title: Perfluorinated compounds in blood of Caretta caretta from the Mediterranean Sea.
abstract: Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), widely used for their hydro-oil repellent properties, are almost non-degradable in the environment; there is scientific evidence that indicate bioaccumulation. They represent a threat to many organisms, because they are toxic and are endocrine disruptors. Scientific studies have demonstrated the presence of PFCs in blood and liver samples of fish, turtles, birds and mammals of marine ecosystems in different geographical areas. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of PFOS and PFOA in blood samples of the marine turtle Caretta caretta, using a minimally invasive sampling procedure. 49 blood samples of marine turtle, taken from several Italian marine turtle rescue centers, were analyzed. While PFOA was never detected, measurable concentrations of PFOS were found in 15 blood samples; the values show a range from 1.14 ng/g to 28.51 ng/g (wet wt.). No differences between groups of samples taken from different areas were found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy. guerranticri@unisi.it
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guerranti
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ancora
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perra
authors.forename: Emiliano Leonida
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Fanello
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corsolini
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fossi
authors.forename: Silvano Ettore
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Focardi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000097:blood*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005466:Fluorocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Endocrine disruptors; HPLC-MS; Marine turtle rescue centers; PFOA; PFOS