Ornithogenic soils and the paleoecology of pygoscelid penguins in Antarctica

• Published in: Quaternary international Vol. 352; pp. 4 - 15
• Main Authors: Emslie, S.D., Polito, M.J., Brasso, R., Patterson, W.P., Sun, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 26.11.2014
• Subjects: Cetacea; Mercury; Natural archive; Prey remains; Pygoscelis adeliae; Pygoscelis penguins; Radiocarbon dating; Stable isotopes; PS, Antarctica; PS, Ross Sea; Pygoscelis penguins; Radiocarbon dating; Mercury; Prey remains; Stable isotopes; Natural archive

Ornithogenic or bird-formed soils have accumulated in many coastal regions around Antarctica as a result of breeding activities by pygoscelid penguins, especially the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). These soils are often deep, range from hundreds to thousands of years old, and contain a natural...