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Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been detected worldwide, including in the Antarctic region. The Antarctic continent can no longer be considered pristine, as there has been a localized but considerable human impact on the region (UNEP, 2002). Local pollution caused by research stations, tourism and long-range transport account for the presence of these compounds in the biota (Risebrough and Carmignani, 1972; Lukowski, 1983a, b; Montone et al., 2001b; Corsolini et al., 2002), atmosphere (Bidleman et al., 1993; Montone et al., 2005), water (Gupta et al., 1996; Bícego et al., 1996; Bicego et al., 2002) and sediment (Montone et al., 2001a; Martins et al., 2004; Curtosi et al., 2007) in Antarctica. Several organisms may be used to investigate local pollution. Birds have a number of advantages in this respect. The ecology and behavior of birds are particularly well understood and the background knowledge of their biology enhances their usefulness as biomonitors (Furness and Greenwood, 1993). Antarctica has over 40 species of nesting birds. Many are natives to this remote region of Earth (eg, Adelie penguin, Antarctic petrel, Snow petrel) and others come to the Antarctic continent and sub Antarctic islands to breed and then migrate to lower latitudes the rest of the year (eg, Southern fulmar, Cape petrel, South Polar skua). As long-range migratory and top predators, skuas can accumulate high concentrations of anthropogenic contaminants as they forage over large areas. In contrast, penguins show greater fidelity to the …