Fluxes and impact of anthropogenic contaminants (metals and PCBs) in echinoderms

Although the release of anthropogenic contaminants like heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sea has now been severely regulated or banned, these contaminants are still a threat for numerous marine ecosystems due to their long-lasting persistence in the environment. Available information on metals and PCBs in echinoderms is relatively scarce despite the ecological importance of numerous members of the phylum. The research presented aims to determine the fluxes and effects of metals and PCBs in representative echinoderms, namely the asteroid Asterias rubens and the echinoid Paracentrotus lividus.