Diversity of sulfur cycling halophiles within the Salton Sea, California's largest lake.

Summary: The Salton Sea is California's largest lake, but it is shrinking and changing. Scientists wanted to learn more about the tiny living things, called microbes, that live in the lake's water. They took water samples from different deep spots during three different times of the year. They found that the types of microbes change depending on the season. These tough little bugs survive the harsh water by eating sulfur and changing how they get their energy. These microbes play a huge part in the lake's health. Next, scientists want to see if the sulfur these bugs make is linked to the dust that causes breathing problems for people living nearby.