Thermophilic microbial diversity and physicochemical attributes of thermal springs in the Garhwal Himalaya

The study aim was assessment of physicochemical characteristics along with the microbial diversity of samples of water collected from three important thermal springs of Uttarakhand state in India for two continuous years (2015 – 2016) with two samples taken each year. Some parameters were assessed at the sampling sites and the others in the laboratory. Microbial diversity was explored by using morphological, biochemical, MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry and molecular approaches. The α-diversity of Gauri Kund was 24 with 14 strains of bacteria, five strains of actinomycetes and five strains of fungi. The α-diversity of Gangnani Kund was 22 with 10 strains of bacteria, five strains of actinomycetes and seven strains of fungi. The α-diversity of Tapovan Kund was 18 with eight strains of bacteria, four strains of actinomycetes and six strains of fungi. The current study can be a good reference for further similar studies. The available data will also help to understand the reasons behind the curative properties of these hot water springs. It also helps the government and local administration to take preventive measures for the conservation and management of these hot water springs..