Penguins are helping scientists track ‘forever chemicals’ in Patagonia

By Rebecca Cairns | CNN | May 7, 2026

Read the full article by Rebecca Cairns (CNN)

"Researchers have found toxic “forever chemicals” on the remote southern coastline of Argentina — with the help of some avian assistants.

Scientists fitted Magellanic penguins with silicone passive sampler (SPS) bands, a non-invasive tool that absorbs chemicals from water, air and surfaces.

“We’ve been looking for alternatives to measure pollution on these species for long time,” says Ralph Vanstreels, wildlife veterinarian at University of California-Davis and co-author of a study published in March in the journal Earth: Environmental Sustainability. Inspired by wristband samplers that humans can wear to measure exposure to contaminants, he contacted Diana Aga, an analytical chemist at University at Buffalo, with a “crazy idea”: “We place other devices on the penguin, so why not silicon bands?”