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Vermelha Lagoon is a hypersaline shallow transitional ecosystem in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). This lagoon is located in the protected area of Massambaba, between the cities of Araruama and Saquarema (Brazil), and displays two quite uncommon particularities: it exhibits carbonate sedimentation and displays the development of Holocene stromatolites. Due to both particularities, the salt industry and property speculation have been, increasingly, generating anthropic pressures on this ecosystem. This study aims to apply a multiproxy approach to evaluate the trophic state of Vermelha Lagoon based on physicochemical parameters and geochemical data for the quantification and qualification of organic matter (OM), namely total organic carbon (TOC), total sulfur (TS), total phosphorus (TP) and biopolymeric carbon (BPC), including carbohydrates (CHO), lipids (LIP) and proteins (PTN). The CHO/TOC ratio values suggest that OM supplied to the sediment is of autochthonous origin and results, essentially, from microbial activity. The cluster analyses allowed the identification of four regions in Vermelha Lagoon. The Region I included stations located in shallow areas of the eastern sector of Vermelha lagoon affected by the impact of the artificial channel of connection with Araruama Lagoon. The Region II, under the influence of salt pans, is characterized by the highest values of BPC, namely CHO promoted by microbiological activity. The Region III include stations spread through the lagoon with high values of dissolved oxygen and lower values of TP. Stromatolites and microbial mattes growth was observed in some stations of this sector. Region IV, where the highest values of TOC and TS were found, represents depocenters of organic matter, located in general in depressed areas. Results of this work evidences that the Vermelha Lagoon is an eutrophic but alkaline and well oxygenated environment (at both water column and surface sediment) where the autotrophic activity is greater than heterotrophic one. These particular conditions make this a special and rare ecosystem.

The living euryhaline species Cyprideis torosa (Jones) undergoes morphometric variations in size, noding and sieve-pore shape linked to environmental parameters. In particular it is known that salinity values around 8–9‰ represent the osmoregulation threshold and the turning point between smaller and greater valves and prevailingly noded as opposed to un-noded valves. Here, a character never studied before is analysed: the relationship between salinity and the C. torosa valve outlines, especially the morphology of the ventral border. Geometric–morphometric analysis was carried out on different populations of C. torosa collected in oligohaline (Massaciuccoli marsh, Tuscany, and Lake Trasimeno, Umbria) and hyperhaline waterbodies (Trapani–Paceco salt pans, Sicily). The results indicate that the species displays two morphotypes: a dominant one, characterized by a straight ventral border; and a morphotype with a sigmoidal profile ventral border. This latter morphotype seems to be related to higher salinity: the oligohaline waters are characterized only by C. torosa individuals with straight ventral outline, while the hyperhaline environments are marked by the occurrence of 17.6% of sigmoidal individuals. Furthermore, the sigmoidal ventral border is more emphasized in males than in females.

The chapter illustrates the interplay of economic, social, cultural and technological development on a short stretch of mid-Wales coast and its hinterland, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Following the establishment of a rail link (1862) between the crowded industrial Midlands and a remote Welsh village (Borth), precariously positioned on a shingle spit, wedged between ocean, salt flats and marshland—and a larger town (Aberystwyth) on similarly swampy ground, these two rural coastal communities were slowly transformed. Dependence on seasonal fishing and, later, small-scale ship-building was gradually replaced by a now-burgeoning tourist industry. The impact of this new technology (the steam railway) was, however, socially, ecologically and culturally differentiated, giving rise to a spectrum of new occupations, and changed relationships with the environment, new ideas about work, non-work and the use of time, the development of outdoor entertainment and activities and increased preoccupation with health and lifestyle. The chapter comments on the emergence and evolution of mass tourism, consumerism and the socio-cultural construction of leisure.

Hypersaline environments provide an excellent medium for natural microbial communities which serve as a potential source of pharmaceutical substances. Salt is widely present in the earth. Almost 73% of earth was covered with marine water which contains 2.5% of common salt. Protease enzyme activity widespread in microorganisms, plant and animals. Proteolytic enzymes used in the industrial application and bioremediation process. In recent years’ new mutant’s microbe resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Protease inhibitors used as potential antibiotics for controlling microbial infections. A Hypersaline environment such as salt pans and salt lakes has high salt concentration and pH. The saltpan provides a diversity of different environmental conditions of alkalinity, salinity, temperature, pH and nutrition. Halophilic organisms growing between 0.5 and 3.0 M salt concentration. Extreme environments are the best source of bioactive compound producing halophiles microbes.

The present study investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater quality in Agastheeswaram taluk of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 69 groundwater samples were collected during pre- and post-monsoon periods of 2011–2012. The groundwater quality assessment has been carried out by evaluating the physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, HCO3 −, Cl−, SO4 2−, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ for both the seasons. Based on these parameters, groundwater has been assessed in favor of its suitability for drinking and irrigation purpose. Dominant cations for both the seasons are in the order of Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ while the dominant anions for post monsoon and pre monsoon have the trends of Cl− > HCO3 − > SO4 2− and HCO3 − > Cl− > SO4 2−, respectively. Analytical results observed from various indices reveal that the groundwater quality is fairly good in some places. Analytical results of few samples show that they are severely polluted and incidentally found to be near the coasts, estuaries and salt pans in the study area. The Gibbs plot indicates that the majority of groundwater samples fall in rock dominant region, which indicates rock water interaction in the study area. The United States salinity (USSL) diagram shows that the groundwater is free from sodium hazards but the salinity hazard varies from low to very high throughout the study area. This reveals that the groundwater is moderately suitable for agricultural activities. The observed chemical variations in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons may be the effect to rock-water interactions, ion-exchange reactions, and runoff of fertilizers from the surrounding agricultural lands.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are key mediators of anaerobic carbon cycling in coastal salt marsh sediments and have been shown to be important decomposer communities even in hypersaline habitats. Understanding how SRB function in various salt marsh habitats (vegetated, salt pans) is crucial to advancing our knowledge of salt marsh function. We compare overall sulfate reducing activity and the diversity of a subset of SRB (Desulfobacteriaceae) in two hypersaline sediments (salt pan and nearby area with desiccated vegetation) with a regularly inundated control site within the Huntington Beach Wetlands (HBW). Biological activity was quantified using radiotracer studies to measure sulfate reduction rates (SRR) with and without carbon amendment. All sites showed enhanced SRR under carbon amendment, suggesting short-term carbon limitation. Unique communities of Desulfobacteriaceae were found in all three sites with increased incidence of halotolerant genotypes in the salt pan. These findings indicate that, despite reduced anaerobic respiratory activity, highly diverse and functional deltaproteobacterial communities exist in salt pan and surrounding hypersaline habitats in coastal salt marshes in southern California.

Groundwater of the coastal regions represents a fragile environment. A study has been attempted in the hard rock aquifer of the south-eastern part of India. A total of 135 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for major cations and anions. The domination of cations and anions was in the order of Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ for cations and Cl− > HCO3 − > SO4 2− > H4SiO4 > NO3 − > PO4 − > F− in anions. The water is neutral to alkaline in nature with pH ranging from 6.30 to 9.20 with an average of 7.57. The ions analysed were used for standard plots, ratio of different ions and correlation between them helped to evaluate the active hydrogeochemical process and extent of saltwater intrusion in the coastal aquifer. The electrical conductivity (EC) contour shows that the groundwater quality is poor along the coast due to saltwater intrusion. The Piper and chadda’s plot shows that most of the groundwater samples fall on Na–Cl water type may be due to saltwater intrusion in the eastern part study area. The ratios of Cl−/HCO3 − ranged between 0.24 and 152.50 and have strong positive relationship with Cl− concentrations; it was found that about 30 % of the groundwater samples were strongly affected by the saline water in the study area. The Na+/Cl− ratios ranged from 0.20 to 3.73, and most of the groundwater samples fall close to the contamination region. Agricultural and salt pan land use pattern decrease the water quality due to impact of anthropogenic processes and seawater intrusion. Statistical analysis was also used to obtain the objectives, and it was found that the seawater intrusion is the major factor controlling the groundwater chemistry followed by other factors such as weathering and fertiliser impact.

The carbon cycle in salt pans is complex and poorly understood. Field-based data are needed to improve regional estimates of C storage and land-atmosphere CO2 fluxes from dryland environments where pans are prevalent. This paper provides a first estimate of C stores and CO2 efflux within the salt pan, grassland and woodland of Ntwetwe Pan in the Makgadikgadi Basin, Botswana. C fluxes and stores associated with cyanobacteria-salt crusts are also determined. Total C stores are approximately an order of magnitude greater than on neighbouring Kalahari Sands at 675±41, 760±94 and 274±15 tonsha-1 to 1m depth in the woodland, grassland and salt pan respectively. Most of the C is found as carbonate, with organic C comprising 4.6-10% of total C. CO2 efflux increased with temperature and also increased for a few hours after flooding of the pan surface. Crusts were a small net contributor to CO2 efflux in the dry season but could be a net CO2 sink in the wet season. The biogeochemistry of the sediment is likely to facilitate rapid conversion of organic C from aquatic organisms, biological crusts and algal mats into inorganic carbonates. Although further work is required to improve estimates of the spatial and temporal distribution of C, our data have demonstrated the substantial C store with the Makgadikgadi environment and the important role of biological crusts in the C cycle.

article Sabkhat(Salt flats)are common geographic featuresof low-lyingmarinecoastalareas thatdevelopunder hyper- aridclimaticconditions.Theyare characterizedby thepresenceof highlyconcentratedsalinesolutions and evap- oritic minerals, and have been cited in the geologic literature as present-day representations of hyper-arid regional paleohydrogeology, paleoclimatology, coastal processes, and sedimentation in the geologic record. It is therefore important that a correct understanding of the origin and development of these features be achieved. Knowledge of the source of solutes is an important first step in understanding these features. Historically, two theories have been advanced as to the main source of solutes in sabkha brines: an early concept entailing seawa- ter as the obvious source, and a more recent and dynamic theory involving ascending geologic brine forced upward into the base of the sabkha by a regional hydraulic gradient in the underlying formations. Ra-226 coulduniquely distinguish betweenthese sourcesunder certain circumstances,asitistypically present atelevat- ed activity of hundreds to thousands of Bq/m 3 (Becquerels per cubic meter) in subsurface formation brines; at exceedingly low activities in open ocean and coastal water; and not significantly supplied to water from recently formed marine sedimentary framework material. The coastal marine sabkha of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was used to test this hypothesis. The distribution of Ra-226 in 70 samples of sabkha brine (mean: 700 Bq/m 3 ), 7 sam- ples of underlying deeper formation brine (mean: 3416 Bq/m 3

Many migratory water birds are known to feed both during day and night outside the breeding season, but the underlying factors and mechanisms determining this foraging pattern are poorly understood. We addressed this topic by comparing both diurnal and nocturnal foraging activity (FA) and metabolizable energy intake rate (MEIR) in migrating black-tailed godwits Limosa limosa staging in two different habitats, rice fields and coastal salt pans. Black-tailed godwits staging in rice fields during pre-breeding migration fed on rice seeds, and only foraged during the daylight period (FA: 81.89 ± 3.03%; MEIR: 1.15 ± 0.03 kJ · min−1). Daily energy consumption (DEC) of godwits relying on seeds was enough to meet the theoretical daily energy expenditure (DEE). In contrast, black-tailed godwits staging in salt pans during post-breeding migration fed on chironomid larvae, and they foraged during both daylight (FA: 67.36 ± 4.30%; MEIR: 0.27 ± 0.01 kJ · min−1) and darkness (FA: 69.89 ± 6.89%; MEIR: 0.26 ± 0.00 kJ · min−1). Nocturnal energy intake contributed 31.7% to DEC, the latter being insufficient to fully meet DEE. Our findings give empirical support to the view that diurnal foraging is the norm in many migratory water birds outside the breeding season, and nocturnal foraging occurs when the daily energy requirements are not met during the daylight period, supporting the supplementary food hypothesis.

The Gavkhuni playa lake consists of sand, mud, and salt flats. The salt pan covers extensive part of the playa. Its color is usually clear and white, but black, pink and green colors also occur. The black color of halite has been caused by impurities of detrital sediments. The sand detrital sediments have been derived from the aeolian sands located in the west of the playa lake. The pink to light red color of the halite is due to the existence of iron oxides or/and microbial effects. There are potentials for natural concentrations of heavy metals in the evaporite sediments of this lake especially due to the occurrence of sedimentary Pb/Zn ore deposits in its drainage basin. To study the concentration of the heavy metals in the salt pan, 18 samples were taken from the salt pan and analyzed. The results show that average concentrations (ppm) of the heavy metals in the salt pan are Ni (56.46), Sr (26.46), Pb (11.42), Ag (10.70), Mn (6.15), Co (2.86), Cd (1.98), Zn (1.48) and Cu (1.14) in their order abundances. The amounts of Zn, Mn, Sr, Cu, Cd and Pb are relatively high in samples containing calcium minerals. The concentrations of Mn and Cu in the pink and green salts are relatively higher than the white ones, because these metals tend to be adsorbed by organic matter. Manganese oxides are important factors influencing the Ni concentration in the sediments. The Mn and Sr concentrations increase in the samples containing iron silicate minerals and carbonate grains. The Co and Ni concentrations are high in the samples containing Fe/Mg-bearing clastic grains. The Ag concentration is high in the samples containing sulfide minerals. Strong adsorption of Mn2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ to clay minerals and precipitation of Cu as Cu°, Cu2S, CuS and Pb as PbCO3 and PbS in the mud sediments can be the reasons for the lower concentrations of these elements in the pure salt sediments than the mud deposits. Enrichment factor indicates that Ag is moderately enriched and other elements are weakly enriched in the evaporite deposits.

Flood of salt imports from the country four season to meet consumption needs and the needs of industry to Indonesia make the price of salt is low. Surprisingly rich tropical sea water and sunlight with the fourth longest coastline in the world's, but in 2010 national production of only 30,600 tons of salt or less than 1% of national demand, because the harvest in a number of production centers 1.000-7.000 tons. Ponds area and one of the factors that influence the production of salt is an integral part of the performance of producing salt as salt producers nationwide. Business performance on a salt farmer folk analyzed the influence of the land area of ​​salt ponds on productivity, quality and financial performance by analysis of variance (Anova), for quality is conducted lab tests and analysis of financial performance using the calculation of revenue, R/C ratio and B/C ratio. The analysis showed no real productivity diversity. Salinity of sea water highest diversity in the people who produce the salt flats with an area of ​​0.23 acres of land with an average 4,576,666.67, the lowest score in the group of farmers with vast salt flat 0.85 acres of land with an average 1.6775 million. The analysis showed no real income diversity. R / C ratio and B/C ratio is generated providing the highest value in the group of people who produce salt area of ​​0.23 hectares with an average 10.1533, the lowest in the group of salt peasants with land area of 0.85 acres with a mean average of 3.2367. Effect of salt ponds land productivity, quality and financial performance analysis of variance analysis showed no significant difference, then the people's business performance by producing salt undervalued and needs to be increased by salt farmers.

The multi-layered Jeffara de Gabes aquifer system is greatly influenced by tectonics. This system is limited at the base and laterally by evaporite layers and has lateral contacts with the sebkhas (salt flats). The groundwater in this aquifer is characterized by high salinity (3–10 g L-1). Multivariate statistical analysis and a geochemical approach were applied to determine the influence of the evaporite layers and sebkhas on the hydrochemical quality of the Jeffara de Gabes aquifer, and to understand the processes governing its salinity. According to these methods, and based in part on the Sr2+/Ca2+ ratio, it is demonstrated that the strong salinity of the groundwater is due to interactions between water and the evaporite layers that act as a substratum of this aquifer, as well as saltwater intrusion from the sebkhas. Moreover, the medium- to poor-quality groundwaters are characterized by geochemical interactions: cationic exchange and the precipitation/dissolution process of minerals in the aqu...

Over a period of 44 years, we observed the vegetation changes in the western part of the lagoon system of the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, which is situated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and is separated from the sea by a sandy barrier. Since the construction of the Barranquilla-Cienaga Road between 1956 and 1960, the lagoon system has been exposed to different interventions in its hydrological make-up, as well as changes to the vegetation. During the time of our investigations, four periods with different plant cover were distinguished. In 1965, the road was bordered by dense mangrove forests. The low surface water salinity and the presence of freshwater plants indicated the influence of the Magdalena River. At the beginning of the seventies, the second period was marked by a decrease in the freshwater in-flow from the river, which led to an increase in salinity and a gradual decay of vegetation. In 1988, the areas formerly covered by mangroves had converted into salt flats. The third period began with the reconstruction of several channels (1995–1998) which renewed the freshwater in-flow from the river to the lagoons. The subsequent vegetation development was characterized by the establishment of Typha domingensis Pers. In 1999, a year with an unusually high amount of rainfall, this species covered most of the former mangrove area in the western part of the lagoon system. The very low surface water salinity favored its spread. The last period began in 2001/2002, when growth conditions for T. domingensis became unfavorable due to an increase in salinity. Instead, conditions for mangrove regeneration improved. This process was slower than expected and is still ongoing. The striking vegetation changes indicate the sensitivity of the coastal lagoon system to hydrological variability.

The fluoride ion concentration in water samples, salt and pan soil present in the salt pans of Veppalodai, Thoothukudi District were evaluated. The variation of fluoride ion concentration in the samples were supported by electrical conductance studies. The samples were drawn in the summer season for eight days during May 2011. The fluoride content was determined using a standard procedure. The concentration of fluoride ranged between 1.0 ppm and 1.7 ppm was well within the permissible limits. The concentration of fluoride ion increased in the saline water till the start of crystallization and subsequently decreased with an increase in salt formation. During the crystallization process considerable amount of fluoride got settled into the pan soil. The electrical conductivity measurement during this investigation supported the fluoride level in the brine solution.

This study aimed at assessing the stresses from land development in or around Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve (YRDNR) and identifying the impacted areas. Major land development types (reservoirs, pond, aquafarm, salt pan, road, residential land, industry land, farming land, and fishing land) in or around the YRDNR from 1995 to 2014 were identified using spatial data sets derived from remote sensing imageries. The spatial stresses were simulated by considering disturbance due to land development activities and accessibility of disturbance using a geographic information system based model. The stresses were then used to identify the impacted area by land development (IALD). The results indicated that main increasing land development types in the study area from 1995 to 2014 were salt pan and construction land. The 98.2% of expanded land development area and 93.7% of increased pump number showed a good control of reserve function zone on land development spread. The spatial stress values and percentages of IALD increased from 1995 to 2014, and IALD percentage exceeded 50% for both parts of YRDNR in 2014. The results of this study also provided the information that detailed planning of the YRDNR (2014–2020) could decrease the spatial stress and IALD percentage of the whole YRDNR on the condition that the area of land development activities increased by 24.4 km2 from 2014 to 2020. Effective measures should be taken to protect such areas from being further disturbed in order to achieve the goal of a more effective conservation of the YRDNR, and attention should be paid to the disordered land development activities in or around the natural reserves.

Dune color has been used to investigate the provenance, stabilization, and age of the sand. Here, we look for signs of aeolian activity in the colors of a sand-dune belt in northern Algeria. On the one hand, visible and near-infrared spectral analyses of satellite images and laboratory samples showed reddish, yellowish, and whitish sands, depending on the amount of gypsum particles and Fe oxides coating quartz grains. Specifically, the dithionite-extractable Fe content was related to a redness index calculated from remote-sensing data and the abundance of hematite, estimated in the second derivative of the Kubelka-Munk function, paralleled the CIELAB hue-angle of sand samples. On the other hand, a spatiotemporal analysis showed that the reddish sand had undergone a continuous remobilization and dispersion throughout the area, reaching two large salt flats (sabkhas) with seasonal water. Yellowish and whitish sands appeared as patches on the periphery of these sabkhas and along the dune belt, exhibiting percussion marks and dissolution pits on the surface of quartz grains. Taken together, the results suggest that the reddish sand partially loses its Fe-oxide coatings by mechanical abrasion in the entrainment and reductive dissolution in the sabkhas during waterlogging, becoming yellowish. The periodic reactivation by wind of reddish and yellowish grains, together with whitish gypsum particles formed by evaporation as the sabkhas dry up, may explain the sorting of grains according to their mineralogy and size along the sand-dune belt, resulting in striking color changes. Accordingly, color reflects sand movements and chemical processes taking place in this dune system.

This article shows how archaeological and geological data can be used to visualize the ‘invisible’ production of salt through solar evaporation in the archaeological record. Evidence of salt exploitation from natural salt ponds is difficult to obtain using standard archaeological methods, limiting our ability to assess the significance of these practices in the past. Salt, however, was an important and valuable resource in many different cultural contexts. This study follows on previous research of a precolonial site on Middle Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands, which suggested a relationship between this settlement and the exploitation of salt at the adjacent natural salt pan. Coring techniques were used to visualize and determine the pre-colonial availability of salt at MC-6. Stratigraphic sequences in the salt pond provided a detailed perspective on the pond's dynamic past and confirmed that salt production was possible in precolonial times. The research presented here tested the applicability of phosphorus and chloride values and X-ray diffraction of soil to identify precolonial salt production. Data from the site and the pond suggest that people settled the village as soon as the pond began producing salt, linking the presence of people to the availability and possible exploitation practices of salt.

Lake Urmia is one of the most important salt lakes in the world and the largest in Iran. At present, because of the recession of Lake Urmia and deposition of lacustrine sediments on the lake bed, a large part of the surrounding areas has become flat with several playa surfaces. So far, there have been very few studies related to Lake Urmia playa and its geomorphology. Therefore, the aim of this research was to field study of playa surfaces of Lake Urmia in its eastern part and also to identify areas susceptible to wind erosion. In this study, different playa surfaces from the northeast to the south of the lake were identified and mapped using satellite imagery. Then, boundaries of the mapped surfaces were checked during field observations. Moreover, physical soil properties, such as texture, bulk density, saturation percentage, resistancy, particle size distribution and soil aggregate stability, were determined. Next, the correlation of the studied properties with each surface resistance to wind erosion was investigated, and finally the geomorphic surfaces of Urmia Playa and their resistance to wind erosion were mapped using ARCGIS software. Based on the results, the study area included agricultural lands, shrub-grass zones, sand and gravel zones, mud-clay salt flats, sand-salt crusts, puffy grounds, delta-fans and wet zones. Results showed that approximately 25% of the surfaces had high resistance to wind erosion and they are therefore stable surfaces with no potential for generating dust in the future. About 35% of the surfaces were strongly susceptible to wind erosion, highly prone to generate saline dusts and sand storms. These areas were located in the east and southeast of the lake. Also, 40% of playa surfaces had moderate resistance to wind erosion. These areas can become very sensitive to wind erosion if ground water depth or the roughness of the surface changes. In conclusion, sandy-salt surfaces in the east and southeast of the lake are the most susceptible to wind erosion with high potential for generating dust, sand, and salt storms, which can affect agricultural lands and human health in the near future. Keywords: dust, erosion, geomorphology, Inceptisols, playa, Lake Urmia

Background: The occupational hazards faced by salt pan workers during their occupation are myriad, a fact compounded by the lack of basic amenities at their workplace and lack of awareness regarding usage of personal protection equipment.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among fifty-six salt pan workers in Marakkanam, Tamil Nadu to assess their common health problems and a qualitative component was added to assess their felt needs in work place and daily living. Data was collected using pre-designed data collection sheet for assessing the common morbidities. For the qualitative aspect of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted among twenty workers based on convenient sampling, using open ended questions. Data was collected after obtaining informed consent and steps were taken to ensure confidentiality at all stages.Results: The most common health problem of the workers in present study area included dental caries (41.7%), skin conditions (38.1%) musculoskeletal problems (36.7%) and anemia (35.1%) being other significant health problems. The qualitative aspect of the study revealed that the felt needs were improvement of their working conditions and more social support from the Government and the employers. There was very little awareness among the workers regarding use of PPE and none of them used any form of PPE.Conclusions: Salt pan workers had dental problems, dermatological problems and musculoskeletal problems as most common morbidities among them. Harsh working conditions, financial insecurity etc. are some of their work-related problems. Provision of housing facility and financial assistance during off- season by the government, basic amenities at the work place, paid leave in case of injuries, and insurance schemes for them by employer are their main felt needs. They also had no awareness regarding usage of personal protective equipment at the work place.

The Great Salt Plains (GSP) of Oklahoma is an inland terrestrial hypersaline environment where saturated brines leave evaporite crusts of NaCl. The current report examines the fungal community, complementing earlier reports on the bacterial and archaeal communities. Twenty-five fungal isolates from GSP soils were obtained on medium containing 10% NaCl and characterized. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis, all of the isolates fall within the Ascomycetes, with a predominance of Trichocomaceae, represented by Aspergillus, Eurotium, and Penicillium species. Representatives of Anthrinium, Cladosporium, Debaryomyces, Fusarium, and Ulocladium also were isolated. Overall the isolates were widely halotolerant, with best growth observed at lower salinities and no halophilism. The fungal genera observed were all cosmopolitan, without strong specialization. Taken together, these results support the conclusion that hypersaline environments do not have a characteristic community, in contrast to what was observed at the GSP for bacteria and archaea.

The present study was conducted to ensure the diversity of domestic solar salt by analyzing the composition and microbiological characteristics of solar salt (from Docho island: DS) and the flower of salt produced in different Korean salt flats (Sinui island: SF, Bigum island: BF, and Docho island: DF). The analyses showed that the moisture content of the three types of flower of salt and solar salt ranged from 10.54～13.82% and NaCl content ranged from 78.81～84.61%. The mineral content of those salts ranged from 3.57～5.51%. The content of insoluble matter in these salts was 0.01±0.00～0.05±0.00%. The sand content of these salts was 0.01±0.01～0.03±0.01%. By Hunter’s color value analysis, the color of the flower of salt was brighter and whiter than solar salt. The salinity of the flower of salt was a little higher than solar salt as well. The magnesium and potassium ion content of DF was 9,886.72±104.78 mg/kg and 2,975.23±79.73 mg/kg, respectively, which was lower than the content in SF, BF, and DS. The heavy metal content of all salts was acceptable under the Korean Food Sanitation Law. The flower of salt was confirmed to be sweeter and preferable to solar salt. More than 80% of the solar salt crystals were 2～3 mm in size, whereas crystals from the flower of salt were 0.5～2 mm in size. The bacterial diversity of DF and DS were investigated by culture and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) methods. The number of cultured bacteria in flower of salt was approximately three times more than solar salt. By DGGE analysis, major microbes of DF were Maritimibacter sp., Cupriavidus sp., and unculturable bacteria, and those of DS were Cupriavidus sp., Dunalidella salina and unculturable bacteria. The results of DGGE analysis showed that major microorganisms in solar salts were composed of unidentified and unculturable bacteria and only a few microorganisms were culturable.

We compiled available information of damages and other effects caused by the September 18, 2011, Sikkim–Nepal border earthquake from the print and electronic media, and interpreted them to obtain Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) at over 142 locations. These values are used to prepare the intensity map of the Sikkim earthquake. The map reveals several interesting features. Within the meizoseismal area, the most heavily damaged villages are concentrated toward the eastern edge of the inferred fault, consistent with eastern directivity. The intensities are amplified significantly in areas located along rivers, within deltas or on coastal alluvium such as mud flats and salt pans. We have also derived empirical relation between MMI and ground motion parameters using least square regression technique and compared it with the available relationships available for other regions of the world. Further, seismic intensity information available for historical earthquakes which have occurred in NE Himalayas along with present intensity has been utilized for developing attenuation relationship for NE India using two-step regression analyses. The derived attenuation relation is useful for assessing damage of a potential future earthquake (earthquake scenario-based planning purposes) for the northeast Himalaya region.

Restoration of the industrial salt flats in the San Francisco Bay, California is an ongoing wetland rehabilitation project. Remote sensing maps of suspended sediment concentration, and other GIS predictor variables were used to model sediment deposition within these recently restored ponds. Suspended sediment concentrations were calibrated to reflectance values from Landsat TM 5 and ASTER using three statistical techniques -- linear regression, multivariate regression, and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN), to map suspended sediment concentrations. Multivariate and ANN regressions using ASTER proved to be the most accurate methods, yielding r2 values of 0.88 and 0.87, respectively. Predictor variables such as sediment grain size and tidal frequency were used in the Marsh Sedimentation (MARSED) model for predicting deposition rates for three years. MARSED results for a fully restored pond show a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 66.8 mm (

Lonard, R.I.; Judd, F.W., and Stalter, R., 2013. The biological flora of coastal dunes and wetlands: Sporobolus virginicus (C. Linnaeus) K. Kunth. Sporobolus virginicus (C. Linnaeus) K. Kunth is a warm temperate, subtropical, and pantropical rhizomatous grass. It is an important species in foredunes, primary dunes, interdunal depressions, salt marshes, brackish marshes, and on the margins of salt pans where it is often a dominant species. Sporobolus virginicus is a euhalophyte that tolerates soluble salts ranging from 3 to 94 parts per thousand, and where the pH varies from 6 to 8.8. This species is freeze sensitive at −2.5°C with no hardening capacity. Also known as seashore dropseed, seedlings are sensitive to tidal inundation, but established plants are not affected by waterlogged conditions. The species is important for controlling beach erosion and for stabilizing sandy substrates. Stands of S. virginicus provide food for livestock and wildlife. Herein, we present a review of the biology of ...

H. M. The King's initiative Laem Phak Bia environmental research and development (LERD) project has been selected Laem Phak Bia sub-district, Ban Laem district, Petchaburi province which is about 18.5 km away from points sources at Petchaburi municipal. Transferring community wastewater was really needed to take HPDE pipe because of high pressure requirement for 50-cm head between Klongyang pumping station to the project site and also unpleasant smell in case of using open channel sewer system. The original point sources are far away about 5 km to 8 km to in-town collection pond which is localized at fresh-food markets, households, shopping center, dessert factories, Thai rice noodle factories, and government offices in which they produce wastewater approximately 7,000 m3/d. The pumping capacity was estimated 3,000 to 3,600 m3/d through 18.5-km HPDE pipe to the LERD's project site without any interruption. The research results found that the Royal LERD wastewater treatment system to decrease the high content of BOD down to under standard value after overflowing weir crest of the last pond (pond5). In addition, the anaerobic organic digestion processing distance was determined by graphical method with free hand curving that pointing out on 2,000 meters that moving from the start-up point at Klongyang collection pond through the 18.5- km HPDE pipe tail. Only the values of BOD and anaerobes had evidently shown in variable patterns, but the others found more or less changeable patterns, i.e. COD, NH4, NO2, alkalinity, hardness, SS. TDS, EC, orthophosphate, total phosphate, temperature, aerobes, facultative bacteria, total coliform, fecal bacteria, and DO (0.000 to 0.003 mg/L).

Halobacteria, members of the domain Archaea that live under extremely halophilic con- ditions, are often considered as dependable source for deriving novel enzymes, novel genes, bioac- tive compounds and other industrially important molecules. Protein antibiotics have potential for application as preserving agents in food industry, leather industry and in control of infectious bac- teria. Halocins are proteinaceous antibiotics synthesized and released into the environment by extreme halophiles, a universal characteristic of halophilic bacteria. Herein, we report the produc- tion of halocin (SH10) by an extremely halophilic archeon Natrinema sp. BTSH10 isolated from salt pan of Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India and optimization of medium for enhanced production of halocin. It was found that the optimal conditions for maximal halocin production were 42 � C, pH 8.0, and 104 h of incubation at 200 rpm with 2% (V/V) inoculum concentration in Zobell's med- ium containing 3 M NaCl, Galactose, beef extract, and calcium chloride as additional supplements. Results indicated scope for fermentation production of halocin for probable applications using hal- ophilic archeon Natrinema sp. BTSH10. a 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

Since 1928, Henri Gauthier has been the only zoologist to describe the extant non-marine ostracod fauna of Tunisia. In 2010, new samples of living non-marine ostracods were collected from central and southern Tunisia. A complete list of the 41 non-marine ostracods of Tunisiais presented, including the species of Gauthier’s work, published Holocene records, and new results from our field study. Historical faunal variations (El Melah Lagoon, Lac de Tunis, Sebkhas El- Guettiate and Dreîaa, and Lac Ichkeul) are briefly discussed and related to recent environmental changes. In 2006, El Melah Lagoon contained a freshwater, brackish, and a marine ostracod assemblage. In the future, this lagoon will probably dry up and become a sebkha. Lac de Tunis has developed from a marine bay over a lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Seato a brackish/freshwater environment. Sebkhas El-Guettiate and Dreîaa have developed from marine bays to dry salt flats. Lac Ichkeul is eutrophied and has become brackish since the time of Gauthier. We also describe a new species, Psychrodromus tunisicus n. sp., and present a determination key for the genus. The finding of a species of the genus Psychrodromus is the first report of this genus inNorth Africa.

A new species of Tetraselmis, T. indica Arora & Anil, was isolated from nanoplankton collected from salt pans in Goa (India) and is described based on morphological, ultrastructural, 18S rRNA gene sequence and genome size data. The species is characterized by a distinct eyespot, rectangular nucleus, a large number of Golgi bodies, two types of flagellar pit hairs and a characteristic type of cell division. In nature, the species was found in a wide range of temperatures (48°C down to 28°C) and salinities, from hypersaline (up to 350 psu) down to marine (c. 35 psu) conditions. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA sequence data showed that T. indica is most closely related to unidentified Tetraselmis strains from a salt lake in North America.

A hydrogeochemical study was conducted in Thoothukudi district situated in the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, India to identify the influence of saltwater intrusion and suitability of groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes. Scattered studies of this coastal region have reported signs of seawater intrusion, salt pan and industrial activity together with natural weathering process. To have a holistic picture of geochemical processes in the entire district, a total of 135 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major cations and anions. The geochemical parameters were compared with world and Indian standards and it was found that most samples are unsuitable for drinking purpose. The geochemical facies of the groundwater showed Na–Cl as the dominant water type indicating the saline nature of the groundwater. Chadda’s plots show that most of the samples fall in the Na–Cl type of water due to seawater intrusion. The samples were classified with parameters like sodium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, total hardness, chloride, index to base exchange, electrical conductivity and facies to determine their suitability for irrigation purpose. It was inferred that the samples falling along the coast are not suitable for the irrigation purpose. The seawater-mixing percentage indicates that strong mixing was observed in the near shore and at the proximity of the salt pan. The permanent hardness was predominant in all the samples compared to the carbonate hardness reducing its domestic usability.

The ratio of archaeol to caldarchaeol (the ACE index) has been proposed recently as an index for paleosalinity reconstruction and is based principally on archaeal core lipids (CLs) from coastal salt pans (Turich, C., Freeman, K.H., 2011. Archaeal lipids record paleosalinity in hypersaline systems. Organic Geochemistry 42, 1147–1157). We have examined possible relationships between salinity and ACE in both CLs and intact polar lipids (IPLs) from suspended particulate matter (SPM) and surface sediments of lakes and surrounding soils on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Our results showed that ACE values were positively correlated with salinity in all samples; however, CL ACE values were systematically higher than IPL ACE values, probably due to different degradation kinetics of intact polar (IP) archaeol and IP caldarchaeol. On the other hand, surface sediment ACE values from both CLs and IPLs were lower than SPM ACE values, probably due to enhanced production of caldarchaeol relative to archaeol in the sediment. Our results demonstrate that the ACE proxy reflects changes in salinity in diverse environments on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, which is promising for paleosalinity reconstruction; however, caution should be used when applying the salinity proxy before we have a better understanding of degradation kinetics of archaeal IPLs and in situ production of caldarchaeol and archaeol in sediments.

Based on field investigation and social-economical data, in combination with the 1992 and 2007 Landsat TM remote sensing images of Coastal Urban Belt in Liaoning, this paper analyzed the dynamic changes of landscape pattern at both class and landscape levels and their driving forces in the study area. From 1992 to 2007, the landscape pattern in the study area experienced a significant change. At class level, the area of farmland, forestland, wetland, grassland, and abandoned land decreased, while the area of residential area, salt pan, and water area increased. At landscape level, both total number of patches and patch density increased significantly, while the largest patch index decreased, and the complication of landscape shape intensified.

Salt pans are man-made ecosystems which are fed by the tidal influx of seawater through the estuaries. Most heavy metal contaminants from industries and anthropogenic processes dissolve in water and thus gain entry into the sea. Heavy metals are high-density metallic chemicals that are potentially toxic at low concentrations and present a danger to human and environmental health. The removal of these metals by general physical separation techniques is a crucial issue and chemical treatment is not always environmentally friendly. Biological methods provide an alternative to heavy metal remediation. In the present study, hypersaline dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were found to remediate barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, mercury, nickel, and lead metals from saline waters. SRB produce H2S by utilizing sulfate as electron acceptor, which helps in oxidizing organic matter, and reactive H2S precipitates dissolved heavy metals as their metal sulfides and thus play an important role in detoxifying saline waters. Among the 11 heavy metals found in the adjoining estuarine seawater, 9 metals were detected in the salt pan water of Ribandar, Goa. Fe, Mn, and Pb were observed in dissolved and particulate form, whereas Hg and Sb were absent. In the salt manufacturing process, the brine starts crystallizing the salt and metal concentrations increase by 103 fold in brine and 104 in salt crystals. SRB precipitate almost 50 % concentrations of the dissolved metals (from the overlying salt pan water) as their metal sulfides, which gradually get deposited in the underlying salt pan sediments. Hypersaline SRB show optimal sulfate-reducing activity from 80 to 115 psu and are thus potential bioremediators in salt pan ecosystems and in turn have an application in detoxifying industrial effluents containing heavy metals. This study assesses the role of hypersaline SRB strains isolated from salt pans in remediating heavy metal containing saline waters.

Salt pans in Indonesia are commonly set in batch operation and highly depend on the meteorological condition. Moreover, the common salt pans are considerably limited in the area (averagely 0.5-1 Ha) as it is not organized by industries or governments; local farmers instead. However, with such confinement, there are some salt pans particularly with filtering-threaded technology system (TUF system) that successfully produce salt with high production (>100 tons/Ha/season) and grade-1 quality. The present study was aimed to get insight on the meteorological condition at the salt pans using TUF system and the physical condition of the sea brine obtained from the TUF in the local salt pans in Cirebon Regency. Measurements on temperatures (air, brine and soil), humidity, wind direction and speed, brine conductivity, brine density and salinity were conducted at the pre-crystallizer pond, brine storage pond, channels, the condenser, and the reservoir. The meteorological parameters were recorded hourly using Automatic Weather Station and the data were taken during 49 hours ly, from August 26-28, 2014 started at 04.00 pm. Meanwhile, the physical parameters of the brine were measured every three hours using water quality meter. The results showed that the meteorological condition, brine physical condition, and the process occurred during salt production were still in agreement and met the theoretical condition or modeling. Even though the relative humidity and some wind speed in the present study area were out of the standard criteria recommended (5m/s for wind speed), the study showed that salt still can be produced in condition of relative humidity (52-88%), wind speed (0.2-5.7 m/s), and ambient temperature (23.2-32.4 oC). Interestingly, it is found that brine thickness and volume could be adjusted to get an optimum temperature of brine (reached 36.2 oC), in order to enhance the evaporation process. The highest soil temperature (34.7 oC) was found at 15.00 in the pre-crystallizer ponds. Meanwhile, the lowest temperature (26.7oC) was found early morning at 04.00 in the reservoir pond. Brine in the pre-crystallizer had highest thermal storage capacity during daytime (06.00-16.00), whereas soil in the pre-crystallizer tended to store heat during the nighttime (18.00-22.00). Brine and soil temperature fluctuation indicate that solar irradiation and convection process transferring heat energy from soil to brine occurs and also took an important part in the evaporation process. It therefore can be concluded that by understanding the condition of meteorology at the salt pan areas and the brine characteristic obtained, the appropriate technology resulting high-quality and quantity salt production could be devised.

Freshwater input to estuaries may be greatly altered by the river barrages required to meet human needs for drinking water and irrigation and prevent salt water intrusion. Prior studies have examined the salt plugs associated with evaporation and salt outwelling from tidal salt flats in single-channel estuaries. In this work, we discovered a new type of salt plug formation in the multi-channel Pasur River Estuary (PRE) caused by decreasing river discharges resulting from an upstream barrage. The formation of a salt plug in response to changes in river discharge was investigated using a conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) recorder during spring and neap tides in the dry and wet seasons in 2014. An exportation of saline water from the Shibsa River Estuary (SRE) to the PRE through the Chunkhuri Channel occurred during the dry season, and a salt plug was created and persisted from December to June near Chalna in the PRE. A discharge-induced, relatively high water level in the PRE during the wet season exerted hydrostatic pressure towards the SRE from the PRE and thereby prevented the intrusion of salt water from the SRE to the PRE.

International audience; Orestias ascotanensis is a killifish endemic to the Ascotán salt pan in the Chilean Altiplano, where it inhabits 12 springs with different degrees of isolation. This species is a suitable model for studying the effect of serial geographical isolations on the differentiation process among populations. The present study examines the genetic variation and structure of the species using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and eight microsatellite loci, analyzing populations across its distribution range. The evaluation of genetic variation revealed high levels of diversity within the species. The genetic structure analysis showed the existence of four differentiated groups: two groups were formed by the springs located in the northern and southern extremes of the salt pan and two groups were found in the centre of the salt pan. The latter two groups were formed by several springs, most likely as a consequence of the South American summer monsoon that could connect them and allow gene flow. The patterns of genetic differentiation appear to be determined based on the physical isolation of the populations. This isolation may be the result of a combination of factors, including geographical distance, a historical decrease in water levels and altitude differences in the springs of the salt pan. Therefore, this system is a rare example in which hydrological factors can explain genetic differentiation on a very small scale.

Rapid land use change has taken place in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) of China over the last decade, which is the result of human activities. This paper has analyzed land use changes in Dongying City (located in the modern YRD) over 18 years from 1992 to 2010 based on the combined use of RS and GIS, and further explored the landscape response of these changes. The results show that (1) the maximum annual land use change in the study area has occurred in the period from 2000 to 2010, but did not significantly from 1992 to 2000; (2) the most obvious changes have occurred at the coastal areas and economically developed areas of the study area; (3) in the monitoring period, construction land increased significantly, which came from the surrounding farmland; but farmland remained stable owing to the transition from grassland and unused land covered largely by salt pan and shrimp ponds; and (4) in the monitoring period,the landscape diversity and evenness were decreasing, but the landscape dominance was increasing because of the expansion of artificial types (i.e. built-up land, shrimp ponds and salt pan) and the decreasing landscape dominance of natural types, namely grassland and unused land.

This paper serves to document a thermal spring, called Gaet’ale, that was reactivated in 2005, during the majorseismo-volcanic crisis in the Danakil Depression of the Afar region of northern Ethiopia. Many dead birds surrounding the spring attest to deadly gas emanations (almost certainly CO2) coming from this spring, reminiscent of those from other volcanic lakes, and the Pamukkale springs in Turkey. Gae’tale currently features among the tourist attractions of the Dallol region of the northern Afar, but it may pose a potentially dangerous, and even deadly, hazard for tourists and their guides. Some suggestions are made to help mitigate the risks, and to allow for sustainable geotourism in this environmentally sensitive region. These include ensuring that tour operators in the area are made aware of the hazards, and are communicating these to their tourist clients (who should also be aware of these hazards through websites, tour guidebooks and open-access scientific journals), and avoiding the areas closest to the lake, and periodic testing, with lit flames, for the presence of excess CO2 in the area, with plans for quick and safe evacuation if needed. Guidelines for proper conduct are given for geotourists who are planning to visit the region, to ensure their health and safety in the vicinity of the thermal springs.

Viral communities of two different salt pans located in the Namib Desert, Hosabes and Eisfeld, were investigated using a combination of multiple displacement amplification of metaviromic DNA and deep sequencing, and provided comprehensive sequence data on both ssDNA and dsDNA viral community structures. Read and contig annotations through online pipelines showed that the salt pans harbored largely unknown viral communities. Through network analysis, we were able to assign a large portion of the unknown reads to a diverse group of ssDNA viruses. Contigs belonging to the subfamily Gokushovirinae were common in both environmental datasets. Analysis of haloarchaeal virus contigs revealed the presence of three contigs distantly related with His1, indicating a possible new lineage of salterproviruses in the Hosabes playa. Based on viral richness and read mapping analyses, the salt pan metaviromes were novel and most closely related to each other while showing a low degree of overlap with other environmental viromes.

Colombia, a country privileged by nature, where diversity of climates are created by large altitude gradients which generate a variety of ecosystems and beautiful badlands, punas, mountain forests, dry valleys, high deserts and salt flats; landscapes that have diversity of plants and animals and we are cata- loged as one of the countries as the greatest diversity in the world, preceded by Brazil and followed by Indonesia, China and Mexico. We have 28.000 plants and lichens; it is an invaluable heritage that can give to our country competitive advantages in the discovery and development of active ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry by sustainable use of our biodiversity. COL0014476 COL0010359

Salt flats (sabkha) are a recognized habitat for microbial life in desert environments and as analogs of habitats for possible life on Mars. Here we report on the physical setting and microbiology of interdune sabkhas among the large dunes in the Rub' al Khali (the Empty Quarter) in Liwa Oasis, United Arab Emirates. The salt flats, composed of gypsum and halite, are moistened by relatively fresh ground water. The result is a salinity gradient that is inverted compared to most salt flat communities with the hypersaline layer at the top and freshwater layers below. We describe and characterize a rich photosynthetically-based microbial ecosystem that is protected from the arid outside environment by a translucent salt crust. Gases collected from sediments under shallow ponds in the sabkha contain methane in concentrations as high as 3400 ppm. The salt crust could preserve biomarkers and other evidence for life in the salt after it dries out. Chloride-filled depressions have been identified on Mars and although surface flow of water is unlikely on Mars today, ground water is possible. Such a near surface system with modern groundwater flowing under ancient salt deposits could be present on Mars and could be accessed by surface rovers.

Extensive sheep farming is one of the main economic activities in the Patagonian steppe of Argentina. In environments with saline grasslands of marshlands on the Atlantic coast, sheep rearing and agriculture, is a recent technological innovation, which might become an important alternative for production in the marginal ecosystems of America. In these arid ecosystems, the agricultural activity is limited to the area of valleys with scarce fresh water resources. In these cold temperate steppes, plains with salinized lakes and wetlands – salt flats – are the main features. Growing native halophyte Sarcocornia neei for human consumption and as natural halophyte grassland for sheep rearing, appeared as a possibility after preliminary studies carried out in marshlands in the southernmost tip of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego. In Comodoro Rivadavia (Province of Chubut – Argentina), a potting test was carried out to define biological parameters of growth, phenology, and biomass production in two conditions, seawater irrigated (33, 59 g/l) and freshwater irrigated (4,3 mS/cm). The plants irrigated with seawater produced longer shoots (approx. 30 % longer) and branches (approx. 10 % longer) than the ones irrigated with fresh water without significant differences and had a significant higher number of sprouts and ramifications. There were no significant differences in the average dry biomass. Phenological differences in the treatments were not observed. At the same time, in Malaspina Cove (Province of Chubut – Argentina) tests were run to assess the productivity of 1 ha grassland of S. neei for feeding weaning lambs and slaughtering after 21 days. These were compared with control lambs fed in steppe grasslands of Argentine Festuca with a load of 0.3 animals/ha. Both the control sheep and the sheep fed on halophyte grasslands gained similar weight. Differences were shown on the quality of the Sarcocornia grassland, which bore 9–10 times more load (10 animals/ha) and in the meat analysed by the National Institute of Industrial Technology, which showed 14 % less cholesterol and 400 % less trans and saturated fats. Forage production in these salt flats was 3400 Kg/ha.

Brazil has over 8000 km of coastline and 1,085,187 km2 of drought-affected areas where natural processes and land-use changes originated extensive salt flats. Brazilian coastal salt flats are found as transition zones of mangrove forests or salt marshes and dry upland areas, and they are located above the mean level of the spring tides, either in semiarid or in seasonally dry coasts. The salt flats’ distributions are irregular, covering 1–24.4 % of the studied intertidal areas. Their sandy soils show salt contents near the seawater values and can increase to 150 ppt during the dry season. Dominant plants are widespread species more frequently found in tropical parts of South America. Halophytic forbs and grasses cover the mid-littoral and hypersaline gaps of the mangrove, whereas mixed stands with sedges occur when seasonal superficial fresh water drainages alleviate soil salinity. Although there are very few records of halophyte utilisation, intertidal crabs are important for the estuarine food web and exploited by indigenous peoples and fishermen for human consumption. Salt pans and shrimp farming are the most common anthropogenic activities that occur within salt flat areas. Inland salt flats are common in low annual rainfall (500–800 mm) areas of the northeast region of Brazil. The stony soils with sodium character promote natural formation of salt flats. Low rainfall, a high water deficit and careless irrigation management can establish very quickly secondary salinisation in these soils. Surface soil saturate extract of natural and manmade salt flats can average 8–40 dS m−1 CE values during the drought season. The dominant cover of inland salt flats includes few native halophytic forbs and exotic shrubs and grasses, introduced in NE Brazil for forage and fodder for domestic animals. Native Malvaceae species are common and also used for animal fodder. Several plants are traditionally used to treat influenza, urinary-renal problems and ulcers, as well as they shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Coastal (Sarcocornia ambigua) and inland halophytes (Atriplex nummularia) has been cultivated in integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems and in salt flats resulting from secondary salinisation, as cash crops and phytoextraction techniques, removing salt from soil and waste nutrients from saline effluent.

International audience; Capsule. The salinas of the Guérande basin show highly fragmented landscapes that significantly structure the distribution of terrestrial birds. Aim. To test the potential influence of landscape structures of a fragmented landscape on the distribution of terrestrial birds. Methods. The salinas were mapped using a Geographical Information System and landscape metrics were calculated to quantify landscape structures. Birds were surveyed with a point count method. Multivariate analyses and multiple linear regressions were used to test for potential links between landscape metrics and bird distribution. Results. The landscape structures of the salinas influenced bird assemblages significantly. The core of the salinas, with more-fragmented and less-diverse landscapes, contained the lowest abundance, richness and diversity of birds, but this assemblage tended to be homogeneous and distinct. Bird abundance, richness and diversity mainly increased with landscape richness and diversity, the terrestrial area available and the proximity to the continental domain. Conclusion. This study is the first to demonstrate and quantify the influence of salina landscape structures on terrestrial bird assemblages.