Mercury in blood and eggs of the sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea from a nesting colony in Oaxaca, Mexico

Páez-Osuna, F.; Calderón-Campuzano, M.F.; Soto-Jiménez, M.F.; Ruelas-Inzunza, J.

Mercury in blood and eggs of the sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea from a nesting colony in Oaxaca, Mexico

2011

Páez-Osuna, F. | Calderón-Campuzano, M.F. | Soto-Jiménez, M.F. | Ruelas-Inzunza, J.

Mercury concentrations were assessed in the sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea from a nesting colony of Oaxaca, Mexico; 25 female turtles were sampled, a total of 250 eggs were collected during the season 2005–2006. Higher concentrations were found in yolk fraction, while in blood and albumen mean levels were below of 0.0010μgg⁻¹ dry wt. On the basis of one nesting season, the maternal transfer of Hg via eggs-laying was estimated in 2.0±1.1%. According to international norms, the health of this population and its habitats is acceptable for Hg and corresponds to baseline levels of a nearly pristine environment.

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