Rare earth and trace elements in deep-sea sponges of the North Atlantic

Abstract

The available data on trace elements (TE) of deep-sea organisms is scarce and nonexistent for rare earth elements (REE). Hence, this study characterizes REE and TE in five porifera genera (Jaspis, Geodia, Hamacantha, Leiodermatium, Poliopogon) collected in deep-sea areas (between 481 and 2656 m) of the North Atlantic. Aluminium was the most common TE while lead was the less abundant. These sponges showed an increased accumulation of TE compared with other probably influenced by volcanic activity. Poliopogon amadou sampled at the deepest location presented the highest concentration of all REE. All studied species exhibited a Light REE enrichment in comparison to Heavy REE and showed a negative Ce anomaly with a less conspicuous Eu depletion. Besides the establishment of a baseline for future comparisons, this study provides the first record of REE in a sessile deep-sea marine invertebrate group.