In vivo exposure of the marine sponge Chondrilla nucula Schmidt, 1862 to cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) and its potential use for bioremediation purposes.

Abstract The study aimed to test the cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) bioaccumulation capacity of the marine sponge Chondrilla nucula and to measure the expression of metallothioneins (MTs) by a western blotting assay to explore metal tolerance and its potential use as a bioremediator in contaminated coastal areas. C. nucula was sampled in a protected marine area in order to perform experiments on organisms living in a healthy environment. Under laboratory conditions, the sponges were exposed to increasing concentrations of Cd, Cu and Pb in tanks filled with artificial seawater set up for the experiments. For each metal, three waterborne concentrations (mgL−1) of Cd (0.02–0.04-0.08),…

Acque di mezzo. Viaggio alla scoperta degli ambienti costieri della Sicilia: laghi, paludi, pantani, saline e stagni

Gestione sostenibile delle risorse marine: i Poriferi per la valutazione dello stato ambientale e per la depurazione delle acque. Studio di organismi marini ad alto potere filtrante per azioni di biomonitoraggio e di bioremediation.