Persistent organic pollutants and mercury in a colony of Antarctic seabirds: higher concentrations in 1998, 2001, and 2003 compared to 2014 to 2016

Abstract Over decades, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace metals like mercury (Hg) have reached the remotest areas of world such as Antarctica by atmospheric transport. Once deposited in polar areas, low temperatures, limited solar radiation lead to long environmental residence times, allowing toxic substances accumulate biota. We investigated load polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) metabolites (DDEs, DDDs) embryos from failed eggs smallest seabird breeding Antarctica, Wilson's storm-petrel ( Oceanites oceanicus ) at King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo). compared samples different developmental stages collected 2001, 2003, 2014 2016 investigate changes pollutant concentrations over time. detected eight PCBs including dioxin-like (dl) congeners PCB 105 118 (ΣPCBs: 59-3403 ng g −1 ww) well 4,4’-DDE, 4,4’-DDD (ΣDDX: 19-1035 embryos. Samples years 2001 2003 showed higher than those 2016. Concentrations DDX was similar both time intervals. Furthermore, we determined Hg egg membranes 1998 Similar PCBs, were 2016, suggesting a slow recovery pelagic Antarctic environment legacy pollutants. Embryos an increase within last third their development. This finding indicates that contaminant may differ among stages, it should be taken into account analyses on impact during embryogenesis.