Concentrations of trace elements in tissues of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian coastlines (Calabria, Italy).

Toxic trace elements from both, natural and anthropogenic origin, pose a threat to aquatic environments and marine wildlife due to their long-range transport, bioaccumulative nature, and biomagnification through the food chain. Being long-lived and migratory animals, sea turtles can be exposed to elevated levels of toxic elements, and are therefore considered sentinel species for chemical pollution. In this study, concentrations of trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) were determined in tissues of 46 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts of Calabria, in Southern Italy, between 2014 and 2020. Curved carapace length (CCL), curved carapace width (CCW), body mass (BM), and sex were determined and the correlations of these parameters with toxic elements concentrations were investigated. During necropsy, kidney, liver, and muscle tissues were collected and the concentration and distribution of metals determined. Muscle tissues showed the lowest toxic element burdens, except for As that showed the highest mean concentrations in this tissue. The kidney was the main accumulation organ for Cd, while similar levels of Hg and Pb were measured in kidney, liver, and muscle tissues. The risk assessment performed for Cd, Hg, and Pb in sea turtles' liver highlighted possible negative effects on sea turtles' health and the need for marine turtle toxicology researches. This is the first study reporting levels and distribution of toxic elements in tissues of Caretta caretta turtles from the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts of Calabria.

Endosulfan poisoning in canids and felids in the Calabria region of southern Italy.

Endosulfan, a highly toxic insecticide and acaricide, was globally banned under the Stockholm Convention in May 2011 because of its threats to human health and the environment. Despite the ban on its use, endosulfan is still present in the environment, causing poisoning events in domestic animals and wildlife. Toxicologic analysis of poisoned animals conducted by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno revealed that in the past 3 y, this pesticide has not disappeared in the regions of interest. More than 650 samples (baits and animal organs) collected from 2013 to 2015 were analyzed through solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography-electron capture detection. This methodology allowed us to identify 45 positive samples from the Calabria region of southern Italy (10.2 % of the total samples). Most were samples of gastric content (alpha-endosulfan range: 1.27-3,800 mg/kg) and baits (alpha-endosulfan range: 92-1,497 mg/kg). Lower concentrations of pesticide were found in samples of stomach (alpha-endosulfan: 6.7-118 mg/kg) and liver (alpha-endosulfan: 0.38-14.2 mg/kg).