Selective feeding by sponges on pathogenic microbes: : a reassessment of potential for abatement of microbial pollution

ABSTRACT: Sponges have traditionally been viewed as rather unselective filter feeders, and therefore as potential biofilters to remediate microbial water pollution. Here we show that the assumed connection between the ability of sponges to feed on microbes and the potential biotechnological use of such an ability to reduce microbial pollution is more complex than assumed. In a laboratory feeding experiment combined with a transmission electron microscopy study, we assessed the potential of the marine spongeHymeniacidon perlevisto ingest and digest 3 common pathogenic microbes occurring in coastal waters: 2 bacteria (Escherichia coliandVibrio anguillarum), and 1 marine yeastRhodotorulasp. All 3 microbes were ingested by the sponge, but selectively, at different rates and following different cellular mechanisms. Yeast cells were processed very atypically by the sponge. Differences in the ingestion and digestion pathways led to large differences in the effectiveness of the sponge to remove the microbes. While sponge grazing reduced the concentration ofE. coliandRhodotorulasp. to levels far below the initial values, sponges were ineffective in abating concentrations of the most infective bacterium,V. anguillarum. This bacterium, which was digested more slowly thanE. coli, proliferated in the experimental flasks at much higher rates than it was grazed. These findings raise the question whether sponges are suitable for bioremediation of microbial pollution, since selective or preferential ingestion of certain bacteria by sponges may end up fueling growth of those grazed less, such asVibriospp..

Medienart:	E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:	2010
Erschienen:	2010

Enthalten in:	Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:403

Sprache:	Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:	Maldonado, Manuel [VerfasserIn] Zhang, Xichang [VerfasserIn] Cao, Xupeng [VerfasserIn] Xue, Lingyun [VerfasserIn] Cao, Heng [VerfasserIn] Zhang, Wei [VerfasserIn]

Links:	Volltext

Themen:	Applied sciences Bacterivory Biofiltration Biological sciences Bioremediation Microbial pollution Physical sciences Research-article Yeast digestion

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):	JST114425949