PONE-D-21-24131Trace element concentrations in forage seagrass species of Chelonia mydas along the Great Barrier ReefPLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This is a solid study requiring only minor editorial revisions.

Reviewer #2: Dear Sir,

Greetings!

The manuscript entitled “Trace element concentrations in forage seagrass species of Chelonia mydas along the Great Barrier Reef” is written well and has the scientific importance. There are certain suggestions and question from my side.

## Abstract is written well but it needs to make it concise for a gist. The sentence Toxic metal exposure is a threat to green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting and foraging in coastal seagrass meadows and is of particular concern in local bays of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), as numerous sources of metal contaminants are located within the region. Seems to Introductory sentence.

## Due to this, the primary source of metal element exposure for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) is through their diet. make it clear

##In addition to providing forage for C. mydas, seagrass fulfil several integral ecological 61 functions, such as sediment stabilization nutrient cycling the sequestration of 62 carbon Put the latest and relevant reference.

##Gastric lavage sampling on a subsection of each population elaborate it?

##Once identified, seagrass samples were analysed for a suite of 10 metal elements using Inductively coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry to describe concentrations detected within coastal meadows along the Central GBR. Put the Modal and reference of analysis protocol.

## Fig 1 images are having poor visualization need to be update. Other figures are also poor in quality.

## The finding should be supported with latest reference there is no reference from 2021 and 2022

##Conclusion Section needs to be summaries well.

##Please double-check the manuscript for abbreviations. Abbreviations must be spelled out the first time they are mentioned in the abstract and starting again with the introduction section. Double-check that all references are cited within the text, and that all citations within the text have a corresponding reference. Double-check the spelling of the author names. Please ensure the abbreviation of the journal name.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Hanuman Singh Jatav

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Trace element concentrations in forage seagrass species of Chelonia mydas along the Great Barrier Reef

PONE-D-21-24131R1

Dear Dr. Wilkinson,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Mohan Lal Dotaniya, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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