title: Mapping elements distribution in carapace of Caretta caretta: A strategy for biomonitoring contamination in sea turtles?
abstract: This study analyzed the carapace distribution of Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sb, U, V and Zn by GF-AAS and ICP-AES in one specimen of Caretta caretta from Mediterranean Sea. Calcium, Mg, Mn, Pb, U, Zn were mainly distributed in the central area while Cd, Cr, Cu, Sb, V in lateral areas. Cadmium, Cr, Mg, Mn, Sb, U and V were different between lateral areas. The different distribution may be related to several exposures during lifetime and/or the shell ossification during growth. Carapace may be a suitable matrix for metal biomonitoring, however, further studies are required to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: daniela.mattei@iss.it.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.affiliation: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Veschetti
authors.affiliation: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Ilio
authors.affiliation: Filicudi WildLife Conservation, Stimpagnato Filicudi, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Blasi
mesh_terms: D060105:Animal Shells / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Biomonitoring; Carapace; Caretta caretta; Chemical elements