The removal of dissolved organic matter by marine sponges is a function of its composition and concentration: An in situ seasonal study of four Mediterranean species.

Sponges are unique among metazoans in their ability to use dissolved organic matter (DOM), the largest pool of organic matter in the ocean, as a major food source. The effect of variations in DOM abundance and composition on its uptake by sponges has rarely been studied. We examined, in situ, the seasonal uptake of DOM by four sponges [2 species with high microbial abundance (HMA) and 2 with low microbial abundance (LMA)] in the northwestern Mediterranean.