The Green Resources

Seaweed is the common name for marine plants and algae that grow in saltwater, mainly on the seacoast, and can attain a length of up to fifty meters. Their appearance is diverse and ranges from voluminous kelp leaves to herbaceous algae. There are red and brown algae, and bladderwrack. The algae, attaching itself to rocks and other hard surfaces, grows on solid ground in the sea. These aquatic plants filter pollutants from the water and release oxygen into the water. One square meter of seaweed can produce up to fifteen liters of oxygen per day, and its roots aerate the seafloor.

Seaweed is often mixed up with seagrasses, are marine plants that thrive in shallow salt and brackish waters in many parts of the world from the tropics to the Arctic Circle. Seagrasses have roots and stems, and they often have long green, grass-like leaves. Unlike seaweed, seagrasses produce flowers and seeds. They grow in large underwater meadows on the ocean floor and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). Similar to trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the air, seagrasses capture large amounts of it from the atmosphere. According to scientific studies the world’s seagrass meadowscan take in up to 83 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Being one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, seagrasses provide shelter and food to diverse species of animals, from crabs and turtles to large fish, marine mammals, and birds.

Seaweed is a source of food in many coastal countries in Asia. Microalgae products are also used in fuels, foods, chemical products, cosmetics, and feedstuffs. The seaweed is then dried before being subjected to pyrolysis, which converts it into biocoal. Sargassum is also used as a raw material for making bricks used in construction.

Seagrass is used for various applications such as building insulation, filler for mattresses and pillows, and material for baskets and furniture, and sun hats. Not only do seagrasses also serve as fertilizer, but their unique properties help heal wounds.

• Seagrass does not mold, so it is particularly suitable for outdoor use.
• Pests such as dust mites avoid it.
• Seagrass can absorb many times its dry weight in moisture. It is an excellent alternative to synthetic filerl materials because it absorbs moisture from the air and releases it again without any problems.
• As a natural product, seaweed is free of chemical additives.
• As a natural resource, it can be disposed of in compost either in the garden or in an organic waste bin.
• It is inflammable.
• If seaweed is pressed, it makes a rustling and crackling sound.

Notpla is a non-chemically modified material made from seaweed and plants that is used for paper and packaging. As natural substance it is classified as biodegradable and home-compostable.

Can seaweed and seagrass used as maerieals in stop-motion animation production?

Any examples?

The Seaweed Revolution

Global Seaweed Coalition

Algae Planet