Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Blue carbon is stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like seagrass meadows and salt marshes, which helps combat climate change by preventing greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the role of seagrass in carbon storage by comparing sediment cores from a mud channel and a seagrass meadow in South Bay.
We collected a 100 cm core from the mud channel and a 55 cm core from the seagrass area, taking samples every 10 cm to analyze grain size and organic carbon content. Using a wet sieving method, we separated sand from mud and measured organic carbon through loss on ignition.
The findings showed no significant increase in carbon storage in seagrass sediments. Differences in grain size highlighted the effect of water movement on sediment deposition. The study concluded that seagrass meadows do not significantly enhance below-ground carbon storage, indicating that muddy environments are more important for storing organic material than the presence of plants alone.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Richard P Hale
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean and Earth Sciences
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Biogeochemistry | Environmental Monitoring | Geochemistry | Geology | Oceanography | Sedimentology | Stratigraphy | Sustainability
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Biogeochemistry Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Geochemistry Commons, Geology Commons, Oceanography Commons, Sedimentology Commons, Stratigraphy Commons, Sustainability Commons
08 - Blue Carbon Sequestration and Sediment Storage in Seagrass Meadows of South Bay
Blue carbon is stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like seagrass meadows and salt marshes, which helps combat climate change by preventing greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the role of seagrass in carbon storage by comparing sediment cores from a mud channel and a seagrass meadow in South Bay.
We collected a 100 cm core from the mud channel and a 55 cm core from the seagrass area, taking samples every 10 cm to analyze grain size and organic carbon content. Using a wet sieving method, we separated sand from mud and measured organic carbon through loss on ignition.
The findings showed no significant increase in carbon storage in seagrass sediments. Differences in grain size highlighted the effect of water movement on sediment deposition. The study concluded that seagrass meadows do not significantly enhance below-ground carbon storage, indicating that muddy environments are more important for storing organic material than the presence of plants alone.