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Abstract ID: 1732 Type: Oral Subject: Anatomy, Physiology and Health Country: Australia

Submitted By: Siobhan Hermanussen (siobhan@uq.edu.au)

Dioxins and furans are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These compounds are considered a serious health concern to humans, wildlife, and the environment, due to their toxicity and ability to accumulate in lipids and biomagnify in the food chain. In addition, the worlds’ oceans provide a sink environment for these compounds, placing long-lived and lipid-rich marine megafauna among the high risk groups. Recent research from Queensland has identified elevated concentrations of POPs in nearshore marine ecosystems, and has been shown to effect the herbivorous dugong (Dugong dugon). Worldwide, however, there is very limited data available on dioxin and furan exposure of sea turtles. In this study, concentrations and toxic equivalents (TEQs) of POPs are described in three species of sea turtle; green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles from Queensland, Australia. Total dioxin/furan concentrations were elevated in some animals and ranged from 47-213 pg/g lipid, 93-137 pg/g lipid and 151-319 pg/g lipid in green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtle blood samples, respectively. Trophic level has been identified to influence the bioaccumulation of certain POPs in these animals, and the highest TEQ levels are present in the carnivorous loggerhead turtles, followed by the hawksbill and green turtles. Incorporation of known life history information and contamination zones has shown no significant differences between mature and juvenile green sea turtles, however, a clear trend of increasing tissue concentrations and TEQs was observed with increasing habitat contamination zones. This data provides the framework for determining exposure and sensitivity of marine turtles to POPs in order to assess associated risks to these animals.