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DE LA ROSA JORGE, M.ª Y COLS. AN. R. ACAD. NAC. FARM.

Palabras clave: Manantiales termales; Balneario de Alicún de las
Torres; Microbiota autóctona; Biodiversidad; Biotapetes.

ABSTRACT

Microbiology of the mineral springs of Alicún de las Torres spa.

Two mineral springs, called Baños and Baños de Abajo, have
been studied in the Spa Alicún de las Torres (Granada). The total
number of microorganisms present in the water was of 7.6 and 4x104/
mL, respectively, being the majority alive (79 and 85.5%). The num-
ber of viable heterotrophic and oligotrophic bacteria, at 22 ºC and 37
ºC, was lower than 100 cfu/mL. The strains of the heterotrophic
bacteria isolated predominantly correspond to fermenters and non-
fermenters Gram-negative bacilli, belonging to the Class Gammapro-
teobacteria (54.5%) and in smaller proportion to Gram-positive baci-
lli (29.1%) and cocci (16.4%). The most common identified species
were: Aeromonas hydrophila in the Baños de Abajo spring, and Pseu-
domonas putida in the Baños spring. Neither faecal indicators nor
pathogenic microorganisms were found. On the other hand, ammo-
nifying, proteolytic, amylolytic, halophilic bacteria as well as fungi
were detected in 100 mL of water. The microbial mats of Baños de
Abajo and Eucaliptos springs were studied as well. Both mats con-
sist of an association of filamentous cyanobacteria (Oscillatoria,
Pseudanabaena, Lyngbya), sphaeric cyanobacteria (Cyanothece, Syne-
chocystis), diatoms (Cymbella, Fragilaria, Navicula, Nitzchia) and
green algi (Cosmarium).

Key Words: Thermal springs; Alicún de las Torres spa; Authoc-
tona microbiota; Biodiversity; Microbial mats.

1. INTRODUCCIÓN

El Balneario de Alicún de las Torres pertenece al término muni-
cipal de Villanueva de las Torres, en la provincia de Granada. Se
encuentra situado en la Hoya de Guadix, en la confluencia de los
ríos Fardes y Gor, rodeado de abundante vegetación (Figura 1).

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