Concentrations of trace elements in tissues of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian coastlines (Calabria, Italy)

Trace Elements and Persistent Organic Pollutants in Unhatched Loggerhead Turtle Eggs from an Emerging Nesting Site along the Southwestern Coasts of Italy, Western Mediterranean Sea

“…Concentrations at least one order of magnitude higher than those measured here were found in the muscle of juveniles and adults stranded along the southwestern and southeastern Italian coasts [ 19 , 21 ]. These high accumulation levels have been related to the loggerhead turtle diet, which, at least during neritic foraging, is rich in mollusks and crustaceans that contain significant amounts of arsenic [ 19 , 21 ]. It has been hypothesized that the majority of the accumulated As in loggerhead turtle tissues is in its organic forms (arsenobetaine and arsenocholine), which are relatively non-toxic and physiologically inactive [ 19 , 21 , 24 ].…”

“…Arsenic, another non-essential element, was found at relatively high concentrations (median value 1.1 mg kg −1 w.w.), comparable to those measured in loggerhead turtle eggs sampled in South Africa [ 17 ]. Arsenic is known to accumulate in loggerheads, especially in the muscle tissues [ 19 , 21 , 57 ]. Concentrations at least one order of magnitude higher than those measured here were found in the muscle of juveniles and adults stranded along the southwestern and southeastern Italian coasts [ 19 , 21 ].…”

“…Arsenic is known to accumulate in loggerheads, especially in the muscle tissues [ 19 , 21 , 57 ]. Concentrations at least one order of magnitude higher than those measured here were found in the muscle of juveniles and adults stranded along the southwestern and southeastern Italian coasts [ 19 , 21 ]. These high accumulation levels have been related to the loggerhead turtle diet, which, at least during neritic foraging, is rich in mollusks and crustaceans that contain significant amounts of arsenic [ 19 , 21 ].…”

“…Early juveniles feed predominantly on epipelagic animals, while later juveniles and adults prefer benthic prey, although they possess high foraging flexibility and may opportunistically feed on the available food resources both in the water column and on the sea bottom [ 18 ]. Variable concentrations of polychlorobiphenyls, dioxins, organochlorinated pesticides, and toxic and potentially toxic elements have been found in tissues, organs, and fluids of this species, but their effects on health parameters are still not sufficiently understood [ 12 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Contaminant levels in nesting females and eggs are of particular concern because of their potential impact on embryonic development, hatching success, and early life phases [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…In the Mediterranean Sea, the vast majority of the studies focused specifically on the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PCBs, PAHs, and DDT metabolites or trace elements in tissues and organs of stranded juveniles and adults [ 12 , 19 , 21 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Very little is known about levels of contaminants in eggs, the pattern of maternal transfer of these pollutants, and their potential effect on the reproductive success of nesting populations [ 31 , 48 ].…”