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Marine Debris and Trace Metal (Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn) Pollution in the Stranded Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas)

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Abstract

Marine debris and trace metals are among the common environmental contaminants known to affect marine organisms. In this study, the quantitative and qualitative aspects of marine debris levels and bioaccumulation of trace metals (Cadmium: Cd; Copper: Cu; Lead: Pb; and Zinc: Zn) were investigated in 42 green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) stranded on the northern coast of the Sea of Oman. The greatest quantity of debris was found in the intestine, stomach, and esophagus of the animals, respectively. Results of a Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) subcategory analysis of the ingested debris showed that sheet and thread-like plastics were the most frequently detected debris followed by various rubbish. The results revealed that white-colored debris were the most common debris, followed by black > green > blue > transparent > and brown ones. The results suggested that the rope monofilament was the main source of the ingested debris by the green sea turtles. Concentrations of the trace metals in the liver, kidney, and muscle ranged between 0.66–33.43, 0.36–15.12, and 0.33–7.47 μg/g (ww), respectively. The results of this study suggest that ingested marine debris and tissue concentrations of trace metals are present at levels that may cause sublethal effects on green sea turtles (C. mydas) through potentially affecting the physiological processes and making the turtles susceptible to other natural or human threats. Results indicated that the green sea turtles from the northern coast of the Sea of Oman have high interaction with the marine debris. These factors are considered as a serious threat to the existence and survival of the green sea turtles (C. mydas) living on the northern coast of the Sea of Oman.

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Acknowledgments

Iranian Department of Environment issued the scientific research permit that would authorize us to study on the green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). The authors thank Hosseini Arbabi and Soltanpour for their contribution to the data collection process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Marine Environment Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Chabahar branch, Chabahar, Iran

    Mahmood Sinaei

  2. Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar,, Province of Sistan dan Baluchestan, Iran

    Rouhollah Zare

  3. Department of Environmental, P.O. Box 14155-7383, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Talebi Matin

  4. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Science, Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Province of Sistan dan Baluchestan, Iran

    Javad Ghasemzadeh

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  1. Mahmood Sinaei
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Correspondence to Rouhollah Zare.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest and do not have a financial interest in the products tested.

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Sinaei, M., Zare, R., Talebi Matin, M. et al. Marine Debris and Trace Metal (Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn) Pollution in the Stranded Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 80, 634–644 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00829-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00829-z

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