Bioaccumulation of copper, iron and zinc in marine sponges Haliclona sp. in Qeshm and Lark islands

Sponges invariably filter a large volume of sea water and potentially accumulate heavy metals and other contaminants from the environment. Sponges, being sessile marine invertebrates and modular in body organization, can live many years in the same location and therefore have the ability to accumulate anthropogenic pollutants such as metals over a long period.
In this study, marine sponge Haliclona sp. from Qeshm and Larak islands was evaluated as a potential indicator organism. For this purpose, 13 samples of marine sponge Haliclona sp. from Qeshm and 15 samples from Larak islands were collected and analyzed for the amount of heavy metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometer.
Findings: The mean concentrations of zinc, copper and iron of the marine sponge Haliclona sp. were found to be 115.23, 1698.18 and 74.91 mg/kg in Qeshm Island and 74.73, 1354.74 and 40.36 mg/kg Larak Island, respectively. The differences in concentrations of heavy metals in marine sponge, except for iron (p The results showed that in Qeshm island the heavy metals contamination in the Qeshm Island was greater than in Larak Island due to the high rate of industrial acitivities in the west part of Bandar Abbass Portland in terms of geographical industrial distribution compared to other part of the island. Moreover Qeshm Island is located, as a free trade zone, more close to the industrial zone of Bandar Abbass.