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Abstract ID: 2346 Type: Poster Subject: Anatomy, physiology, and health Country: United States

Submitted By: Rusty Day (russell.day@noaa.gov)

An increase in the incidence of debilitated loggerhead sea turtle strandings in the Southeastern U.S. has been observed in recent years. These turtles are characterized by emaciation and heavy burdens of parasites and bacterial infections, but the underlying cause of their condition is unknown. To further investigate, a health assessment was performed on debilitated loggerhead turtles during necropsy or rehabilitation and contaminants were measured in various tissue compartments. A previous study on loggerheads reported that the blood mercury levels were correlated to several health indicators including immune parameters and creatine phosphokinase. This study investigates the potential role of mercury toxicity in the debilitated condition described above. Mercury burdens in blood, scutes, brain, liver, and kidney from debilitated loggerheads will be compared to those reported in healthy turtles captured in the wild and acute stranding mortalities. Correlations between mercury burdens in debilitated turtles and specific health parameters such as immune function, plasma chemistry, and tissue histology will be investigated to determine potential routes of toxicity in these animals. Changes in blood mercury burdens during the months of rehabilitation will also be reported.