Chelonia mydas and loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta from northern Cyprus, eastern Mediterranean Sea. Concentrations of lead in internal tissues were often below analytical detection limits in both species, but when measurable, tended to be higher in loggerhead turtles. When measurable, concentrations of all three metals tended to be higher in loggerhead turtle nest contents than in green turtle nest contents.
Results presented here are consistent with inter-specific differences in diet and trophic status.
Heavy metal burdens in loggerhead turtles and green turtles from the Mediterranean are similar or lower than corresponding concentrations in turtles from Japan and Hawaii, but some lead concentrations in Mediterranean loggerhead hatchlings are at levels known to cause subclinical toxic effects in other vertebrates.