Halotolerant and Halophilic Microbes and Their Environmental Implications in Saline and Hypersaline Lakes in Qinghai Province, China

Abstract

Abundant and diverse halophilic and halotolerant microbes exist in the lakes of Qinghai Province, China. However, it is poorly known about their roles in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur elements and how their ecological functions respond to environmental conditions. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the diversity/community composition and ecological implications of halophilic and halotolerant microbes and their responses to environmental conditions in the Qinghai lakes. Halophilic and halotolerant microbes in the Qinghai lakes are important mines for exploring new taxonomic units, and they are extensively involved in ecological functions related to biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur elements. The halophilic and halotolerant microbes in global saline and hypersaline lakes may contribute higher fraction to global carbon flux than expected. So reappraisals are to be conducted on microbial roles in biogeochemistry. In addition, biomarkers (ancient DNA or lipids) derived from halophilic and halotolerant microbial functional groups can be employed to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions of the lakes.