Endemic sponge Lubomirskia baikalensis as a bioindicator of chemical elements pollution in Lake Baikal

To evaluate the prospects of using Baikal endemic sponges as bioindicators of chemical elements pollution, the elemental composition of sponges, water and substrate samples, collected in two areas with different levels of anthropogenic loading of the Baikal Lake, was determined using two analytical techniques. The content of Cl, Ca, V, Zn, As, Se, Ba, Cd, and Cu in the sponges collected in Listvennichny Bay was significantly higher than in Bolshye Koty Bay. The values of the pollution indices point at the slight to moderate pollution of the substrates. According to the bioaccumulation factor values, sponges accumulate mainly Cd, Cu and Br from the substrate, and the main part of the elements from water. The distribution of elements longwise the sponges and their intraspecific variation were evaluated. It was shown that Lubomirskia baikalensis sponges were suitable bioindicators to assess the pollution of Lake Baikal. •Baikal sponges Lubomirskia baicalensis were tested as biomonitors.•The elemental composition of L. baicalensis corresponds to the levels of elements determined in other freshwater sponges•Lubomirskia baicalensis accumulates predominantly Cu and Cd and, to a lesser extent, Br, Ba, and Zn.