Deep-ocean seaweed dumping for carbon sequestration: Questionable, risky, and not the best use of valuable biomass
by Thierry Chopin, Barry A. Costa-Pierce, Max Troell, Catriona L. Hurd, Mark John Costello, Steven Backman, Alejandro H. Buschmann, Russell Cuhel, Carlos M. Duarte, Fredrik Gröndahl, Kevin Heasman, Ricardo J. Haroun, Johan Johansen, Alexander Jueterbock, Mitchell Lench, Scott Lindell, Henrik Pavia, Aurora M. Ricart, Kristina S. Sundell, Charles Yarish, One Earth, February 08, 2024
“Deep-ocean seaweed dumping is not an ecological, economical, or ethical answer to climate-change mitigation via carbon “sequestration.” Without sound science and sufficient knowledge on impacts to these fragile ecosystems, it distracts from more rational and effective blue-carbon interventions. We call for a moratorium on sinking seaweeds to deep-ocean ecosystems until its efficacy is established, and there is robust, evidence-based assessment of its environmental, economic, and societal sustainability.”