Accumulation and maternal transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls in snapping turtles of the upper Hudson River, New York, USA

Abstract

We conducted field studies over three years to assess body burdens and maternal transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as indices of sexual dimorphism in snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) of the upper Hudson River (NY, USA.) We collected adult turtles in areas known to be contaminated with PCBs and in nearby reference areas for measurement of body size, precloacal length, and penis size. We analyzed PCB concentrations in eggs collected over three years and in whole blood from adults in one year. Total PCB concentrations (mean +/- standard error) in eggs were 2,800 +/- 520 and 59 +/- 5 ng/g wet weight in the contaminated area and the reference area, respectively. Eggs from the contaminated area were significantly enriched in tri-, penta-, and hepta-PCBs relative to the reference area. Blood from adults in the contaminated area averaged 475 +/- 200 and 125 +/- 34 ng/g wet weight for males and females, respectively. In the reference area, blood PCB concentrations were 7 +/- 3 and 4 +/- 1 ng/g wet weight for males and females, respectively. Significant positive relationships were found between carapace length and blood PCB concentration for both sexes in the contaminated area; however, only a marginal relationship was found between female carapace length and concentration of PCBs in their eggs. Our results suggest that PCB contamination of the upper Hudson River presents risks of establishing high body burdens and of maternal transfer of PCBs to eggs, although our measures of gross morphology revealed no discernable expression of abnormal sexual development or reproduction.

Persistent organic pollutants in the green sea turtle Chelonia mydas: nesting population variation, maternal transfer, and effects on development

“…Maternal transfer of POPs to offspring is well documented in marine mammals (Aguilar & Borrell 1994, Debier et al 2003, Miranda-Filho et al 2007), birds (Fisk & Johnston 1998) and oviparous reptiles (Kelly et al 2008). In freshwater snapping turtles Chelydra serpentina, egg concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, mirex, octachlorostyrene and HCB were significantly correlated with concentrations in the blood, liver, muscle and adipose tissue of adult females (Hebert et al 1993, Pagano et al 1999, Kelly et al 2008.…”

“…In freshwater snapping turtles Chelydra serpentina, egg concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, mirex, octachlorostyrene and HCB were significantly correlated with concentrations in the blood, liver, muscle and adipose tissue of adult females (Hebert et al 1993, Pagano et al 1999, Kelly et al 2008. Similarly, in leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea, significant correlations have been found between blood and egg samples containing DDTs, PCBs and PBDEs (Stewart et al 2007).…”

Population status of freshwater turtles across a PCB contamination gradient

“…Our study focused on 2 species of aquatic turtles, snapping turtles and painted turtles Chrysemys picta, because these were the best represented elements of the reptile community in the upper Hudson River and are frequent targets of toxicological studies (Bergeron et al 1994, Bell et al 2006, including in the Hudson River (Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees 2005, Kelly et al 2008, Eisenreich et al 2009, Salice et al 2014. In addition to examining whether PCB exposure was associated with reduced turtle abundance, we assessed whether sex ratios were female-biased due to the feminizing effects of PCBs on developing embryos (Bergeron et al 1994), whether individual fitness was reduced as reflected in lower body condition, and whether physical deformities were more prevalent (Bell et al 2006).…”

Experimental exposure of eggs to polybrominated diphenyl ethers BDE‐47 and BDE‐99 in red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and possible species‐specific differences in debromination

“…This chronic bioaccumulation can result in the maternal transfer of those compounds to their offspring during embryogenesis [12]. Several studies have documented maternal transfer of persistent contaminants to eggs in turtles as well as resultant effects on embryonic, hatchling, and juvenile health and development [13][14][15][16]. Kelly et al [15] demonstrated maternal transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in snapping turtles collected from the upper Hudson River, NY, USA.…”

“…Several studies have documented maternal transfer of persistent contaminants to eggs in turtles as well as resultant effects on embryonic, hatchling, and juvenile health and development [13][14][15][16]. Kelly et al [15] demonstrated maternal transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in snapping turtles collected from the upper Hudson River, NY, USA. Hatchlings from eggs collected from the same area showed increased mortality beginning eight months after hatching, and mortality was correlated with total PCB concentrations in eggs [16].…”