Saltvann bevarer diverse mikroorganismer, inkludert:
- Bakterier: Vibrio, E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Arkaea: Halobakterier, metanogener.
- Protister: Kieselalger, dinoflagellater, foraminifere, radiolaria.
- Sopp: Aspergillus, Candida, Penicillium.
- Virus: Hepatitt A, norovirus, rotavirus.