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Duncan EM, Akbora HD, Baldi P, Beton D, Broderick AC, Cicek BA, Crowe-Harland C, Davey S, DeSerisy T, Fuller WJ, Haywood JC, Hsieh YJ, Kaya E, Omeyer LCM, Ozkan M, Palmer JL, Roast E, Santillo D, Schneider MJ, Snape RTE, Sutherland KC, Godley BJ. Marine turtles as bio-indicators of plastic pollution in the eastern Mediterranean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116141. [PMID: 38401386 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) has been suggested as a bio-indicator species for plastic pollution. However, detailed investigations in the eastern Mediterranean are limited. Here, we present data from loggerhead turtles (2012-2022; n = 131) of which 42.7 % (n = 57) had ingested macroplastic (pieces ≥ 5 mm). Frequency of occurrence (%) was not found to have changed over time, with body size (CCL cm), between stranded or bycaught turtles, or with levels of digesta present. The characteristics of ingested plastic (n = 492) were largely sheetlike (62 %), clear (41 %) or white (25 %) and the most common polymers identified were Polypropylene (37 %) and Polyethylene (35 %). Strong selectivity was displayed towards certain types, colours and shapes. Data are also presented for posthatchling turtles (n = 4), an understudied life stage. Much larger sample sizes will be needed for this species to be an effective bio-indicator, with the consideration of monitoring green turtles (Chelonia mydas) for the eastern Mediterranean recommended allowing a more holistic picture to be gathered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Duncan
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom.
| | - Hasan Deniz Akbora
- Underwater Research and Imaging Centre, Biological Sciences Department, Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628 Famagusta, Cyprus; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628 Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Patrizia Baldi
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Damla Beton
- Society for Protection of Turtles, Levent Daire 1, Ulus Sokak, Gönyeli, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Annette C Broderick
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Burak Ali Cicek
- Underwater Research and Imaging Centre, Biological Sciences Department, Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628 Famagusta, Cyprus; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628 Famagusta, Cyprus
| | - Charlotte Crowe-Harland
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Davey
- Society for Protection of Turtles, Levent Daire 1, Ulus Sokak, Gönyeli, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Tess DeSerisy
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Wayne J Fuller
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Society for Protection of Turtles, Levent Daire 1, Ulus Sokak, Gönyeli, Nicosia, Cyprus; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Julia C Haywood
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Jou Hsieh
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ecem Kaya
- Society for Protection of Turtles, Levent Daire 1, Ulus Sokak, Gönyeli, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Lucy C M Omeyer
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Meryem Ozkan
- Society for Protection of Turtles, Levent Daire 1, Ulus Sokak, Gönyeli, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Josie L Palmer
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Roast
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - David Santillo
- Greenpeace Research Laboratories, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - M Jesse Schneider
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Robin T E Snape
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Society for Protection of Turtles, Levent Daire 1, Ulus Sokak, Gönyeli, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Katrina C Sutherland
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
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de Kock W, Mackie M, Ramsøe M, Allentoft ME, Broderick AC, Haywood JC, Godley BJ, Snape RTE, Bradshaw PJ, Genz H, von Tersch M, Dee MW, Palsbøll PJ, Alexander M, Taurozzi AJ, Çakırlar C. Threatened North African seagrass meadows have supported green turtle populations for millennia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220747120. [PMID: 37459551 PMCID: PMC10372671 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220747120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
"Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity" is the second official aim of the current UN Ocean Decade (2021 to 2030) calling for the identification and protection of critical marine habitats. However, data to inform policy are often lacking altogether or confined to recent times, preventing the establishment of long-term baselines. The unique insights gained from combining bioarchaeology (palaeoproteomics, stable isotope analysis) with contemporary data (from satellite tracking) identified habitats which sea turtles have been using in the Eastern Mediterranean over five millennia. Specifically, our analysis of archaeological green turtle (Chelonia mydas) bones revealed that they likely foraged on the same North African seagrass meadows as their modern-day counterparts. Here, millennia-long foraging habitat fidelity has been directly demonstrated, highlighting the significance (and long-term dividends) of protecting these critical coastal habitats that are especially vulnerable to global warming. We highlight the potential for historical ecology to inform policy in safeguarding critical marine habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemien de Kock
- Groningen Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, 9712ERGroningen, Netherlands
- Marine Evolution and Conservation Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747AGGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Meaghan Mackie
- The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Max Ramsøe
- The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Morten E. Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia6102, Australia
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Annette C. Broderick
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Julia C. Haywood
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Robin T. E. Snape
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
- Society for the Protection of Turtles, Nicosia99150, North Cyprus
| | - Phil J. Bradshaw
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, PenrynTR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Hermann Genz
- Department of History and Archaeology, American University of Beirut, Beirut1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Matthew von Tersch
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, YorkYO10 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Michael W. Dee
- Centre for Isotope Research, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747AGGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Per J. Palsbøll
- Marine Evolution and Conservation Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9747AGGroningen, Netherlands
- Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA02657
| | - Michelle Alexander
- BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, YorkYO10 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto J. Taurozzi
- The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 1353Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Canan Çakırlar
- Groningen Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, 9712ERGroningen, Netherlands
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