Major role of marine vegetation on the oceanic carbon cycle

• DOI: 10.5194/bg-2-1-2005
• Publication Date: 2010-04-29T12:38:31Z
• Authors: C. M. Duarte; J. J. Middelburg; N. Caraco
• Keywords: Blue carbon; Salt marsh; Carbon fibers; Soil carbon

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> The carbon burial in vegetated sediments, ignored past assessments of the ocean, was evaluated using a bottom-up approach derived from upscaling compilation published individual estimates habitats (seagrass meadows, salt marshes and mangrove forests) to global level top-down considerations sediment balance organic content vegeatated sediments. Up-scaling values yielded total 111 Tmol&nbsp;C&nbsp;y^-1. unvegetated sediments estimated be 126 Tg&nbsp;C&nbsp;y^-1, resulting estimate ocean about 244 two-fold higher than oceanic that presently enter budgets. concentrations marine exceeds by 2 10-fold those shelf/deltaic Top-down recalculation budgets account for these, previously neglected, organic-rich yields 216 with coastal contributing 50%. Even though contributes half represents small fraction net production these ecosystems, at 3388 suggesting bulk benthic ecosystem must support excess respiration other compartments, such as pelagic compartment. available exported is between 1126 3534 which respired open ocean. Widespread loss have reduced 30 identifying destruction ecosystems an important CO₂ sink capacity biosphere.