Impact of Heavy Metals in Eggs and Tissues of C. caretta along the Sicilian Coast (Mediterranean Sea)

• DOI: 10.3390/environments9070088
• Publication Date: 2022-07-08T15:37:08Z
• Authors: Dario Savoca; Marco Arculeo; Vincenzo Arizza; Andrea Pace; Raffaella Melfi; Santo Caracappa; Giulia Caracappa; Cecilia Vullo; Irene Cambera; Giulia Visconti; Vittoria Giudice; Gaetano D’Oca; Salvatore Messina; Antonella Maccotta
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 14. Life underwater; loggerhead sea turtle; <i>Caretta caretta</i>; marine pollution; heavy metals; biodistribution; Mediterranean sea; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

In this study we compared the heavy metal concentration found in different tissues and eggs of loggerhead sea turtle evaluated potential ecotoxicological risk for important species. Eighteen elements were determined (liver, gonads, fat, kidney, heart, brain, spleen) nine individuals Caretta caretta stranded along coasts Messina (Sicily, Italy) shell yolk six from island Linosa Italy). For analysis metals, used analytical procedures accordance with EPA 200.8 method supplemented by 6020b three replicates each measurement. The analysed showed organotropism even if liver higher levels bioaccumulation. Turtles’ highest values iron liver, followed zinc heart arsenic kidney. Regarding eggs, zinc, iron, barium dominant boron, copper eggshell. From analyses carried out worrying cadmium kidneys C. raise questions about related to exposure these non-essential elements. This highlights importance multi-element biomonitoring increasing knowledge on biodistribution 18 metals risks caretta. We also exploring first time presence several their possible implication survival