Eddy Covariance Data Reveal Carbon Dioxide Removal Potential of Macroalgae Aquaculture

Macroalgae aquaculture has been increasingly recognised as a promising nature-based solution to mitigate climate change. However, a limited understanding of the temporal patterns of air-sea carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes and their environmental controls across time scales poses an enormous obstacle. A new study, led by Prof. Xudong Zhu from Xiamen University, employed the eddy covariance approach to conduct high-frequency and continuous measurements of air-sea CO₂ fluxes over a subtropical macroalgae aquaculture ecosystem. The findings reveal the ecosystem acts as a CO₂ source annually, but macroalgae aquaculture, particularly during the rapid growth periods, shows the potential to reduce CO₂ emission. The study highlights the advantages of applying the eddy covariance approach to capture the strong temporal variability of CO₂ fluxes in coastal macroalgae aquaculture ecosystems.

Reference: Deng, Y., Guo, X., Zhao, X., et al. (2025). Coastal macroalgae aquaculture reduces carbon dioxide emission in a subtropical enclosed bay: Insights from eddy covariance measurements. Agr., Ecosyst. Environ., 385, 109576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109576