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Published on: August 14, 2020
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Identifying and protecting macroalgae detritus sinks toward climate change mitigation.
Ana M Queirós1, Karen Tait1, James R Clark1
1Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, UK.
Summary
Seaweed detritus dispersal from coastlines to the seabed is crucial for understanding ocean carbon storage. This study used eDNA and particle tracking to reveal how seaweed fragments reach marine sediments, informing blue carbon conservation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Oceanography
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Understanding carbon sequestration in marine ecosystems is vital for climate change mitigation.
- Seaweed particulate organic carbon is increasingly recognized as a significant component of ocean carbon stores.
- Knowledge gaps exist regarding seaweed detritus dispersal and its entry into seabed carbon sinks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dispersal pathways of seaweed detritus from coastlines to marine sediments.
- To determine the factors influencing seaweed detritus connectivity to potential sedimentary carbon sinks.
- To provide evidence for the role of seaweed in the ocean carbon cycle and inform blue carbon conservation.
Main Methods:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis of coastal sediments to identify seaweed presence.
- Particle tracking modeling to simulate seaweed detritus dispersal, parameterized by laboratory experiments on fragment degradation and sinking.
- Integration of laboratory data on seaweed detritus density changes with hydrodynamic conditions in dispersal models.
Main Results:
- Seaweed detritus density varies by species and over time, affecting dispersal distances.
- Simulations showed dispersal pathways connecting coastal areas to the open ocean and, significantly, to coastal sediments.
- Field eDNA evidence corroborated model predictions of detritus connectivity to sedimentary environments.
- Hydrodynamic conditions were identified as key modulators of dispersal pathways in space and time.
Conclusions:
- Both seaweed detritus properties (density, timing) and transport dynamics (near-seabed, water-column) are critical for linking seaweed habitats to sedimentary carbon sinks.
- Further research is needed to quantify sedimentary carbon sequestration rates and source partitioning from seaweed.
- Findings support the development of blue carbon conservation strategies that include seaweed ecosystems beyond traditional wetland areas.
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