Mercury exposure and health challenges in Rapa Nui green turtles: urging conservation and long-term monitoring in the South Pacific

Conservation Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract The endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas; hereafter C. mydas) plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. However, its populations are highly vulnerable to various threats, including pollution. Rapa Nui (Easter Island), an isolated location southeastern Pacific, provides vital foraging habitats for both morphotypes Pacific mydas (black and yellow). In this study, we examined demographic structure (morphotype, life stage, sex) health status (based on blood analytes mercury-Hg concentration) during 2018 2023. Turtles from stages sexes were observed, with predominance yellow morphotype juveniles, likely recently recruited or emerging brumation. Haematological analyses revealed low levels several key (e.g. cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, globulins), suggesting poor nutritional status, potentially related brumation process, limited food availability quality region. Alterations red white cell lines, anaemia lymphopenia, indicate ongoing inflammatory states infections, consistent clinical observations. turtles exhibited some highest Hg concentrations globally. Abnormalities profiles, along correlations between concentrations, suggest altered immune function probable renal liver dysfunction, resulting natural anthropogenic sources heavy metal. Additionally, very high body condition index carapace lesions suggests negative impact human subsidies local bays, particularly high-trophic-level fish, which may also serve as pathway accumulation, aggregation population. Our findings underscore urgent need long-term mercury monitoring movement studies identify pollution sources, inform effective conservation strategies species, address potential public concerns remote island.

Language: Английский

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Fabrication and photodynamic antimicrobial property analysis of BiFeO3 composite photocatalytic

Vacuum, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 114338 - 114338

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Aquatic Reptiles as Model Organisms to Evaluate Environmental Pollution and Biomonitoring

˜The œhandbook of environmental chemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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