Table 1

Chemical and biological properties of the brine samples examined.

Sample
Date
Pond no.
Density (kg m-3)
Prokaryotes (cells ml-1)
Relative abundance of square cells (%)

1
April 6, 2005
304a
1,238 (25°C)
2.4 ± 0.3 × 107
70
2
June 8, 2005
305b
1,227 (29°C)
3.6 ± 0.3 × 107
80
3
August 30, 2005
301
1,240 (33°C)
2.6 ± 0.4 × 107
81

a For a map of the Eilat saltern ponds and the location of the ponds, see [34].

b Pond 305 is the former evaporation pond 205, in recent years converted to a crystallizer pond.

Oren et al. Saline Systems 2006 2:4   doi:10.1186/1746-1448-2-4