Accumulation Features of Arsenic in Hawksbill Turtles and Green Turtles

概要

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Concentrations of total arsenic and individual arsenic compounds were determined in hawksbill turtles and green turtles to characterize their arsenic accumulation. Results of tissue distribution of total arsenic showed that the levels were the highest in muscle of both species. Concentrations of total arsenic in tissues of hawksbill turtles were significantly higher than those of green turtles and were comparable to lower-order marine animals. Chemical speciation of arsenic revealed that arsenobetaine was the major arsenic compound in these two species. Relatively high concentrations of non-extracted arsenic were observed in liver of both turtles. Interestingly, high concentration of trimethylarsine oxide was detected in hawksbill turtles. Concentrations of arsenobetaine in the tissues of hawksbill turtles and green turtles were much higher than those in their respective stomach contents. This implies that sea turtles may effectively bioaccumulate arsenobetaine from their prey.
日本微量元素学会の論文