New Delhi, Nov 19 (NationPress) Researchers at the Bose Institute, which operates under the Department of Science and Technology, have revealed in a recent study that freshwater sponges from the Sundarban delta may serve as effective bioindicators for detecting toxic metal pollution.

These freshwater sponges, home to various microbial communities essential for maintaining ecosystem health, have demonstrated their potential to function both as bioindicators and absorbers of harmful metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium. This discovery positions them as a viable solution for bioremediation.

With pollution posing an increasing threat to aquatic ecosystems globally, these natural water purifiers are becoming critical allies in the quest for cleaner environments.

Freshwater sponges, among the earliest multicellular eukaryotes, filter substantial amounts of water and play a pivotal role in ecological balance.

Led by Dr. Abhrajyoti Ghosh, the research team from the Bose Institute’s Department of Biological Sciences examined these sponges from the Sundarban delta and found that sponge-associated microbial communities are vital for detoxifying polluted waters and sustaining ecosystem health.

The findings, published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum (American Society for Microbiology), indicated that the bacterial communities within the sponges are distinct from those in their surrounding waters, influenced by the sponge species and their habitat.

Notably, the sponges showed a remarkable ability to accumulate higher concentrations of toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium, underscoring their bioaccumulation capabilities. Given the pervasive heavy metal contamination across the Gangetic plain, these sponges present a promising approach to bioremediation.

Furthermore, the study revealed that the bacteria associated with sponges are enriched with genes linked to metal ion transport, metal resistance, and antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Ghosh stated, “These adaptive traits suggest that bacterial symbionts not only endure but actively assist in detoxifying and resisting environmental stress, particularly in metal-contaminated areas. This research emphasizes the ecological importance of the sponge-microbe consortium and reinforces the role of freshwater sponges as effective indicators for assessing water quality and pollution levels in estuarine and freshwater ecosystems.”

“This groundbreaking work expands our understanding of sponge microbial ecology and paves the way for innovative strategies in sustainable water quality management and bioremediation,” the team concluded.