The richness of archaeal community decreases with increasing
TPH concentrations in saline-alkali soils. Heavily
polluted saline-alkali soil contains more clones related
to hydrocarbon-degrading Archaea. Predominance of the
halophilic genus of Haloferax and the haloalkaliphilic
genus of Natronomonas in soils with high TPH concentrations
suggests that archaeal communities could have a
role in the natural attenuation of petroleum-contaminated
saline-alkali soil.