FIG. 9.

Schematic diagram depicting relationship between physiochemical lake changes (A) and microbiological communities (B) at Lake Magic. (A1) Flooding results in moderately acid, moderately saline, and relatively deep (∼1 m) lake water. (A2) Evaporation lowers pH, increases salinity, lowers water depth to centimeter-scale, and promotes precipitation of halite and gypsum. (A3) Desiccation leaves dry salt crust. (A4) Flooding dissolves halite and gypsum and freshens lake. (B1) Community of microorganisms that live in flooded lakes. (B2) Life that thrives in extreme acid lake brine. (B3) Microorganisms and organic compounds trapped, likely in dormant stage, within fluid inclusions in halite. (B4) Dissolution of halite liberates microorganisms and organic compounds into flooded lake.