Portal de Murcia
www.portaldemurcia.com
A doctoral thesis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia by Silvia Jerez Rodriguez found "potentially toxic levels" of cadmium and selenium on the penguins of Antarctica.
This research, which analyzed the bioindicators of environmental pollution in the Antarctic Peninsula and associated islands, noted in one of its conclusions that it "might affect the region."
The dissertation shows that these animals have chosen as an object of study "because they have some useful features for monitoring pollutants, being long-lived species located at the top of the food chain."
This scientific work not only analyzed the concentrations of cadmium and selenium, but also zinc, nickel and copper, among others, in tissues and stomach contents of gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie.
This was analyzed a total of 33 bodies, along with 207 feather samples, collected in the Antarctic Peninsula between 2006 and 2010.
Among the conclusions is stated that "were identified processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification of contaminants, cadmium and selenium and potentially toxic levels were reached for penguins."
The dissertation was directed by Professor of the University of Murcia Guzman and Miguel Motas investigator Museum of Natural Sciences Research Council (CSIC) Andres Barbosa Alcon.
Source: Universidad de Murcia
Privacy policy
- Legal notice
- Cookies