Data from: Metataxonomy and pigments analyses unravel microbial diversity and the relevance of retinal-based photoheterotrophy at different salinities in the Odiel Salterns (SW, Spain)

In this work, metabarcoding of 16S and 18S rRNA gene coding sequences were
employed to characterize the prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities across
the salinity gradient (3.5, 7.8, 14.4, and 31.8% NaCl) in Odiel salterns,
located in the city of Huelva (SW Spain). Coastal salterns are excellent
environments to study the dynamics of the microbiota across the salinity
gradient since we find from seawater, the most abundant ecosystem on
Earth, to crystallization pools, one of the most extreme. Diverse harsh
conditions converge in solar salterns, including high salt concentration,
temperature, and solar irradiance. Most environmental factors are similar
in the different ponds that comprise the salterns, excepting salinity,
which increases through the series of ponds until reaching saturation
concentrations. Understanding the microbiology of these ponds is important
for the salt production process, given that this microbiota can physically
affect the evaporation process and chemically interact with dissolved
ions. In addition, these microorganisms are crucial in these ecosystems,
supporting bird populations, and potentially a source of enzymes and
useful carotenoids for many biotechnological applications.