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Recent research highlights freshwater sponges from India's Sundarban delta as potential bioindicators and natural filters for toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Scientists at Bose Institute found these sponges accumulate high levels of pollutants while their associated bacteria aid detoxification.​
Key Study Findings
- The study, published in Microbiology Spectrum, shows sponge bacterial communities differ from surrounding water and are enriched with genes for metal resistance and transport.
- These microbes actively help detoxify polluted waters in metal-contaminated habitats like the Gangetic plain.
- Sponges filter large water volumes daily, positioning them as tools for bioremediation and ecosystem health monitoring.​
About Freshwater sponges
Freshwater sponges are among the earliest multicellular organisms, living in clean streams, lakes, and rivers, where they filter water, support ecosystems, and even help remove toxic pollutants.
- Classification: Belong to phylum Porifera, class Demospongiae, order Spongillida.
- Examples: Spongilla lacustris is a well-known species found in lakes and rivers.
- Structure: They have a leuconoid body form with siliceous spicules (tiny skeletal elements).
- Lifestyle: Sessile (fixed in place), attaching to rocks, logs, or submerged objects.
Habitat
- Found in clean streams, lakes, rivers, and estuarine systems.
- Prefer sturdy submerged surfaces like stones, logs, or aquatic vegetation.
- Often appear green due to symbiotic algae living inside their tissues.
Ecological Role
- Filter feeders: Pump large volumes of water through their bodies, capturing protozoans, bacteria, and organic particles.
- Symbiosis: Host algae and diverse microbial communities that contribute to nutrient cycling.
- Bioindicators: Sensitive to pollution, making them useful for monitoring water quality.
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