Determining the contribution of temperate seaweed farming to local sedimentary carbon stocks and climate change mitigation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Seaweed farming, often regarded as a low-impact aquaculture practice, may deliver ecosystem services like carbon sequestration. Yet, empirical evidence for its climate change mitigation potential is limited. Sediment cores were collected at increasing distances from a seaweed farm in southwest UK and analysed for carbon stocks, carbon sedimentation rates, potential carbon sources, and sediment characteristics. The upper 3 cm of sediment, linked to farming activity, held ~2 t C org ha −1 with sedimentation rates of 0.23 t C org ha −1 yr −1 . eDNA revealed low, inconsistent contributions of kelp and mussels, while seagrass, red algae, and likely phytoplankton, dominated. The sedimentary environment remained largely unchanged pre- and post-farm establishment or with increasing distance from the farm, highlighting the limited carbon sequestration potential at this scale. Future research should focus on identifying potential carbon sinks through hydrodynamic modelling and sediment analysis to inform the climate-conscious, sustainable industry expansion. • Sediment cores reveal limited carbon sedimentation near a UK kelp-mussel farm. • Kelp-derived detritus contributed minimally as a potential carbon source. • eDNA identified red algae as a potentially dominant carbon source. • Findings suggest limited climate change mitigation role of small-scale kelp farms.
Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin
Authors: Maxine C. Canvin, Nathan G. King, Pippa J. Moore, Dan A. Smale
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,740
OpenAlex ID: W7124874335