TRACE-ELEMENTS IN EGG CONTENTS AND EGG-SHELLS OF SLIDER TURTLES (TRACHEMYS-SCRIPTA) FROM THE SAVANNA RIVER SITE

In this paper we examine the levels of trace elements in the egg conte nts and egg shells of slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) from the Sava nnah River Site, near Aiken, South Carolina. Trace elements have seldo m been examined in the tissues or eggs of reptiles, although some turt les and large snakes occupy a high trophic level. Lead, mercury, cadmi um, selenium, chromium, and manganese levels were examined in one egg and its egg shell collected from each of 16 females that laid in late May and June 1995. We were interested in determining background levels , whether certain metals were sequestered in the egg shells, and wheth er levels were higher in contents or shells. Concentrations were highe r in egg contents than in shells for lead, mercury, and selenium, whil e chromium was higher in the shell. There were no differences for cadm ium and manganese. Compared to eggs from other reptiles, levels in sli der turtles were generally similar for cadmium and selenium, lower for chromium and lead, and higher for manganese.