Potential adverse effects of inorganic pollutants on clinical parameters of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta): Results from a nesting colony from Cape Verde,West Africa |
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| Institution: | 1. Nam?k Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 59030 Tekirda?, Turkey;2. Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 31060, Hatay, Turkey;3. Mustafa Kemal University, Sea Turtle First Aid, Treatment, Recovery, Application and Research Center, 31060, Hatay, Turkey;4. Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery, 31060, Hatay, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | A large number of nesting loggerhead sea turtles (n = 201) were sampled to establish the blood levels of 11 elements (Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, As, Al, Hg, and Se). Almost all of the samples showed detectable levels of these 11 elements, and Zn and Se exhibited the highest concentrations (median values as high as 6.05 and 2.28 μg/g, respectively). The median concentrations of the most toxic compounds, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, were relatively low (0.38, 0.24, 0.06, and 0.03 μg/g, respectively). We also determined the haematological and biochemical parameters in a subsample of 50 turtles to evaluate the potential effects of these contaminants on clinical parameters and found several associations. Our study reinforces the usefulness of blood for the monitoring of the levels of contaminating elements and their adverse effects on blood parameters in sea turtles. |
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| Keywords: | Cape Verde Haematology Plasma chemistries Loggerhead sea turtle Inorganic contaminants Elements |
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