Great Barrier Reef turtles exposed to thousands of chemicals

New Queensland research is indicating that green turtles living near urban and farming areas are absorbing possibly thousands of chemicals. University of Queensland researcher Associate Professor Caroline Gaus said many of the chemicals were associated with industry and agriculture. "There used to be a theory that the ocean was so huge it would dilute contaminants to such an extent that it remained a relatively healthy environment for marine creatures," Dr Gaus said. "But people should be aware that many of the chemicals we flush down the toilet, apply to our gardens, spray on crops, or use in factories can end up in turtles and we don't yet know how it is affecting them," she said. This revelation about the vast number of chemicals found in turtles is among the preliminary findings from a major research project investigating the impact of contaminants on turtles in the Great Barrier Reef. In June and July 2012, more than 100 green turtles were found stranded at Upstart Bay, Queensland, and the cause remains unknown. This inspired the River to Reef to Turtles research project, which in its first year, sampled 1131 turtles across three study sites - the relatively pristine Howick Group of Islands and the two coastal sites of Upstart Bay and Cleveland Bay.