Marine Sponges for Bioremediation Purposes and for Secondary Metabolites Production

Environmental bioremediation is necessary to maintain the balance of the ecosystem to remain friendly and supports the continuity of life in the future. Comprehensive screening of marine sponges, symbiotic bacteria and secondary metabolites produced has been carried out. The activity begins with the identification and characterization of the morphology and histology of sponges. Furthermore, the analysis of phenotype and genotype of symbiotic bacteria continued by exploring the function of several types of bacteria in the biodegradation method of PAHs and bio-adsorption for several kinds of heavy metals. These activities include analyzing secondary metabolite components produced by sponges with specific characteristics and specific behaviour of enzymes in enzymatic reaction mechanisms in several environmental improvement uses. Based on the screening results, it is known that there are 11 types of marine sponges from Kodingareng Keke Island, which are in symbiosis with eight varieties of bacteria from the Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. groups. These bacteria can biodegrade PAHs, especially against petroleum sludge, naphthalene and pyrene. Also found 12 types of symbiotic sponge bacteria with the ability to bio-adsorb heavy metals, especially Cr (III), Cr (VI), Mn (II), Mn (VII), Pb, Hg, As, Cu and Ni. Adsorption varies. The interesting part of the results of the bacterial symbiotic test was that three types of symbiotic sponge bacteria were found, which have dual functions as biodegradators of PAHs and bio-adsorbents of heavy metals. The sponges included Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain PHCDB14, Bacillus pumilus strain GLB197 and Pseudomonas stutzeri strain SLG510A3–8. Therefore, this type of sea sponge is recommended for population propagation through the transplant method.