An integrative approach to define chemical exposure threshold limits for endangered sea turtles

Environmental contaminants pose serious health threats to marine megafauna species, yet methods defining exposure threshold limits are lacking. Here, a three-pillar chemical risk assessment framework is presented based on (1) species- and chemical-specific lifetime bioaccumulation modelling, (2) non-destructive in vitro and in vivo toxicity threshold assessment, and (3) chemical risk quantification. We used the effects of cadmium (Cd) in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) as a proof of concept to evaluate the quantitative mechanistic modelling approach. A physiologically-based kinetic (PBK) model simulated Cd tissue concentrations (liver, kidney, muscle, fat, brain, scute, and 'rest of the body') in C.mydas. The validated PBK model then translated species-specific in vitro results to in vivo effects. The results showed that the resilience of C.mydas towards Cd kidney toxicity is age-dependent and differs with changing physiology and feeding ecology. Using the model in reverse mode, a steady-state exposure threshold of 0.1 µg/g dry weight Cd in forage was derived and compared to real-world exposure scenarios. Three out of the four globally distinct C.mydas populations assessed are exposed to Cd levels above this threshold limit. This approach can be adapted to other marine species and chemicals to prioritize measures for managing potentially harmful chemical exposures.