ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS AND TRACE-METALS IN THE TISSUES OF GREEN TURTLES(CHELONIA-MYDAS) AFFLICTED WITH FIBROPAPILLOMAS IN THE HAWAIIAN-ISLANDS

Environmental contaminants have been listed as a possible cause of gre en turtle fibropapillomas (GTFP). Brain, fat, liver, and kidney tissue s from 10 juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) afflicted with GTFP, were tested to determine exposure to selected environmental pollutant s and any possible relation to GTFP. One juvenile green turtle free of the disease, one pelagic green turtle, and one pelagic loggerhead tur tle (Caretta caretta) served as controls. Egg shells and tissues from three green turtle hatchlings were also tested. The tissues and shells analysed in this study indicated that none contained any of the liste d organochlorine, polychlorinated biphenyl, organophosphate, or carbam ate insecticides in concentrations above the stated method of detectio n limits. Most of the concentrations of selenium and heavy metals were also considered to be below levels reported normal in other animal sp ecies. No correlation was found between the contaminants tested and GT FP because of the low levels detected. Trace metals and other pollutan ts tested in this study play a minor role in the aetiology of GTFP in a discrete green turtle population at Kaneohe Bay, Island of Oahu, Haw aii.