Carbon sequestration effects and bioremediation role of seaweeds

Seaweed plays an important role as a primary producer in the ocean, contributing significantly to the marine environmental problems such as ocean acidification, hypoxia, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, carbon capture and sequestration. The recent results show that cultivated seaweed such as Gracilaria and wild Sargassum bed can improve DO, pH, decrease N, P concentrations and then purify water quality and improve coastal environment. Based on the seaweed bioremediation technology, resource conservation technology, and ecological enhancement technology, it is possible to increase the resources of both cultivated and wild seaweed, improve marine habitats, conserve fishery resources, and promote the sustainable development of carbon sequestration fisheries. By utilizing seaweed green feed technology, it is able to reduce greenhouse gas (e.g., methane) emissions from livestock animals. Large-scale seaweed cultivation and wild seaweed bed enhancement is an effective approach for developing low-carbon economy, increasing marine C sequestration, solving marine environmental problems and maintaining high quality development of fisheries.