

The latest study, now available in ISME Communications, indicates that as sea temperatures increase, tropical sea sponges could lose essential microbes, possibly causing tissue decay.

Warming waters are killing microbes that are vital to sea sponges However, recent findings by scientists at UNSW shed light on a sobering reality: our warming oceans may be disrupting this delicate balance. On top of that, they harbor microbes within their bodies that hold potential solutions to pressing medical challenges. They also act as diligent recyclers, filtering copious amounts of seawater daily, which facilitates nutrient cycling. These stationary animals, often mistaken for plants, offer sanctuary and sustenance to countless marine organisms.

Sea sponges serve as critical pillars in our oceanic ecosystems.
