title: Monitoring persistent organic pollutants in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) confirms maternal transfer.
abstract: To assess threats to endangered species, it is critical to establish baselines for contaminant concentrations that may have detrimental consequences to individuals or populations. We measured contaminants in blubber and fat from dead leatherback turtles and established baselines in blood and eggs in nesting turtles. In fat, blubber, blood and eggs, the predominant PCBs were 153+132, 187+182, 138+163, 118, and 180+193. Total PCBs, 4,4'-DDE, total PBDEs and total chlordanes were significantly and positively correlated between blood and eggs, suggesting maternal transfer. Significant positive relationships also existed between fat and blubber in stranded leatherbacks. Less lipophilic PCBs appeared to more readily transfer from females to their eggs. PBDE profiles in the four tissues were similar to other wildlife populations but different from some turtle studies. Concentrations were lower than those shown to have acute toxic effects in other aquatic reptiles, but may have sub-lethal effects on hatchling body condition and health.
authors: Duke University Center for Marine Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA. kelly.stewart@noaa.gov
authors: Kelly R
authors: KR
authors: Stewart
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Keller
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: Templeton
authors: John R
authors: JR
authors: Kucklick
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Johnson