Trace elements in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea: overview and evaluation

Concentrations of trace elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Se) in different organs and tissues (liver, kidney, muscle tissue, spleen, heart, lung, and fat tissue) of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta from eastern Mediterranean Sea were determined. The highest levels of mercury and cadmium were found in liver (Hg: 0.43 μg g−1 wet weight; Cd: 3.36 μg g−1 wet weight) and kidney (Hg: 0.16 μg g−1 wet weight; Cd: 8.35 μg g−1 wet weight). For lead the overall concentrations were low and often below the limit of detection. Copper and selenium tended to be higher in liver than in other tissues and organs, while for zinc the concentrations were quite homogenous in the different organs and tissues, except fat tissue (64.7 μg g−1 wet weight) which showed a higher accumulation of this element. For iron the greatest concentrations were observed in liver (409 μg g−1 wet weight) and spleen (221 μg g−1 wet weight).