The ‘unseen’ microbial diversity of a Spanish solution lake: ecological and other implications.

Abstract

The ‘unseen’ microbial diversity of a small solution lake in central Spain is investigated using electron microscopy. The water has an elevated concentration of dissolved sulphate that supports significant abundance of sulphate reducing bacteria. Water samples were collected from the 13m stratum, fixed in situ and prepared for posterior electron microscopy examination. The results show high diversity of prokaryotes and microbial associations, particularly predatory bacteria, thriving in the anoxic layers of the water body. This high abundance and biodiversity, including multi-infestation of individual cells, increase the number of lateral links in the otherwise impoverished anaerobic food chain. The wider potential applications of predatory bacteria are discussed.