Microbial community composition and diversity in the Hadjer El-Melh hypersaline ecosystem (Djelfa, Algeria)
April 25, 2026
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| Article Title: | Microbial community composition and diversity in the Hadjer El-Melh hypersaline ecosystem (Djelfa, Algeria) |
| Authors: | Beladel A., Boutaiba S., Beladel B., Arbaoui F., Benhamida A., Khaled Khodja Y., Bachir-Bey M., Bia M.M. |
| Affiliation: | Laboratory of Exploration and Valorization of Steppe Ecosystems, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Djelfa, PO Box 3117, Djelfa 17000, Algeria Department of Physics, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Informatics, University of Djelfa, PO Box 3117, Djelfa 17000, Algeria Nuclear Research Centre of Birine (CRNB), PB 180, 17200, Ain Oussera, Djelfa, Algeria Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Chahid Hama Lakhdar, 39000 El-Oued, Algeria University of Bejaia, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea |
| Abstract: | Hadjer El-Melh (“Salt Rock”), located 24 km north of Djelfa, Algeria, represents a major but understudied athalassohaline hypersaline ecosystem. This study integrates physicochemical analyses with microbial community profiling to explore its microbial diversity. Water samples collected from six sites displayed near-neutral pH values (6.7–7.0) and extremely high salinity (24–27% w/v), with sodium and chloride ions being predominant. Microbial analysis using 16S rDNA sequencing revealed a rich archaeal and bacterial community, with archaea primarily represented by Halobacterota, Nanohaloarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota, and bacteria mainly by Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. High Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) richness and Shannon diversity indices indicated a well-structured microbial community, particularly at sites S5 and S6. These findings provide new insights into hypersaline microbial ecology and serve as a foundation for future environmental and biotechnological research. |
| Keywords: | hypersaline environment, microbial diversity, archaea, bacteria, salt rock, Hadjer El-Melh. |
| *Correspondence: | Mostapha Bachir-Bey, University of Bejaia, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria, email: mostapha.bachirbey@univ-bejaia.dz |
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