Amphimedon viridis marine sponge as metal bioindicator for Al, Ba, Cr, Fe and Mn.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bivalves, oysters, and mussels are accepted as biological indicators for marine pollutants. Heavy metals biomonitoring on the environment was this study objective using A. viridis compared with Perna perna (mollusk bivalve). The area studied included Ilha Pituã in Vila Velha – ES and Ilha do Boi and Camburi Garden Beach in Vitoria - ES. METHODS: The sample collection comprised seawater, mussel (P. perna) and sponge (A. viridis). Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, K, Ti and Zn were analyzed using ICP OES. RESULTS For metal studied Al, Ba, Cr, Fe and Mn presented greater accumulation in A. viridis than in P. perna. The metal concentrations detected in seawater, sponge, and mussel could be related using PCA with 79.26% total variance demonstrating that A. viridis bioaccumulated more metals than P. perna. CONCLUSION: Sponge metal accumulation reflected not only spatial metal variation but also seasonal changes.