Influence of Salinity on the Bacterial Community Composition in Lake Bosten, a Large Oligosaline Lake in Arid Northwestern China

Abstract

Salinity was found to be the dominating contributor controlling bacterial community composition (BCC) and the abundance of Betaproteobacteria in the oligosaline Lake Bosten. The high percentage of unclassified bacteria inhabiting this unique habitat highlights the potential ecological importance of BCC in the early stage of lake salinization and eutrophication.