Determination of the prokaryotic diversity in different spring salterns

In this study, prokaryotic diversity of the 7 different spring salterns in Turkey was investigated by using cultivation-based methods and molecular techniques.Sampling was carried out both springs and crystallization ponds of the salterns twice between April 2011- June 2012. Microorganisms were cultivated on different media. 397 isolates were chosen and analyzed by using 16S rDNA gene sequences and ARDRA (Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis) method and 44 different ARDRA profiles were determined. 28 isolates of them were selected and 16S rDNA genes of these isolates were sequenced for the identification. Isolates were identified as Haloarcula, Haloferax, Halorubrum and Halobacterium in Archaea domain; Halomonas, Salinibacter, Rhodovibrio, Salinivibrio, Salicola, Idiomarina, Marinobacter, Chromohalobacter in Bacteria Domain.Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis by using universal probes and DAPI staining revealed that microbial population was very low in saline springs while microbial populations in the ponds dominated by square Archaea were very dense. Halorubrum sp., Haloquadratum walsbyi and Halonotius pteroides species were detected according to DGGE analysis of Archaea.Keywords: Spring Salterns, Halophilic Archaea/Bacteria, DGGE, FISH