Detoxification of methylmecury in emperor penguins

We propose to study how emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) from Antarctica1 detoxify methylmercury and the species of Hg transferred to chick embryos. The identity and proportions of Hg species will be obtained using Hg L3-edge HERFD-XANES spectroscopy, and their isotopic signature will be obtained by inverting the Hg speciation and the 202Hg and 198Hg isotopic data. Results will allow us to assess the risk from Se deficiency caused by Hg poisoning in adults and through Hg transfer to chick embryos.