Baltic Sea and Skagerak Harbor Potential Sustainable Food Source: 20 New Species of Sea Lettuce

The 20 new varieties of sea lettuce discovered in the Skakgerak and Baltic seas may be a viable sustainable food source.

Researchers have discovered something about sea lettuce in the frigid waters of the Baltic Sea and Skagerak that will permanently change our knowledge of marine biodiversity.

The team from the University of Gothenburg has discovered that there are much more species of the green alga known as sea lettuce than were previously thought to exist. They conducted a thorough investigation that spanned 10,000 kilometers of coastline and discovered an astounding 20 types of this seemingly ordinary algae.

Sea Lettuce: Potential Sustainable Food Source

In this area, sea lettuce, a green macroalgae belonging to the genus Ulva, flourishes. The algae are almost invariably present and extend from the Atlantic seas to the Bay of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea.

The aquaculture sector has been interested in sea lettuce because of its capacity for reproduction and quick growth. Its potential for use in culinary and biochemical applications is the subject of extensive international study, notably in Sweden.

Only a few species were recognized until recently, but current investigations using DNA analysis have discovered 20 distinct species and subspecies. Three of them are invasive species that have arrived in various ways.

The discovery of certain newly found species that have never before received a scientific description adds to the uniqueness of the Baltic Sea, according to the University of Gothenburg.

Green algae known as sea lettuce, which is predominantly from the Ulva genus, are often found in the shallow and coastal waters of the seas. They are a member of the Ulvaceae family of macroalgae, usually known as seaweeds, which also include other types of green algae.

About Sea Lettuce

Bright green in color, sea lettuce often has thin, flat, leaf-like sheets that can measure up to 30 centimeters across. The sheets typically have ruffles and are frequently divided into lobes, which gives them a lettuce-like look and gives them their name.

In temperate and tropical waters all over the world, sea lettuce is a common type of algae that thrives in a variety of settings such as brackish waters, and intertidal zones, where it adheres to rocks or other substrates. It also thrives as free-floating organisms in the water column.

In addition to growing fractured thalli, sea lettuce also reproduces asexually by releasing gametes that unite to generate new organisms. It is skilled at living in nutrient-rich conditions and swiftly colonizing new regions because of its fast development and colonization.

Significant contributions are made by sea lettuce to the ecology. It supplies mollusks, crabs, and tiny fish with food and habitat, among other marine life. However, sea lettuce may grow out of control in places with high nutrient pollution or eutrophication, generating huge "blooms" that can smother other marine life by lowering oxygen levels in the water.

In Asian cooking, sea lettuce is an edible alga that provides protein, fiber, vitamins (such as vitamin A), and minerals (including iron and iodine). It is potential for biofuel and industrial uses because of its rapid growth and high biomass.

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Implications of New Discovery

The study has important ramifications, especially for the expanding sea lettuce farming sector. Lack of knowledge might lead to the unintended introduction of invasive species, endangering the ecosystems nearby. To prevent incursions of precious ecosystems, it becomes essential to understand the variety of coastal organisms.

Examining species distribution using conventional identification techniques based only on appearance is inadequate. New sea lettuce species' discovery offers helpful farming ideas, particularly for developing coastal regions. It is crucial to cultivate acceptable species in suitable sites to preserve ecological equilibrium.

With their newly acquired information, scientists may now create practical plans for protecting rare coastal sea lettuce species. The current knowledge of and efforts to preserve marine biodiversity have been advanced by ground-breaking research from the University of Gothenburg, Earth.com reports.

The study by Sophie Steinhagen and her team of experts was recently published in the journal Algal Research.