Signature lipid biomarkers of microbial mats of the ebro delta (Spain), camargue and Étang de berre (France): An assessment of biomass and activity

Abstract

Field studies to evaluate possible shifts in biomass, community structure, and metabolic stress between similar microbial communities at different sites were carried out in the Ebro Delta, Spain, and Camargue and Étang de Berre, France. The microbial variables were monitored by measuring phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA). PLFA analysis indicated the presence of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as shifts in their distribution and in their metabolic status with increased depth as well as over time. The results suggest that shifts in microbial mats are caused by variations both in environmental conditions and in the internal relationships between the different communities of the microbial mats.

Keywords:

• microbial mats
• signature lipid biomarkers
• metabolic status
• biodiversity
• microbial biomass
• biodiversity