Biodegradation performance of marine sponge symbiont isolate consortium against polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon components

Remediation is one method to improve environmental quality. Hydrocarbon components, especially PAHs are toxic and are commonly found in the environment, including in the marine environment in port areas and the activities of the petroleum processing industry. The toxic properties of PAHs can be reduced or even eliminated by destroying the molecular structure. The biodegradation method uses microorganisms as a biodegradator. This study aims to determine the biodegradation performance of a consortium of sponge microsymbiont isolates against PAHs components. The interaction between the suspension of the isolate consortium and the PAHs were tested for 25 days. Biodegradation performance against PAHs was determined using GC-MS and FTIR. The results showed that a consortium of sponge microsymbiont isolates, namely: Sp1.A1, Sp2.B2 and Sp3.B1 could degrade naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene components. The level and performance of the biodegradation of the isolate consortium against naphthalene (23.64 %), anthracene (28.98 %), and pyrene (39.01%). The biodegradation product of the isolate consortium against naphthalene was a carboxylic acid group (Hexadecanoic acid), against anthracene in the form of an aromatic alcohol compound (Phenol) and pyrene, an alcohol group organic compound (Benzenemethanol). The order of biodegradation strength of the isolate consortium against the tested PAHs was: pyrene ˃ anthracene ˃ naphthalene. The degradation of the isolate consortium against the PAHs test material did not show a consistent pattern related to the components of the biodegradation product.