Trace elements and high sulfur levels in the blood of rehabilitated eastern Mediterranean Sea green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)

University of Haifa. Morris Kahn Marine Research Station. Haifa, Israel / University of Haifa. The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences. Department of Blue Biotechnologies and Sustainable Mariculture. Haifa, Israel.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Koret School of Veterinary Medicine. Rehovot, Israel.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Koret School of Veterinary Medicine. Rehovot, Israel.
Florida International University. Institute of Environment. North Miami, FL, USA.
University of Haifa. Morris Kahn Marine Research Station. Haifa, Israel / University of Haifa. The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences. Department of Marine Biology. Haifa, Israel.
University of Haifa. Morris Kahn Marine Research Station. Haifa, Israel / University of Haifa. The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences. Department of Marine Biology. Haifa, Israel.
Universidade Federal do Paraná. Setor de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Zoologia. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia. Curitiba, PR, Brasil.
University of Haifa. The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences. Department of Blue Biotechnologies and Sustainable Mariculture. Haifa, Israel.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Gan Leumi Beit Yannay. Israel National Nature and Parks Authority. Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Kfar Vitkin, Israel.
University of Haifa. The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences. Department of Marine Biology. Haifa, Israel / Gan Leumi Beit Yannay. Israel National Nature and Parks Authority. Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Kfar Vitkin, Israel.

Abstract

The Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) exhibits high temperature and salinity, low levels of biologic production and is considered oligotrophic. Nonetheless, it is also a hotspot of biodiversity, with several important endangered flagship species, including several species of sea turtles. These turtles serve as bioindicators for the health of their ecologic systems, due to changes in diet, habitat and migration patterns that characterize different stages in their lives. This study covered 100 blood samples taken between 2008 and 2019 from 72 green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) tested for 67 elements, some of which carry toxic potential. The turtles were treated at the Israeli Sea Turtle Rescue Center (ISTRC) after being rescued from sea, exhibiting a variety of health conditions and Injuries. The data were compared to similar studies worldwide and serve as a basis for monitoring the health status of the green sea turtles' EMS populations. The results of all animals presented noticeably high levels of sulfur – an order of magnitude higher than sea turtles from other locations around the world. This paper discusses the possible origins of this element, as well as its potential effects, while raising the question regarding the ability of these sea turtles to endure such sulfur levels.

Keywords in Portuguese

Monitoramento ambiental
Reabilitação de tartarugas marinhas
Acúmulo de enxofre
Bioindicadores marinhos
Elementos tóxicos
Elementos traço

Keywords

Environmental monitoring
Sea turtle rehabilitation
Sulfur accumulation
Marine bioindicators
Toxic elements
Trace elements

Publisher

Elsevier

Citation

MORICK, Danny et al. Trace elements and high sulfur levels in the blood of rehabilitated eastern Mediterranean Sea green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Science of the Total Environment, p. 1-45, 11 Oct. 2024.

DOI

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176788

ISSN

0048-9697

Notes

Produção científica do Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/66634

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