Determining the contribution of temperate seaweed farming to local sedimentary carbon stocks and climate change mitigation

Canvin, MC, King, NG, Moore, PJ and Smale, DA 2026 Determining the contribution of temperate seaweed farming to local sedimentary carbon stocks and climate change mitigation. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 225. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119283

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Abstract/Summary

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 Corg ha−1 with sedimentation rates of 0.23 t Corg 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

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	blue carbon, aquaculture, Laminariales, kelp, global warming, eDNA, carbon burial
Subjects:	Aquaculture Ecology and Environment Marine Sciences
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Coastal Ecology
Depositing User:	Ms Kristina Hixon
Date made live:	12 Mar 2026 09:54
Last Modified:	12 Mar 2026 09:54
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10581

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