Metal and metalloid maternal transfer in a newborn West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) two years after the northeastern oil spill disaster of 2019 in Brazil

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 200; p. 116147
• Main Authors: Lemos, Leila S., Attademo, Fernanda L.N., de Paiva, Lauro Henrique, Costa, Alexandra F., Reis, Laura M.A., de Oliveira Luna, Fábia, Hauser-Davis, Rachel Ann, Siciliano, Salvatore
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Metal contamination; Oil spill; Seagrass; Sirenian; Trichechus manatus; Oil spill; Seagrass; Sirenian; Metal contamination; Trichechus manatus
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116147

A large-scale oil spill along the northeastern Brazilian coast in 2019–2020 severely impacted primary manatee habitats in Brazil. This study aimed to assess metal and metalloid contamination in a dead manatee calf found following this oil spill. Several elements were detected, including chromium, iron, nickel, lead, and vanadium, which are crude oil components, and thallium, a component of dispersants used to degrade and dissipate crude oil. The presence of these contaminants in the manatee calf is indicative of maternal exposure, metabolism, and newborn transference via placenta and lactation. This is the first report of mother-calf metal transfer in manatees, highlighting the species' vulnerability and potential long-term population dynamics effects, and the first report for several metals and metalloids in these animals, laying the foundation for future research efforts. These findings highlight the urgent need for continued environmental monitoring, ecotoxicological assessments, and conservation initiatives. •The 2019 oil spill severely impacted manatee habitats along the Brazilian coast.•Several metals and metalloids were detected in an infant manatee after the oil spill.•Maternal exposure, metabolism, and newborn placental transference are probable.•This is the first study to report mother-calf metal transfer in manatees.•The findings raise concerns about potential long-term population effects.