LOPEZ-BAUTISTA, J. M.1*, S. FREDERICQ1, R. L. CHAPMAN2, and D. A. WATERS2. 1Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504-2451 U.S.A.; 2Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803-1705 U.S.A.. - Biodiversity and potential use of marine macroalgae from the offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
In the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, more than 3000 oil and gas
platforms are supporting a significant community of marine organisms
in an area wherein natural hard substrata are scarce. This preliminary
study is designed to provide information on the algal component in
terms of species diversity of marine red, brown and green macroalgae
and cyanobacteria colonizing these artificial reefs. The vertical,
horizontal and seasonal distribution and relative abundance are being
documented. Taxonomic results are being evaluated for potential use of
some of the algae present as sources of natural products for the
biotechnological industry. The island character of this steel
archipelago in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico provides an ideal
environment to test biogeographical relationships with adjacent
floras. This research is supported in part by the Minerals Management
Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Key words: Biodiversity, Biogeography, Biotechnology, Gulf of Mexico, offshore oil platforms, Seaweeds