Trace metals in the sponge Ircinia felix and sediments from North-Western Trinidad, West Indies.

The purpose of this study was to obtain data for trace metals in the sponge, Ircinia felix, and sediments found in coastal areas of north-western Trinidad, and to determine whether this sponge could be useful as a biomonitor for selected metals. Three sets of sediment and tissue samples were collected from four stations representing a range of anthropogenic input over a 12-month period. Samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn using flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Extractable metal concentrations in sediments ranged from 0.01-0.28 μg g(-1)-cadmium, 0.02-16.2 μg g(-1)-chromium, 0.19-68.5 μg g(-1)-copper, <0.05-4.12 μg g(-1) -nickel, <0.03-37.0 μg g(-1) -lead and 4.08-148 μg g(-1)-zinc. Total metal concentrations in I. felix tissue (dry weight) ranged from 0.03-1.04 μg g(-1)-cadmium, 2.51-24.9 μg g(-1) -chromium, 15.2-49.9 μg g(-1)-copper, 6.30-53.9 μg g(-1) -nickel, 0.27-35.4 μg g(-1) -lead and 29.7-127 μg g(-1)- zinc. The results of the study suggest that I. felix could potentially have use as a biomonitor for Ni, Cd, Cu, and possibly Cr and Zn but may be less useful for monitoring Pb. Further work on temporal trends and intra-species variation of trace metals in the sponge is recommended.