Trace element accumulation in hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Yaeyama Islands, Japan

Abstract

Concentrations of 18 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, and Pb) were determined in the liver, kidney, and muscle of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan. Accumulation features of trace elements in the three tissues were similar between green and hawksbill turtles. No gender differences in trace element accumulation in liver and kidney were found for most of the elements. Significant growth-dependent variations were found in concentrations of some elements in tissues of green and hawksbill turtles. Significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) were found between standard carapace length (SCL) and the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se in the kidney and V in muscle of green turtles and Mn in the liver, Rb and Ag in kidney, and Hg in muscle of hawksbill turtles. Concentrations of Sr, Mo, Ag, Sb, and Tl in the liver, Sb in kidney, and Sb and Ba in muscle of green turtles and Se and Hg in the liver and Co, Se, and Hg in kidney of hawksbill turtles increased with an increase in SCL (p < 0.05). Green and hawksbill turtles accumulated extremely high concentrations of Cu in the liver and Cd in kidney, whereas the levels of Hg in liver were low in comparison with those of other higher-trophic-level marine animals. High accumulation of Ag in the liver of green turtles was also observed. To evaluate the trophic transfer of trace elements, concentrations of trace elements were determined in stomach contents of green and hawksbill turtles. A remarkably high trophic transfer coefficient was found for Ag and Cd in green turtles and for Cd and Hg in hawksbill turtles.

Trace Element Concentrations in Liver of 16 Species of Cetaceans Stranded on Pacific Islands from 1997 through 2013

“…Some toxic trace elements are persistent in the marine environment and have the ability to accumulate in tissues and biomagnify in marine food webs (Anan et al 2001; Dietz et al 1998; Mackey et al 1995; Zhao et al 2013). As apex predators, many marine mammal species are exposed to high concentrations of anthropogenic contaminants, which increase their likelihood of experiencing negative health effects (Bossart 2011; Costa et al 2012; Dietz et al 1998).…”

Biosorption of Uranium and Rare Earth Elements Using Biomass of Algae

“…Marine organism such as seaweed is well known to concentrate metals and has been used as a monitor of seawater pollution [6–9]. Moreover, biosorption studies using living biomass including seaweed have been widely performed in large parts of the world recently [10–13].…”

Relationship of Blood Mercury Levels to Health Parameters in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle ( Caretta caretta )

“…Several studies have measured Hg levels in tissues from juvenile and adult sea turtles (Anan et al 2001; Davenport and Wrench 1990; Day et al 2005; Godley et al 1999; Gordon et al 1998; Maffucci et al 2005; Orvik 1997; Presti 1999; Sakai et al 1995, 2000a, 2000b; Storelli et al 1998, 2005; Wang 2005). However, relatively few studies have assessed health parameters in sea turtles in relation to environmental contaminants (Keller et al 2004, 2005, 2006a, 2006b; Lutcavage et al 1995; Peden-Adams et al 2002, 2003; Podreka et al 1998), and these studies have focused primarily on organic contaminants rather than metals.…”