Biodiversity and Potential Use of Marine Macroalgae From the Offshore Oil Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

AbstractIn the north‐western 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 north‐western 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, US Department of the Interior.