Mangroves and saltmarshes sequester large amounts of carbon, mitigating the greenhouse effect.
Mangroves and saltmarshes sequester large amounts of carbon, mitigating the greenhouse effect. New research from the University of Gothenburg shows that these environments are perhaps twice as effective as previously thought.
Natural habitats flooded by the tide form ecosystems that captures large amounts of carbon, which can help to mitigate climate change. Carbon dioxide is stored in the biomass and in the muddy soils. Therefore, several governments have launched blue carbon market initiatives to encourage landowners to restore and preserve mangrove and saltmarsh ecosystems, similar to the rainforest.
Large Flow of Bicarbonate
A new research report from the University of Gothenburg shows that the climate mitigation effect is even better than previously thought.
”We have uncovered additional stored carbon in mangrove forests and salt marshes. Our new findings show that much of the carbon is exported to the ocean bound as bicarbonate as the tide recedes and remains dissolved in the ocean for thousands of years. Bicarbonate stabilises the pH and can reduce ocean acidification. This contribution has previously been overlooked," says Gloria Reithmaier, a researcher in marine chemistry at the University of Gothenburg.
Read more at University of Gothenburg
Photo Credit: sarangib via Pixabay
