Study finds penguins play key role in iron recycling in Antarctic waters

Penguins play a fundamental role in supplying recycled metals to Antarctica’s surface waters. In fact, Antarctic straps are estimated to contribute about 521 tons of recycled iron to the Southern Ocean per year.

A study conducted by researchers from the Spanish High Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and published Connection with nature provides fundamental results for understanding the impact penguins in the ecological functioning of Antarctic waters.

Traces of metals such as iron are of great importance to the ecological functioning of the Southern Ocean, as they contribute to the growth of phytoplankton and the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Until now, scientists have focused on understanding the processes that regulate the amount and distribution of this metal, and previous research has shown that other organisms, such as krill or whales, play a critical role in the biogeochemical cycles of iron.

In this new study, researchers examined the effect penguins in the recovery of this metal.

When penguin The Antarctic chin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) is estimated to contribute 521 tons of recycled iron per year to Antarctic surface water through guano (a substrate formed from the accumulation of faeces).

The main role of the penguins

The results of the study “not only contribute to a better understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of iron in the Southern Ocean, but also highlight the fundamental role played by populations penguins in it, affecting its concentration in the environment and its ecological functioning.”

This is pointed out by Antonio Tovar-Sanchez, CSIC researcher at the Spanish Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (Ickman) and principal investigator of the PiMetAn project in the Antarctic Campaign XXXIV.

40 years ago, iron intake could have been twice as high as it is today, as recent studies show that the animal population has declined by about 50% over that time.

This decline will have “a direct impact on the rate of primary production and carbon sequestration,” says Icman’s Oleg Belyaev and lead author of the paper, cited in the CSIC statement.

The study focused on the colony penguins Collado Vapor chinstrap, located west of Deception Island, which was censused using drone images and various copy number estimation software.

In addition, guano samples were collected using a collection system that allowed fresh guano to be obtained without interfering with the soil for its subsequent chemical characterization.

Finally, coastal water samples were collected using drones, which made it possible to reach areas inaccessible to boats.

(As reported by EFE)

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