Bioindication potential of carbonic anhydrase activity in anemones and corals

Activity levels of carbonic anhydrase (CA) were assessed in anemones Condyl actis gigantea and Stichodactyla helianthus with laboratory exposures to co pper, nickel, lead, and vanadium, and also in animals collected from pollut ed vs pristine field sites. CA activity was found to be decreased with incr ease in metal concentration and also in animals collected from the polluted field site. Preliminary assessments to adapt the CA assay for use in the w idespread coral Montastraea cavernosa show decreased CA activity in specime ns from the polluted field site and provide an avenue for future research a imed at more thoroughly describing coral CA activity for potential applicat ion in bioindication. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.