Antarctica is one of the most remote regions on the planet, where many species of penguins inhabit. One of these species is the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), which occupies a high trophic level. Blood is an important indicator of short-term exposure to mercury (Hg) in avian species, however there are few publications investigating methylmercury (MeHg) in Antarctic penguin blood. During the austral summer of 2016, thirty adult specimens of Adélie penguins were captured at three locations of the King George Island and the north-west Antarctic Peninsula. This study determined by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, Hg levels in the blood of adult Adélie penguins. Concentrations of MeHg ranged from 22.0 to 323.3 (ng/g dw), while concentrations of total Hg (THg) ranged from 31.9 to 410.1 (ng/g dw). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report MeHg levels in the blood of adult Adélie penguins in these locations. The results showed that the highest Hg levels were found where human activities are more prevalent. Future studies are needed to determine the actual impact of these activities on local Hg contamination.

中文翻译：

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南极半岛地区阿德利企鹅 （Pygoscelis adeliae） 血液中的总汞和甲基汞含量


南极洲是地球上最偏远的地区之一，许多种类的企鹅栖息在那里。其中一个物种是阿德利企鹅 （Pygoscelis adeliae），它占据了很高的营养级。血液是鸟类短期接触汞 （Hg） 的重要指标，但很少有出版物研究南极企鹅血液中的甲基汞 （MeHg）。在 2016 年的南方夏季，在乔治王岛和南极半岛西北部的三个地点捕获了 30 只成年阿德利企鹅标本。这项研究通过原子荧光光谱法确定了成年阿德利企鹅血液中的汞水平。甲基汞浓度范围为 22.0 至 323.3 （ng/g dw），而总汞 （THg） 浓度范围为 31.9 至 410.1 （ng/g dw）。据我们所知，这是第一项报告这些地方成年 Adélie 企鹅血液中 MeHg 水平的研究。结果表明，在人类活动更普遍的地方，汞含量最高。需要进一步的研究来确定这些活动对当地汞污染的实际影响。