logo
ResearchBunny Logo
Deep-living and diverse Antarctic seaweeds as potentially important contributors to global carbon fixation

Environmental Studies and Forestry

Deep-living and diverse Antarctic seaweeds as potentially important contributors to global carbon fixation

L. W. Tait, C. Chin, et al.

Explore groundbreaking research revealing that Antarctic macroalgae contribute significantly more to global carbon fixation than previously estimated, thanks to a team of scientists including Leigh W. Tait and Caroline Chin. Discover the diverse and abundant macroalgal life thriving in the depths of the Ross Sea.

00:00
00:00
Playback language: English
Abstract
Global models underestimate the contribution of Antarctic macroalgae to global carbon fixation due to limited coastal surveys at high southern latitudes. This study reports diverse and abundant macroalgal assemblages in the Ross Sea (71.5°-74.5° S), including extensive populations at depths exceeding 70 m and crustose coralline algae as deep as 125 m. Estimates using light modeling and photosynthetic rates suggest Antarctic macroalgae may contribute 0.9-2.8% of global macroalgal carbon fixation, significantly higher than previously thought. Climate change, particularly sea ice changes, is likely to impact Southern Ocean carbon fixation and sequestration.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Apr 17, 2024
Authors
Leigh W. Tait, Caroline Chin, Wendy Nelson, Steve George, Peter Marriott, Richard L. O'Driscoll, Miles Lamare, Victoria S. Mills, Vonda J. Cummings
Tags
Antarctic macroalgae
carbon fixation
Ross Sea
climate change
photosynthetic rates
marine science
Listen, Learn & Level Up
Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.
No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.
listen to research audio papers with researchbunny