Impact of salinity origin on microbial communities in saline springs within the Illinois Basin, USA.

ABSTRACT: Saline springs within the Illinois Basin result from the discharge of deep-seated evaporated seawater (brine) and likely contain diverse and complex microbial communities that are poorly understood. In this study, seven saline/mineral springs with different geochemical characteristics and salinity origins were investigated using geochemical and molecular microbiological analyses to reveal the composition of microbial communities inhabiting springs and their key controlling factors. The 16S rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that each spring harbours a unique microbial community influenced by its geochemical properties and subsurface conditions. The microbial communities in springs that originated from Cambrian/Ordovician strata, which are deep confined units that have limited recharge fr

SUBMITTER: Zhao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10099389 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature