The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Carbon sequestration by bloom-forming algae under warming and nitrogen enrichment
ID:1161 Oral Presentation

2027-01-15 09:45 (China Standard Time)

Session: Session 78 - Bidirectional Effects of Algae on Carbon Sequestration and Methane Production Under Global Change

Abstract
Under global climate change, the frequency and scale of harmful algal blooms (HABs) including red tides and green tides in coastal waters have been continuously expanding. Most existing studies focus on the adverse ecological impacts of algal blooms, while their potential carbon sequestration capacity is largely overlooked. In this study, Skeletonema costatum (a typical red tide diatom) and Ulva prolifera (the dominant green tide macroalga) were selected as experimental materials. We systematically investigated the independent and interactive effects of ocean warming and nitrogen enrichment on carbon sequestration and carbon storage of the two bloom-forming algae, to fill the research gap in comparative analysis of carbon sequestration responses across different bloom species. The results reveal distinct interspecific differences in algal carbon sequestration responses to warming and nitrogen loading. For Skeletonema costatum, single high-nitrogen treatment significantly promoted the accumulation of particulate organic carbon (POC), whereas isolated warming and combined warming-nitrogen treatments exerted no significant influence on it. High nitrogen alone reduced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) stocks, and warming plus nitrogen co-treatment showed no notable effects. The combined warming and nitrogen enrichment significantly elevated refractory POC (RPOC) production, while refractory dissolved organic carbon (RDOC) accumulation remained unaffected by warming, nitrogen enrichment, or their interaction. Collectively, future concurrent warming and nitrogen overload will hardly alter the carbon fixation efficiency of S. costatum, yet enhance its carbon sequestration potential. For Ulva prolifera, warming alone produced no significant change in POC pools, while single nitrogen enrichment and combined warming-nitrogen treatments both substantially stimulated POC accumulation. DOC concentrations were markedly increased under high-nitrogen conditions at both low and high temperatures, and the coupled warming-nitrogen treatment also boosted DOC production. RPOC accumulation was suppressed by high nitrogen, with no observable impacts from warming or the combined stress. RDOC pools were insensitive to temperature variation, but both high nitrogen and warming-nitrogen co-treatment significantly elevated RDOC yields. Under projected future warming and eutrophication scenarios, both the carbon fixation and carbon storage capacity of U. prolifera will be strengthened. In conclusion, red tide diatoms and green tide macroalgae exhibit divergent response patterns of carbon sequestration processes to warming and nitrogen enrichment. Therefore, distinguished assessments targeting different bloom types are required when evaluating coastal marine carbon budgets.
 
Speaker
Gao Guang State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University

Author
Gao Guang State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027