Nature Communications journal has recently published a new study which suggests that there is high value in seaweed. Researchers from the University of New South Wales in Australia quantified the benefits of seaweed focusing on six kinds of kelp which grow as dense forests.
These kelp forests are the home for approximately 1,500 species of fish and marine life. Not only does this sea-life support commercial fisheries and food supplies but they also absorb large amounts of CO₂ as well as nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural run off. The water quality is preserved due to this.
The researchers tested the seaweed to see just how much they absorb and they discovered that they take up nutrients, much like plants on land do, as well as carbon dioxide. They also use light to fuel their growth, according to Aaron Eger, one of the researchers.
Altogether they provide two main benefits, they support the global economy by $465 to $562 billion per year and they sink almost 5 million tons of CO₂.
