Smith, Caitlin Elizabeth, Van De Merwe, Jason, Finlayson, Kimberley, Barraza, Arthur, Young, Erina, Gilby, Ben, and Townsend, Kathy (2024) Disentangling the impacts of contaminants on green sea turtle physiology. In: Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. p. 30. From: 42nd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, 24-29 March 2024, Pattaya, Thailand.

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Abstract

The escalating threat of pollution has breached critical ecological thresholds, heralding severe consequences for marine ecosystems and essential processes. While our understanding of contaminants’ impacts remains an ongoing challenge, the effect of pollutants on the health of marine organisms, particularly sea turtles, is gaining more attention. This study aimed to assess the health implications due to contaminant uptake in three foraging populations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the southern Great Barrier Reef of Australia. A comprehensive field study conducted health assessments, including visual, biochemical, and haematological evaluations, on 45 juvenile and sub-adult green sea turtles across offshore and inshore foraging sites. An in vitro cytotoxicity assay using green turtle fibroblasts was used to test the toxicity of blood extracts. Additionally, trace element analysis via ICP-MS identified concentrations of 14 essential and non-essential elements in whole blood. These analyses revealed associations between increased cobalt, molybdenum and manganese concentrations and diminished kidney function and overall body condition. Surprisingly, our findings indicated higher cytotoxicity in the two offshore foraging sites. While these sites were anticipated to have low contaminant exposure, individuals displayed an increased level of overall toxicity despite showing no visible signs of decreased health and no significant changes in health parameters. This discrepancy underscores the intricate and complex nature of ecotoxicology and health assessments in marine turtles and highlights the need to learn from inevitable research oversights. Moving forward, this study emphasises the need for future investigations delving deeper into immune responses and endocrine disruption, essential for a more wholistic comprehension on the impact of contaminants on sea turtle health. This research illustrates the intricate relationship between contaminants, health, and the environment, signifying both the challenges and the crucial importance of further exploration for the sustainability of marine ecosystems.

Item ID:	93643
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2026 23:17
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180599 Marine systems and management not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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