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Perfluoroalkyl contaminants in plasma of five sea turtle species: Comparisons in concentration and potential health risks

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, ISSN: 0730-7268, Vol: 31, Issue: 6, Page: 1223-1230
2012
  • 45
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 85
    Captures
  • 1
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    45
  • Captures
    85
  • Mentions
    1
    • News Mentions
      1
      • News
        1

Most Recent News

Pollutants could pose health risks for 5 sea turtle species

India, July 1 -- Researchers at the Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML) and four partner organizations have measured for the first time concentrations of 13 perfluoroalkyl

Article Description

The authors compared blood plasma concentrations of 13 perfluoroalkyl contaminants (PFCs) in five sea turtle species with differing trophic levels. Wild sea turtles were blood sampled from the southeastern region of the United States, and plasma was analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Mean concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the predominant PFC, increased with trophic level from herbivorous greens (2.41ng/g), jellyfish-eating leatherbacks (3.95ng/g), omnivorous loggerheads (6.47ng/g), to crab-eating Kemp's ridleys (15.7ng/g). However, spongivorous hawksbills had surprisingly high concentrations of PFOS (11.9ng/g) and other PFCs based on their trophic level. These baseline concentrations of biomagnifying PFCs demonstrate interesting species and geographical differences. The measured PFOS concentrations were compared with concentrations known to cause toxic effects in laboratory animals, and estimated margins of safety (EMOS) were calculated. Small EMOS (<100), suggestive of potential risk of adverse health effects, were observed for all five sea turtle species for immunosuppression. Estimated margins of safety less than 100 were also observed for liver, thyroid, and neurobehavorial effects for the more highly exposed species. These baseline concentrations and the preliminary EMOS exercise provide a better understanding of the potential health risks of PFCs for conservation managers to protect these threatened and endangered species. © 2012 SETAC.

Bibliographic Details

Keller, Jennifer M; Ngai, Lily; Braun McNeill, Joanne; Wood, Lawrence D; Stewart, Kelly R; O'Connell, Steven G; Kucklick, John R

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Environmental Science

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