H. diversicolor, N. succinea and P. cultrifera (Polychaeta: Nereididae) as bioaccumulators of cadmium and zinc from sediments

A field investigation was performed to evaluate the suitability of three nereid polychaetes species as biomonitors for sediment contamination by Cd and Zn in the Venetian lagoon (Italy). With regard to the treatment and subsequent chemical analysis of the animals, a specific methodology was set up. Metal concentrations in sediments and tissues were compared for 20 stations. Cd bioaccumulation was detected in all species, although bioaccumulation factors and the concentration trends were different. This finding could be explained by a difference in the metal bioavailability or in the accumulation strategy of species. Zn results have confirmed the presence of a regulation strategy in the nereid polychaetes, as previously reported.