Kelp is the largest type of algae.
Algae are quite diverse, ranging from tiny, single-celled organisms to giant seaweeds. Of the three main types of algae---green, brown and red---the largest are the brown algae, especially the kelp. This group includes the genus Macrocystis, the largest of all algae.
Species
The largest single species is the giant kelp, or Macrocystis pyrifera, part of the Macrocystis genus, also known as giant bladder kelp. This alga thrives in the cool Pacific waters near the West Coast of the United States. Other large genus of kelp include Nereocystis, or bull kelp; Pelagophycus, or elk horn kelp; Egregia, or feather boa kelp; and Cystoseira.
Description
Macrocystis pyrifera has been called the redwood of the ocean because it grows in dense, tall forests. Though it prefers depths less than 120 feet, it can extend more than 200 feet from the ocean floor, and the excess length forms a dense canopy near the water's surface. Plants can grow as much as 2 feet per day.
Environment
Kelp forests extend along the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Canada, with the most impressive forests near Southern California. A single forest may extend for several miles in length and a mile in width. These dense populations of kelp are home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals.
Commercial Uses
Kelp is used as a food supplement because it contains beneficial vitamins and minerals such as iodine and potassium. It also provides a source of alginate, an emulsifying agent that binds ingredients together in products such as cosmetics, ice cream, toothpaste and paint. Any commercial product that relies on a smooth, uniform texture might very well contain alginate, which may have come from kelp.
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