Determination of organochlorine pesticides in tissues of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the southeastern coast of Brazil: study of the occurrence in animals with and without fibropapillomatosis

Author(s)

Angelica Maria Sanchez Sarmiento

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-09-27

Examining board members

Eliana Reiko Matushima; José Luiz Catão Dias; Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo

• Advisor: Eliana Reiko Matushima

Abstract

The increase of anthropogenic impacts on both marine and coastal environments is threatening the ecosystems of numerous animal populations, including sea turtles. Disturbances in the ecological balance of these habitats negatively affect the survival of longlived chelonids such as green turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are already considered endangered. Threats to this species include incidental capture by fisheries, habitat degradation of nesting and feeding areas, and diseases. One of the most relevant diseases is fibropapillomatosis (FP) or Green Turtle Fibropapilloma Disease (GTFD), an infectious tumoral disease that predominantly affects juveniles. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain this diseases aetiology, and while none has been conclusively demonstrated there is a consensus that it is multifactorial and involves a -herpesvirus as the primary etiologic agent along with genetic, nutritional and environmental cofactors. The prevalence of FP in C. mydas in Brazil varies among regions, with locations in which the disease remains unreported. Prevalence has been correlated to the degree of degradation of marine habitats, which in turn is related to the presence of environmental contaminants such as organochlorines and their metabolites. These compounds are difficult to break down and persist, bioaccumulate and biomagnify in marine environments over long periods of time. They are also known to produce numerous health effects in the organisms in which they accumulate, hampering immunity and favouring the manifestation of opportunistic disease, with some of these compounds being also carcinogens. In this study we developed extraction and purification technique based on the QuEChERS method (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) and used gas chromatography with electron capture (GC-μECD) to detect and quantify organochlorine (α-BHC, β-BHC, Heptachlor, Dicofol, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, Endosulfan sulphate, pp\' -DDD, op\' -DDD, pp\' -DDE, op\' -DDE, and Mirex) in adipose and hepatic tissue samples from 64 juvenile green sea turtles [Curved Carapace Length - CCL = 38.68 ± 5.41 cm] affected or not by FP (24 with FP vs. 40 without FP). These specimens died due to incidental capture by fishing nets or were found dead on beaches of Southeast Brazil: Ubatuba / SP, Praia Grande / SP and Vitória / ES. Aiming to clarify the role of the organochlorines in the pathogenesis of FP, we attempted to establish correlations between the concentration of these compounds and variables such as sex, size (CCL), Body Condition Index (BCI) and disease severity [fibropapillomatosis index (FPI) and fibropapillomatosis score (FPS)], and local FP prevalence. A significant correlation was observed between the lipid percentage of adipose and hepatic samples, as well as between adipose and hepatic organochlorine total concentrations (ΣOCS). Although some differences were observed regarding the presence or absence of contaminants in relation to characteristics of the individual history, it was not possible to establish patterns that reflected biological significance. For both adipose and hepatic tissues, no significant differences were found in the ΣOCS with regards to individual sex or capture locality that would allow inferring relationships between the individual contamination levels and the regional variation on the prevalence of FP. It was also not possible to identify significant relationships between each pollutant concentration in the adipose or hepatic tissue and the presence of FP. No correlation was observed between ΣOCS in adipose or hepatic tissues and FPI, FPS, BCI and CCL. The results provide a contamination profile of free-ranging green turtles of the southeast coast during the study period, confirming the bioavailability of OCs in the different locations evaluated. Although a direct correlation between the concentration of OCs and fibropapillomatosis was not found, this study demonstrates that green turtles from the southeast coast of Brazil are exposed to significant levels of organochlorine pesticides that could play a role in the multifactorial etiology of the disease. These contaminants may affect the prevalence of FP, possibly acting as immunosuppressive agents or through genotoxicity and tumor promotion. Future studies will be conducted to better characterize the role of these substances and their effects on sea turtles and to clarify how other factors that may influence their impacts. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/04565-7 - Presence of environmental contaminants in tissues of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from the brazilian coast: prevalence study in animals affected by fibropapilomatosis
• Grantee: Angélica María Sánchez Sarmiento
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master