Abstract
Sponges are multicellular organisms that are sessile and aquatic, with a single body cavity lined in part or almost wholly by collared flagellate cells. There are approximately 5000 species in this group out of which most of them are marine. Sponges possess numerous body pores in the body wall through which water enters, and one or more larger pores through which it exits. In general, sponges have a calcareous, horny, or siliceous skeleton. Sponges have been proposed as heavy metal biomonitors owing to their ability to accumulate metals and because they show biological and biochemical responses when submitted to metal insult. For example, high accumulations of metals alter the composition of sugars, proteins, and lipids, especially in near-shore sponges, which usually have higher accumulations than offshore conspecifics. Despite their widespread geographic distribution, comparatively little is known of the trace metal composition of this group. This chapter lists out various trace metals that were studied and found in sponges and also highlights their importance and role with respect to their concentration in the environment.
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