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