There has been a good deal of interest in the potential of marine vegetation as a sink for anthropogenic C emissions (“Blue Carbon”). Marine primary producers contribute at least 50% of the world’s carbon fixation and may account for as much as 71% of all carbon storage. In this paper, we analyse the current rate of harvesting of both commercially grown and wild-grown macroalgae, as well as their capacity for photosynthetically driven CO2 assimilation and growth. We suggest that CO2 acquisition by marine macroalgae can represent a considerable sink for anthropogenic CO2 emissions and that harvesting and appropriate use of macroalgal primary production could play a significant role in C sequestration and amelioration of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Nutrient-depleted cells of T. gracilis were grown in sea water containing different concentrations of nitrate and phosphate. Growth rate of cells was ftrst studied by determining the growth constant (k) and generation time (tg)
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Salinity affects crop production worldwide. Ascophyllum nodosum, brown seaweed, has been used for centuries as a bio-fertilizer and/or bio- stimulant to promote plant growth and improve plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the mechanisms of its bio-stimulatory activity are not well understood.
In this experiment, we investigated the effect of A. nodosum in alleviating the effects of salinity on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants grown at 0-200 mM NaCl.
Results showed that A. nodosum promoted tomato plant growth under saline conditions due to the maintenance of the Na+/K+ balance. Its extract also interfered with Zn+ leaf concentration.
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Large-scale cultivation in the open ocean for energy purposes has not been tried before, and has huge international potential. SES has patented a new concept for seaweed cultivation and is carrying out growth tests in pilot areas in the sea in Norway.
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A series of wave tank tests was conducted at this Center CERC to determine the ability of a field of low specific gravity artificial seaweed to attenuate wave action. Wave gages were located on both sides of the seaweed field to measure wave attenuation. The field consisted of seven rows of seaweed with the rows spaced 3 meters apart. Ten distinct wave conditions were tested using periods ranging from 2.6 to 8.2 seconds and wave heights from 0.24 to 1.1 meters. Stillwater depth for all tests was 2.4 meters. There was a measureable level of wave attenuation for only the shortest period, 2.6 seconds. For the 2.6-second period, the reduction in wave height on passing through the seaweed field was about 12. This study shows that, for the width of field tested, the low specific gravity artificial seaweed is not effective in attenuating wave energy at wave periods commonly found in the ocean or other large bodies of water.
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The National Seaweed Forum, commissioned by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in 1999, evaluated the current status of the Irish Seaweed Industry, investigate the potential uses of seaweeds and identify measures to be undertaken for developing the different industrial sectors.
Seaweed aquaculture was identified as a key area for the development of the Irish Seaweed Industry to meet growing market demands and to create attractive and high–skilled jobs in peripheral communities in coastal areas.
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Marine Agronomy Group, CAFNRM, UH-Hilo
200 W. Kawili st., HI 96720, USA
Contact: Marine.Agronomy.Group@gmail.com
Funding for this web portal is provided by the World Wildlife Fund and the University of Hawaii-Hilo.