Comparison of Two Freshwater Turtle Species as Monitors of Environmental Contamination

Meyers-Schöne, Linda

doi:10.2172/814413

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(118 reference statements)

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“…Within each species, diet content also varies depending on the age and location of the turtle as well as the availability of food resources (Lopez Mendilaharsu et al 2003, 2005. The observation that concentrations of contaminants are often higher in C. caretta than in C. mydas is consistent with interspecific differences in diet and trophic status (Meyers-Schoene & Walton 1990;Sakai et al 1995;Godley et al 1999). The present study represents the first report of heavy metal concentrations in tissues and organs of post-yearling sea turtles from the Eastern Pacific.…”

Section: Comparison Of Metal Concentrations Across Speciessupporting

confidence: 85%

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Four Species of Sea Turtles from the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Gardner¹,

Fitzgerald²,

Vargas³

et al. 2006

Biometals

104

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Heavy metals were assessed in four species of sea turtles from the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, representing the first report of heavy metal concentrations in tissues of post-yearling sea turtles from the Eastern Pacific. Concentrations of Cd measured in C. mydas kidney (653 microg/g dry wt) were the highest ever reported for any sea turtle species. Cd accumulated preferentially in kidney and the ratios of kidney to liver Cd in Baja California turtles were among the highest reported for sea turtles globally. Zn, Ni, and Mn concentrations were also significantly higher in kidney than other tissues, while Cu and Fe were greatest in liver, and all metals were lowest in muscle. With the exception of one value (69.9 microg/g in kidney of C. caretta), Pb was low in all tissues from Baja California. In comparisons across species, kidney of C. mydas had greater Zn and Ni concentrations as compared to other species, although there was no difference in liver metal levels among the species. Positive correlations were detected in the concentrations of Cd, Cu and Ni with the straight carapace length of C. caretta.

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Section: Comparison Of Metal Concentrations Across Speciessupporting

confidence: 85%

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Four Species of Sea Turtles from the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Gardner¹,

Fitzgerald²,

Vargas³

et al. 2006

Biometals

104

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show abstract

“…Eisenreich et al (2009) reported that juvenile common snapping turtles exposed to maternally derived PCBs had higher mortality rates than turtles from reference sites at approximately 8 months after hatching. Similarly, Meyers-Schöne (1989) reported significantly higher levels of DNA strand breaks in common snapping turtles and yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta) with greater concentrations of radionuclides and mercury than turtles from reference sites. With regard to heavy metals, lead influenced survival and righting ability of hatchling slider turtles (T. scripta elegans) injected with 0.25, 1, and 2.5 mg/g lead; survival declined and time to right increased as a function of lead dose .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Metal accumulation and evaluation of effects in a freshwater turtle

Halbrook

Sparling

et al. 2011

Ecotoxicology

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A variety of contaminants have been detected in aquatic and terrestrial environments around the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP), Kentucky. The presence of these contaminants at the PGDP may pose a risk to biota, yet little is known about the bioaccumulation of contaminants and associated effects in wildlife, especially in aquatic turtles. The current study was initiated to evaluate: (1) the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Hg) in aquatic ecosystems associated with the PGDP using red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) as biomonitors; (2) maternal transfer of heavy metals; and (3) potential hematological and immunological effects resulting from metal accumulation. A total of 26 turtles were collected from 7 ponds located south, adjacent, and north of the PGDP. Liver Cu concentrations were significantly different among ponds and Cu concentrations in eggs were positively correlated with female Cu concentrations in kidney. The concentrations of heavy metals measured in turtle tissues and eggs were low and, based on previous studies of reptiles and established avian threshold levels of heavy metals, did not appear to have adverse effects on aquatic turtles inhabiting ponds near the PGDP. However, total white blood cell counts, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and phytohemagglutinin stimulation index were correlated with metal concentrations. Because other factors may affect the hematological and immunological indices, further investigation is needed to determine if these effects are associated with metal exposure, other contaminants, or disease.

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Comparison of two freshwater turtle species as monitors of radionuclide and chemical contamination: DNA Damage and residue analysis

Meyers-Schöne

Shugart

Walton

et al. 1993

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Two species of turtles that occupy different ecological niches were compared for their usefulness as monitors of freshwater ecosystems where both low-level radioactive and nonradioactive contaminants are present. The pond slider (Truchemys scri tu) and common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentinu) were analyzed for the presence of 90Sr, ' 7Cs, 60Co, and Hg, radionuclides and chemicals known to be present at the contaminated site, and single-strand breaks in liver DNA. The integrity of the DNA was examined by the alkaline unwinding assay, a technique that detects strand breaks as a biological marker of possible exposure to genotoxic agents. This measure of DNA damage was significantly increased in both species of turtles at the contaminated site compared with turtles of the same species at a reference site, and shows that contaminant-exposed populations were under more severe genotoxic stress than those at the reference site. The level of strand breaks observed at the contaminated site was high and in the range reported for other aquatic species exposed to deleterious concentrations of genotoxic agents such as chemicals and ionizing radiation. Statistically significantly higher concentrations of radionuclides and Hg were detected in the turtles from the contaminated area. Mercury concentrations were significantly higher in the more carnivorous snapping turtle compared with the slider; however, both species were effective monitors of the P contaminants.

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Comparison of Two Freshwater Turtle Species as Monitors of Environmental Contamination

Cited by 9 publications

References 63 publications

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Four Species of Sea Turtles from the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Four Species of Sea Turtles from the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Metal accumulation and evaluation of effects in a freshwater turtle

Comparison of two freshwater turtle species as monitors of radionuclide and chemical contamination: DNA Damage and residue analysis

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