RESUMEN

Metal and metalloid concentrations in the liver tissue of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) stranded on the Brazilian coast (n = 506) were studied using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The influences of occurrence registers (date and location) and biological characteristics (sex, age, and developmental stage) were assessed, as well as the temporal influences of oil exploration and production activities. The mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Hg were the highest reported for the liver of C. mydas on the Brazilian coast. The mean element concentrations followed the order: Cu > Zn > Cd > Mn > As > Hg > Mo > Pb > V > Ni > Ba > Cr. Further, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for Hg between the sexes (males > females) and for As, Cu, Pb, Mo, and V between young individuals and older individuals (≥11 years), suggesting a relationship between the dietary shift inherent to green turtle development. These results were corroborated by the curved carapace length (CCL) data, wherein individuals residing in coastal areas (CCL > 50 cm) presented higher concentrations of Cu, Pb, Mo, Zn, Ba, and V than those in the oceanic stage (CCL < 30 cm). The opposite pattern was observed for As and Hg. The influences of spatial autocorrelation (Moran Index) at a global scale and oil production activities on the element concentrations were not observed. However, five hotspots of high metal concentrations were identified via a local spatial autocorrelation (local indicator of spatial association), existing predominantly in a region of heavy anthropic activity within the sampling area. Further, baseline element concentrations were established at the 95% confidence level. Overall, the developmental stage, which is related to feeding habits, had an expressive influence on element concentrations.

Asunto(s)

Metaloides , Metales Pesados , Tortugas , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Animales , Brasil , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Femenino , Hígado/química , Masculino , Metales Pesados/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis

RESUMEN

Hepatic tissue of Larus dominicanus sampled on the coastline of the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil between October 2016 and May 2018 was used to evaluate intraspecific trends and spatial distribution of essential trace elements (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo and Cr) and non-essential trace elements (As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ba and V). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated differences in the bioaccumulation of trace elements between female adults and male adults, differences to sex and age were indicated by Kruskal-Wallis test. Heat maps suggest hot spots in locals with high concentration of trace elements in liver of Larus dominicanus. In general, the concentration of trace elements were comparable with values reported in other studies carried out for this species in South America and other regions of the world. The heat maps showed to be a promising tool to identify influences of the locality on bioaccumulation of trace elements in Larus dominicanus.