Using Marine Macroalgae for Carbon Sequestration: A Critical Appraisal

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Abstract: 

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.

Author(s): 
Slobodanka Stojkovic
Dinabandhu Sahoo
Smita Mehta
John Beardall
Ik Kyo Chung
Keywords: 
Blue carbon
Macroalgae
Photosynthesis
CO2 sequestration
Article Source: 
Journal of Applied Phycology 23(5)
Category: 
Ecological Services
Uses of Seaweeds: Miscellaneous