SEM-EDS and X-ray micro computed tomography studies of skeletal surface pattern and body structure in the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris collected from Goczalkowice reservoir habit (Southern Poland).

Introduction: Freshwater sponges are common animals of most aquatic ecosystems. They feed by filtering small particles from the water, and so are thought to be sensitive indicators of pollution. Sponges are strongly associated with the abiotic environment and are therefore used as bioindicators for monitoring of water quality in water habitats.

Mayfly larvae (Baetis rhodani and B. vernus) as biomonitors of trace metal pollution in streams of a catchment draining a zinc and lead mining area of Upper Silesia, Poland.

Larvae of two Baetis species were used to investigate spatial and temporal variability in the bioavailabilities of cadmium, copper, lead, zinc and iron in the river Biala Przemsza and its tributaries draining an area of lead and zinc mining in Upper Silesia, Poland. Accumulated metal concentrations were measured in April, May, August and November 2000. Both species indicated significant local geographical variability in availabilities of zinc, iron, lead and cadmium, but not copper.