title: Pilot study on levels of chemical contaminants and porphyrins in Caretta caretta from the Mediterranean Sea.
abstract: Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), synthetic musks compounds (SMCs), bisphenol A (BPA), para-nonylphenol (p-NP) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are known for their toxicity and ability to interfere with the endocrine system. The aim of this study was to determine levels and distribution of the above mentioned compounds in liver samples of Caretta caretta and levels of porphyrins that have been proposed as sensitive biomarkers of exposure to contaminants. This paper reports the results for 9 specimens yet analysed. Musk ketone was never detected, PFOA was found in one sample, while PFOS was the prevalent contaminant. For PFCs the levels are lower than the results of studies of comparison. The porphyrins profile showed a predominance of protoporphyrins on coproporphyrins and uroporphyrins, with a positive statistical correlation between levels of PFOS and uroporphyrins. These data represent, for several parameters, the first evidence of contaminant levels and biomarker responses in loggerhead turtles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi, 1, 56100 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: guerranticri@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guerranti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvano Ettore
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Focardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.affiliation: ARPAT, Environmental Protection Agency of Tuscany Region, Livorno, Italy.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mancusi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perra
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011166:Porphyrins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioindicator; Biomarkers; Bisphenol A; Endocrine disruptors; Loggerhead turtle; Nonylphenol; Perfluorinated compounds; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Porphyrins; Synthetic musk compounds