Evaluation of mercury mediated in vitro cytotoxicity among cell lines established from green sea turtles

► We test in vitro green sea turtle cells for cytotoxic response to mercury exposure. ► Mercury-mediated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on turtle cells. ► Among turtle cells, cells derived from lungs are the most sensitive one to mercury. ► Findings from this study are validated by MTT, CB, and NR cytotoxicity tests. ► Demonstration of possible use of in vitro cell cultures for mercury monitoring.