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García-Veira D, Sukekava CF, Sparaventi E, Navarro G, Huertas IE, Tovar-Sánchez A, Laglera LM. A first estimation of the role of penguin guano on copper cycling and organic speciation in Antarctic coastal waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169266. [PMID: 38086484 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Cu is a vital micronutrient, but free Cu ions (Cu2+) in seawater, even at subnanomolar concentrations, can impede phytoplankton growth. Natural Cu complexation with organic ligands regulates Cu acquisition and, in most instances, reduces Cu2+ concentrations below toxic thresholds. Along the Antarctic coast, the sources and sinks of Cu and its associated ligands remain poorly defined. Despite the high productivity in the area, there are no studies on the role of trophic transfer in Cu cycling. This study explores penguin guano release of Cu and Cu ligands and its potential in neutralizing copper toxicity along the Antarctic coast. We collected guano in a Chinstrap penguin nesting location in the West coast of Deception Island and extracted its components into aqueous solution imitating natural processes. Copper concentration in guano was 0.4 mg (dry weight g)-1 constituting a potential toxic threat and showed biomagnification with respect to krill. Surface seawater samples collected from various locations varying in penguin activity, were analyzed to assess the potential influence of guano on the area. Visual examination and elevated levels of Al suggested that a substantial portion of guano was lithogenic. Consequently, only a modest 16 % of the total Cu present in guano could be extracted using mechanical methods. Notably, the concentrations of the extracted organic ligands were approximately 23 times higher than the concentrations of the extracted Cu. This significant presence of ligands effectively nullifies any potential toxicity that could have arisen from free Cu2+ ions. Guano ligands' conditional stability constants were lower than those in surface seawater suggesting phytoplankton exudation was the main ligand source in the area. Overall, guano acts as a key node for Cu cycling in coastal Antarctic waters but its deleterious potential is neutralized by ligands from krill digestion and the high background concentration of phytoplankton exudates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel García-Veira
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Balearic Islands 07122, Spain
| | - Camila Fiaux Sukekava
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Balearic Islands 07122, Spain; Instituto de Oceanografia, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203900, Brazil
| | - Erica Sparaventi
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Andalusian Institute for Marine Science, ICMAN (CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Gabriel Navarro
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Andalusian Institute for Marine Science, ICMAN (CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - I Emma Huertas
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Andalusian Institute for Marine Science, ICMAN (CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Antonio Tovar-Sánchez
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Andalusian Institute for Marine Science, ICMAN (CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Laglera
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Balearic Islands 07122, Spain.
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Wojdasiewicz A, Panasiuk A, Bełdowska M. The non-selective Antarctic filter feeder Salpa thompsoni as a bioindicator of mercury origin. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2245. [PMID: 38278823 PMCID: PMC10817981 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52770-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hg is considered as the most toxic metal in the environment. Sources of Hg in the environment include burning fossil fuels, burning waste, and forest fires. The long residence time of the gaseous form in the atmosphere allows mercury to be transported over long distances. The pelagic tunicate Salpa thompsoni is an important component of the Antarctic environment. Over the past few decades an expansion of this species to the higher latitudes has been noted, mainly due to the ongoing climate change. The study material consisted of samples of S. thompsoni individuals, collected in the waters surrounding Elephant Island (Western Antarctic). Total mercury and five of its fractions were determined. Whole organisms were analyzed as well as internal organs: stomachs, muscle strips, and tunics. Obtained results showed that the highest concentrations of mercury in salps were observed in stomachs. With the Hg fraction results, it can be concluded that the main route of exposure of S. thompsoni to Hg is presumably absorption from the food-filtered organic and non-organic particles. Moreover, the process of transformation of simple soluble forms into organic forms of Hg in stomachs and intestines and its distribution to other tissues was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Wojdasiewicz
- Department of Chemical Oceanography and Marine Geology, Laboratory of Toxic Substances Transformation, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Anna Panasiuk
- Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Plankton Biology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378, Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Bełdowska
- Department of Chemical Oceanography and Marine Geology, Laboratory of Toxic Substances Transformation, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378, Gdynia, Poland
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Gutiérrez GR, Sparaventi E, Corta BG, Tovar-Sánchez A, Viguri Fuente JR. Penguin guano trace metals release to Antarctic waters: A kinetic modelling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166448. [PMID: 37607628 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Penguin guano has been considered as a suitable bioindicator of the exposure to environmental contaminants in Antarctic environment. Although trace metal content values in penguin guano have been widely reported, the kinetics of their mobility in seawater have not been determined. In the present study, we have estimated the release rate of dissolved Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn from Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins guano to Antarctic seawater by 120 h laboratory and at external natural conditions of temperature and light experiments. A mathematical model using two metal pools guano (labile and equilibrium) and seawater compartments considering pseudo-first-order kinetics, is proposed in order to interpret and predict the release of trace metals. A good statistical agreement between experimental and modelled concentration values allows us obtention of kinetic parameters and partition coefficients (Kdi). These values allow to estimate releases into seawater from 5400 to 6.3 μg/day·penguin of Cu and V, respectively. More than 50 % of the initial content of all the studied elements are released during the first two hours, reaching 90 % release in the decreasing order of speed Ni ≫ Cu ≈ Mo > Mn > Co > Cd ≈ Pb; periods of up to one hour, Fe, V and Zn reach a maximum release and are then readsorbed. Equilibrium releases >90 % for Mo and Cd, and 55 % - 46 % for Co, Ni, Pb and Mn are obtained; Zn with 5.4 %, V with 1.7 % and Fe with 0.88 % show the lowest values. With an overwhelming growth of estimated population south of 60°S of 259.750 breeding pairs we estimate that the Gentoo penguin population is releasing annually in the Southern Ocean, 716 kg Cu, 188 kg Mn, 113 kg Fe, 102 kg Zn, 17.7 kg Mo, 12.0 kg Ni, 8.70 kg Cd, 4.59 kg Co, 6.27 kg Pb and 0.790 kg V of soluble metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Ruiz Gutiérrez
- Green Engineering & Resources Research Group (GER), Departamento de Química e Ingeniería de Procesos y Recursos, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Erica Sparaventi
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Costera, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN-CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Berta Galan Corta
- Green Engineering & Resources Research Group (GER), Departamento de Química e Ingeniería de Procesos y Recursos, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Antonio Tovar-Sánchez
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Costera, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN-CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Javier R Viguri Fuente
- Green Engineering & Resources Research Group (GER), Departamento de Química e Ingeniería de Procesos y Recursos, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
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Belyaev O, Sparaventi E, Navarro G, Rodríguez-Romero A, Tovar-Sánchez A. The contribution of penguin guano to the Southern Ocean iron pool. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1781. [PMID: 37041162 PMCID: PMC10090129 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37132-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron plays a crucial role in the high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll Southern Ocean regions, promoting phytoplankton growth and enhancing atmospheric carbon sequestration. In this area, iron-rich Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and baleen whale species, which are among their main predators, play a large role in the recycling of iron. However, penguins have received limited attention despite their representing the largest seabird biomass in the southern polar region. Here, we use breeding site guano volumes estimated from drone images, deep learning-powered penguin census, and guano chemical composition to assess the iron export to the Antarctic waters from one of the most abundant penguin species, the Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus). Our results show that these seabirds are a relevant contributor to the iron remobilization pool in the Southern Ocean. With an average guano concentration of 3 mg iron g-1, we estimate that the Chinstrap penguin population is recycling 521 tonnes iron yr-1, representing the current iron contribution half of the amount these penguins were able to recycle four decades ago, as they have declined by more than 50% since then.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Belyaev
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Erica Sparaventi
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Gabriel Navarro
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Araceli Rodríguez-Romero
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Marine Research Institute (INMAR), University of Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Antonio Tovar-Sánchez
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
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Chen X, Cao S, Wen D, Geng Y, Duan X. Sentinel animals for monitoring the environmental lead exposure: combination of traditional review and visualization analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:561-584. [PMID: 35348990 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01241-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In nature, certain animals share a common living environment with humans, thus these animals have become biomonitors of health effects related to various environmental exposures. As one of the most toxic environmental chemicals, lead (Pb) can cause detriment health effects to animals, plants, and even humans through different exposure pathways such as atmosphere, soil, food, water, and dust, etc. Sentinel animals played an "indicative" role in the researches of environmental pollution monitoring and human health. In order to comprehend the usage of sentinel animals in the indication of environmental Pb pollution and human Pb exposure completely, a combination of traditional review and visualization analysis based on CiteSpace literature was used to review earlier researches in this study. In the first instance, present researches on exposure sources and exposure pathways of Pb were summarized briefly, and then the studies using sentinel animals to monitor environmental heavy metal pollution and human health were combed. Finally, visualization software CiteSpace 5.8.R3 was used to explore and analyze the hotspots and frontiers of lead exposure and sentinel animals researches at home and abroad. The results showed that certain mammals were good indicators for human lead exposure. Sentinel animals had been widely used to monitor the ecological environment and human lead exposure. Among them, the blood lead levels of small mammals, particularly for domestic dogs and cats, had a significant correlation with the blood lead levels of human living in the same environment. It indicated that certain biological indicators in animals can be used as surrogates to monitor human body exposure to heavy metals. This study also explored the challenges and perspectives that may be faced in sentinel animal research, in order to provide a certain theoretical basis and train of thought guidance for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - SuZhen Cao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dongsen Wen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yishuo Geng
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoli Duan
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
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6
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Global deposition of potentially toxic metals via faecal material in seabird colonies. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22392. [PMID: 36575210 PMCID: PMC9794694 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26905-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Seabirds are known to play an important role in the geochemical cycling of macronutrients; however, their role in cycling elements of environmental interest has not been investigated. Guano is an important source of marine-derived nutrients and trace metals in seabird nesting areas, but most of the available information on this topic is derived from local studies. In the present study, we used a bioenergetic model to estimate the amounts of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) that are deposited via faecal material in seabird colonies worldwide. The findings showed that the seabirds excreted 39.3 Mg (Mg = metric ton or 1000 kg) of Cd, 35.7 Mg of Hg and 27.2 Mg of Pb annually. These amounts are of the same order of magnitude as those reported for other fluxes considered in the geochemical cycling of these elements (e.g. sea-salt spray, cement production, soil loss to oceans). Most of the deposition occurs in circumpolar zones in both hemispheres and, interestingly, high proportions of the metals in the excrements occur in geochemically labile forms, which can be easily leached into coastal waters and assimilated by marine organisms.
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Souza-Kasprzyk J, Paiva TDC, Convey P, da Cunha LST, Soares TA, Zawierucha K, Costa ES, Niedzielski P, Torres JPM. Influence of marine vertebrates on organic matter, phosphorus and other chemical element levels in Antarctic soils. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03091-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe presence of marine vertebrates in dense reproductive colonies and other aggregations contributes to the input of organic matter and nutrients into the local environment and it is believed that chemical elements are subsequently remobilized from the excreta of these animals. In this study, we investigated the influence of marine vertebrates on trace elements levels (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Tb, U and Zn), nutrient (total phosphorus) and soil organic matter (SOM) content from five locations with and without the presence of seabirds and marine mammals in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Soils were acid digested using a microwave digestion system, elements were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and SOM was calculated by loss-on-ignition. The non-influenced and vertebrate-influenced soils had similar concentrations of most of the trace elements assessed, however, we observed a significant increase in SOM and P that was positively correlated with the concentrations of As, Cd, Se, Sr and Zn. Although marine vertebrates did not appear to significantly increase the elemental concentrations in the soils examined here, there is a clear evidence of selective enrichment indicating a zoogenic influence. Comparing our results with other studies, we conclude that soil elemental levels are result from an interplay between local geology, vertebrate diet and colony size. Further studies with increased sample size are required to obtain a better understanding of the influence of marine vertebrates on chemical element levels in Antarctic soils.
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Li J, Zhang D, Gao F, Sun C, Cao W, Jiang F. Occurrence and spatial distribution of trace metals in seawaters of the Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 176:113387. [PMID: 35150986 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, surface seawater was collected from 82 stations in the Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula sea area, and the distribution characteristics and correlations of 11 trace elements (i.e., V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Pb, and U) in the seawater were analyzed. Results showed remarkable differences in the concentration of different elements, among which those of Mn (53.15%), Mo (22.77%), Zn (9.81%), and U (6.23%) were relatively high. The concentration of trace elements in Drake Passage water was relatively low, likely because a westerly drift that enhances large circulating currents exists in the sea area, thereby affecting the distribution of substances in the water. Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb showed relatively high concentrations at more stations than the other elements, and the high concentrations of Mn, Co, and Cd were mainly found in shallow water areas. UV, MoV, AsV, AsMo, AsU, and MoU demonstrated good linear correlations with correlation coefficients in the range of 0.878-0.961. These results could provide support for further explorations of the environmental behavior of trace elements in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxi Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China; College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China.
| | - Di Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Fenglei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Chengjun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China; Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Laboratory of Marine Drugs and Biological Products, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Wei Cao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Fenghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
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Applications of unmanned aerial vehicles in Antarctic environmental research. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21717. [PMID: 34741078 PMCID: PMC8571321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01228-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctica plays a fundamental role in the Earth's climate, oceanic circulation and global ecosystem. It is a priority and a scientific challenge to understand its functioning and responses under different scenarios of global warming. However, extreme environmental conditions, seasonality and isolation hampers the efforts to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the physical, biological, chemical and geological processes taking place in Antarctica. Here we present unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as feasible, rapid and accurate tools for environmental and wildlife research in Antarctica. UAV surveys were carried out on Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) using visible, multispectral and thermal sensors, and a water sampling device to develop precise thematic ecological maps, detect anomalous thermal zones, identify and census wildlife, build 3D images of geometrically complex geological formations, and sample dissolved chemicals (< 0.22 µm) waters from inaccessible or protected areas.
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