Ben-Gurion University researchers advocate using shells to monitor pollution Ben-Gurion University researchers advocate using shells to monitor pollution Their high diversity and presence in all marine habitats make them ideal candidates for monitoring ongoing pollution and its impacts. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers advocate using seashells to monitor currently undetected industrial pollution from factories and desalination plants along the Israeli coastline and worldwide. Credit: Courtesy. Spread the word. (January 29, 2021 / JNS) Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers advocate using seashells to monitor currently undetected industrial pollution from factories and desalination plants along the Israeli coastline and worldwide. “We have quantified trace amounts of heavy metal enrichment from desalination plants on the Mediterranean coast of Israel,” says Professor Sigal Abramovich of BGU’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and head of the Laboratory for Foraminiferal Research. “Our Israel field research and published studies demonstrate the potential of detecting heavy metal traces in foraminiferal shells as a tool for monitoring the coastal facilities industrial footprint. This includes areas that are considered clean marine reserves.”