Growth of Depth Cycled Macrocystis pyrifera: A Novel ...€¦ · kelp. Under normal conditions,...
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Growth of Depth Cycled Macrocystis pyrifera: A Novel Method for Increasing Biocrude Production in Open-Ocean Ecosystems J.W. Sturges 1, 2 , P. Hines 1, 2 , D. Kim 1 , D.W. Ginsburg 2 1 USC Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies, Los Angeles, CA 2 USC Environmental Studies Program INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Kelp’s limited habitat is the major restriction for mass production of kelp and this experiment is hoping to change how we define where kelp can be grown. If kelp’s habitat can be expanded to include the open ocean using the depth cycling method mentioned here, kelp’s potential and feasibility as a biofuel source will be drastically increased, making it economically competitive with fossil fuels. The initial control site will serve as a model that will help us predict the expected growth rates for the offhosre depth-cycling experiments. Furthermore, this method will allow us to optimize the transplantation and cultivation methods to ensure maximum growth. Our protocols and results will serve as a novel method for future protocols and experiments. DATA COLLECTION FUTURE APPLICATIONS PRIMARY CONTROL ELEVATOR DATA COLLECTION AND METHODS Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth. This rapid generation of biomass and the ability to cultivate biomass without freshwater or synthetic fertilizer makes kelp one of the most promising sources of biocrude and carbon neutral replacement for traditional crude oil. Through funding by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Marine BioEnergy, the Pacific National Northwest Laboratory and the USC Wrigley Institute will explore a depth-cycling concept for offshore open ocean farming of kelp. Under normal conditions, kelp grows in rocky subtidal habitats that experience upwelling of nutrients. In the open ocean, however, nutrients remain restricted to colder deep water. Using moorings near Catalina Island (Figure 2), the research team will test diurnal depth cycling of kelp, translocating individuals between the surface (for light) and depth (for nutrients) to promote growth. To provide preliminary data for the depth-cycling experiments, this project will evaluate growth rates of M. pyrifera that are outplanted from wild populations to Big Fisherman’s Cove (Figure 3). Morphometric parameters, changes in total biomass, and other indicators of health will be used to assess growth rates. Depth cycling experiments will include a control (static depth) and experimental (depth-cycling) mooring offshore of Catalina Island (A, B in Figure 1). This project will set up a ‘pre-control’ (C) in Big Fisherman’s Cove, a habitat where kelp naturally grows. The pre- control will be used to evaluate protocols for depth-cycling experiments and collect preliminary data on growth rates that will inform the duration needed for the off-shore depth-cycling experiments. Objective: To determine growth rates of transplanted kelp. Transplantation: 38 juvenile kelp (<1m) were collected from 2 sites near Parson’s Landing, Catalina Island and transplanted onto a 40 feet PVC pipe (Figure 4) hanging off a floating dock in Big Fisherman’s Cove (Figure 3). Design: 15 individuals from each collection site (n = 30) were placed 30 cm apart on a PVC pipe (Figure 4). Eight additional individuals were also attached after pneumatocysts were popped using a dive knife, and the entire rig was dropped to a depth of 70 feet. In this study morphometric parameters will be used to monitor and calculate changes in biomass. Morphometric Measurements • Number of Blades • Length of Blades • Number of Stipes • Changes in Biomass Acknowledgments: Funding for the depth-cycling experiments by the DOE ARPA-E. Funding and support for this preliminary study provided by the USC Wrigley Institute and the ENST 490 Directed Research class. We are appreciative of Brian and Cindy Wilcox for there knowledge and continuous support . Table 1. The initial measurements of the transplanted kelp that were attached to the pre-control platform. Measurements included stipe height and number of stipes. Averages for each group are reported here. Figure 3. Location of Initial Control Site in relation to Wrigley Institute Figure 2. Location of Control and Experimental Sites at Catalina Island Figure 1. Depicts basic experimental design including two stagnant control sites, and one depth cycling site Figure 4. The Initial Control after first attachment of the kelp ** presented at 2017 USC Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2017 Southern California Academy of Sciences
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Growth of Depth Cycled Macrocystis pyrifera: A Novel Method for Increasing BiocrudeProduction in Open-Ocean Ecosystems
J.W. Sturges1, 2, P. Hines1, 2, D. Kim1, D.W. Ginsburg2
1USC Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies, Los Angeles, CA 2USC Environmental Studies Program
INTRODUCTION
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Kelp’s limited habitat is the major restriction for mass production of
kelp and this experiment is hoping to change how we define where
kelp can be grown. If kelp’s habitat can be expanded to include the
open ocean using the depth cycling method mentioned here, kelp’s
potential and feasibility as a biofuel source will be drastically
increased, making it economically competitive with fossil fuels.
The initial control site will serve as a model that will help us predict
the expected growth rates for the offhosre depth-cycling
experiments. Furthermore, this method will allow us to optimize the
transplantation and cultivation methods to ensure maximum growth.
Our protocols and results will serve as a novel method for future
protocols and experiments.
DATA COLLECTION
FUTURE APPLICATIONS
PRIMARY CONTROL ELEVATOR
DATA COLLECTION AND METHODS
Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is one of the fastest-growing
organisms on Earth. This rapid generation of biomass and the ability
to cultivate biomass without freshwater or synthetic fertilizer makes
kelp one of the most promising sources of biocrude and carbon
neutral replacement for traditional crude oil.
Through funding by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research
Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Marine BioEnergy, the Pacific
National Northwest Laboratory and the USC Wrigley Institute will
explore a depth-cycling concept for offshore open ocean farming of
kelp. Under normal conditions, kelp grows in rocky subtidal habitats
that experience upwelling of nutrients. In the open ocean, however,
nutrients remain restricted to colder deep water. Using moorings
near Catalina Island (Figure 2), the research team will test diurnal
depth cycling of kelp, translocating individuals between the surface
(for light) and depth (for nutrients) to promote growth.
To provide preliminary data for the depth-cycling experiments,
this project will evaluate growth rates of M. pyrifera that are
outplanted from wild populations to Big Fisherman’s Cove
(Figure 3). Morphometric parameters, changes in total biomass,
and other indicators of health will be used to assess growth rates.
Depth cycling experiments will include a control (static depth) and
experimental (depth-cycling) mooring offshore of Catalina Island
(A, B in Figure 1). This project will set up a ‘pre-control’ (C) in Big
Fisherman’s Cove, a habitat where kelp naturally grows. The pre-
control will be used to evaluate protocols for depth-cycling
experiments and collect preliminary data on growth rates that will
inform the duration needed for the off-shore depth-cycling
experiments.
Objective: To determine growth rates of transplanted kelp.
Transplantation: 38 juvenile kelp (<1m) were collected from 2
sites near Parson’s Landing, Catalina Island and transplanted onto a
40 feet PVC pipe (Figure 4) hanging off a floating dock in Big
Fisherman’s Cove (Figure 3).
Design: 15 individuals from each collection site (n = 30) were
placed 30 cm apart on a PVC pipe (Figure 4). Eight additional
individuals were also attached after pneumatocysts were popped
using a dive knife, and the entire rig was dropped to a depth of 70
feet.
In this study morphometric parameters will be used to monitor and
calculate changes in biomass.
Morphometric Measurements
• Number of Blades
• Length of Blades
• Number of Stipes
• Changes in Biomass
Acknowledgments: Funding for the depth-cycling experiments by the DOE
ARPA-E. Funding and support for this preliminary study provided by the USC
Wrigley Institute and the ENST 490 Directed Research class. We are
appreciative of Brian and Cindy Wilcox for there knowledge and continuous
support .
Table 1. The initial measurements of the transplanted kelp that were
attached to the pre-control platform. Measurements included stipe
height and number of stipes. Averages for each group are reported
here.
Figure 3. Location of Initial Control Site in relation to Wrigley Institute
Figure 2. Location of Control and Experimental Sites at Catalina Island
Figure 1. Depicts basic experimental design including two stagnant control sites, and one depth cycling site
Figure 4. The Initial Control after first attachment of the kelp
** presented at 2017 USC Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2017 Southern California Academy of Sciences
