Microbial populations within hypersaline lakes often exhibit high activities of photosynthesis, dissimilatory sulphate reduction and other processes and, thus, can have profound impacts on biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and other important elements within arid lands. To further understand these types of ecosystems, the physicochemical and biological properties of Sidi Ameur and Himalatt Salt Lakes in the Algerian Sahara were examined and compared. Both lakes were relatively neutral in pH (7.2 to 7.4) and high in salt, at 12% and 20 % (w/v) salinity for Himalatt and Sidi Ameur Lakes, respectively, with dominant ions of sodium and chloride. The community compositions of microbes from all three domains (Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya) were surveyed through the use of 16S and 18S ribosomal gene amplification and clone library clustering using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) in conjunction with DNA sequencing and analysis. A high level of microbial diversity, particularly among the bacteria of the Himalatt Salt Lake and archaea of Sidi Ameur Lake, was found within these environments. Representatives from all known halophilic bacterial phyla as well as 6 different genera of halophilic archaea were identified. Moreover, several apparently novel phylotypes among both archaea and bacteria were revealed.

中文翻译：

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阿尔及利亚撒哈拉高盐度 Sidi Ameur 和 Himalatt 盐湖的微生物多样性

高盐度湖泊中的微生物种群通常表现出高光合作用、异化硫酸盐还原和其他过程的活动，因此可以对干旱土地内碳、氮、硫和其他重要元素的生物地球化学循环产生深远的影响。为了进一步了解这些类型的生态系统，对阿尔及利亚撒哈拉沙漠中的 Sidi Ameur 和 Himalatt 盐湖的物理化学和生物特性进行了检查和比较。这两个湖泊的 pH 值相对中性（7.2 至 7.4），盐分较高，喜马拉雅湖和西迪阿穆尔湖的盐度分别为 12% 和 20% (w/v)，主要离子为钠离子和氯离子。来自所有三个领域的微生物群落组成（细菌、通过使用 16S 和 18S 核糖体基因扩增和克隆文库聚类，使用扩增核糖体 DNA 限制性分析 (ARDRA) 结合 DNA 测序和分析，对古细菌和真核生物进行了调查。在这些环境中发现了高度的微生物多样性，特别是在喜马拉雅盐湖的细菌和西迪阿穆尔湖的古细菌中。鉴定了来自所有已知嗜盐细菌门以及 6 个不同嗜盐古菌属的代表。此外，还揭示了古细菌和细菌之间的几种明显新的系统发育类型。在这些环境中被发现。鉴定了来自所有已知嗜盐细菌门以及 6 个不同嗜盐古菌属的代表。此外，还揭示了古细菌和细菌之间的几种明显新的系统发育类型。在这些环境中被发现。鉴定了来自所有已知嗜盐细菌门以及 6 个不同嗜盐古菌属的代表。此外，还揭示了古细菌和细菌之间的几种明显新的系统发育型。