Freshwater sponges can absorb arsenic, lead and cadmium: Study
Beyond metal accumulation, the study found that sponge-associated bacteria are functionally enriched with genes linked to metal ion transport, metal resistance and antimicrobial resistance
Freshwater sponges found in India's Sundarbans delta have the potential to absorb cancer-causing toxic metals such as arsenic, lead and cadmium, while also serving as effective bioindicators of water pollution, according to a study by a group of Indian scientists.
The research, published in Microbiology Spectrum by the American Society for Microbiology, was conducted by scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous research institute under India's Department of Science and Technology.
The team examined freshwater sponges from the Sundarbans delta and found that they host diverse microbial communities that play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health.
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Led by Dr Abhrajyoti Ghosh of the Department of Biological Sciences, the study showed that sponge-associated microbes help detoxify polluted water, making these organisms promising candidates for bioremediation – particularly in the Gangetic plain, where heavy metal contamination is widespread.
Supported by the Department of Science and Technology, the research is also the first to document bacterial diversity within freshwater sponges of the Sundarbans, shedding light on an ecologically important but underexplored region.
The findings reveal that bacterial communities living inside sponges are markedly different from those in surrounding water, shaped by sponge species and habitat.
Notably, the sponges were found to accumulate significantly higher concentrations of toxic metals, including arsenic, lead and cadmium, underscoring their strong bioaccumulation capacity.
Beyond metal accumulation, the study found that sponge-associated bacteria are functionally enriched with genes linked to metal ion transport, metal resistance and antimicrobial resistance. These adaptations suggest that the microbial symbionts not only survive in polluted environments but actively contribute to detoxification and resilience under environmental stress.
The research highlights the ecological importance of the sponge–microbe partnership and reinforces the role of freshwater sponges as reliable bioindicators for monitoring water quality in estuarine and freshwater ecosystems.
The study shows how nature's own water purifiers are emerging as powerful allies in the fight for cleaner environments.
