 50 years, its population on the Antarctic Peninsula has more than halved. Chinstrap penguins are in no danger of imminent extinction, but their declining numbers are a stark warning of major environmental changes.
Author: Anne Sophie Brendelin
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