Prokaryotic phylogenetic diversity and corresponding geochemical data of the brine–seawater interface of the Shaban Deep, Red Sea

Abstract

The interface between the hypersaline brine and the overlying sea-water (brine-seawater interface) of the Shaban Deep, northern Red Sea was investigated for the presence of microorganisms using the 16S rRNA gene as a molecular marker. Samples of the south and east basin (depth: 1331 m and 1332 m respectively) were selected to ascertain the microbial diversity of this extreme and, so far, unexplored environment. Phylogenetic analysis revealed novel lineages within the Bacteria, the Crenarchaeota and the Euryarchaeota. Novel representatives of the KB1 sequence group (Eder et al., 1999 Arch Microbiol 172: 213-218) were detected indicating a widespread distribution of the corresponding Bacteria in Deep Sea brine pools. Our results contribute to the understanding of the hitherto unknown microbial diversity at the chemical gradient of the Shaban Deep, and suggest the presence of novel Bacteria and Archaea thriving under extreme environmental conditions.