Madrid (EFE).- Penguins play a fundamental role in supplying recycled metals to Antarctic surface waters. In fact, it is estimated that chinstrap penguins contribute 521 tons of recycled iron per year to the Southern Ocean.
A study carried out by researchers from the Spanish Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and published by Nature Communications provides fundamental results for understanding the influence of penguins on the ecological functioning of Antarctic waters.
Traces of metals such as iron are highly relevant to the ecological functioning of the Southern Ocean, since it promotes the growth of phytoplankton and the absorption 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 studies have shown that other organisms, such as krill or whales, play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycles of iron.
In this new study, the researchers analyzed the influence that penguins also have on the regeneration of that metal.
In the case of the chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), it is estimated that the contribution to Antarctic surface waters, through guano (substrate resulting from the accumulation of faeces), is 521 tons per year of recycled iron.
Know the relationship between penguins and iron
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 that penguin populations play in it, influencing its environmental concentrations and its ecological functioning.”
This is highlighted by Antonio Tovar-Sánchez, CSIC researcher at the Spanish Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (Icman) and principal investigator of the PiMetAn project in the XXXIV Antarctic Campaign.
40 years ago the figures for iron intake could be twice the current ones, since, according to recent studies, in this time the populations of these animals have decreased by around 50% .
This decline would have “a direct impact on the rates of primary production and carbon sequestration,” says Oleg Belyaev, from Icman and lead author of the work, quoted in a CSIC statement.
Study details
The study has focused on the Collado Vapor chinstrap penguin colony located to the west of Deception Island, of which a census was carried out through drone images and various software to estimate the number of specimens.
In addition, guano samples were collected using a collection system that allowed fresh guano to be obtained without interference with the soil for its subsequent chemical characterization.
Lastly, coastal water samples were collected using drones that made it possible to reach areas that were inaccessible by boat.