title: Sponges as sentinels: patterns of spatial and intra-individual variation in trace metal concentration.
abstract: If sponges are to be effective biomonitors we require a better understanding of the spatial scales over which metals vary in these organisms. We determined how concentration of Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg and Se varied over four spatial scales for two common estuarine sponge species in the Sydney region. We examined variability with a fully nested sampling design; between coastal lakes, within coastal lakes, between sponges and within sponges. Calculation of variance components confirmed that 'within-sponge' variation in Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Se concentrations were low (1-14%) relative to the two largest spatial scales (49-98%) examined. In contrast, Hg concentrations exhibited marked variability 'between-sponges' and were below detection at one location. There was little evidence that sponge size was a good predictor of metal concentration. Taken together, these outcomes confirm that fragments of these sponges could be successfully transplanted and therefore show promise as biomonitors of metal contamination.
authors: Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: corrine@uow.edu.au.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: de Mestre
authors: Ecochemistry Laboratory, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. Electronic address: Bill.maher@canberra.edu.au.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Maher
authors: Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Bio-analysis Pty Ltd, 7 Berrys Head Road, Narrara, NSW 2250, Australia. Electronic address: dan@bioanalysis.com.au.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Roberts
authors: Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: allisonb@uow.edu.au.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Broad
authors: Ecochemistry Laboratory, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. Electronic address: Frank.krikowa@canberra.edu.au.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Krikowa
authors: Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: adavis@uow.edu.au.
authors: A R
authors: AR
authors: Davis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D009517:New South Wales; D011161:Porifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical