Ewa Korejwo, Anna Panasiuk, Justyna Wawrzynek-Borejko, Agnieszka Jędruch, Jacek Bełdowski, Alicja Paturej, Magdalena Bełdowska
The Antarctic is the most isolated region in the world; nevertheless, it has not avoided the negative impact of human activity, including the inflow of toxic mercury (Hg). Hg deposited in the Antarctic marine environment can be bioavailable and accumulate in the food web, reaching elevated concentrations in high-trophic-level biota, especially if methylated. Zooplankton, together with phytoplankton, are critical for the transport of pollutants, including Hg to higher trophic levels. For the Southern Ocean ecosystem, one of the key zooplankton components is the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba, the smaller euphausiid Thysanoessa macrura, and the amphipod Themisto gaudichaudii - a crucial food source for most predatory fish, birds, and mammals...
September 22, 2023: Science of the Total Environment