Canopy Accumulation: Are Seagrass Meadows a Sink of Microplastics?

Oceans, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2(1), P. 162 - 178

Published: Feb. 12, 2021

A growing body of research is documenting the accumulation microplastics within marine sediments around world. The hydrodynamic influences seagrasses in coastal environments are shown to increase sedimentation finer particles and as a result there has been speculation that this attribute will lead seagrass meadows acting site elevated microplastic contamination. To date range localised studies have provided conflicting answers hypothesis. Seagrass provide multiple ecosystem services including vital support roles for fisheries; therefore, considerable human health implications understanding their role sinks microplastics. This investigated abundance diversity present temperate North Atlantic meadow relative unvegetated examined how they correlate with structure sediment type. We also placed data context current knowledge through global meta-analysis published data. Eight adjacent sites UK were sampled test sediment. Microplastics found 98% samples, fibres making up 91.8% all identified. Abundance was recorded overall be 215 ± 163 (MP) kg−1 Dry Weight (DW) 221 236 MP DW habitats. There no significant differences between number respect vegetation. report evidence almost ubiquitous contamination both globally but find reflects general build-up wider environment rather than becoming concentrated an enhanced sink. Microplastic build hypothesised local hydrodynamics plastic sources habitat level concentration. Although not higher seagrass, such cause concern given high dependency many species fish on these types potential plastics move food chain.

Language: Английский

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Major impacts and societal costs of seagrass loss on sediment carbon and nitrogen stocks

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(7)

Published: July 1, 2021

Abstract Seagrass meadows constitute important carbon sinks, and the ongoing global loss of seagrass habitats raises concerns about release stored in their sediments. However, actual consequences for nutrients remain unclear. Here, we take advantage well‐documented historic losses eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) along Swedish NW coast to assess how contents organic (C) nitrogen (N) sediment change when a meadow is lost. We find unusually high C N (on average 3.7% 0.39% DW, respectively) sediments down >100 cm depth, suggesting that these hot spots storage. stocks were strongly influenced by wave exposure almost twice as sheltered compared exposed meadows. The composition stable isotope values distinctly different areas have lost meadows, with on >2.6 times lower N. results indicate an erosion >35 following historical loss, more vulnerable stocks. suggest has resulted 60.2 Mg 6.63 per hectare, estimated economic cost society 7944 141,355 US$/ha, respectively. value storage represents one highest monetary presented ecosystem service provided seagrasses shows are particularly mitigating eutrophication. Following documented approximately 10 km 2 study area, it over 60,000 was released coastal environment 20‐yr period, which constitutes three annual river load coast. exemplifies significant role sinks both nutrients, risk nutrient vegetation should be taken into account spatial management other habitats.

Language: Английский

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Seagrass blue carbon stocks and sequestration rates in the Colombian Caribbean

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: May 26, 2021

Abstract Seagrass ecosystems rank amongst the most efficient natural carbon sinks on earth, sequestering CO 2 through photosynthesis and storing organic (C org ) underneath their soils for millennia thereby, mitigating climate change. However, estimates of C stocks accumulation rates in seagrass meadows (blue carbon) are restricted to few regions, further information spatial variability is required derive robust global estimates. Here we studied soil across Colombian Caribbean. We estimated that Thalassia testudinum store 241 ± 118 Mg ha −1 (mean SD) top 1 m-thick soils, accumulated at 122 62 15 7 g m −2 year over last ~ 70 years up 2000 years, respectively. The tropical Caribbean Sea associated sediment run-off, together with relatively high primary production T. , influencing biotic abiotic drivers storage linked respiration rates, explains when compared other globally. Differences among regions largely differences relative contribution sources pool (seagrass, algae Halimeda tuna mangrove seston) content particles < 0.016 mm binding enhancing its preservation. Despite moderate areal extent (661 km ), it sequesters around 0.3 Tg which equivalent 0.4% emissions from fossil fuels Colombia. This study adds data a new region growing dataset blue explores meadow based environmental factors, while providing basis implementation strategies

Language: Английский

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How can blue carbon burial in seagrass meadows increase long-term, net sequestration of carbon? A critical review

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 093004 - 093004

Published: Aug. 18, 2022

Abstract Blue carbon sequestration in seagrass meadows has been proposed as a low-risk, nature-based solution to offset emissions and reduce the effects of climate change. Although timescale burial is too short ancient fossil fuel carbon, it role play reaching net zero within modern cycle. This review documents discusses recent advances (from 2015 onwards) field blue carbon. The affected by species, meadow connectivity, sediment bioturbation, grainsize, energy local environment, calcium carbonate formation. rate organic can be calculated product accumulation below mixed layer concentration attributable seagrass. A combination biomarkers identify material more precisely than bulk isotopes alone. main threats related change are sea-level rise, leading shoreline squeeze, temperature particularly during extreme events such heat domes. In conclusion, some disagreement literature over methodology controls on likely results from real, regional differences seagrasses their habitat. Inter-regional collaboration could help resolve methodological provide robust understanding global meadows.

Language: Английский

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A Pleistocene legacy structures variation in modern seagrass ecosystems

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 119(32)

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

Distribution of Earth’s biomes is structured by the match between climate and plant traits, which in turn shape associated communities ecosystem processes services. However, that climate–trait can be disrupted historical events, with lasting impacts. As environment changes faster than at any time human history, critical questions are whether how organismal traits ecosystems adjust to altered conditions. We quantified relative importance current environmental forcing versus evolutionary history shaping growth form (stature biomass) community eelgrass ( Zostera marina ), a widespread foundation marine along Northern Hemisphere coastlines, experienced major shifts distribution genetic composition during Pleistocene. found stature biomass retain legacy Pleistocene colonization Atlantic from ancestral Pacific range more recent within-basin bottlenecks differentiation. This influences algae invertebrates fuel coastal food webs, effects comparable or stronger forcing. Such lags phenotypic acclimatization may constrain adjustments rapid anthropogenic change, thus altering predictions about future functioning ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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