Long-term effects of environmental changes on Arctic seabirds: Effects of seasonal distribution and contamination on population dynamics (ACCUMULATION)

The Arctic has become a sink for pollutants like Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg), exacerbated by climate change. As POPs and Hg increase in individuals (i.e., bioaccumulation) and into marine food chains (i.e biomagnification), top-predators like seabirds present some of the highest wildlife concentrations, making them particularly sensitive to the pollutants toxicity.

The long-term effects of contaminants on Arctic seabird population dynamics are still scarcely explored, but the few studies conducted have found that pollutants have deleterious effects on adult survival or breeding success in the most contaminated species. However, these studies have focused solely on contamination during the breeding period, which represents only a part of their annual cycle. This project aims to study the influence of seasonal (i.e., breeding and non-breeding periods) and spatial variations in distribution and contamination by POPs and Hg on the population dynamics of Arctic seabirds. Specifically, the project will examine the influence on population survival of 1) long-term contaminant exposure during breeding periods and its relationship with climate change, and 2) non-breeding distribution and long-term contaminant exposure.

To achieve these objectives, common eiders (Somateria mollissima), Arctic skuas (Stercorarius parasiticus), and great skuas (S. skua) breeding sympatrically at Kongsfjorden (Svalbard), where they have been monitored for approximately 17 years, will be studied. This research is essential to better understand the risk of long-term and acute contamination by pollutants to already sensitive Arctic seabird species. Dr. Albert will 1) lead two additional field seasons to collect blood and feather samples and deploy geotracking devices, 2) conduct the laboratory analyses, and 3) perform population dynamics analyses. An interdisciplinary team will investigate, for the first time, the interplay of spatial ecology, ecotoxicology, climate change, and population dynamics.

Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 30/09/2026

Lead Contact: Céline Albert (celine.albert@nina.no)