Organochlorine, PCB, PAH, and metal concentrations in eggs of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)from northwest Florida, USA

Abstract

Composite samples of unhatched and physically unaltered loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, eggs collected from 20 nests along northwest Florida were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals. Chemical analyses revealed that turtle eggs contained detectable amounts of metals, PAHs, and PCBs. Only one OCP, p,p'-DDD, was detected, and its presence was restricted to eggs from two nesting sites. None of the PCB concentrations exceeded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) action limit. Concentrations of dioxin-like PCB congeners, 105, 118, and 126, and total PCBs were also detected and are contributors to the toxic burden of loggerhead sea turtle eggs. Concentrations of PAHs, 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene, 1-methyl naphthalene, C1-naphthalene and naphthalene were variable at nesting sites. Comparison of mean metal burdens in eggs from different beaches suggested that no uniform geographic gradients exist. Presence of OCPs, PCBs, PAHs and metals and their additive or synergistic toxicity is a concern to loggerhead sea turtle eggs; however, additive or synergistic impacts for loggerhead sea turtles are largely undocumented.

Determining oil and dispersant exposure in sea turtles from the northern Gulf of Mexico resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

“…The routes of exposure to oil in sea turtles include dermal contact (skin), inhalation of volatiles, direct oil ingestion, consumption of contaminated prey and sediment, and oil fouling of sense organs, as well as oiling of eggs on nesting beaches (Milton et al 2003). Very limited data are available on PAH exposure in sea turtles as compared to other taxa (Alam & Brim 2000, Camacho et al 2012. Physical oiling or oil ingestion by sea turtles has been documented, but tissue levels of petroleum-related compounds were not reported in most cases (Gramentz 1988, Bugoni et al 2001, Orós et al 2005, reviewed in Yender & Mearns 2003.…”

Spatial Variation in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Eggs of Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin, from the Patuxent River, Maryland

“…A number of studies have used contaminants detected in turtle eggs to document geographic variations in pollution (de Solla et al 2001;Alam and Brim 2000). In the present Diamondback terrapin eggs collected on the eastern (n = 2 nests) and western (n = 5 nests) shores of the Patuxent River, Maryland.…”

“…Because like many vertebrates turtles can metabolize organic contaminants (Schlezinger et al 2000;Yawetz et al 1998), the lipid-rich follicles likely contain a mixture of parent and metabolite compounds. Alam and Brim (2000) reported a maximum tPAH of 705 ng/g d.w. in Caretta caretta eggs that failed to hatch. However, the sea turtle egg concentrations were not associated with a specific spill event and thus may represent current, coastal background levels.…”

An investigation into the stranding of Australian sea snakes

“…The accumulation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, heavy metals and organic compounds as direct threats to marine turtles and birds have been well documented 93,94 . Ingestion of environmental hydrocarbons has also been implicated in a number of cancers 95,96 .…”

“…Persistent organic pollutants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorinated compounds have been widely reported to accumulate in the fat, blood, liver and kidneys of fish 93,198 , turtles 199 and other marine species 200 . Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have recently been detected in high concentration in the gut, liver and kidney of one sea snake species (Hydrophis schistosus; formerly Enhydrina schistosa) 201 and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper, vanadium, nickel and zinc) have been detected in the liver, kidney, skin and muscle tissues of H. curtus 202 .…”