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- Characterization of extreme halophilic prokaryotic consortia of a traditional solar saltern in Olhão, Algarve (Portugal)Publication . Nespoli, Cristina Ruzene; Galvão, Helena M.Halophiles are microorganisms that live under extreme osmotic conditions, and are adaptated to life at salt concentrations much higher than seawater. In the Algarve region, climate conditions are ideal to form habitats where such microorganisms proliferate yet remain to be studied. Thus, the present study focuses in characterizing the extreme halophilic consortium found in the traditional solar salterns of Olhão, Algarve. Both traditional and biomolecular techniques were used, resulting in a consortium profile far more diverse than what was expected. Microscope examinations using FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybrization) showed that the porcentage of Bacteria as well as of Archaea present are important, while the use of DGGE confirmed that this diversity is not only morphological. Two growth experiments were done, relating changes in growth rate to different salinities and light intensities, reveling how the consortium reacted to these conditions, with salinity being from these the most important factor for growth. This study concludes that de solar salterns system of Olhao presents a great potential as source of extreme halophiles, and recommends that more work should be done on halophilic consortia in this area of Portugal.