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. 2021 Jun;28(23):29998-30006.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12819-8. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Essential and trace metals in a post-nesting olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Ceuta beach, Sinaloa, Mexico

Vicente Olimón-Andalón  1 , Jorge Valdés-Flores  1 , Cesar Paul Ley-Quiñonez  2   3 , Alan A Zavala-Norzagaray  2   3 , A Alonso Aguirre  4 , Nidia León-Sicairos  5 , Jorge Velázquez-Román  5 , Hector Flores-Villaseñor  5   6 , Erika Acosta-Smith  5 , Igmar Sosa-Cornejo  1 , Marco Valdez-Flores  5 , Catherine Edwina Hart  3 , Adrian Canizalez-Román  7   8
Affiliations

Essential and trace metals in a post-nesting olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Ceuta beach, Sinaloa, Mexico

Vicente Olimón-Andalón et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Trace metals have been found in sea turtle blood and tissues and may represent a threat to these endangered species. Essential trace metal (Cu, Zn Cd, Pb, As, and Hg) concentrations were determined in blood of adult female, post-nesting olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 35) on Ceuta beach, Sinaloa, Mexico. Essential metals (Zn and Cu) analyzed were found in higher concentrations than toxic metals (Cd and Pb), while As and Hg concentrations were below the limits of detection (0.01 μg g-1). Low Pb concentrations (0.09 μg g-1) were previously observed in sea turtles in the Gulf of California. There were no significant correlations found between curved carapace length (61.00-71.00 ± 2.29) vs metal concentrations (p > 0.05). Cd levels were relatively high when compared to other species and populations of sea turtles worldwide and Cd may represent the greatest risk for sea turtles in the Mexican Pacific. Such concentrations of Cd may pose a further risk to sea turtles through bioaccumulation from the nesting female to offspring which may affect embryo development.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation,; Blood,; Cadmium,; Ecotoxicology,; Sea turtle,; Toxicity.

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