What is Kelp?

Kelp is a type of seaweed or algae belonging to the order Laminariales. Though its appearance is similar to that of plants, it is technically not a plant, but a protist. There are many different kinds of kelp, constituting around 30 genera. Kelp grows in underwater kelp forests, in shallow, clear waters cooler than 68°F (20°C). It grows rapidly and offers food and protection for other marine life. Kelp is recognizable as the seaweed you may have seen on a trip to the beach. It is anchored to the ocean floor by a structure known as a holdfast, and most of its body resembles a stem with leaves, correctly termed a stipes with blades. Kelp also features air-filled bladders that allow the rest of the body to float and bring the leaf-like blades to the surface of the water. Humans throughout history have found many uses for kelp. Soda ash, once produced by burning kelp, is a primary ingredient in glass and soap. Alginate, a carbohydrate harvested from kelp, is used as a thickening agent in t ... more