Melting sea ice, altering ocean currents, and increasing ocean temperatures are not just transforming habitats but are also critically affecting the marine life that inhabits these waters, from the microscopic plankton to the larger mammalian species.
SEA-Quester's mission is to unravel the complexities of these transformations and to understand how they affect the ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink-a key process in the global carbon cycle critical for mitigating climate change. This involves a detailed investigation of carbon transfer from the surface to the deep sea and how this process is mediated by various biological activities.
Field expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions are central to SEA-Quester's approach, aiming to provide groundbreaking insights into the uptake and storage of carbon across different marine ecosystems.
By integrating field observations with remote sensing data and sophisticated modeling techniques, the project seeks to shed new light on the dynamics of polar blue carbon. These insights are essential for the development of effective strategies to manage and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, ensuring their capacity to sequester carbon is maintained and enhanced.
By providing a clearer understanding of the mechanisms behind natural carbon sequestration in the polar oceans, SEA-Quester aims to inform and improve climate change mitigation strategies. The development of tools like the biological sequestration amplification factor and maps of blue carbon potential will aid policymakers and conservationists in making informed decisions to safeguard our planet's future.
Related Links
GRID-Arendal
Beyond the Ice Age
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