When it comes to combating the climate change crisis, there is a need to find allies among the natural world. Brown algae could be one of these comrades.
Brown Algae
Nature World News reports how these brown algae are recognized as part of the large Heterokontophyta eukaryotic group. This group comprises organisms that are prevalently unique because of their chloroplasts that are engulfed by four different membranes.
The Times also notes how these algae are nothing close to the glamorous trees. Several of these algae are just brown seaweeds spotted along the coasts.
However, they could actually be climate change combators as these species are wondrous when it comes to carbon dioxide absorption. The Times also reports how they could even outcompete the land forests as they take in around a gigaton of carbon annually. This carbon dioxide then dissolves within seawater prior to getting captured by algae via photosynthesis. It then gets kept within the plant.
A recent study spearheaded by German researchers revealed how these seaweeds effectively remove CO2 from the circulation and expel greenhouse gas parts in the form of mucus.
CO2 Absorbers; Mucus Releasers
The researchers asserted how such mucus is difficult for other living marine organisms to break down. The algae is also, specifically, responsible for such a process.
The study was included in the PNAS publication. The team showed how the mucus of algae known as fucoidan, which is a species of brown algae, has the capacity to take away up to 550 million tons of atmospheric CO2 annually.
Such findings verify how brown algae are indeed true wonder plans with regards to carbon absorption. As mentioned earlier, they could even surpass land forests.
Simply stating, the brown algae feeds on the carbon dioxide and makes use of the carbon for the algae's growth. The gas is then released back into the waters.
Lead author Hagen Buck-Wiese notes how the excretions of the brown algae are quite complex and intricate to gauge. However, thanks to the methodologies of the team, they were able to point out how fucoidan was notably effective in removing carbon from the air.
CO2, Global Warming, and Climate Change
Over the years, CO2 has been one of the forefront greenhouse gasses that significantly boost global warming and the greenhouse effect. This has led to the global climate change crisis.
Given this, it is no wonder how carbon has become a main focus of global environmental endeavors.
Nature World News reports how the average atmospheric CO2 was 414.72 parts for each million last 2021. This record was the 5th highest yearly rise in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) records worth 63 years. This, however, could change with the NOAA's updated 2022 reports.
Numerous studies have also revealed how CO2 facilitates global warming at an extent that is unprecedented. Nature World News notes how human-factored burning of fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gasses have exponentially warmed the planet over the last decades.
Though reducing the activities of humans are important, this recent findings on brown algae's capacity is remarkably important as well.
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