Study calls for continued research to protect microbial diversity
Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji : A recent study by researchers from Goa University has uncovered a diverse bacterial community in the state’s hypersaline salt pans, revealing potential industrial and medical applications while raising concerns about human impact on these ecosystems.
Published in Frontiers in Microbiology, the study calls for continued research to protect microbial diversity and traditional salt-making practices.
The research, led by Priti Gawas and Savita Kerkar from the School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, focussed on three salt pans – Agarwado, Curca and Nerul – linked to prominent estuaries. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing, they identified over 250 bacterial genera, highlighting the ability of these microbes to survive extreme conditions. The Nerul salt pan exhibited the highest bacterial diversity, followed by Agarwado and Curca. Each location had distinct microbial compositions influenced by estuarine water flow.
The researchers highlighted the potential applications of these extremophilic bacteria in biotechnology. Many possess stress adaptation genes that help them survive harsh conditions, making them valuable for industries like bioremediation and pharmaceuticals. Rhodopirellula, found in Nerul, has been recognised for its benefits in aquaculture. Additionally, sulphur-oxidising and nitrogen-cycling
bacteria play an essential role in maintaining ecosystem balance by aiding nutrient recycling in hypersaline environments.
A key finding was the link between mining activity and microbial diversity. The presence of Mariprofundus, an iron-oxidising bacterium detected in the Curca and Nerul salt pans, suggests contamination from iron-rich mining waste in Goa’s rivers.
The Mandovi and Zuari estuaries, historically used for iron ore transport, appear to have influenced bacterial composition. The study notes that iron-rich sediments from mining activities could be altering microbial diversity in these environments.
To conduct the study, sediment samples were collected during the salt harvesting period and stored under controlled conditions for analysis. DNA was extracted and sequenced using high-throughput techniques to classify microbes at the genus level. This is the first study to comprehensively document the bacterial community in these salt pans using next-generation sequencing.
While these discoveries offer exciting possibilities for scientific advancements, the study also warns of the impact of industrial activities on salt pan ecosystems. Disturbances in microbial diversity could have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and traditional salt-making communities that rely on these habitats.
“There is still much to explore,” the study concludes, emphasising the need for further research to understand microbial evolution and implement conservation measures that safeguard both, natural and cultural heritage.
