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Author Yves Cherel, Christophe Barbraud, Maxime Lahournat, Audrey Jaeger, Sébastien Jaquemet, Ross M. Wanless, Richard A. Phillips, David R. Thompson, Paco Bustamante doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Accumulate or eliminate? Seasonal mercury dynamics in albatrosses, the most contaminated family of birds Type Journal
  Year 2018 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 241 Issue Pages 124-135  
  Keywords Antarctica Feathers Foraging Methylmercury Moult Seabirds Southern ocean Stable isotopes  
  Abstract Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) are iconic pelagic seabirds whose life-history traits (longevity, high trophic position) put them at risk of high levels of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), a powerful neurotoxin that threatens humans and wildlife. Here, we report total Hg (THg) concentrations in body feathers from 516 individual albatrosses from 35 populations, including all 20 taxa breeding in the Southern Ocean. Our key finding is that albatrosses constitute the family of birds with the highest levels of contamination by Hg, with mean feather THg concentrations in different populations ranging from moderate (3.8 μg/g) to exceptionally high (34.6 μg/g). Phylogeny had a significant effect on feather THg concentrations, with the mean decreasing in the order Diomedea > Phoebetria > Thalassarche. Unexpectedly, moulting habitats (reflected in feather δ13C values) was the main driver of feather THg concentrations, indicating increasing MeHg exposure with decreasing latitude, from Antarctic to subtropical waters. The role of moulting habitat suggests that the majority of MeHg eliminated into feathers by albatrosses is from recent food intake (income strategy). They thus differ from species that depurate MeHg into feathers that has been accumulated in internal tissues between two successive moults (capital strategy). Since albatrosses are amongst the most threatened families of birds, it is noteworthy that two albatrosses listed as Critical by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) that moult and breed in temperate waters are the most Hg-contaminated species (the Amsterdam and Tristan albatrosses). These data emphasize the urgent need for robust assessment of the impact of Hg contamination on the biology of albatrosses and they document the high MeHg level exposure of wildlife living in the most remote marine areas on Earth.  
  Programme 109  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN (down) 0269-7491 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7113  
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Author Alice Carravieri, Yves Cherel, Maud Brault-Favrou, Carine Churlaud, Laurent Peluhet, Pierre Labadie, Hélène Budzinski, Olivier Chastel, Paco Bustamante doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title From Antarctica to the subtropics: Contrasted geographical concentrations of selenium, mercury, and persistent organic pollutants in skua chicks (Catharacta spp.) Type Journal
  Year 2017 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 228 Issue Pages 464-473  
  Keywords Bioaccumulation Blood Chick HCB Southern Ocean Stable isotopes  
  Abstract Seabirds integrate bioaccumulative contaminants via food intake and have revealed geographical trends of contamination in a variety of ecosystems. Pre-fledging seabird chicks are particularly interesting as bioindicators of chemical contamination, because concentrations in their tissues reflect primarily dietary sources from the local environment. Here we measured 14 trace elements and 18 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in blood of chicks of skuas that breed in four sites encompassing a large latitudinal range within the southern Indian Ocean, from Antarctica (Adélie Land, south polar skua Catharacta maccormicki), through subantarctic areas (Crozet and Kerguelen Islands, brown skua C. lonnbergi), to the subtropics (Amsterdam Island, C. lonnbergi). Stables isotopes of carbon (δ13C, feeding habitat) and nitrogen (δ15N, trophic position) were also measured to control for the influence of feeding habits on contaminant burdens. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) were very high at all the four sites, with Amsterdam birds having the highest concentrations ever reported in chicks worldwide (4.0 ± 0.8 and 646 ± 123 μg g−1 dry weight, respectively). Blood Hg concentrations showed a clear latitudinal pattern, increasing from chicks in Antarctica to chicks in the subantarctic and subtropical islands. Interestingly, blood Se concentrations showed similar between-population differences to Hg, suggesting its involvement in protective mechanisms against Hg toxicity. Chicks’ POPs pattern was largely dominated by organochlorine pesticides, in particular DDT metabolites and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Skua chicks from subantarctic islands presented high concentrations and diversity of POPs. By contrast, chicks from the Antarctic site overall had the lowest concentrations and diversity of both metallic and organic contaminants, with the exception of HCB and arsenic. Skua populations from these sites, being naturally exposed to different quantities of contaminants, are potentially good models for testing toxic effects in developing chicks in the wild.  
  Programme 109  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN (down) 0269-7491 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7151  
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Author F. Amélineau, D. Bonnet, O. Heitz, V. Mortreux, A. M. A. Harding, N. Karnovsky, W. Walkusz, J. Fort, D. Grémillet doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Microplastic pollution in the Greenland Sea: Background levels and selective contamination of planktivorous diving seabirds Type Journal
  Year 0 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 219 Issue Pages 1131-1139  
  Keywords Arctic Little auk Plastic Sea ice Selective uptake Zooplankton  
  Abstract Microplastics have been reported everywhere around the globe. With very limited human activities, the Arctic is distant from major sources of microplastics. However, microplastic ingestions have been found in several Arctic marine predators, confirming their presence in this region. Nonetheless, existing information for this area remains scarce, thus there is an urgent need to quantify the contamination of Arctic marine waters. In this context, we studied microplastic abundance and composition within the zooplankton community off East Greenland. For the same area, we concurrently evaluated microplastic contamination of little auks (Alle alle), an Arctic seabird feeding on zooplankton while diving between 0 and 50 m. The study took place off East Greenland in July 2005 and 2014, under strongly contrasted sea-ice conditions. Among all samples, 97.2% of the debris found were filaments. Despite the remoteness of our study area, microplastic abundances were comparable to those of other oceans, with 0.99 ± 0.62 m−3 in the presence of sea-ice (2005), and 2.38 ± 1.11 m−3 in the nearby absence of sea-ice (2014). Microplastic rise between 2005 and 2014 might be linked to an increase in plastic production worldwide or to lower sea-ice extents in 2014, as sea-ice can represent a sink for microplastic particles, which are subsequently released to the water column upon melting. Crucially, all birds had eaten plastic filaments, and they collected high levels of microplastics compared to background levels with 9.99 and 8.99 pieces per chick meal in 2005 and 2014, respectively. Importantly, we also demonstrated that little auks took more often light colored microplastics, rather than darker ones, strongly suggesting an active contamination with birds mistaking microplastics for their natural prey. Overall, our study stresses the great vulnerability of Arctic marine species to microplastic pollution in a warming Arctic, where sea-ice melting is expected to release vast volumes of trapped debris.  
  Programme 388  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN (down) 0269-7491 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7296  
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Author Jérôme Fort, David Grémillet, Gwendoline Traisnel, Françoise Amélineau, Paco Bustamante doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Does temporal variation of mercury levels in Arctic seabirds reflect changes in global environmental contamination, or a modification of Arctic marine food web functioning? Type Journal
  Year 2016 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 211 Issue Pages 382-388  
  Keywords Arctic Bio-indicator Little auk Metal Temporal trend Zooplankton  
  Abstract Studying long-term trends of contaminants in Arctic biota is essential to better understand impacts of anthropogenic activities and climate change on the exposure of sensitive species and marine ecosystems. We concurrently measured temporal changes (2006–2014) in mercury (Hg) contamination of little auks (Alle alle; the most abundant Arctic seabird) and in their major zooplankton prey species (Calanoid copepods, Themisto libellula, Gammarus spp.). We found an increasing contamination of the food-chain in East Greenland during summer over the last decade. More specifically, bird contamination (determined by body feather analyses) has increased at a rate of 3.4% per year. Conversely, bird exposure to Hg during winter in the northwest Atlantic (determined by head feather analyses) decreased over the study period (at a rate of 1.5% per year), although winter concentrations remained consistently higher than during summer. By combining mercury levels measured in birds and zooplankton to isotopic analyses, our results demonstrate that inter-annual variations of Hg levels in little auks reflect changes in food-chain contamination, rather than a reorganization of the food web and a modification of seabird trophic ecology. They therefore underline the value of little auks, and Arctic seabirds in general, as bio-indicators of long-term changes in environmental contamination.  
  Programme 388  
  Campaign  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN (down) 0269-7491 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7301  
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Author Alice Carravieri, Jérôme Fort, Arnaud Tarroux, Yves Cherel, Oliver P. Love, Solène Prieur, Maud Brault-Favrou, Paco Bustamante, Sébastien Descamps doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Mercury exposure and short-term consequences on physiology and reproduction in Antarctic petrels Type Journal
  Year 2018 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 237 Issue Pages 824-831  
  Keywords Antarctica Bioaccumulation Body condition Breeding success Stable isotopes Trophic position  
  Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive contaminant reaching Antarctic environments through atmospheric transport and deposition. Seabirds as meso to top predators can accumulate high quantities of Hg through diet. Reproduction is one of the most sensitive endpoints of Hg toxicity in marine birds. Yet, few studies have explored Hg exposure and effects in Antarctic seabirds, where increasing environmental perturbations challenge animal populations. This study focuses on the Antarctic petrel Thalassoica antarctica from Svarthamaren, Antarctica, where the world's largest breeding population is thought to be in decline. Hg and the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C, proxy of feeding habitat) and nitrogen (δ15N, trophic position/diet) were measured in red blood cells from 266 individuals over two breeding years (2012–13, 2013–14). Our aims were to 1) quantify the influence of individual traits (size and sex) and feeding ecology (foraging location, δ13C and δ15N values) on Hg exposure, and 2) test the relationship between Hg concentrations with body condition and breeding output (hatching success and chick survival). Hg concentrations in Antarctic petrels (mean ± SD, 0.84 ± 0.25, min-max, 0.42–2.71 μg g−1 dw) were relatively low when compared to other Antarctic seabirds. Hg concentrations increased significantly with δ15N values, indicating that individuals with a higher trophic level (i.e. feeding more on fish) had higher Hg exposure. By contrast, Hg exposure was not driven by feeding habitat (inferred from both foraging location and δ13C values), suggesting that Hg transfer to predators in Antarctic waters is relatively homogeneous over a large geographical scale. Hg concentrations were not related to body condition, hatching date and short-term breeding output. At present, Hg exposure is likely not of concern for this population. Nevertheless, further studies on other fitness parameters and long-term breeding output are warranted because Hg can have long-term population-level effects without consequences on current breeding success.  
  Programme 388  
  Campaign  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN (down) 0269-7491 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7409  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author A. Jaffal, N. Givaudan, S. Betoulle, A. Terreau, S. Paris-Palacios, S. Biagianti-Risbourg, E. Beall, H. Roche doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Polychlorinated biphenyls in freshwater salmonids from the Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Ocean Type Journal
  Year 2011 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 159 Issue 5 Pages 1381-1389  
  Keywords Kerguelen Islands PCB accumulation Salmonids Sub-Antarctic area  
  Abstract The Subantarctic Kerguelen Islands (49°S, 70°E) contain freshwater ecosystems among the most isolated in the world. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were assessed in the muscle of 48 brook trout and 38 brown trout caught during summer and spring 2006 in the rivers, lakes and ponds of Kerguelen. The sum of 29 PCBs averaged 404 and 358ngg−1 lipid, and dioxin-like PCB was 19 and 69ngg−1 lipid, in brook and brown trout, respectively. The values showed a high variability and some fish accumulated PCBs at levels similar to those of fish from impacted areas. While inter-sex differences were limited, the season and the morphotype appeared to have the most influence. Fish captured in summer had muscle PCB concentrations about three times higher than those caught in spring and the ‘river’ morphotype of brook trout showed the highest PCB levels.  
  Programme 409  
  Campaign  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN (down) 0269-7491 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7438  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Chuxian Li, Gaël Le Roux, Jeroen Sonke, Pieter van Beek, Marc Souhaut, Nathalie Van der Putten, François De Vleeschouwer doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Recent 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am accumulation in an ombrotrophic peatland from Amsterdam Island (Southern Indian Ocean) Type Journal
  Year 2017 Publication Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 175-176 Issue Pages 164-169  
  Keywords Am Cs Pb Peat Radionuclides Southern indian ocean  
  Abstract Over the past 50 years, 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am have been abundantly used in reconstructing recent sediment and peat chronologies. The study of global aerosol-climate interaction is also partially depending on our understanding of 222Rn-210Pb cycling, as radionuclides are useful aerosol tracers. However, in comparison with the Northern Hemisphere, few data are available for these radionuclides in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in the South Indian Ocean. A peat core was collected in an ombrotrophic peatland from the remote Amsterdam Island (AMS) and was analyzed for 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am radionuclides using an underground ultra-low background gamma spectrometer. The 210Pb Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) model of peat accumulations is validated by peaks of artificial radionuclides (137Cs and 241Am) that are related to nuclear weapon tests. We compared the AMS 210Pb data with an updated 210Pb deposition database. The 210Pb flux of 98 ± 6 Bq·m−2·y−1 derived from the AMS core agrees with data from Madagascar and South Africa. The elevated flux observed at such a remote location may result from the enhanced 222Rn activity and frequent rainfall in AMS. This enhanced 222Rn activity itself may be explained by continental air masses passing over southern Africa and/or Madagascar. The 210Pb flux at AMS is higher than those derived from cores collected in coastal areas in Argentina and Chile, which are areas dominated by marine westerly winds with low 222Rn activities. We report a 137Cs inventory at AMS of 144 ± 13 Bq·m−2 (corrected to 1969). Our data thus contribute to the under-represented data coverage in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.  
  Programme 1133  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0265-931X ISBN (down) 0265-931X Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7102  
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Author Alba Zanini, Silvia Vernetto, Vicente Ciancio, Gustavo Di Giovan, Paolo Morfino, Alessandro Liberatore, Gianrossano Giannini, Guillaume Hubert doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Environmental radiation dosimetry at high southern latitudes with Liulin type instruments Type Journal
  Year 2019 Publication Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 208-209 Issue Pages 105993  
  Keywords Antarctic Cosmic rays Dosimetry High latitudes Liulin  
  Abstract Because of the geomagnetic field shape, the polar regions are the most exposed to secondary particles and radiation produced by primary cosmic rays in the atmosphere. At present, only few experimental measurements of environmental dose are reported in literature at high southern latitudes. A three year campaign has been carried out in two different locations, Ushuaia (Argentina, 54.80∘ S, 68.30∘ W) and Marambio (Antarctica, 64.24∘ S, 56.63∘ W), using a Liulin type detector, allowing to measure the total environmental radiation flux and dose. The Liulin type instrument, measuring the energy deposition in a silicon detector, is especially suitable to evaluate the dose, separating the low and high LET (Linear Energy Transfer) components. The instrument was installed at the GAW Station in Ushuaia and inside the LAMBI Laboratory at the Marambio Antarctic base. In December 2017 preliminary measurements have been carried out at the French-Italian base Dome C, at 3233 m a.s.l., with a Liulin-AR, a new version of Liulin spectrometer, specifically built for this application by the Space Research and Technology Institute of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. In this paper the environmental dose values obtained in the different southern high latitude locations are compared and discussed.  
  Programme 1112  
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  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0265-931X ISBN (down) 0265-931X Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7528  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author J. Mouginot, E. Rignot, Y. Gim, D. Kirchner, E. Le Meur doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title Low-frequency radar sounding of ice in East Antarctica and southern Greenland Type Journal
  Year 2014 Publication Annals of Glaciology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 55 Issue 67 Pages 138-146  
  Keywords Antarctic glaciology ground-penetrating radar radio-echo sounding remote sensing  
  Abstract We discuss a decameter-wavelength airborne radar sounder, the Warm Ice Sounding Explorer (WISE), that provides ice thickness in areas where radar signal penetration at higher frequencies is expected to be limited. Here we report results for three campaigns conducted in Greenland (2008, 2009, 2010) and two in Antarctica (2009, 2010). Comparisons with higher-frequency radar data indicate an accuracy of ±55 m for ice-thickness measurements in Greenland and ±25 m in Antarctica. We also estimate ice thickness of the Qassimiut lobe in southwest Greenland, where few ice-thickness measurements have been made, demonstrating that WISE penetrates in strongly scattering environments.  
  Programme 1053  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0260-3055, 1727-5644 ISBN (down) 0260-3055, 1727-5644 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 6793  
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Author Yan Axel Gómez Coutouly, Angela K. Gore, Charles E. Holmes, Kelly E. Graf, Ted Goebel doi  isbn
openurl 
  Title “Knapping, My Child, is Made of Errors”: Apprentice Knappers at Swan Point and Little Panguingue Creek, Two Prehistoric Sites in Central Alaska Type Journal
  Year 2020 Publication Lithic Technology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 46 Issue 1 Pages 2-26  
  Keywords Alaska apprenticeship lithic technology microblade prehistory  
  Abstract In Beringia, as in many other parts of the world, stone tools are the main diagnostic cultural artifact for understanding prehistoric societies. The analysis of lithic assemblages is the basis for establishing connections between sites and techno-complexes. Through highlighting major technological trends, archaeologists are able to interpret processes such as cultural continuity and migrations. Here we present a fine-grained analysis of two assemblages to perceive in detail the individuals behind the lithic productions, more specifically apprentice knappers. Although recognition of apprenticeship in a prehistoric context is not new, this is the first such study for Alaska and Beringia. We focus on two distinct assemblages with microblade technology: the late Pleistocene component of Swan Point CZ4b (Tanana valley) and the early Holocene component of Little Panguingue Creek C2 (Nenana valley), both in central Alaska.  
  Programme 1217  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0197-7261 ISBN (down) 0197-7261 Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved yes  
  Call Number Serial 7632  
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