Arsenic species and their accumulation features in green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Total arsenic (As) and its compounds were determined in liver, kidney, muscle, and stomach contents of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Total As concentrations in the muscle were higher than those in the kidney and liver. Arsenobetaine (AB) was the predominant compound in all the three tissues and its levels were positively correlated with total As concentrations. This indicates that AB greatly contributes to As accumulation in green turtles. Higher concentrations of remaining As in the sample after extraction were detected in the liver, implying that lipid-soluble or protein bound As compounds accumulate in the liver of green turtles. Total As levels in tissues showed significant negative correlations with standard carapace length. The size-dependence of As accumulation in green turtles may be related to their feeding habit, shifting from carnivore to herbivore at different growth stages. Concentrations of AB and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were low in the stomach contents but high in the tissues, implying bioaccumulation of these arsenicals in green turtles.