Phil Colarusso - Blue Carbon

Blue CarbonWhat is it and why you should care

Phil ColarussoUS EPA

Blue CarbonCarbon that is associated with salt marsh,

seagrass or mangroves

Species in these groups have high growth rates and thus can absorb large quantities of CO2

Carbon is sequestered in the sediments/soil for as long as the habitat stays intact

Annual Carbon Sequestration RatesMangroves: 0.13 to 24 Mg CO2e/ha/yr

Salt Marsh: 0.01 to 63 Mg CO2e/ha/yr

Seagrass: -76 to 85 Mg CO2e/ha/yr

Tropical forests: -20.02 to 8 Mg CO2e/ha/yr

Importance of SeagrassSeagrass meadows are estimated to occupy

less than 0.2% of the area of the world’s oceans, but account for about 20% of the sequestered carbon on an annual basis

Loss/degradation of Coastal WetlandsMangroves

Globally losing 0.66%/yrGreatest losses are in Asia

Salt MarshData in many geographic areas is scarceGlobally estimated to be 1 to 2%/yr

SeagrassGlobally 1-3%/yr

Putting the losses in context

Emissions that result from conversion and degradation of coastal wetlands estimated to be between 300 to 900 million tons CO2e

Roughly equivalent to the annual emissions from energy and industry sectors for Poland and Germany

Seagrass stressorsReductions in water clarity/eutrophicationPiers/wharfs/mooringsDredgingInvasive species Trawling/shellfishing

What you can doReduce nitrogen

Cut fertilizer useEat lower on the food chainMass transit/increased fuel efficiencyLimit/reduce impervious surface

Avoid farmed shrimpBe a responsible boater

Conserve the Blue Carbon for me!