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Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Field Collection and Laboratory Maintenance of Canopy-Forming Giant Kelp to Facilitate Restoration
Published on: June 7, 2024
Impact of kelp forest on seawater chemistry - A review
Klaudia Kosek1, Piotr Kukliński1
1Marine Ecology Department, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland.
Abstract:
Kelp forests, globally distributed in cool temperate and polar waters, are renowned for their pivotal role in supporting species diversity and fostering macroalgae productivity. These high-canopy algal ecosystems dynamically influence their surroundings, particularly by altering the physicochemical properties of seawater. This review article aims to underscore the significance of kelp forests in modifying water masses. By serving as effective carbon sinks through the absorption of bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis, kelp forests mitigate nearby acidity levels while enhancing dissolved oxygen concentrations, essential for sustaining diverse marine communities. Additionally, kelp beds have exhibited the need to use inorganic ions (NO3-, NO2-, PO43-) from seawater in order to grow, albeit with associated increases in NH4+ concentrations. Specific examples and findings from relevant studies will be presented to illustrate the profound impact of kelp forests on seawater chemistry, emphasizing their vital role in marine ecosystems.
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