Liver and Kidney Mineral and Heavy Metal Analyses in Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) in North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Kidney and liver samples from 41 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) admitted to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Turtle Rescue Team (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA) in 2018 (n=18) and 2022 (n=23) were tested to assess mineral and heavy metal levels. Thirteen elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum, selenium, thallium, and zinc (Zn), were measured in liver (n=41) and kidney (n=27) samples by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and reported on a ppm wet weight basis. Median As, Cd, Ca, Co, Mg, and Mn levels were higher in kidney samples than in liver samples; in contrast, median Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn levels were higher in liver samples. Only median kidney Cu and median liver Ca, Mg, and Mn levels were statistically different between years. Our findings provide a base set of values to compare with additional eastern box turtle heavy metal and mineral levels in the region, thus enabling earlier identification of trending value changes and potential environmental shifts.