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Sousa-Guedes D, Cunha SC, Fernandes JO, Semedo D, Sillero N, Marco A, Bessa F. Can plastic pollution contaminate loggerhead turtle nests? Evaluation of flame retardants (PBDEs) levels in the sand. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115550. [PMID: 37722265 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue affecting multiple ecosystems, namely sea turtle nesting grounds. We analysed the potential chemical contamination caused by plastic debris in loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nests, focusing on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, a class of flame retardants). For that, we conducted a field experiment in a turtle hatchery (Cabo Verde) by placing plastic fragments in the nests at two depths: surface and ~20 cm. We evaluated the nests' success and quantified the levels of PBDEs in the sand using GC-MS/MS. Our results suggest that plastics on the nests' surface can leak contaminants, infiltrating the sand up to 20 cm. Buried plastics showed no relevant leakage of chemicals. While hatching and emergence success was unaffected, we found a relationship between leucistic embryos and contamination levels. Our study highlights the threats of plastic accumulation on beaches, which can potentially leak chemicals and contaminate turtle nests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Sousa-Guedes
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111 Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde; Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Sara C Cunha
- LAQV/Requimte, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José O Fernandes
- LAQV/Requimte, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Diana Semedo
- BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111 Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde
| | - Neftalí Sillero
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - Adolfo Marco
- BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111 Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde; Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
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2
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C Muñoz C, Vermeiren P. Sea turtle egg yolk and albumen as biomonitoring matrices for maternal burdens of organic pollutants. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115280. [PMID: 37467705 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
To establish the use of eggs as biomonitoring tools for maternal body burdens, we investigated the mother-to-egg ratio of 56 PCB, 12 OCP and 34 PBDE unique compounds from maternal plasma into replicate egg yolk and albumen samples in the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) as a case study of a threatened migratory marine species. We applied robust Regression on Order Statistics to fully account for the information in both censored and uncensored data. Our results added new insights into the use of yolk as a suitable biomonitoring matrix; the difference between yolk and albumen which were previously analysed as a homogeneous mixture; and the value of accounting for censored data. Overall, compound-specific mother-to-egg ratios need to be considered when translating yolk levels back to maternal pollution burdens, and when assessing the risk to the subsequent generations of turtle embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia C Muñoz
- Dept. Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø, Norway.
| | - P Vermeiren
- Dept. Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø, Norway
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Corniuk RN, Lynch JM, Arendt MD, Braun-McNeill J, Owens DW, Valverde RA, Kucklick JR, McClellan-Green PD. Using Plasma Vitellogenin in Loggerhead Sea Turtles to Assess Reproductive Maturation and Estrogen-Like Contaminant Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1309-1325. [PMID: 36942377 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Vitellogenin (VTG), an egg yolk precursor, is abnormally produced by male and juvenile oviparous species after exposure to estrogens. Plasma VTG in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) helped us understand their reproductive maturation and investigate it as a biomarker of contaminant exposure. The presence of VTG was screened in plasma from 404 loggerheads from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean using a freshwater turtle antibody in western blots. The concentrations of VTG were semiquantified using band intensities calibrated to results from a loggerhead antibody enzyme-linked immunoassay. The detection and concentrations of VTG were in (from highest to lowest): nesting females, in-water adult females, subadult females, smaller females, unknown sex, and males. Loggerheads from this region begin vitellogenesis at ≅77 cm straight carapace length. We classified VTG expression as abnormal in nine male or juvenile turtles. Organochlorine contaminant (OC) concentrations were measured in blood and/or fat biopsies of some turtles. One abnormal VTG female had the second highest fat polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations compared among 43 VTG-negative juveniles. The nine VTG-abnormal turtles had average blood PCB concentrations 8.5% higher, but not significantly different, than 46 VTG-negative juveniles (p = 0.453). In turtles less than 77 cm, blood PCB concentrations were significantly, but weakly, correlated with semiquantified VTG concentrations (tau = 0.1, p = 0.004). Greater blood OC concentrations were found in adult females than in males, which motivated the creation of a conceptual model of OC, VTG, and hormone concentrations across a reproductive cycle. A decision tree is also provided incorporating VTG as a sexing tool. Abnormal VTG expression cannot conclusively be linked to endocrine disruption caused by these OC concentrations. Studies should further investigate causes of abnormal VTG expression in wild sea turtles. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;00:1-18. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer M Lynch
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Waimanalo, Hawaii, USA
- Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael D Arendt
- Marine Resources Division, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - David W Owens
- College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Roldán A Valverde
- Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana, USA
- Sea Turtle Conservancy, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John R Kucklick
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Salvarani PI, Vieira LR, Rendón-von Osten J, Morgado F. Hawksbill Sea Turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata) Blood and Eggs Organochlorine Pesticides Concentrations and Embryonic Development in a Nesting Area (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico). TOXICS 2023; 11:50. [PMID: 36668776 PMCID: PMC9865186 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants with chemical origins, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have major impacts on the health of marine animals, including sea turtles, due to the bioaccumulation of those substances by transference throughout the food chain. The effects of environmental pollution on the health of marine turtles are very important for management strategies and conservation. During recent decades, the south Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula have suffered from increasingly frequent disturbances from continental landmasses, river systems, urban wastewater runoff, port areas, tourism, industrial activities, pesticides from agricultural use, and other pollutants, such as metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and hydrocarbons (from the oil industry activities), which contaminate water and sediments and worsen the environmental quality of the marine ecosystem in this region. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of OCPs in the blood and eggs of 60 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting at the Punta Xen turtle camp, and their effects on the nesting population's reproductive performance: specifically, maternal transfer and embryonic development were analyzed. Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and haemoglobin levels, and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and glucose, were also measured. The general health of the turtles in this study, as well as their levels of urea, serum creatinine, glucose, uric, acid, cholesterol, and triglyceride, fell within normal ranges and was similar to other normal values, which could indicate the turtles' good energy levels and body conditions for nest-building activity, with all of the turtles able to successfully come ashore to nest. All the same, the obtained results also indicate that OCPs affect the nesting and reproductive performance of the hawksbill turtles, as well as their fertility and the development of the population of eggs and reproductive performance, specifically in terms of maternal transference and embryonic development. There were significant differences in the concentrations of OCPs (ΣHCHs and ΣDienes) between maternal blood and eggs, indicating that these chemicals are transferred from nesting females to eggs and, ultimately, to hatchlings. OCPs may, therefore, have an effect on the health and reproductive performance of hawksbill turtles, both in terms of their fertility and egg development. Conservation strategies need to be species-specific, due to differences in feeding, and address the reasons for any decline, focusing on regional assessments. Thus, accurate and comparable monitoring data are necessary, which requires the standardization of monitoring protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia I. Salvarani
- Department of Biology and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luis R. Vieira
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 2250-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto Epomex, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av Augustin de Melgar y Juan de la Barrera s/n, Campeche 24039, Mexico
| | - Fernando Morgado
- Department of Biology and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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5
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Muñoz CC, Hendriks AJ, Ragas AMJ, Vermeiren P. Internal and Maternal Distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Sea Turtle Tissues: A Meta-Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:10012-10024. [PMID: 34218659 PMCID: PMC8382251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to identify patterns in the internal distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and assess contributing factors using sea turtles and their offspring as a case study of a long-lived wildlife species. We systematically synthesized 40 years of data and developed a lipid database to test whether lipid-normalized POP concentrations are equal among tissues as expected under steady state for lipophilic compounds. Results supported equal partitioning among tissues with high blood flow or perfusion including the heart, kidney, muscle, and lung. Observed differences in the brain, fat, and blood plasma, however, suggest the physiological influence of the blood-brain barrier, limited perfusion, and protein content, respectively. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers partitioned comparably to legacy POPs. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, meanwhile, partitioned more into the lung, colon, and muscle compared to the liver under chronic and acute field exposure. Partitioning ratios of individual POPs among tissues were significantly related to the lipophilicity of compounds (as estimated by Kow) in half of the observed cases, and significant differences between juveniles and adults underscore physiological differences across life stages. The comprehensive tissue partitioning patterns presented here provide a quantitative basis to support comparative assessments of POP pollution derived from biomonitoring among multiple tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia C Muñoz
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ad M J Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Vermeiren
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Savoca D, Arculeo M, Vecchioni L, Cambera I, Visconti G, Melfi R, Arizza V, Palumbo Piccionello A, Buscemi S, Pace A. Can phthalates move into the eggs of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta? The case of the nests on the Linosa Island in the Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112395. [PMID: 33991990 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
During the monitoring of Caretta caretta nests on the island of Linosa, 30 unhatched eggs from four nests were collected to study the presence of phthalates in their three components (shell, yolk, and albumen). Four phthalates, namely diethyl (DEP), dibutyl (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP), and dioctyl (DOTP) phthalic acid esters (PAE), which are widely used as additives in plastics, were detected in all egg components. The most frequently found phthalate was DBP, followed by DEHP in eggshell and yolk. Dimethyl- (DMP) and butylbenzyl-phthalate (BBP) were below the limits of detection for all samples. The high total phthalate recorded in the yolk suggests that contamination could arise by vitellogenesis. PERMANOVA analysis (p = 0.01) confirmed significant differences in the PAEs contamination profiles in the eggs from the four nests. This study confirms the negative impact of plastic related compounds posing questions about the potential adverse effects on organisms and their conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Savoca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Vecchioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Irene Cambera
- Marine Protected Area 'Isole Pelagie', Via Cameroni, Lampedusa AG 92031, Italy
| | - Giulia Visconti
- Marine Protected Area 'Isole Pelagie', Via Cameroni, Lampedusa AG 92031, Italy
| | - Raffaella Melfi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Palumbo Piccionello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvestre Buscemi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Pace
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy.
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7
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Orós J, Camacho M, Calabuig P, Rial-Berriel C, Montesdeoca N, Déniz S, Luzardo OP. Postmortem investigations on leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) stranded in the Canary Islands (Spain) (1998-2017): Evidence of anthropogenic impacts. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 167:112340. [PMID: 33866202 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Opportunities for postmortem studies on leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are infrequent due to their predominantly pelagic life history. In this study, the pathological findings and causes of mortality of 13 leatherback turtles stranded in the Canary Islands, Spain, from 1998 to 2017, are described. In addition, concentrations of Se, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, 15 rare earth elements (REE) and other 4 minor elements (ME), 41 persistent organic pollutants, and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in hepatic samples from 5 leatherbacks were determined. 84.62% of the turtles died possibly due to anthropogenic causes (entanglement/fishing interaction - 46.15%; boat strike - 23.07%; plastic ingestion - 15.38%). Although Se, As, and Cd were found at higher hepatic concentrations than those reported for leatherbacks from other locations, no acute lesions were detected. This is the first report of exposure to REE-ME in sea turtles. Organic contaminant hepatic concentrations were generally low or undetectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Orós
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontana s/n, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain.
| | - María Camacho
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, P. O. Box 550, 35080 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pascual Calabuig
- Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Tafira Baja, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Cristian Rial-Berriel
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, P. O. Box 550, 35080 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Natalia Montesdeoca
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontana s/n, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Soraya Déniz
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontana s/n, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, P. O. Box 550, 35080 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Paseo Blas Cabrera Felipe s/n, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain
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8
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Filippos LS, Taniguchi S, Baldassin P, Pires T, Montone RC. Persistent organic pollutants in plasma and stable isotopes in red blood cells of Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea sea turtles that nest in Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 167:112283. [PMID: 33799149 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Studies of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in sea turtles are reported, but there are still spatial data gaps worldwide. POP contamination of live female blood plasma from Caretta caretta (n = 28), Chelonia mydas (n = 31) and Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 19), which nest in Brazil and feed along the South Atlantic Ocean, was investigated. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from red blood cells (RBC) were also evaluated to obtain information about trophic ecology. C. caretta had the highest POP concentrations, followed by L. olivacea and C. mydas. PCBs predominated in all species, and the major OCPs were the DDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and derivatives) and Lindane. POPs and stable isotopes revealed intra- and interspecific variations, which reflect the high plasticity in the use of habitat and food resources, making individuals within the same population susceptible to different exposures to pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana S Filippos
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto Oceanográfico, Laboratório de Química Orgânica Marinha, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil.
| | - Satie Taniguchi
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto Oceanográfico, Laboratório de Química Orgânica Marinha, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Paula Baldassin
- Instituto BW, Professora Suely Brasil Flores, 88, CEP 28.970-000, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thaís Pires
- Fundação Projeto Tamar, Rua Rubens Guelli 134/307, Itaigara, Salvador, CEP: 41815-135, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Rosalinda C Montone
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto Oceanográfico, Laboratório de Química Orgânica Marinha, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
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9
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Gaion A, Morgan E, Collier S, Sartori D. Bioaccumulation of different congeners of Poly-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in muscle tissue of males and females of Clupea harengus from the North Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:30414-30421. [PMID: 34003440 PMCID: PMC8222010 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14347-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades, high concentrations of flame retardants (PBDE) in marine organisms have caused increasing concern among scientists with regards to their biomagnification potential and to human health. Poly-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers have been widely used in the past as flame retardants in various industrial sectors, and their presence in the biota has been associated with different toxicological effects. In this study, concentrations of 9 congeners of PBDE (183, 85, 153, 154, 99, 100, 47, 66 and 28) and morphometric parameters (Total Length, TL; Fork Length, FL in cm and weight) have been measured in muscle of males and females of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). Results showed no statistical differences between the concentrations of most of the congeners analysed between the two sexes, except for PBDE 153 (Mean ± standard error in males = 0.034 ± 0.005 μg/kg and in females = 0.086 ± 0.040 μg/kg; p = 0.003). This research contributes to better comprehend the ecotoxicological properties of these molecules and their implications for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gaion
- University Centre South Devon, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ, UK.
| | - Ellana Morgan
- University Centre South Devon, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ, UK
| | - Stuart Collier
- University Centre South Devon, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ, UK
| | - Davide Sartori
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale-ISPRA, via del Cedro 38, 57122, Livorno, Italy
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10
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Barraza AD, Komoroske LM, Allen CD, Eguchi T, Gossett R, Holland E, Lawson DD, LeRoux RA, Lorenzi V, Seminoff JA, Lowe CG. Persistent organic pollutants in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting two urbanized Southern California habitats. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:110979. [PMID: 32275536 PMCID: PMC7174570 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Within Southern California, east Pacific green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) forage year-round, taking advantage of diverse food resources, including seagrass, marine algae, and invertebrates. Assessing persistent organic pollutants (POP) in green turtle aggregations in the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (SBNWR, n = 17) and San Diego Bay (SDB, n = 25) can help quantify contamination risks for these populations. Blood plasma was analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). PCBs and body size explained much of the separation of turtles by foraging aggregation in a principal component analysis. Turtles from SDB had significantly (p < 0.001) higher total PCBs than SBNWR turtles. Most PCBs detected in turtles were non-dioxin-like PCB congeners (153, 138, 99) that are associated with neurotoxicity. Recaptured turtles' POP levels changed significantly over time indicating significant variation in POP levels through time and space, even among adjacent foraging locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur D Barraza
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA.
| | - Lisa M Komoroske
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Camryn D Allen
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA, USA; The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Protected Species Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Tomoharu Eguchi
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rich Gossett
- Institute for Integrated Research on Materials, Environment, and Society, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Erika Holland
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Daniel D Lawson
- Long Beach Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Robin A LeRoux
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Varenka Lorenzi
- Institute for Integrated Research on Materials, Environment, and Society, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Seminoff
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christopher G Lowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
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11
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Wu JP, Wu SK, Tao L, She YZ, Chen XY, Feng WL, Zeng YH, Luo XJ, Mai BX. Bioaccumulation characteristics of PBDEs and alternative brominated flame retardants in a wild frog-eating snake. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113661. [PMID: 31796314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While a large body of studies have examined polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative brominated flame retardants (ABFRs) in wildlife, information on the bioaccumulation of these contaminants in reptiles in general, and snakes in particular, are scarce. We investigated the bioaccumulation characteristics of PBDEs and several ABFRs including decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT) in a frog-eating snake, the striped keelback snake (Amphiesma stolata), from an e-waste recycling site in South China. The concentrations of ∑PBDEs and ∑ABFRs in the snakes ranged 53-5200 and 3.1-87 ng/g lipid weight, respectively; with higher levels in males than females. Additionally, the concentrations of BDE-28, -47, and -66 were positively correlated with snake size (snout-vent length and body mass), while negative correlations were found for most of the higher brominated PBDE congeners and HBB, PBT and BTBPE. The biomagnification factors (BMFs) estimated in the snake/frog relationship indicated a mild to moderate biomagnification of BDE-28, -47, -66, -100, -153 and -154 (with mean BMFs of 1.1-5.3), while a lack of magnification for the other PBDE congeners and all the ABFRs. This is the first report on the sex- and size-related accumulation and biomagnification potentials of PBDEs and ABFRs in snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Ping Wu
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China.
| | - Si-Kang Wu
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Lin Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ya-Zhe She
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Chen
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Wen-Lu Feng
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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12
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Guzman HM, Kaiser S, van Hinsberg VJ. Accumulation of trace elements in leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) eggs from the south-western Caribbean indicates potential health risks to consumers. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 243:125424. [PMID: 31995877 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Trace metal and metalloid levels were measured in eggs of the NW Atlantic leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from nesting grounds in the Bocas del Toro province, Panama, to infer exposure and associated risks to local communities. Samples were analyzed for a set of 26 essential and non-essential elements using inductively coupled plasma techniques. Median concentrations of Fe, Zn, As, Se and Sr in D. coriacea eggs were higher than previously reported for this species, which likely reflects differential contamination levels of specimens during foraging. The evaluation of non-carcinogenic human health risks from ingesting leatherback eggs has revealed potential deleterious effects due to high concentrations of As, Se and Sr for all examined age and gender groups, while Hg and Zn levels were above international standards for children. Hazard index (HI) values exceeded unity in all cases indicating serious health impacts related to possible additive effects of multiple metals co-occurring in the eggs. Our findings suggest that exposure to high (inorganic) As and Cr(VI) levels is associated with an increased carcinogenic risk, significantly exceeding the acceptable lifetime risk of 10-6 for both adults and children. Despite some limitations, such as unclear As and Cr speciation, our results demonstrated that the ingestion of D. coriacea eggs poses considerable health risks to local communities, and their consumption should not exceed 3.4 × 10-4 g (5.0 × 10-6 eggs) kg BW d-1. Resource managers and conservationists should focus their attention to human health effects as an alternative tool to address egg poaching and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector M Guzman
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, P O. Box 2072, Balboa, Panama
| | - Stefanie Kaiser
- Center of Natural History, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Vincent J van Hinsberg
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, 3450 University St., Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0E8, Canada
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13
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Muñoz CC, Vermeiren P. Maternal Transfer of Persistent Organic Pollutants to Sea Turtle Eggs: A Meta-Analysis Addressing Knowledge and Data Gaps Toward an Improved Synthesis of Research Outputs. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:9-29. [PMID: 31560792 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Maternal transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) confronts developing embryos with a pollution legacy and poses conservation concerns due to its potential impacts unto subsequent generations. We conducted a systematic review focusing on: 1) processes of POP maternal transfer, 2) challenges and opportunities to synthesizing current knowledge on POP concentrations in eggs, and 3) a meta-analysis of patterns in current egg pollution data. Results suggest selective maternal transfer of individual compounds. These relate to biological factors such as the foraging and remigration behavior, and to the selective mobilization of POPs during vitellogenesis, such as increased diffusion limitation for lipophilic POPs and slower release and higher reabsorption of apolar POPs. A key gap relates to knowledge of further selective toxicokinetics during embryonic development, as research to date has mainly focused on initial uptake into eggs. Challenges in the synthesis of current data on egg contamination profiles relate to methodological differences, varying analytical approaches, restricted data access, and reporting transparency among studies. To increase opportunities in the use of current data, we propose best practice guidelines, and synthesize a database on POP concentrations within sea turtle eggs. The meta-analysis revealed a geographical and taxonomic bias on the West Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, with most studies conducted on green turtles. Concentrations of POPs show temporal patterns related to trends in usage, production, release, and persistence in the environment, often with regional patterns. The trophic level has the potential to influence POP patterns with higher concentrations in loggerheads compared to other species, but this is confounded by temporal and geographic trends. We argue for more mechanistically process-focused and methodologically comparable research. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:9-29. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia C Muñoz
- Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Peter Vermeiren
- Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
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14
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Critchell K, Hamann M, Wildermann N, Grech A. Predicting the exposure of coastal species to plastic pollution in a complex island archipelago. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:982-991. [PMID: 31252137 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a pervasive and increasing threat to global biodiversity. Prioritising management actions that target marine plastic pollution require spatial information on the dispersal and settlement of plastics from both local and external sources. However, there is a mismatch between the scale of most plastic dispersal studies (regional, national and global) and the scale relevant to management action (local). We use a fine-resolution hydrodynamic model to predict the potential exposure of coastal habitats and species (mangroves, coral reefs and marine turtles) to plastic pollution at the local scale of a management region (the 1,700 km2 Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia). We assessed the potential exposure of mangroves, coral reefs and marine turtles to plastics during the two dominant wind conditions of the region; the trade wind and monsoon wind seasons. We found that in the trade wind season (April to September) all habitats and species had lower exposure than during the monsoon wind season (October to March). In both wind seasons we found a small proportion of coral reef habitat and large area of turtle habitat were in high potential exposure categories. Unlike coral reefs or marine turtles, mangroves had consistent hotspots of high exposure across wind seasons. Local scale management requires data at fine resolution to capture the variability that occurs at this scale. The outputs of our study can inform the development of conservation resources and local scale management action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Critchell
- College of Science and Engineering and TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Mark Hamann
- College of Science and Engineering and TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Natalie Wildermann
- College of Science and Engineering and TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Alana Grech
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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15
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Galligan TM, Balmer BC, Schwacke LH, Bolton JL, Quigley BM, Rosel PE, Ylitalo GM, Boggs ASP. Examining the relationships between blubber steroid hormones and persistent organic pollutants in common bottlenose dolphins. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:982-991. [PMID: 31146318 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Odontocete cetaceans bioaccumulate high concentrations of endocrine disrupting persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) - collectively DDTs - but few studies have explored DDTs-mediated endocrine disruption in cetaceans. Herein, we use remotely collected blubber biopsies from common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting a site with high localized DDTs contamination to study the relationships between DDTs exposure and steroid hormone homeostasis in cetaceans. We quantified blubber steroid hormone concentrations by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and blubber POP concentrations by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We detected six steroid hormones in blubber, including progesterone (P4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP4), androstenedione (AE), testosterone (T), cortisol (F), and cortisone (E). Sampled dolphins (n = 62) exhibited exposure to DDT, DDE, DDD, chlordanes (CHLDs), mirex, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs). Using principal components analysis (PCA), we determined that blubber DDTs primarily loaded to the first principal component (PC1) explaining 81.6% of the total variance in POP exposure, while the remaining POPs primarily loaded to the PC2 (10.4% of variance). PC1 scores were negatively correlated with blubber T in males and blubber F in females, suggesting that exposure to DDTs impacted androgen and corticosteroid homeostasis. These conclusions were further supported by observed negative correlations between T and o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDD in males sampled in the fall, and between F and the six individual DDTs and ∑6DDTs in females. Overall, these results suggest that POP-mediated endocrine disruption may have occurred in this stock of dolphins, which could negatively impact their health and fitness. However, this study relied on uncontrolled incidental exposures, making it impossible to establish a causal relationship between DDTs exposure and endocrine effects. Importantly, this study demonstrates that remotely collected blubber biopsies are a useful matrix for studying endocrine disruption in marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Galligan
- Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, 310 West Campus Drive, 101 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
| | - Brian C Balmer
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 3419 Maybank Highway, Site B, Johns Island, SC, 29455, USA
| | - Lori H Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 3419 Maybank Highway, Site B, Johns Island, SC, 29455, USA
| | - Jennie L Bolton
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA
| | - Brian M Quigley
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 3419 Maybank Highway, Site B, Johns Island, SC, 29455, USA
| | - Patricia E Rosel
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA
| | - Ashley S P Boggs
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA
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16
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Speer RM, Wise SS, Croom-Perez TJ, Aboueissa AM, Martin-Bras M, Barandiaran M, Bermúdez E, Wise JP. A comparison of particulate hexavalent chromium cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human and leatherback sea turtle lung cells from a one environmental health perspective. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 376:70-81. [PMID: 31108106 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Evaluating health risks of environmental contaminants can be better achieved by considering toxic impacts across species. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a marine pollutant and global environmental contaminant. While Cr(VI) has been identified as a human lung carcinogen, health effects in marine species are poorly understood. Little is known about how Cr(VI) might impact humans and marine species differently. This study used a One Environmental Health Approach to compare the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of particulate Cr(VI) in human and leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) lung fibroblasts. Leatherbacks may experience prolonged exposures to environmental contaminants and provide insight to how environmental exposures affect health across species. Since humans and leatherbacks may experience prolonged exposure to Cr(VI), and prolonged Cr(VI) exposure leads to carcinogenesis in humans, in this study we considered both acute and prolonged exposures. We found particulate Cr(VI) induced cytotoxicity in leatherback cells comparable to human cell data supporting current research that shows Cr(VI) impacts health across species. To better understand mechanisms of Cr(VI) toxicity we assessed the genotoxic effects of particulate Cr(VI) in human and leatherback cells. Particulate Cr(VI) induced similar genotoxicity in both cell lines, however, human cells arrested at lower concentrations than leatherback cells. We also measured intracellular Cr ion concentrations and found after prolonged exposure human cells accumulated more Cr than leatherback cells. These data indicate Cr(VI) is a health concern for humans and leatherbacks. The data also suggest humans and leatherbacks respond to chemical exposure differently, possibly leading to the discovery of species-specific protective mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Speer
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 500 S Preston St, Rm 1422, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | - Sandra S Wise
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 500 S Preston St, Rm 1422, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | - Tayler J Croom-Perez
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 500 S Preston St, Rm 1422, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America
| | | | - Mark Martin-Bras
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 500 S Preston St, Rm 1422, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America; Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, 138 Calle Flamboyan, Vieques 00765, Puerto Rico
| | - Mike Barandiaran
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Rd 997 km 3.2, Vieques 00765, Puerto Rico
| | - Erick Bermúdez
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Rd 997 km 3.2, Vieques 00765, Puerto Rico
| | - John Pierce Wise
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, 500 S Preston St, Rm 1422, Louisville, KY 40202, United States of America.
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17
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Salvarani PI, Morgado F, Vieira LR, Osten JRV. Organochlorines Contaminants in Eggs of Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Mexico coast. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 76:425-434. [PMID: 30600338 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-018-00589-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) levels in sea turtles is an important issue in conservation research, due to the harmful effects of these chemicals. In the present study, OCPs concentrations were determined in the eggs of two sea turtle species (Eretmochelys imbricata and Chelonia mydas) collected from the Punta Xen and Isla Aguada (Mexican coast) in 2014 and 2015. Concentrations of 20 OCPs were analysed, including isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, aldrin, chlordanes, endosulfans, methoxychlor, DDTs, and heptachlor. From the group of contaminants considered (analysed as families), the results revealed higher concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDienes on both selected species. We analysed the relationship between turtle size and the OCPs concentrations; no correlation was found between the size of the female and concentrations in the eggs. In addition, principal component analysis indicated pattern differences between species and years, in good agreement with concentrations differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia I Salvarani
- Department of Biology and The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Fernando Morgado
- Department of Biology and The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luis R Vieira
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Group of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 2250-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Department of Populations Study, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto Epomex, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Augustin de Melgar y Juan de la Barrera s/n, 24039, Campeche, Mexico
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18
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Vijayasarathy S, Baduel C, Hof C, Bell I, Del Mar Gómez Ramos M, Ramos MJG, Kock M, Gaus C. Multi-residue screening of non-polar hazardous chemicals in green turtle blood from different foraging regions of the Great Barrier Reef. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 652:862-868. [PMID: 30380492 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Green turtles spend a large part of their lifecycle foraging in nearshore seagrass habitats, which are often in close proximity to sources of anthropogenic contaminants. As most biomonitoring studies focus on a limited number of targeted chemical groups, this study was designed to screen for a wider range of hazardous chemicals that may not have been considered in prior studies. Whole blood of sub-adult green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were sampled from three different locations, a remote, offshore 'control' site; and two coastal 'case' sites influenced by urban and agricultural activities on the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland, Australia. In order to screen blood samples for chemicals across a wide range of KOW's, a modified QuEChER's extraction method was used. The samples were analysed using a multi-residue gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry system (GC-MS/MS method that allowed simultaneous quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PBDES), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While PBDEs, PCBs and OCPS were below the limits of quantification, PAHs were detected in all turtle blood samples. However, PAH levels were relatively low (maximum ΣPAH = 13 ng/mL ww) and comparable to or less than those reported from other green turtles globally. The present study provides the first baseline PAH levels in blood samples from green turtles from nearshore and offshore locations in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumini Vijayasarathy
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Christine Baduel
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IRD, CNRS, Grenoble INP, IGE, Grenoble, France
| | - Christine Hof
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Species Conservation and Indigenous Partnerships Unit, World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Australia, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ian Bell
- Aquatic Species Program, Department of Environment and Science, Townsville, Australia
| | - María Del Mar Gómez Ramos
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - María José Gómez Ramos
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Marjolijn Kock
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Caroline Gaus
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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19
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Porter SN, Humphries MS, Buah-Kwofie A, Schleyer MH. Accumulation of organochlorine pesticides in reef organisms from marginal coral reefs in South Africa and links with coastal groundwater. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 137:295-305. [PMID: 30503438 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs support rich levels of biodiversity, but are globally threatened by a multitude of factors, including land-sourced pollutants. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in three species of coral reef invertebrate at five sites along the Maputaland coast, South Africa were quantified. We aimed to assess spatial and interspecies variations in pesticide accumulation. Markedly high levels of a range of OCP residues were detected within tissues, with total concentrations (ng g-1 ww) ranging from 460 to 1200 (Sarcophyton glaucum), 1100-3000 (Sinularia gravis) and 450-1500 (Theonella swinhoei), respectively. A decreasing gradient in total pesticide concentrations was detected southward from Regal Reef, opposite Lake Sibaya, the hypothesised source of the pollutants. Observed gradients in pesticide concentrations and nitrogen isotope signatures indicated coastal groundwater to be the likely source of the pollutants. Further studies are required to assess the potential ecotoxicological impacts of these contaminants at the organismal and ecosystem level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean N Porter
- Oceanographic Research Institute, PO Box 10712, Marine Parade, Durban 4056, South Africa.
| | - Marc S Humphries
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
| | - Archibold Buah-Kwofie
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
| | - Michael H Schleyer
- Oceanographic Research Institute, PO Box 10712, Marine Parade, Durban 4056, South Africa
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20
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Archibald DW, James MC. Prevalence of visible injuries to leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea in the Northwest Atlantic. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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21
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Teófilo Pignati M, Costa De Souza L, de Alcântara Mendes R, de Oliveira Lima M, Antonio Pignati W, Carlos Brito Pezzuti J. Levels of organochlorine pesticides in Amazon turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Xingu River, Brazil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART. B, PESTICIDES, FOOD CONTAMINANTS, AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES 2018; 53:810-816. [PMID: 30199320 DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2018.1505077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to the toxicity and high environmental persistence of organochlorine pesticides in aquatic organisms, turtles have been studied as environment biomonitors. These animals are important sources of protein for the riverside and indigenous peoples of the Brazilian amazon. In the present study, organochlorine pesticide contamination was investigated in Podocnemis unifilis. Liver, muscle and fatty tissue samples were removed from 50 specimens collected from five sampling points located in the Xingu River basin. Fourteen organochlorine pesticides were analysed via gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (CG-ECD). Eight organochlorine pesticides were detected with average concentrations of ∑DDT, ∑Endossulfan and ∑HCH which were 26.17 ± 26.35, 14.38 ± 23.77 and 1.39 ± 8.46 ng g-1 in moisture content, respectively. DDT compounds were the most predominant, with a greater concentration of pp'-DDT in the liver and pp'-DDD in the muscle. Significant differences were noted between the types of tissues studied, and the concentration of OCPs varied between sampling sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Teófilo Pignati
- a Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia Universidade Federal do Pará e Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi/CZO , Belém , Brazil
| | - Larissa Costa De Souza
- b I nstituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Meio Ambiente , Laboratório de Toxicologia , Ananindeua , Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo de Oliveira Lima
- b I nstituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Meio Ambiente , Laboratório de Toxicologia , Ananindeua , Brazil
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Salvarani PI, Vieira LR, Ku-Peralta W, Morgado F, Osten JRV. Oxidative stress biomarkers and organochlorine pesticides in nesting female hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata from Mexican coast (Punta Xen, Mexico). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:23809-23816. [PMID: 29876855 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2404-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Because of their vulnerable population status, assessing exposure levels and impacts of toxicants on the health status of Gulf of Mexico marine turtle populations is essential, and this study was aimed to obtain baseline information on oxidative stress indicators in hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). In order to evaluate the health status of sea turtles and the effect of organochlorine compounds (OC) in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico, we searched for relationships between carapace size and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the blood of the hawksbill sea turtle. The level of oxidative stress biomarkers such as the enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and acetylcholinesterase (Ache) in the hawksbill sea turtle was analysed during nesting season in the years 2014-2015 at Punta Xen (Campeche, Mexico). The results of this study provide insight into data of antioxidant enzyme activities in relation to contaminant OCPs in hawksbill sea turtles and the possible health impacts of contaminant in sea turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia I Salvarani
- Department of Biology and The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Luis R Vieira
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Group of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 2250-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Department of Populations Study, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Wiliam Ku-Peralta
- Instituto Epomex, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av Augustin de Melgar y Juan de la Barrera s/n, 24039, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Fernando Morgado
- Department of Biology and The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto Epomex, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av Augustin de Melgar y Juan de la Barrera s/n, 24039, Campeche, Mexico
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Galligan TM, Schwacke LH, Houser DS, Wells RS, Rowles T, Boggs ASP. Characterization of circulating steroid hormone profiles in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 263:80-91. [PMID: 29627396 PMCID: PMC6668333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Systemic steroid hormone measurements are often used in the assessment of reproductive, developmental, and stress physiology in vertebrates. In protected wildlife, such as the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), these measures can provide critical information about health and fitness to aid in effective conservation and management. Circulating steroid hormone concentrations are typically measured by immunoassays, which have imperfect specificity and are limited to the measurement of a single hormone per assay. Here we demonstrate that reverse phase solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) allows for the simultaneous, precise (<15% relative standard deviation), and accurate (between 70% and 120% recovery of spiked quantities) measurement of at least seven steroid hormones in dolphin plasma. These seven steroid hormones include three hormones that have been measured previously in bottlenose dolphin blood (progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol) and three hormones which have never been quantified in dolphin blood (17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, cortisone, and corticosterone). While 17β-estradiol was not detected endogenously, we were able to accurately and precisely measure spiked quantities estradiol. Measures from plasma were more precise (i.e., lower RSD) than serum, and thus we recommend plasma as the preferred matrix for this analytical method. In order to facilitate comparison of current and future plasma-based studies to previous serum-based studies, we characterized the relationships between hormone measurements in matched plasma and serum, and found that measurements across matrices are significantly and positively correlated. Lastly, to demonstrate potential applications of this method, we examined how steroid hormone profiles vary by pregnancy, sexual maturity, and stress status - pregnancy was associated with elevated progesterone, adult males had higher testosterone, and capture stress was associated with elevated corticosteroids. Overall, we conclude that this method will enable investigators to more thoroughly and efficiently evaluate steroid hormone homeostasis in bottlenose dolphins compared to immunoassay methods. These methods can potentially be applied to the assessment of sexual maturity/seasonality, pregnancy status, and stress in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins as well as those maintained under human care, and potentially other marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Galligan
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Graduate Studies, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA; JHT, Inc. Under Contract to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA.
| | - Lori H Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Drive Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA.
| | - Dorian S Houser
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Drive Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA.
| | - Randall S Wells
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Teri Rowles
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Ashley S P Boggs
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Chemical Sciences Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA.
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24
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Speer RM, Wise CF, Young JL, Aboueissa AM, Martin Bras M, Barandiaran M, Bermúdez E, Márquez-D'Acunti L, Wise JP. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of particulate and soluble hexavalent chromium in leatherback sea turtle lung cells. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 198:149-157. [PMID: 29547730 PMCID: PMC5915330 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a marine pollution of concern as recent studies show it has a global distribution, with some regions showing high Cr concentrations in marine animal tissue, and it is extensively used. Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are an endangered marine species that may experience prolonged exposures to environmental contaminants including Cr(VI). Human activities have led to global Cr(VI) contamination of the marine environment. While Cr(VI) has been identified as a known human carcinogen, the health effects in marine species are poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of particulate and soluble Cr(VI) in leatherback sea turtle lung cells. Both particulate and soluble Cr(VI) induced a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity. Next, using a chromosome aberration assay, we assessed the genotoxic effects of Cr(VI) in leatherback sea turtle lung cells. Particulate and soluble Cr(VI) induced a concentration-dependent increase in clastogenicity in leatherback sea turtle lung cells. These data indicate that Cr(VI) may be a health concern for leatherback sea turtles and other long-lived marine species. Additionally, these data provide foundational support to use leatherback sea turtles as a valuable model species for monitoring the health effects of Cr(VI) in the environment and possibly as an indicator species to assess environmental human exposures and effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Speer
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, CTRB rm 522, 505 S. Hancock Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292, USA.
| | - Catherine F Wise
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, CTRB rm 522, 505 S. Hancock Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292, USA; Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Box 7633, Raleigh NC 27695-7633, 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
| | - Jamie L Young
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, CTRB rm 522, 505 S. Hancock Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292, USA.
| | - AbouEl-Makarim Aboueissa
- Department of Math and Statistics, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St, Portland, ME 04103, USA.
| | - Mark Martin Bras
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, CTRB rm 522, 505 S. Hancock Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292, USA; Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, 138 Calle Flamboyan, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765, USA.
| | - Mike Barandiaran
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Rd 997 km 3.2, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765, USA.
| | - Erick Bermúdez
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Rd 997 km 3.2, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765, USA.
| | - Lirio Márquez-D'Acunti
- Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, 138 Calle Flamboyan, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765, USA.
| | - John Pierce Wise
- Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, CTRB rm 522, 505 S. Hancock Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40292, USA.
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Muñoz CC, Vermeiren P. Profiles of environmental contaminants in hawksbill turtle egg yolks reflect local to distant pollution sources among nesting beaches in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 135:43-54. [PMID: 29395262 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of spatial variation in pollutant profiles among sea turtle nesting locations is limited. This poses challenges in identifying processes shaping this variability and sets constraints to the conservation management of sea turtles and their use as biomonitoring tools for environmental pollutants. We aimed to increase understanding of the spatial variation in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), organochlorine pesticide (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds among nesting beaches. We link the spatial variation to turtle migration patterns and the persistence of these pollutants. Specifically, using gas chromatography, we confirmed maternal transfer of a large number of compounds (n = 68 out of 69) among 104 eggs collected from 21 nests across three nesting beaches within the Yucatán Peninsula, one of the world's most important rookeries for hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). High variation in PAH profiles was observed among beaches, using multivariate correspondence analysis and univariate Peto-Prentice tests, reflecting local acquisition during recent migration movements. Diagnostic PAH ratios reflected petrogenic origins in Celestún, the beach closest to petroleum industries in the Gulf of Mexico. By contrast, pollution profiles of OCPs and PCBs showed high similarity among beaches, reflecting the long-term accumulation of these pollutants at regional scales. Therefore, spatial planning of protected areas and the use of turtle eggs in biomonitoring needs to account for the spatial variation in pollution profiles among nesting beaches.
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Ng CKY, Lam JCW, Zhang XH, Gu HX, Li TH, Ye MB, Xia ZR, Zhang FY, Duan JX, Wang WX, Lam IKS, Balazs GH, Lam PKS, Murphy MB. Levels of trace elements, methylmercury and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foraging green turtles in the South China region and their conservation implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 234:735-742. [PMID: 29245147 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sea turtles are globally endangered and face daily anthropogenic threats, including pollution. However, there is a lack of ecotoxicological information on sea turtles, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This study aims to determine pollutant levels of foraging green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in South China, including Hong Kong, Guangdong and Taiwan, as a basis for their conservation. Scute, liver and muscle tissues of stranded green turtles were analysed for levels of 17 trace elements and methylmercury (MeHg) (n = 86 for scute and n = 14 for liver) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (n = 11 for muscle and n = 13 for liver). Ten-fold higher levels of Pb, Ba, V and Tl and 40-fold greater Cd levels were measured in green turtle livers in South China relative to other studies conducted over 10 years ago. Measured PBDE levels were also 27-fold and 50-fold greater than those reported in Australia and Japan. These results warrant further investigation of potential toxicological risks to green turtles in South China and their source rookeries in Malaysia, Micronesia, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Japan and Taiwan. Research should target monitoring pollutant levels in sea turtles within the West Pacific/Southeast Asia regional management unit spanning East Asia to Southeast Asia to fill in knowledge gaps, in particular in areas such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines where less or no data is available and where foraging grounds of sea turtles have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie Ka Yan Ng
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - James Chung Wah Lam
- Department of Science and Environmental Studies, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao Hua Zhang
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Department of Science and Environmental Studies, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - He Xiang Gu
- Guangdong Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve Bureau, China Sea Turtle Base, Sea Turtle Bay, Gangkou Town, Huidong County, Guangdong Province, 516359, People's Republic of China
| | - Tsung Hsien Li
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Checheng, Pingtung, 94450, Taiwan
| | - Min Bin Ye
- Guangdong Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve Bureau, China Sea Turtle Base, Sea Turtle Bay, Gangkou Town, Huidong County, Guangdong Province, 516359, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong Rong Xia
- Guangdong Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve Bureau, China Sea Turtle Base, Sea Turtle Bay, Gangkou Town, Huidong County, Guangdong Province, 516359, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Yan Zhang
- Guangdong Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve Bureau, China Sea Turtle Base, Sea Turtle Bay, Gangkou Town, Huidong County, Guangdong Province, 516359, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Xia Duan
- Guangdong Huidong Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve Bureau, China Sea Turtle Base, Sea Turtle Bay, Gangkou Town, Huidong County, Guangdong Province, 516359, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Xiong Wang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Isaac Kam Sum Lam
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - George H Balazs
- NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA
| | - Paul K S Lam
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Margaret B Murphy
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
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27
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Clukey KE, Lepczyk CA, Balazs GH, Work TM, Li QX, Bachman MJ, Lynch JM. Persistent organic pollutants in fat of three species of Pacific pelagic longline caught sea turtles: Accumulation in relation to ingested plastic marine debris. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 610-611:402-411. [PMID: 28806556 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In addition to eating contaminated prey, sea turtles may be exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from ingesting plastic debris that has absorbed these chemicals. Given the limited knowledge about POPs in pelagic sea turtles and how plastic ingestion influences POP exposure, our objectives were to: 1) provide baseline contaminant levels of three species of pelagic Pacific sea turtles; and 2) assess trends of contaminant levels in relation to species, sex, length, body condition and capture location. In addition, we hypothesized that if ingesting plastic is a significant source of POP exposure, then the amount of ingested plastic may be correlated to POP concentrations accumulated in fat. To address our objectives we compared POP concentrations in fat samples to previously described amounts of ingested plastic from the same turtles. Fat samples from 25 Pacific pelagic sea turtles [2 loggerhead (Caretta caretta), 6 green (Chelonia mydas) and 17 olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtles] were analyzed for 81 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 20 organochlorine pesticides, and 35 brominated flame-retardants. The olive ridley and loggerhead turtles had higher ΣDDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites) than ΣPCBs, at a ratio similar to biota measured in the South China Sea and southern California. Green turtles had a ratio close to 1:1. These pelagic turtles had lower POP levels than previously reported in nearshore turtles. POP concentrations were unrelated to the amounts of ingested plastic in olive ridleys, suggesting that their exposure to POPs is mainly through prey. In green turtles, concentrations of ΣPCBs were positively correlated with the number of plastic pieces ingested, but these findings were confounded by covariance with body condition index (BCI). Green turtles with a higher BCI had eaten more plastic and also had higher POPs. Taken together, our findings suggest that sea turtles accumulate most POPs through their prey rather than marine debris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine E Clukey
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Christopher A Lepczyk
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States; Auburn University, School of Forestry and Wildlife Science, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - George H Balazs
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Thierry M Work
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Qing X Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Melannie J Bachman
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Jennifer M Lynch
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Kaneohe, HI, United States.
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Foraging and recruitment hotspot dynamics for the largest Atlantic loggerhead turtle rookery. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16894. [PMID: 29203929 PMCID: PMC5715148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17206-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining patterns of migratory connectivity for highly-mobile, wide-ranging species, such as sea turtles, is challenging. Here, we combined satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis to estimate foraging locations for 749 individual loggerheads nesting along the east central Florida (USA) coast, the largest rookery for the Northwest Atlantic population. We aggregated individual results by year, identified seven foraging hotspots and tracked these summaries to describe the dynamics of inter-annual contributions of these geographic areas to this rookery over a nine-year period. Using reproductive information for a subset of turtles (n = 513), we estimated hatchling yields associated with each hotspots. We found considerable inter-annual variability in the relative contribution of foraging areas to the nesting adults. Also reproductive success differed among foraging hotspots; females using southern foraging areas laid nests that produced more offspring in all but one year of the study. These analyses identified two high priority areas for future research and conservation efforts: the continental shelf adjacent to east central Florida and the Great Bahama Bank, which support higher numbers of foraging females that provide higher rates of hatchling production. The implementation of the continuous-surface approach to determine geographic origins of unknown migrants is applicable to other migratory species.
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29
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Costantini D, Sebastiano M, Müller MS, Eulaers I, Ambus P, Malarvannan G, Covaci A, Massa B, Dell'Omo G. Individual variation of persistent organic pollutants in relation to stable isotope ratios, sex, reproductive phase and oxidative status in Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) from the Southern Mediterranean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 598:179-187. [PMID: 28441596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and its consequences for seabirds in the Mediterranean basin. We characterised the plasma contaminant profile (polychlorinated biphenyls ΣPCBs; organochlorine pesticides ΣOCPs; polybrominated diphenyl ethers ΣPBDEs) of a population of the seabird Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) that breeds in the southern Mediterranean (Linosa Island) and investigated (i) whether sex, stable isotope ratios (related to diet), reproductive phase (early incubation vs. late breeding season) and body mass explained variation in contaminant burden and (ii) whether they predict health-related variables. The predominant category of POPs was ΣPCBs contributing between 53.0 and 92.4% of the total POPs in each shearwater. The percentage contribution of ΣOCPs to total POPs ranged between 7.6 and 47.0%, while that of ΣPBDEs ranged between <1% and 22.1%. Near the end of the breeding season, concentrations of ΣPCBs, ΣOCPs and ΣPOPs were significantly higher than at the beginning of the incubation period. ΣPBDEs were higher in males than females near the end of the breeding season, while they were higher in females than males at the beginning of the egg incubation period. Carbon- and nitrogen isotope ratios and individual body mass were not significantly associated with any contaminant class. Mates differed in the concentration of POPs, but they had similar stable isotope values. There was little evidence for a connection between contaminants and blood-based markers of oxidative balance. None of the contaminants predicted the probability of a bird being resighted as a breeder the following year. Thus, although POPs were present at high concentrations in some individuals, our study suggests little concern regarding POP exposure for this shearwater population.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Costantini
- UMR 7221, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 7 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France; Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Manrico Sebastiano
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Martina S Müller
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Per Ambus
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 København K, Denmark
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Bruno Massa
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Perrault JR, Bauman KD, Greenan TM, Blum PC, Henry MS, Walsh CJ. Maternal transfer and sublethal immune system effects of brevetoxin exposure in nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from western Florida. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 180:131-140. [PMID: 27716578 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Blooms of Karenia brevis (also called red tides) occur almost annually in the Gulf of Mexico. The health effects of the neurotoxins (i.e., brevetoxins) produced by this toxic dinoflagellate on marine turtles are poorly understood. Florida's Gulf Coast represents an important foraging and nesting area for a number of marine turtle species. Most studies investigating brevetoxin exposure in marine turtles thus far focus on dead and/or stranded individuals and rarely examine the effects in apparently "healthy" free-ranging individuals. From May-July 2014, one year after the last red tide bloom, we collected blood from nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) on Casey Key, Florida USA. These organisms show both strong nesting and foraging site fidelity. The plasma was analyzed for brevetoxin concentrations in addition to a number of health and immune-related parameters in an effort to establish sublethal effects of this toxin. Lastly, from July-September 2014, we collected unhatched eggs and liver and yolk sacs from dead-in-nest hatchlings from nests laid by the sampled females and tested these samples for brevetoxin concentrations to determine maternal transfer and effects on reproductive success. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), all plasma samples from nesting females tested positive for brevetoxin (reported as ng brevetoxin-3[PbTx-3] equivalents [eq]/mL) exposure (2.1-26.7ng PbTx-3eq/mL). Additionally, 100% of livers (1.4-13.3ng PbTx-3eq/mL) and yolk sacs (1.7-6.6ng PbTx-3eq/mL) from dead-in-nest hatchlings and 70% of eggs (<1.0-24.4ng PbTx-3eq/mL) tested positive for brevetoxin exposure with the ELISA. We found that plasma brevetoxin concentrations determined by an ELISA in nesting females positively correlated with gamma-globulins, indicating a potential for immunomodulation as a result of brevetoxin exposure. While the sample sizes were small, we also found that plasma brevetoxin concentrations determined by an ELISA in nesting females significantly correlated with liver brevetoxin concentrations of dead-in-nest hatchlings and that brevetoxins could be related to a decreased reproductive success in this species. This study suggests that brevetoxins can still elicit negative effects on marine life long after a bloom has dissipated. These results improve our understanding of maternal transfer and sublethal effects of brevetoxin exposure in marine turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Perrault
- Marine Immunology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Katherine D Bauman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Middlebury College, 14 Old Chapel Road, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA.
| | - Taylor M Greenan
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA.
| | - Patricia C Blum
- Marine Immunology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Michael S Henry
- Marine Immunology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Catherine J Walsh
- Marine Immunology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
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De Andrés E, Gómara B, González-Paredes D, Ruiz-Martín J, Marco A. Persistent organic pollutant levels in eggs of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) point to a decrease in hatching success. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 146:354-361. [PMID: 26735737 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Sea turtles are susceptible to environmental pollution, since many harmful effects have been reported for different chemicals over the last two decades. In this context, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are of particular concern due to their endocrine-disrupting nature. The aims of this study were to provide additional baseline data on PCB and PBDE concentrations in eggs of Dermochelys coriacea; and to investigate whether any of the congeners could compromise reproductive success in this species. A total of 18 nests from different females were studied during the nesting season of 2008 at Reserva Pacuare Beach, in the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Reproductive parameters (viability, fertility and hatching rates) were calculated for all nests and hatchling morphometrics were successfully measured in 8 of them. Two to three fresh eggs per nest were taken for contaminant study. Different congeners of POPs were purified and identified using gas chromatography (GC) coupled to an ion trap detector (GC-ITD MS/MS), as described below. Mean ± SD concentrations were calculated for POP congeners within each nest and clustering was also evaluated. Correlations were performed searching for potential relationships with reproductive parameters. POP levels were similar to those reported in French-Guiana populations and slightly lower than those associated to Florida populations. Sum of PBDEs showed a negative correlation to the hatching success, suggesting potential harmful effects of these contaminants on the reproduction of leatherbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva De Andrés
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad y Ecología Aplicada, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Americo Vespucio, 41092, Isla de la Cartuja, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Belén Gómara
- Departamento de Análisis Instrumental y Química Ambiental (AIQA), Instituto de Química Orgánica General, CSIC, Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel González-Paredes
- Center for Marine Biodiversity & Conservation (CMBC), Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500, Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - José Ruiz-Martín
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Av. Reina Mercedes, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Adolfo Marco
- Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad y Ecología Aplicada, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Americo Vespucio, 41092, Isla de la Cartuja, Sevilla, Spain
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García-Besné G, Valdespino C, Rendón-von Osten J. Comparison of organochlorine pesticides and PCB residues among hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles in the Yucatan Peninsula and their maternal transfer. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 91:139-148. [PMID: 25549825 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Organochlorine pesticides and PCB (POPs) concentrations were determined in the blood and eggs of green and hawksbill turtles. We compared concentrations between species, analyzed the relationship between turtle size and the POPs concentrations and the relationship between the concentrations in the blood of the nesting turtles and their eggs. We expected higher concentrations in the hawksbill turtle because of its higher trophic level, but concentrations were not higher in all the cases. Significant differences were found in δ-HCH blood concentrations. Lindane, heptachlor epoxide and PCB 101 concentrations were significantly higher in the hawksbill eggs. The relationship between the size of the turtles and the POP concentrations in the eggs of the hawksbills showed a negative correlation. No correlation was found between the size of the female and concentrations in the blood. In eggs, only the hawksbill turtles exhibited negative correlation in the concentration of mirex and PCB 44 and size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela García-Besné
- Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91070, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Carolina Valdespino
- Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91070, Veracruz, Mexico.
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustin Melgar y Juan de la Barrera s/n, 24039 Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
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Hong B, Wu T, Zhao G, Sun Y, Wang X, Zhao J, Yi Z, Wu X, Mai B. Occurrence of decabromodiphenyl ethane in captive Chinese alligators (Alligator sinensis) from China. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2015; 94:12-16. [PMID: 25159734 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-014-1353-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a replacement for decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE), was investigated in captive Chinese alligators from China. DBDPE was detected in adult tissues, neonates and eggs of Chinese alligators with concentrations ranging from 4.74-192, 0.24-1.94, and 0.01-0.51 ng g(-1) lipid weight, respectively. Compared to PBDEs and PCBs, DBDPE contamination was limited in Chinese alligators. Additionally, DBDPE concentrations in adult muscles were one to three orders of magnitude higher than those in neonates and eggs, suggesting the limited maternal transfer potential of DBDPE in Chinese alligators. This is the first study to report the occurrence of DBDPE in Chinese alligators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Hong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241003, China
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Wu T, Hong B, Wu X, Wu J, Wang X, Yi Z, Zhao J, Zhan M, Mai B. Persistent halogenated compounds in captive Chinese alligators (Alligator sinensis) from China. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 110:23-30. [PMID: 24880595 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
While a number of studies have reported residual levels of persistent halogenated compounds (PHCs) in crocodilia, there is still a dearth of information on the Chinese alligator, a critically endangered crocodilian species. In the present study, several PHCs, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), were detected in the adult tissues, neonates, and eggs of captive Chinese alligators from China. The concentrations of ΣPBDEs, ΣPCBs, and ΣDDTs in Chinese alligators ranged from 0.11 to 16.1, 1.12 to 22.2, and 6.03 to 1020ngg(-1) wet weight, respectively, with higher levels of ΣPCBs and ΣDDTs in the neonates and eggs than in muscle tissues. The ΣDDT residues in the studied Chinese alligators were at the high end of reported ranges from crocodilia around the world, and some results exceeded levels known to cause a female-biased sex ratio in crocodilians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Bing Hong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Xiaobing Wu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China.
| | - Jiangping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Xinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhigang Yi
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Miao Zhan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241003, China
| | - Bixian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Sousa DA, Gonçalves RM, Heleno FF, de Queiroz MEL, de Marchi MRR. Chemometric optimization of solid–liquid extraction with low-temperature partition (SLE-LTP) for determination of persistent organic pollutants in Caiman yacare eggs. Microchem J 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2014.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Law RJ, Covaci A, Harrad S, Herzke D, Abdallah MAE, Fernie K, Toms LML, Takigami H. Levels and trends of PBDEs and HBCDs in the global environment: status at the end of 2012. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 65:147-58. [PMID: 24486972 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we have compiled and reviewed the most recent literature, published in print or online from January 2010 to December 2012, relating to the human exposure, environmental distribution, behaviour, fate and concentration time trends of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) flame retardants, in order to establish their current trends and priorities for future study. More data are now becoming available for remote areas not previously studied, Indian Ocean islands, for example. Decreasing time trends for penta-mix PBDE congeners were seen for soils in northern Europe, sewage sludge in Sweden and the USA, carp from a US river, trout from three of the Great Lakes and in Arctic and UK marine mammals and many birds, but increasing time trends continue in polar bears and some birds at high trophic levels in northern Europe. This may be partially a result of the time delay inherent in long-range atmospheric transport processes. In general, concentrations of BDE209 (the major component of the deca-mix PBDE product) are continuing to increase. Of major concern is the possible/likely debromination of the large reservoir of BDE209 in soils and sediments worldwide, to yield lower brominated congeners which are both more mobile and more toxic, and we have compiled the most recent evidence for the occurrence of this degradation process. Numerous studies reported here reinforce the importance of this future concern. Time trends for HBCDs are mixed, with both increases and decreases evident in different matrices and locations and, notably, with increasing occurrence in birds of prey. Temporal trends for both PBDEs and HBCD in Asia are unclear currently. A knowledge gap has been noted in relation to metabolism and/or debromination of BDE209 and HBCD in birds. Further monitoring of human exposure and environmental contamination in areas of e-waste recycling, particularly in Asia and Africa, is warranted. More data on temporal trends of BDE and HBCD concentrations in a variety of matrices and locations are needed before the current status of these compounds can be fully assessed, and the impact of regulation and changing usage patterns among different flame retardants determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Law
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stuart Harrad
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, H. Johansens gate 14, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mohamed A-E Abdallah
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt
| | - Kim Fernie
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington L7R 4A6, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leisa-Maree L Toms
- School of Clinical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hidetaka Takigami
- Centre for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506 Ibaraki, Japan
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Camacho M, Boada LD, Orós J, López P, Zumbado M, Almeida-González M, Luzardo OP. Comparative study of organohalogen contamination between two populations of Eastern Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 91:678-683. [PMID: 24114274 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-013-1123-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the presence of 37 organohalogen contaminants in plasma samples from 162 juvenile and 197 adult loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the archipelagos of the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, respectively, and compared the contamination profiles found. We detected five organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and 16 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The concentrations of the two groups of contaminants were higher in turtles from the Canary Islands (OCPs, 1.04 vs. 0.37 ng/mL; PCBs, 1.92 vs. 0.08 ng/mL). We also observed a different profile of PCB contamination between the two populations. In addition, there was a negative correlation between body size and the total concentration of PCBs in the Canary Islands turtles, but not in turtles from Cape Verde. The present study presents the first data on the organochlorine contaminants (OCs) of live turtles from Canary Islands. In addition, we perform a comparison of the levels and profiles of OCs between these two different groups of loggerhead sea turtles from the Eastern Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Camacho
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontana s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
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38
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Crespo JL, García-Párraga D, Giménez I, Rubio-Guerri C, Melero M, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM, Marco A, Cuesta JA, Muñoz MJ. Two cases of pseudohermaphroditism in loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2013; 105:183-191. [PMID: 23999702 DOI: 10.3354/dao02622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Two juvenile (curved carapace lengths: 28 and 30 cm) loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta with precocious male external characteristics were admitted to the ARCA del Mar rescue area at the Oceanogràfic Aquarium in Valencia, Spain, in 2009 and 2010. Routine internal laparoscopic examination and subsequent histopathology confirmed the presence of apparently healthy internal female gonads in both animals. Extensive tissue biopsy and hormone induction assays were consistent with female sex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of pseudohermaphroditism in loggerhead sea turtles based on sexual external characteristics and internal laparoscopic examination. Our findings suggest that the practice of using external phenotypical characteristics as the basis for gender identification in sea turtles should be reevaluated. Future research should focus on detecting more animals with sexual defects and their possible effects on the sea turtle population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Crespo
- Veterinary Services, Oceanogràfic, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic), 46013 Valencia, Spain
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39
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Mull CG, Lyons K, Blasius ME, Winkler C, O'Sullivan JB, Lowe CG. Evidence of maternal offloading of organic contaminants in white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). PLoS One 2013; 8:e62886. [PMID: 23646154 PMCID: PMC3639909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic contaminants were measured in young of the year (YOY) white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) incidentally caught in southern California between 2005 and 2012 (n = 20) and were found to be unexpectedly high considering the young age and dietary preferences of young white sharks, suggesting these levels may be due to exposure in utero. To assess the potential contributions of dietary exposure to the observed levels, a five-parameter bioaccumulation model was used to estimate the total loads a newborn shark would potentially accumulate in one year from consuming contaminated prey from southern California. Maximum simulated dietary accumulation of DDTs and PCBs were 25.1 and 4.73 µg/g wet weight (ww) liver, respectively. Observed ΣDDT and ΣPCB concentrations (95±91 µg/g and 16±10 µg/g ww, respectively) in a majority of YOY sharks were substantially higher than the model predictions suggesting an additional source of contaminant exposure beyond foraging. Maternal offloading of organic contaminants during reproduction has been noted in other apex predators, but this is the first evidence of transfer in a matrotrophic shark. While there are signs of white shark population recovery in the eastern Pacific, the long-term physiological and population level consequences of biomagnification and maternal offloading of environmental contaminants in white sharks is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Mull
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America.
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40
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Keller JM. Forty-seven days of decay does not change persistent organic pollutant levels in loggerhead sea turtle eggs. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:747-56. [PMID: 23418059 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 11/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Reptile and bird eggs are priority samples for specimen banking programs that assess spatial and temporal trends of environmental contaminants. From endangered species, such as sea turtles, nonlethal sampling is required (e.g., unhatched eggs collected postemergence). Previous contaminant monitoring studies have used unhatched sea turtle eggs, but no study has tested whether their concentrations represent levels found in fresh eggs (e.g., eggs collected within 24 h of oviposition). The author analyzed three fresh eggs from different nest depths and up to three unhatched eggs from 10 loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests in South Carolina, USA, for a suite of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Lipid-normalized POP concentrations were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between fresh and unhatched eggs or among different depths from the same nest. The POP concentrations in loggerhead eggs from South Carolina were higher than previously measured concentrations in eggs from Florida and slightly lower than concentrations in eggs from North Carolina. This pattern agrees with previously observed trends of increasing POP concentrations in loggerhead turtles inhabiting northern latitudes along the U.S. East Coast. Contaminant profiles are discussed, including a higher chlorinated pattern of polychlorinated biphenyls possibly associated with a Superfund site in nearby Brunswick, Georgia, USA, and unusual polybrominated diphenylether patterns seen in this and previous sea turtle studies. Concentrations correlated with one of eight measurements of reproductive success; levels were negatively correlated with egg mass (p < 0.05), which may have implications for hatchling fitness. The present study suggests that unhatched eggs can be used for POP-monitoring projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Keller
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
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Ikonomopoulou MP, Hodge M, Whittier JM. An Investigation of Organochlorine and Polychlorobiphenyl Concentrations in the Blood and Eggs of the Carnivorous Flatback Turtle,Natator depressus, from Queensland, Australia. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2012. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-0981.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Bearr JS, Mitchelmore CL, Roberts SC, Stapleton HM. Species specific differences in the in vitro metabolism of the flame retardant mixture, Firemaster® BZ-54. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2012; 124-125:41-7. [PMID: 22889877 PMCID: PMC3835519 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Revised: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Firemaster(®) BZ-54 is a flame retardant additive and consists of a brominated benzoate (2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate; TBB) and a brominated phthalate (bis (2-ethylhexyl) 2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate; TBPH). Previous research has shown that fathead minnows exposed in vivo to Firemaster(®) BZ-54 accumulate TBB and TBPH. This study examined the in vitro biotransformation potential of TBB and TBPH in hepatic subcellular fractions (i.e., S9, microsomes and cytosol) in the fathead minnow, common carp, mouse and snapping turtle. Metabolism was evaluated by measuring the loss of the parent TBB or TBPH and identifying potential metabolites in the sample extracts. Metabolic loss of TBPH was measured for all species, while TBB loss was observed for all species except for the snapping turtle. Several metabolites were observed in all of the incubations except for snapping turtle. Metabolites observed appeared to be derived from TBB, given their structures and lack of appearance in the snapping turtle incubations. One of these metabolites, 2,3,4,5-tetrabromomethylbenzoate has been identified for the first time in a biological system. When metabolized, TBB and TBPH loss was found in each subcellular fraction suggesting that the enzyme(s) involved are present in both soluble and membrane-bound forms. It can be concluded that a broad range of species are capable of metabolizing TBB and TBPH to various metabolites and further research should be carried out to ascertain the specific products formed from metabolism of TBB and TBPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Bearr
- University of Maryland – Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, P.O. Box 38, Solomons, MD 20688, United States
| | - Carys L. Mitchelmore
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, P.O. Box 38, Solomons, MD 20688, United States
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 410 326 7283; fax: +1 410 326 7210
| | - Simon C. Roberts
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
| | - Heather M. Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
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Keller JM, Ngai L, Braun McNeill J, Wood LD, Stewart KR, O'Connell SG, Kucklick JR. Perfluoroalkyl contaminants in plasma of five sea turtle species: comparisons in concentration and potential health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2012; 31:1223-30. [PMID: 22447337 DOI: 10.1002/etc.1818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Revised: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The authors compared blood plasma concentrations of 13 perfluoroalkyl contaminants (PFCs) in five sea turtle species with differing trophic levels. Wild sea turtles were blood sampled from the southeastern region of the United States, and plasma was analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Mean concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the predominant PFC, increased with trophic level from herbivorous greens (2.41 ng/g), jellyfish-eating leatherbacks (3.95 ng/g), omnivorous loggerheads (6.47 ng/g), to crab-eating Kemp's ridleys (15.7 ng/g). However, spongivorous hawksbills had surprisingly high concentrations of PFOS (11.9 ng/g) and other PFCs based on their trophic level. These baseline concentrations of biomagnifying PFCs demonstrate interesting species and geographical differences. The measured PFOS concentrations were compared with concentrations known to cause toxic effects in laboratory animals, and estimated margins of safety (EMOS) were calculated. Small EMOS (<100), suggestive of potential risk of adverse health effects, were observed for all five sea turtle species for immunosuppression. Estimated margins of safety less than 100 were also observed for liver, thyroid, and neurobehavorial effects for the more highly exposed species. These baseline concentrations and the preliminary EMOS exercise provide a better understanding of the potential health risks of PFCs for conservation managers to protect these threatened and endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Keller
- Analytical Chemistry Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
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44
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Alava JJ, Keller JM, Wyneken J, Crowder L, Scott G, Kucklick JR. Geographical variation of persistent organic pollutants in eggs of threatened loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from southeastern United States. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:1677-1688. [PMID: 21509807 DOI: 10.1002/etc.553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized manmade threats to sea turtle populations, but substantial uncertainty exists surrounding their exposure to contaminants and their sensitivity to toxic effects. This uncertainty creates difficulty for conservation managers to make informed decisions for the recovery of these threatened species. To provide baseline concentrations and spatial comparisons, we measured a large suite of POPs in loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) egg yolk samples collected from 44 nests in three distinct U.S. locations: North Carolina (NC), eastern Florida (E FL), and western Florida (W FL). The POPs included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), chlordanes, mirex, dieldin, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene, and toxaphene congeners, as well as polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners (PBDEs). Persistent organic pollutant concentrations were lowest in W FL, intermediate in E FL, and highest in NC egg samples, with several statistically significant spatial differences. This increasing gradient along the southeast coast around the Florida peninsula to North Carolina was explained partly by the foraging site selection of the nesting females. Data from previous tracking studies show that NC nesting females feed primarily along the U.S. eastern coast, whereas W FL nesting females forage in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The E FL nesting females forage in areas that overlap these two. The foraging site selection also results in exposure to different patterns of POPs. An unusual PBDE pattern was seen in the NC samples, with nearly equal contributions of PBDE congeners 47, 100, and 154. These findings are important to managers assessing threats among different stocks or subpopulations of this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Alava
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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