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Abstract
This paper presents a genetic diversity inventory of oxygenic phototrophs (cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae) of nine selected microbial mat communities from four distinct geographical areas along the European coast. The communities were exposed to different levels of oil pollution. PCR-DGGE analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments revealed a unique banding pattern for each sampling site. The number of bands which indicates the genetic richness, varied from one to twelve per site. Comparative analysis of DNA sequences obtained from the excised DGGE bands showed the identity of the oxygenic phototrophs present in the different mats. The relative abundance of diatoms, inferred from the band intensity, decreased with increasing oil pollution in the Étang de Berre mats (France). Cyanobacteria related to members of the genera Phormidium and Planktotrix were present in both the light and mediated polluted site, indicating oil tolerance. In the heavily polluted mat, only Oscillatoria-related cyanobacteria and a Prymnesiophyte alga related to Isochrysis galbana, could persist.