Ms Mari Deinhart, Amber Brooks2, Lisa Smith2, Roberta D'Archino2, Robert Hickson3, Giuseppe Zuccarello1, Scott Nodder2, Jaret Bilewitch2
1 Te Kura Mataurange Koiora School of Biological Sciences Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, 2Taihoro Nukurangi National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, , Aotearoa New Zealand, 3Blue Carbon Services Limited, Tīnui, 5889
Biography:
Mari Deinhart is a PhD candidate at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington and Taihoro Nukurangi National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Her PhD uses a methodological approach to quantify kelp contribution and mechanisms to carbon sequestration from coastal environments to the submarine canyons of Aotearoa. Prior to beginning her PhD, Mari was researching red algal phylogeny and ecology, coral reef ecology, and distribution of Sphyrna lewini in her home island of Guam.
Abstract:
To combat anthropogenic climate change, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to proactively remove CO2 from the atmosphere. There is increasing interest in marine carbon dioxide removal methods, such as farming kelp for carbon mitigation solutions. However, the mechanisms and effectiveness of carbon transport to deep-sea sinks are not well understood. This research developed five genus-specific droplet digital PCR assays to detect and quantify the abundance of Carpophyllum maschalocarpum, Cystophora retroflexa, Ecklonia radiata, Lessonia variegata, and Macrocystis pyrifera in coastal to deep-sea marine sediment and seawater Two 6-month long ex-situ experiments were conducted to measure kelp biomass degradation and corresponding eDNA shedding rates in the water column and marine sediments. Differences in degradation patterns and eDNA quantification were observed between species during the experiments, indicating potential unique contributions to deep-sea sediment and carbon sequestration. These results will be used to calibrate methods for measuring kelp contributions to natural carbon sequestration in deep-water environments in marine sediment and filtered seawater collected near Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui Wellington, Te Tau Ihu Marlborough Sounds, Te Moana-o-Raukawa Cook Strait, and Kaikōura Canyon. This research sheds light on the potential efficacy of kelp in carbon mitigation efforts, highlighting the need for further investigation into its role as a viable marine carbon dioxide removal technology.