Potential of Organic Carbon Pool in the Ocean: Approaches for Naturally and Artificially Capturing and Retaining Carbon
Aan Johan Wahyudi (a*)

a) Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
* aanj001[at]brin.go.id

Abstract

The term ^blue carbon^ is employed to denote the organic carbon sequestered by the oceans and coastal ecosystems. Ocean ecosystems receiving significant attention in studies of blue carbon comprise mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrasses, and algal beds. However, these vegetated ecosystems are not the exclusive repositories of atmospheric carbon, and alternative methods of capturing and retaining carbon naturally (by utilizing the inherent capacity of the ocean) and artificially (through the implementation of engineered approaches) are thus being investigated. This study provides an overview of these approaches and assesses the potential for storing organic carbon beyond vegetated ecosystems. We propose the feasibility of capturing aquatic carbon through a biological pump process that has the potential to store carbon at the ocean floor. Furthermore, we summarize the potential impact of artificial processes on carbon dioxide removal.

Keywords: blue carbon, carbon storage, biological pump, carbon dioxide removal, pelagic system

Topic: Marine Hazard, and Coastal Protection