Harmful algal and cyanobacterial toxins in foraging green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) in Florida's Big Bend.

Numerous toxin-producing harmful algal (HAB) species occur in Florida's coastal waters. Exposure to these toxins has been shown to have sublethal effects in sea turtles. The objective of this study was to establish concentrations of 10 HAB toxins in plasma samples from green turtles (Chelonia mydas) foraging in Florida's Big Bend. Domoic acid, lyngbyatoxin-A, microcystins, nodularin, and okadaic acid were detected, demonstrating exposure to these HAB toxins, which are also a public health concern.