Spatio-temporal variation of the bacterial communities along a salinity gradient within a marine hypersaline environment (Saline di Tarquinia salterns, Italy).

Aim of this work was to provide the first in-depth characterisation of the bacterial communities of the Saline di Tarquinia salterns using a high-throughput metagenetic approach. The investigation focused on the bacterial communities established along the salinity gradient, from the coastal sea waters, which represent the inlet of the seawater into the salterns, to the crystallisation ponds. To broadening the value of the investigation, the study comprised a two-year survey with monthly sampling.