Characteristics of bacteria isolated from the miner of the Verkhnekamsky salt deposit (Perm krai)

29 strains of halophilic/halotolerant bacteria were isolated from clay deposits of brine-diverting workings and brine pits of the mine of the Verkhnekamsky salt deposit (Perm krai). As a result of phylogenetic analysis based on a comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was found that the isolated cultures are representatives of the classes Gammaproteobacteria (Halomonadaceae and Salinisphaeraceae families) and Bacilli (family Bacillaceae). Three halophilic strains SHV2, RV14, and SWV1 were similar to the closest type strain of the Salinisphaera hydrothermalis species at the level of 95.94-96.62% (16S rRNA gene), which indicates that these strains belong to a new taxon. Most of the isolated bacteria of the families Halomonadaceae and Bacillaceae are extremophiles: they grow at pH 9-10 and high salinity (up to 250-270 g/L NaCl). Two halophilic strains of the genus Halomonas have been found to degrade salicylic and benzoic acids (decomposition products of polyaromatic compounds), which makes them promising for use in biotechnologies for the restoration of contaminated areas with a high level of mineralization.