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Marine pollution is one of the major threats affecting loggerhead turtles, which due to their long life span, highly migratory behavior, and carnivorous diet, may be exposed to elevated levels of toxic elements throughout their life. The transfer of chemicals from mothers to their offspring is of particular conservation concern because it may affect embryonic development and hatching success. In this study, the concentrations of 16 toxic and potentially toxic trace elements, 6 indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticide residues (OCPs) were determined in 138 eggs from 46 loggerhead turtle nests laid during the 2021 nesting season in Campania, Italy, western Mediterranean Sea. The possible impact of pollutant levels on hatching success and early embryonic death was also investigated. Trace element analysis was performed using an ICP-MS, except for mercury, which was determined using a Direct Mercury Analyzer® (DMA). PCBs and OCPs were analyzed with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS) and gas chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry GC-MS /MS, respectively. The concentrations of essential elements in the eggs were higher than those of non-essential elements. In addition, the highly chlorinated PCBs (153, 138, and 180) contributed the most to the total PCBs, while OCPs were not detected. No correlations were found between contaminant concentrations and reproductive parameters (hatching success and no obvious embryos). The results obtained suggest that the levels of contaminants found in the eggs do not affect the reproductive success of the species in the study area.

The levels of essential (Cu, Cr, Co, Mn, Se, Zn) and non-essential (As, Be, Bi, Cd, Cs, Ga, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl, U, V) trace elements were studied in razor clams (Solen marginatus) collected from the Tyrrhenian coast of Southern Italy at five selected sites along the Domitio littoral in the Campania region. The main objectives of this study were to assess the contamination status of these bivalve mollusks and to evaluate the risks to the environment and consumers due to metal contamination. The concentrations of 18 trace elements were determined after microwave-assisted mineralization and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of the toxic elements Pb and Cd were below the maximum levels established by Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006, while higher average concentrations of arsenic were found at each of the five sites studied. Regarding the other trace elements, contamination levels followed the order: Zn > Sr > Mn > Cu > Se > Cr > V > Ni > Co > Ga > Cs > Be > U > Bi > Tl. No significant differences among the sites were found with regard to any of the trace elements analyzed, and element levels in razor clams did not reflect sediment contamination. The results demonstrated the substantial food safety of the razor clams in this area with respect to heavy metals but revealed a potential health risk due to arsenic contamination in all the areas sampled.