Heavy metals in tissues from loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the southwestern Mediterranean (Spain)

Cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc were measured in tissues of 21 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the southwestern Mediterranean coastline. Mean concentrations (dry weight) of essential elements (Zn and Cu) were 107 and 21.6 μg/g in liver, 27.9 and 3.8 μg/g in kidney, 65.4 and 5.0 μg/g in pectoral muscle, 11.1 and 3.45 μg/g in brain, and finally 19.2 μg/g and undetected in bone, respectively. Mean concentrations of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) were 23.4 and 2.8 μg/g in liver, 31.5 and 0.5 μg/g in kidney, 0.2 and 0.3 μg/g in pectoral muscle, 0.2 and 0.7 μg/g in brain, and undetected and 1.2 μg/g in bone, respectively. Metal concentrations were similar to other studies conducted on Mediterranean turtles. However, cadmium concentrations varied widely among individuals, which has been associated with potential sources of cadmium in Mediterranean Sea. This is the first study into metal accumulation in tissues of loggerhead turtle from Spanish Mediterranean coastline.