About This Project

Surveying Oregon kelp populations from an ecotoxicological perspective provides insight into both biotic and abiotic factors that influence the health of kelp and the mechanisms which they adapt to processing. We set out to measure and examine toxins along the Oregon coast, specifically looking to understand toxicity and determine detoxification pathways of both giant and bull kelp.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

• What toxins are present in, around Kelp forests? (in the water, in kelp)

• What are major factors of environmental impact? (biotic and abiotic factors)

• How does kelp metabolize these toxins? How long does it take?

• What are the major differences between areas in Oregon?

Hypothesis:

Oregon’s coast will exhibit diversity in ecotoxicological studies of kelp populations relative to geographical, biotic and abiotic factors.

Null Hypothesis:

Oregon coast will not exhibit diversity in ecotoxicological studies of kelp populations.

What is the significance of this project?

Kelp forests are an essential, biodiverse ecosystem. Yet, with as many organisms a kelp forest holds, it also has the unfortunate ability to retain a variety of toxins. Many of these toxins can be harmful to other species, and detrimental to the survival of the kelp forests.

It is important to assess kelp toxicity levels, effects, and factors.
Like other organisms, plant species have different mechanisms of uptake, toxicity, and detoxification in order to counter harmful environmental effects.

This ecotoxicological survey of Oregon kelp populations will assess the current health of kelp, as well as the mechanisms and effectiveness by which kelp may process or remove toxic pollutants.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to examine toxicity comparatively across kelp populations along the Oregon Coast, as we dive deeper into the issue of toxin retention in kelp forests.

These ecotoxicological surveys aim to provide insight into biotic and abiotic factors influencing the current health of kelp forests, as well as the potential kelp adaptions and mechanisms that are necessary to tolerate these environmental stresses.

Understanding the diversity of toxins in the environment is crucial for the health of these, and other, populations. A follow up experiment will attempt to document and determine the metabolism of the exogenous toxins which may be found in kelp environments.