Decomposition of Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle carcasses and its application to backtrack modeling of beach strandings

• Published in: Endangered species research Vol. 47; pp. 29 - 47
• Main Authors: Nero, RW, Cook, M, Reneker, JL, Wang, Z, Schultz, EA, Stacy, BA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oldendorf Inter-Research Science Center 01.01.2022; Inter-Research
• Subjects: Ambient temperature; Aquatic reptiles; Bathymetry; Buoyancy; Carcasses; Chelonia mydas; Decomposition; Depth; Die sinking; Drifters; Environmental conditions; Floats; Gases; Heat sinks; Lepidochelys kempii; Pressure effects; Reptiles & amphibians; Sea turtles; Stranding; Temperature; Turtles; Water depth; Water temperature

When a sea turtle dies, it typically sinks to the bottom, begins decomposing, and floats to the surface once sufficient internal gases have accumulated to produce positive buoyancy. This process is poorly characterized and is essential to understanding where and when sea turtles found on shore may h...