Experimental study reveals how calcifying algae can release CO2 in marine ecosystems

What is it about?

Seagrass meadows can store carbon dioxide and help mitigate climate change. However, the role of calcification in marine carbon budgets is uncertain. A novel laboratory experimental aproach compared the effect of a calcifying alga to a non-calcifying alga on seawater carbon content. The results showed that calcification can release significant amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere and counteract carbon sequestration. This research highlights the importance of considering algal calcification in future assessments of carbon storage in coastal areas.

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