The Application of the Seaweeds in Neutralizing the “Ocean Acidification” as a Long-Term Multifaceted Challenge

Abstract

The global effects of ocean acidification (OA) on coral reefs are of growing concern. Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels, not only has an effect on "global warming", but also on OA which is called the "other CO 2 problem". OA combined with high ocean temperatures has resulted in a massive bleaching of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and throughout Southeast Asia over the past decade, which is ultimately lethal. Here we discuss the option if innovative seaweed biotechnology-the Ulva lactuca bioreactor option, with its H + ion-absorbing capacity and its huge green biomass production of around 50 MT/ha/year-which can stabilize our "World Ocean" and our global coral reefs. From our calculations, we came to the conclusion that an area covered with "Ulva lactuca bioreactors" with a production capacity of 250 × 10 16 ha of seaweed per year is needed to remove all H + ions that cause OA in our "World Ocean" since the beginning of the "Industrial Revolution" ≈ 250 years ago. This is a daunting task and therefore we have opted for a multi-faceted approach including variability in seaweed species, avoidance of eutrophication & heavy-metal accumulation, prevention of global warming by more green-biomass production and a better estimation of the huge Kelp seaweed populations in temperate zones in order to protect our coral reefs for the short term.

Ocean Acidification: Positive and Negative Impacts on Seaweeds

“…Modern technologies have also been suggested to control OA in an eco-friendly way. Integrated algal bioreactors with H + absorbance capacity can control OA and are suggested to protect coral reefs and seaweeds [9]. Three dimensional kelp forests are very influential to OA and help to increase the growth of bivalves of North Atlantic origin [4].…”