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Concentration of heavy metals in tissues of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) sampled in the Cananéia estuary, Brazil

Abstracts

Thirty specimens (15 adults and 15 juveniles) of Chelonia mydas found in the Cananéia estuary in the state of São Paulo on the southeastern Brazilian coast between January 2005 and September 2006, were analyzed The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn and Ni in liver and kidney samples of adult and juvenile green turtles were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.The average Cd concentration found in adult livers (0.57µg.g-1) was significantly higher than that in juveniles (0.279µg.g-1). Cu concentrations were significantly higher in the liver than in the kidney, and significantly higher in adults (39.9µg.g-1) than in juveniles (20.7µg.g-1) Average Mn concentrations in liver and kidney did not differ between adults (4.32 and 4.17µg.g-1) and juveniles (4.81 and 3.82µg.g-1), whereas Ni concentrations in adults (0.28 and 0.19µg.g-1, respectively) were significantly higher than in juveniles (0.13 and 0.089µg.g-1, respectively). Pb concentrations in liver were significantly higher in adults (0.37µg.g-1) than in juveniles (0.06µg.g-1). The concentrations of essential trace elements in Chelonia mydas were generally comparable to values reported in other, similar studies. With respect to non-essential metals (Cd, Pb and Ni), Chelonia mydas presented lower values than those reported for their northern Atlantic counterparts.

Green turtle; Heavy metal; Chelonia mydas; Concentration; Liver; Kidney; Sea turtle


Analisou-se 30 espécimes (15 adultos e 15 juvenis) de Chelonia mydas encontradas no estuário de Cananéia, Estado de São Paulo, região sudeste, durante o período de janeiro de 2005 a setembro de 2006. Foram determinados no fígado e rins de adultos e juvenis de C. mydas os seguintes metais: Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn e Ni, através de Espectrofotometria de Absorção Atômica. Verificou-se que as concentrações médias de Cd no fígado de adultos (0,957µg.g-1) foram significativamente diferentes em relação a dos juvenis (0,279µg.g-1). As concentrações médias de Cu no fígado de C. mydas foram diferentes em relação ao rim. Houve diferença também entre os fígados de adultos (39,9µg.g-1) e juvenis (20,7µg.g-1). Os valores médios de Mn encontrados no fígado e rim não diferiram entre adultos (4,32 e 4,17µg.g-1) e juvenis (4,81 e 3,82µg.g-1). Já as médias das concentrações de Ni no fígado e rins de adultos (0,28 e 0,19µg.g-1) foram diferentes das dos juvenis (0,13 e 0,089µg.g-1). Entretanto, as concentrações de Pb no fígado foram significativamente mais altas em adultos (0,37µg.g-1) do que nos juvenis (0,06µg.g-1). As concentrações dos elementos traços essenciais em C. mydas foram comparáveis aos valores registrados em outros estudos. Quanto aos metais não essenciais (Cd, Pb e Ni), C. mydas apresentou uma menor concentração em relação às registradas para o Atlântico Norte.

Tartaruga verde; Metal pesado; Chelonia mydas; Concentração; Fígado; Rim; Tartaruga marinha


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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    16 Sept 2009
  • Date of issue
    Sept 2009

History

  • Accepted
    03 Apr 2009
  • Reviewed
    25 Mar 2009
  • Received
    31 Mar 2008
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