Trace Metals in Juvenile Chelonia mydas from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

ROMERO, M.B; POLIZZI, P.; CHIODI BOUDET, L. N.; ALVAREZ, K.; TRAVERSO, V.B.; DOLAGARATZ CARRICAVUR, A.; COSTA A; MEDICI, S.; GERPE, M.S.

Montevideo

Congreso; SETAC Latin America 15th Biennial Meeting; 2023

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is one of the three endangered species of sea turtles that are regularly found in the coastal waters of Argentina. Juvenile specimens find feeding areas in argentine estuarine and coastal areas, reporting an omnivorous diet, where the consumption of jellyfish is predominant. The presence of chemical residues, including trace metals, in sea turtles tissues is of global concern. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in liver, kidney and muscle of C. mydas from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Seven green turtle specimens were found stranded or entangled on the north coast of the province. All turtles were juveniles and the average curved carapace length was 35.5±2.18 cm. An acid digestion of the samples was performed and the quantification of metals was carried out by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Cd, Cr and Mn, and with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Pb. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.02 µg/g for Cd, Cr and Mn, and 0.004 µg/g for Pb. Data is expressed in wet weight. The tissue distribution of Cd was: kidney (mean±SD= 16.29±5.9 µg/g) > liver (4.52±1.9 µg/g) > muscle (