This mini-review evaluates the use of marine sponges in integrated culture systems, two decades after the idea was first proposed. It was predicted that the concept would provide a double benefit: sponges would grow faster under higher organic loadings, and filtration by sponges would improve water quality. It is promising that the growth of some commercially interesting sponges is indeed faster in organically enriched areas. The applicability of sponges as filters for undesired microorganisms has been confirmed in laboratory studies. However, upscaled farming studies need to be done to demonstrate the value of sponges for in situ bioremediation of sewage discharge or waste produced by fish cages. In addition, a new idea is presented – the use of sponges as an engine to convert dissolved organic matter (DOM) into particulate organic matter (POM) that can be consumed by deposit feeders through a chain of processes termed the sponge loop. A theoretical design of an integrated culture with seaweeds (Gracilaria sp.), sponges (Halisarca caerulea) and sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonica) shows that 37% of the part of the primary production that is excreted by the seaweeds as DOM can be directly recovered in sponge biomass and a subsequent 12% in sea cucumber biomass after mediation (conversion of DOM to POM) by sponges. Hence, the total recovery of DOM into (sponge and sea cucumber) biomass within this IMTA is 49%.

中文翻译：

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海绵在综合海水养殖中的潜在作用

在首次提出这一想法 20 年后，这篇小型评论评估了海绵在综合养殖系统中的使用情况。据预测，该概念将提供双重好处：海绵在有机负荷较高的情况下生长得更快，而海绵过滤将改善水质。很有希望的是，一些具有商业价值的海绵在有机丰富的地区确实生长得更快。实验室研究证实了海绵作为过滤器过滤有害微生物的适用性。然而，需要进行大规模的农业研究来证明海绵在原地种植的价值鱼笼产生的污水排放或废物的生物修复。此外，还提出了一个新想法——使用海绵作为引擎，将溶解有机物 (DOM) 转化为颗粒有机物 (POM)，沉积物供给器可以通过称为海绵循环的一系列过程消耗这些有机物。海藻 ( Gracilaria sp.)、海绵 ( Halisarca caerulea ) 和海参 ( Apostichopus japonica )综合养殖的理论设计) 表明由海藻排泄为 DOM 的初级生产部分的 37% 可以直接在海绵生物量中回收，随后 12% 的海参生物量在通过海绵调解（将 DOM 转化为 POM）后在海参生物量中回收。因此，在该 IMTA 中，DOM 转化为（海绵和海参）生物量的总回收率为 49%。