Microbial Diversity in the Transition Zone: Metagenomics of Perennial Ponds along the Dead Sea Shoreline

This study explores the microbial diversity in distinct emerging perennial ponds in transition- zone along the Dead Sea shoreline. It focuses on three different saline perennial ponds (dubbed: black, red, green) near the Dead Sea formed after the continuous seashore recession due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. The ponds, characterized by different water colorations, were selected based on their unique ecological features and accessibility. Water and sediment samples were collected and subjected to hydro-chemical and physicochemical analysis. Both 16S rDNA and ITS metagenomics sequencing were performed to assess the microbial communities present in each pond, and their dynamics across two different seasons (summer vs spring).