During the 2022–24 breeding seasons, University of California, Davis scientists fitted 54 Magellanic penguins with silicone passive samplers placed gently around their legs for a few days. The samplers absorbed chemicals from the water, air and surfaces the birds contacted while they foraged for food and fed their chicks.
After removal, the devices were sent to the University at Buffalo for chemical analysis. Tests found PFAS in more than 90% of the bands and revealed a mix of older, legacy PFAS and newer replacement compounds, including GenX. Diana Aga, the lead author, said this shows a shift from legacy PFAS to newer replacements reaching remote ecosystems.
Co-author Ralph Vanstreels noted the method is minimally invasive compared with blood or feather sampling and that penguins can indicate where and when to monitor more closely. The team plans to test the approach on other diving birds next.
Difficult words
- sampler — small device that collects substances from the environmentsamplers
- absorb — take in a liquid or chemical into a surfaceabsorbed
- forage — search for and eat food in natural placesforaged
- legacy — old chemicals used in the past
- replacement — new chemicals used instead of older ones
- invasive — involving entry or disturbance to the animal's bodyminimally invasive
- monitor — watch or check something over a period
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think using penguins as indicators of pollution is a good idea? Why or why not?
- What are the benefits of a minimally invasive method when studying wild animals?
- How could testing other diving birds help scientists understand pollution in remote ecosystems?
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