Patterns and drivers of macroalgal ‘blue carbon’ transport and deposition in near-shore coastal environments

Quantifying blue carbon stocks in interconnected seagrass, coral reef, and sandy coastline ecosystems in the Western Gulf of Thailand

“…Macroalgae are also the sources of carbon for coastal and ocean systems, macroalgal biomass tend to be exported into near-shore sediments. The spatial distribution of the biomass and total organic carbon (TOC), are influenced by several physical environmental factors and the extent of the infralittoral zone around depositional areas (Erlania et al, 2023). These illustrate that associated coastal and marine ecosystems are highly connected.…”

Primary production of the kelp Lessonia corrugata varies with season and water motion: Implications for coastal carbon cycling

“…It was also observed that L. corrugata had greater NBA in sites exposed to waves, so this kelp likely plays a crucial role for the production of POC and DOC in wave‐exposed areas due to the limited number of species that can thrive in such turbulent conditions. In addition, a fraction can be exported to the near‐shore sediments, pelagic regions, and abyssal regions depending on the hydrodynamics of the region and the POC and DOC consumption rate (Erlania Bellgrove et al., 2023; Krause‐Jensen & Duarte, 2016; Krumhansl & Scheibling, 2012). As the carbon flux is a very complex system wherein numerous smaller components contribute to its entirety, more studies of the role of kelp beds, such as L. corrugate , are vital since the imbalance of this important component of the carbon chain can affect an entire complex ecosystem that depends on it (Krumhansl et al., 2017; Pessarrodona et al., 2022; Wernberg et al., 2019).…”

“…Both POC and DOC support coastal filter feeders, detritivores, and bacteria (Elliott Smith & Fox, 2022; Pessarrodona et al., 2018). Moreover, POC and DOC can be exported to areas distant from the original kelp forest, supporting other ecosystems and even reaching pelagic and abyssal regions depending on the hydrodynamics and topography of the seabed (Erlania Bellgrove et al., 2023; Hurd, Harrison, et al., 2014; Krause‐Jensen & Duarte, 2016; Krumhansl & Scheibling, 2012). Furthermore, the carbon stock in kelp ecosystems can be influenced by hydrodynamics, as several studies have indicated that carbon stocks tend to be larger in high water motion environments (Aller‐Rojas et al., 2020; Hepburn et al., 2007; Hurd, 2017).…”

From Sink to Source: Dynamic of Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Beach Wrack Accumulations in a Temperate Coastal Bay

“…However, carbon sequestration is affected by the fate of macrophyte biomass. This is especially true for macroalgal beds growing on rocky substrate, where no sedimentary carbon accumulation occurs (Erlania et al, 2023). Approximately 15 % of seagrass net primary production (Heck et al, 2008) and >25 % of macroalgal biomass production can be exported to adjacent shallow habitats or deep-sea areas (Orr et al, 2014;Smale et al, 2022), with >3 % of macrophyte production stranding ashore (Lastra et al, 2014;Dolliver and O'Connor, 2022).…”

“…Seagrass sediments are estimated to bury up to 238 Tg C yr − 1 derived from autochthonous and allochthonous sources of detrital organic carbon (Nellemann et al, 2009). Macroalgae biomass may contribute to carbon sequestration through biomass export to adjacent habitats and deep sea (Erlania et al, 2023). Seagrass meadows and macroalgae beds are highly productive habitats and, although most of carbon sequestration is comprised of sedimentary pools, macrophyte living biomass also contributes to carbon stocks.…”