Sponge-associated microbes

FRESHWATER SPONGES AS BIOINDICATORS & BIO - REMEDIATORS OF METAL POLLUTION

Freshwater sponges, particularly those found in the Sundarban delta, have been shown to effectively accumulate and indicate the presence of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Their high filtration capacity and close association with specialized microbes enable them to both monitor and help remediate metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. These sponge-associated microbes possess adaptations for metal resistance and detoxification, making the sponge–microbe system a promising nature-based solution for assessing and mitigating heavy-metal contamination in freshwater environments.