The elemental composition of demospongiae from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba.

ABSTRACT: Trace elements are vital for the growth and development of all organisms. Little is known about the elemental content and trace metal biology of Red Sea demosponges. This study establishes an initial database of sponge elemental content. It provides the necessary foundation for further research of the mechanisms used by sponges to regulate the uptake, accumulation, and storage of metals. The metal content of 16 common sponge species was determined using ICP measurements. A combination of statistical methods was used to determine the correlations between the metals and detect species with significantly high or low concentrations of these metals. Bioaccumulation factors were calculated to compare sponge metal content to local sediment. Theonella swinhoei contained an extremely high concentra

SUBMITTER: Mayzel B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3997428 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature