Research Projects

Sponges are essential members of benthic fauna in freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. They host a diverse array of microbial symbionts, which play vital roles in adapting to the environment by producing secondary metabolites and waste removal, including the degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). However, studies on the bacterial diversity associated with sponges of the Sundarbans are limited. The Sundarbans, a world heritage mangrove and intertidal wetlands, are under severe risk due to overexploitation of natural resources and rapid pollution. Elevated PAH concentrations in sediments are a major concern due to their potential toxicity on the coastal environment. This work aims to explore the diversity of sponge-associated bacteria in the Indian Sundarbans through culture-independent approaches and isolation of PAH-degrading sponge symbionts. Sponges will be collected from creeks, estuaries, and coastlines of Bakkhali and Sagar Island, both of which face heavy risk of PAH contamination due to anthropogenic activities. Sponges growing in these habitats can harbor bacterial symbionts capable of using PAH as a carbon source. Culture-based isolation of sponge-associated bacteria and screening for PAH degradation will be performed to identify potent strains. Studying the sponge-associated bacterial diversity of Indian Sundarbans and their potential roles in bioremediation under PAH contamination can provide novel insights into this unique association.