Heavy metals in the aquatic environment of the Southern Adriatic Sea, Italy: macroalgae, sediments and benthic species.

Samples of sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus), holothurians (Holothuria polii), green algae (Ulva lactuca. Codium vermilara and Enteromorpha prolifera) and sediments were collected from different coastal zones of the South Adriatic Sea (Italy). The occurrence of metals in macroalgae is poor especially if compared with that reported in other coastal areas affected by human activities, with the exception of Fe that showed high mean values (405 microg g(-1) dry wt.). Likewise, relationships between metal concentrations in holothurians and sediments were found, demonstrating that H. polii could serve as bioindicator for Hg and Cu.