LUMINESCENT MICROBIOTA OF THE ARAL SEA

Abstract

The Aral Sea is a unique body of water and is an unstable ecological zone. The soils of the Aral Sea are an example of arid salt accumulation, where a specific type of solonchaks with a unique microflora are formed. The study of the microflora of waters and bottom sediments of the Aral Sea is currently receiving much attention, but there are no reports of the existence of luminescent microflora in this water area.

Luminescent bacteria mainly inhabit the waters of seas and oceans, but not salt lakes and fresh water bodies. Here, for the first time, we report the discovery of luminescent microflora in the Aral Sea, which is a body of water with a complex hydrochemical nature separated from the ocean, which is characterized by strong fluctuations in temperature and salinity. The presence of at least two species of luminescent bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio inhabiting the waters of the North Aral Sea has been shown. Considering the significant changes in temperature and salinity of the Aral water, apparently, these species can occupy different ecological niches that arise with changing seasons, water flow, etc. Isolated strains of luminescent bacteria can in the future be used for bioluminescent analysis of integral toxicity. It is assumed that the microflora, which is accustomed to the current environmental conditions, may be more sensitive to changes in the particular biotope.