Spatial and temporal changes in microbial diversity of the Marmara Sea Sediments

► Local and temporal changes in Marmara Sea Sediments' characteristics were monitored. ► The local variations were more distinctive than the temporal ones. ► The microbial community compositions correlated to the sulfate and nitrate contents. ► The N and P levels determined the total cell abundances and activities. ► Temperatures of the shallow sediments correlated the active cell contents.