Blue Carbon Capture
Fish get their essential omega-3 fatty acids and the carbon source of their protein from marine algae at the bottom of their food chain. Scientists have found that humans can take advantage of it too! The global food crisis is causing scientists to begin looking at marine microalgae to address the problem of greenhouse gas emissions in food production. Marine microalgae, are cultivated using a brackish/marine water source and may be the most sustainable option thus far.
A recent paper from William Moomaw, Professor Emeritus of International Environmental Policy at Tuft University also analyzes the usage of fresh water and fertile land of different algal growth systems, presented in worse-to-best sustainability order: sugarcane sugar-based fermentation, fresh water open systems, marine/brackish water open systems and closed systems with artificial light.
Regenerative ocean farming works to mimic the diversity of ocean reefs by growing a mix of species that act in concert to revive ecosystems. Each crop plays a vital role. For example, a single adult oyster can filter as much as 50 gallons of water a day. Combined with the environmental benefits of seaweed, we can turn regenerative ocean farms into a climate solution powerhouse and stack benefits by growing seaweed and shellfish together. At the same time, regenerative ocean farms are safe havens for marine life that improve water quality and provide habitats that foster biodiversity and support the health of an array of aquatic species.
Emissions from the world’s nearly 1.5 billion cattle are a major source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. But it turns out that supplementing livestock feed with a small amount of seaweed can reduce methane output by nearly 60% in cattle and up to 80% in sheep. And seaweed converted into fertilizer and compost creates a virtuous nutrient loop, whereby carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients are collected by kelp and then brought to land to enrich the soil and increase yields.
Earth’s Carbon Content: The geologic component of the carbon cycle operates slowly in comparison to the other parts of the global carbon cycle. It is one of the most important determinants of the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, and thus of global temperatures.
Blue Carbon
Historically the ocean, atmosphere, soil, and terrestrial forest ecosystems have been the largest natural carbon (C) sinks. New research on the role of vegetated coastal ecosystems has highlighted their potential as highly efficient carbon sinks, and led to the scientific recognition of the term “Blue Carbon”. Blue Carbon designates carbon that is fixed via coastal ocean ecosystems, rather than traditional land ecosystems, like forests. Although the ocean’s vegetated habitats cover less than 0.5% of the seabed, they are responsible for more than 50%, and potentially up to 70%, of all carbon storage in ocean sediments. Mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses make up the majority of the ocean’s vegetated habitats but only equal 0.05% of the plant biomass on land. Despite their small footprint, they can store a comparable amount of carbon per year and are highly efficient carbon sinks. Seagrasses, mangroves and salt marshes can capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere by sequestering the C in their underlying sediments, in underground and below-ground biomass, and in dead biomass.