1. Macroalgae culture–induced carbon sink in a large cultivation area of China.
- Author
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Wang, Yingying, Yang, Weifeng, Cai, Yihua, Fang, Ziming, Zhao, Xiufeng, Zhang, Qinghua, Yuan, Hao, Lin, Na, Zou, Chenyi, and Zheng, Minfang
- Subjects
CARBON cycle ,MARINE algae ,CARBON offsetting ,KELPS ,PHYTOPLANKTON - Abstract
Macroalgae culture–induced carbon sink in sediments has been little investigated. Here, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and δ
13 C were examined in sediments in a cultivation field of macroalgae (kelp and Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis) in Sansha Bay, Southeast China. Both proxies of C/N (TOC to TN ratio) and δ13 C indicated a multisource of TOC. Based on a three-endmember model, macroalgae-derived TOC (TOCma ) accounted for < 35% of the total TOC, averaging 16 ± 9% (mean ± SD). On average, terrestrial and phytoplankton-derived TOC showed much higher percentages of 24 ± 17% and 60 ± 20%, respectively (t-test, p < 0.02). A preliminary estimate suggested that TOCma represents a carbon sink of 8.2 × 103 tons per year, corresponding to about 22% of the sink associated with phytoplankton and macroalgae and 8 ± 6% of the macroalgae carbon production in Sansha Bay. Considering its production magnitude, the macroalgae-induced carbon sink seems to be insignificant, on a national or global scale, to phytoplankton, though it should be taken into account given the small cultivation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
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