Sponge assemblages were investigated in the Spermonde Archipelago, southwestern Sulawesi, Indonesia. In this study spatial patterns of sponge similarity among sites were significantly related to remotely sensed environmental variables, the degree of human settlement and depth, but not to the distance between sites. Both oviparous and viviparous species groups responded to similar environmental constraints, and differences in similarity were unrelated to the distance between sites. The degree of human settlement, however, was significantly related to variation in the composition of viviparous, but not oviparous species. Our results demonstrate, most importantly, the utility of remotely sensed data in predicting the spatial turnover of diverse species assemblages such as sponges. Secondly, they show that patterns of human settlement in the Spermonde Archipelago appear to be affecting patterns of sponge beta diversity. These results highlight the need to assess and protect marine areas in biodiversity hotspots such as Indonesia.

So far very few investigations have been conducted using sponges in converting hydrocarbon components from sludge into simpler compounds. In the meantime, sponges have been recognized as complex animals having various functions including to produce bioactive compounds that areable to interact with oil components. Experiments conducted cover sludge identification, sponge characterization particularly microsymbionts, and after colonization and suspension, mixed with sludge for 35 days under certain treatments, namely: (1) NPK addition, (2) NPK and shaking, (3) shaking only, and (4)untreatment. Each 5 days, mixture was then sampled to measure its visual observation, pH, quantitative analysis of biodegradation rates, and quantitative analysis by GC-MS. Results showed that sponge found was Callyspongia sp. and its microsymbiont was BacillusFlexus (BF)strain PHCDB20. Apparently treatment 2 gave the best result in terms of GC-MS analysis. Seemingly oil components like hydrocarbons nC10- nC30 as well as 2,7-dimethyl naphthalene and azulene underwenta sufficiently strong degradation. It can be concluded that Callyspongia sp were able to reduce some hydrocarbon components in sludge samples, either aliphatic or aromatic compounds.

A stigmasterol glycoside (stigmast-5,22-dien-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) ABSTRAK Telah diisolasi stigmasterol glikosida (stigmast-5,22-dien-3-O-β-D-glukopiranosida) dari ftraksi kloroform kayu akar Melochia umbellata (Houtt) Stapf var. degrabrata K. Struktur isolat ditentukan berdasarkan data spektroskopi IR dan NMR (1D dan 2D) dan dibandingkan dengan data sebelumnya. Isolat tersebut juga aktif terhadap jamur Aspergillus niger.

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The toxicity of petroleum sludge is a serious threat to marine life. Necessary concrete steps petroleum contamination reduction through a search of potential marine materials degrade toxic components hydrocarbons. The sponge is one potential material reducing toxic properties of petroleum contamination. The research objective was to determine the potential Callyspongia sp sponge against the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon sludge. Four variations of treatment used to determine the potential of sponge biomass, namely: the treatment I, II, III and IV. Indicators degradation is the formation of gas, the smell fermentation, pH changes and increase in the absorbance of the suspension of media degradation. The level degradation each treatment is determined gravimetric method and the known hydrocarbon component changes by using GC-MS. Unidentified gas, the smell of fermentation and changes in media of pH on average degradation occurs on the 15 days of contact for all treatments. Data showed degradation occurs absorbance maximum at 20- 25 days to contact. The highest degradation rates indicated by IV treatment (26.93 %), III (24.84 %), II (22.59 %), and I: (18.20 %). Found 20 kinds of components in the waste sludge aliphatic petroleum to form a homologous series nC10-nC30, and two aromatic components, namely the 2.7-dimethyl naphthalene and 1.4-dimethyl azulene. Callyspongia sp sponge biomass concluded at the highest IV treatment degrading aliphatic hydrocarbons, then treatment III, II and I, while the aromatic components are not degraded by biomass Callyspongia sp sponge at all treatments

The research has been done about isolation and identification on degradator bacterium of petroleum waste which symbions with sponge from Melawai Beach, Balikpapan. The research objectives; knowing sponge species, symbioning bacterium isolate and its ability of petroleum waste degradation. The research method were analysis of sponge Morphology analysis, isolation of symbions bacterium, identification, and activity testing at petroleum waste media which is coming from wells result of processing of PT. Chevron. The research result obtained the morphology analysis concluded that the sponges is Callyspongia sp. Bacterium symbion isolation obtained that two isolates which were given each symbols isolate A with the rounded shape and crem color whereas isolate B with yellow color and jagged shape. Coloring analysis of isolate obtained that isolate A is negative gram bacterium type and isolate B is positive gram bacterium type. Activity isolate testing at petroleum waste media, isolate A did not grow significantly at the media which marked with the existence of layer transparent on the media, isolate B growth significantly which marked with existence of solidity on the media, and the combination of isolate A+B also showed growth which marked with the existence of layer transparent and solidity on media. The conclusions research, sponge species is Callyspongia sp which contained two isolates bacterium namely negative gram bacterium and positive gram bacterium and both of the isolates can grow at media of petroleum waste.

Spermonde Archipelago has been found to have a high sponge biodiversity. Sponges that have feeding behavior as filter feeder can be exposed to heavy metals, including Zn metal. Zn is an essential metal that is physiologically needed by sponge to catalyze chemical reactions and generally operates on enzymes. A study on Zn pollution level in Spermonde Archipelago from zone I to Zone IV was conducted by analyzing Zn concentration in sponges, sediments, and seawater. Physicochemical parameters measurement in Spermonde Archipelago indicates that Spermonde Archipelago meets the requirements for sponge growth. Callyspongia aerizusa can be used as metal pollution indicator because this sponge can accumulate heavy metal Zn in high level (99.30 mg/kg dry weight). This sponge was derived from Kondingareng Lompo island at zone III. In addition, Kodingareng Lompo island waters had the highest Zn concentration compared to other islands. Sediments from Lae-Lae island at zone I had the highest Zn metal concentration. Lae-Lae island is the nearest island to Makassar coastal line.

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