微塑料的流行(MPs,<5毫米)在自然环境中存在巨大的全球环境威胁,从北极到南极洲都可以找到MP,包括冰川。尽管分布广泛,关于居住在极地地区的顶端捕食者中MP积累的研究仍然有限。这项研究的目的是进行全面检查,第一次,MP在Adélie企鹅各种器官和组织中的生物积累。这项调查包括胃肠道(GIT),scat,内脏器官(肺,气管,脾,脾和肝脏)和从斯文纳岛收集的组织(肌肉)样本,在2019-2020年第39次印度对南极洲的考察中,南极洲。我们的分析显示,整个GIT有34名议员,scat,肺,和气管样本,在肌肉中没有检测到国会议员,脾,脾或肝脏组织。显著观察到蓝色微纤维(>50%)和尺寸小于1mm(38%)的MP。利用μ-FTIR光谱的聚合物表征确定低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)(〜63%)为主要的聚合物类型。MP纤维在胃肠道和Adélie企鹅粪便中的积累可能源于海洋环境介质和猎物生物。此外,气管和肺中LDPE纤维的存在可能是通过吸入和随后沉积源自局部和远程空气传播源的MP而发生的。气管内20至100μm之间的纤维的鉴定表明,似乎有可能发生MPs的细胞沉积。总体而言,我们的发现为顶点捕食者中MP的器官特异性积累提供了宝贵的见解。阿德利企鹅成为有前途的环境生物监测物种,提供有关MP在寒冷环境中的潜在营养转移的见解。
The prevalence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in natural environments presents a formidable global environmental threat MPs can be found from the Arctic to
Antarctica, including glaciers. Despite their widespread distribution, studies on MP accumulation in apex predators inhabiting Polar Regions remain limited. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination, for the first time, of MP bioaccumulation in various organs and tissue of Adélie penguins. This investigation comprehends the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), scat, internal organ (lung, trachea, spleen, and liver) and tissue (muscle) samples collected from Svinner Island,
Antarctica during the 39th Indian expedition to
Antarctica in 2019-2020. Our analyses revealed the presence of 34 MPs across the GIT, scat, lung, and trachea samples, with no MPs detected in muscle, spleen, or liver tissues. Blue-colored microfibers (>50 %) and MPs smaller than 1 mm (38 %) in size were prominently observed. Polymer characterization utilizing μ-FTIR spectroscopy identified low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (~63 %) as the predominant polymer type. The accumulation of MP fibers in the gastrointestinal tract and scat of Adélie penguins may originate from marine ambient media and prey organisms. Furthermore, the presence of LDPE fibers in the trachea and lungs likely occurred through inhalation and subsequent deposition of MPs originating from both local and long-range airborne sources. The identification of fibers ranging between 20 and 100 μm within the trachea suggests a plausible chance of cellular deposition of MPs. Overall our findings provide valuable insights into the organ-specific accumulation of MPs in apex predators. Adélie penguins emerge as promising environmental bio-monitoring species, offering insights into the potential trophic transfer of MPs within frigid environments.