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Comparison of mechanical properties of four large, wave-exposed seaweeds

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 02:01 authored by Harder, DL, Catriona HurdCatriona Hurd, Speck, T
Seaweeds have a simple structural design compared to most terrestrial plants. Nonetheless, some species have adapted to the severe mechanical conditions of the surf zone. The material properties of either tissue sections or the whole stipe of four wave-exposed seaweeds, Durvillaea antarctica, D. willana, Laminaria digitata, and L. hyperborea, were tested in tension, bending, and torsion. has a very low modulus of elasticity in tension (Etension = 3–7 MN · m−2) and in bending (Ebending = 9–12 MN · m−2), torsion modulus (G = 0.3 MN · m−2) and strength (σbrk = 1–2 MN · m−2), combining a compliable and twistable stipe “material” with a comparatively high breaking strain (εbrk = 0.4–0.6). In comparison, the smaller stipes of Laminaria have a higher modulus of elasticity in tension (Etension = 6–28 MN · m−2) and in bending (Ebending = 84–109 MN · m−2), similar strength (σbrk = 1–3 MN · m−2), and a higher torsion modulus (G = 0.7–10 MN · m−2), combined with a lower breaking strain (εbrk = 0.2–0.3) than Durvillaea. Time-dependent, viscoelastic reactions were investigated with cycling tests. The tested species dissipated 42–52% of the loading energy in tension through plastic-viscoelastic processes, a finding that bears important ecological implications. Overall, there seems to be no correlation between single material properties and the size or habitat position of the tested seaweed species.

History

Publication title

American Journal of Botany

Volume

93

Issue

10

Pagination

1426-1432

ISSN

0002-9122

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Botanical Soc Amer Inc

Place of publication

Ohio State Univ-Dept Botany, 1735 Neil Ave, Columbus, USA, Oh, 43210

Rights statement

Copyright 2006 American Journal of Botany

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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