Brown Algae Absorbs Carbon Dioxide and Releases It in Mucus Form [Study]

Brown algae are known for belonging to the large eukaryotic group called Heterokontophyta, organisms that are prominently distinct due to them having chloroplasts surrounded by four membranes.

Sometimes called phaeophyceae or rockweed, various species of brown algae has been attributed before for bringing health benefits, can be used to manufacture various products, and is important for the environment.

Now, a new study led by scientists in Germany found that brown seaweed removes carbon dioxide from the global cycle and releases parts of the greenhouse gas into the environment in mucus form.

The scientific team asserted the mucus is hard to break down for other living organisms in the ocean.

In particular, an algae species is responsible for this process, as identified by the new paper.

Brown Algae Recycles Carbon

(Photo : EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images)
Kelp (algae) can be seen in the waters of Monterey Bay, California, September 20, 2018. - Kelp grows from the rocky seabed to the ocean surface and supports the life of fish, sea otters, snails, sea urchins, crabs, and many other creatures.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Dec. 30, 2022, by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology.

The research team reveal that the algal mucus called fucoidan, a brown algae species, can remove up to 550 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year.

The findings confirm the evidence that brown algae are "true wonder plants" when it comes to absorbing carbon from the air; they even surpass forests on land with regard to this matter and ultimately play a significant role in the atmosphere and our climate, according to Phys.org.

In short, the algae feeds on carbon and use it to grow. It then releases the gas it absorbed back into the seawater.

Max Planck Institute's lead author Hagen Buck-Wiese stated during a press release that brown algae excretions are very complex and are complicated to measure.

However, thanks to the team's method, they were able to determine the algae mucus fucoidan was particularly effective when it comes to carbon removal, according to the Carbon Herald.

Also Read: The End is Near: Poisonous Algae Further Stressing Out Great Barrier Reef

Carbon Dioxide and Global Warming

For years, carbon dioxide has been one of the leading greenhouse gases that accelerates the greenhouse effect and global warming, resulting in the ongoing planetary issue of climate change.

With this, carbon has been the subject of various environmental actions worldwide, including the United Nations-led Paris Agreement or Paris Climate Agreement.

Earth's global average on the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide was 414.72 parts per million in 2021, reaching a new record high despite the recurring effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The 2021 record was tied for the 5th highest annual increase in the 63-year record of NOAA.

However, this designation could change in the updated reports of the NOAA from 2022.

Moreover, various research has shown that carbon dioxide contributes to global warming at an unprecedented level.

The uncontrollable human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and burning of fossil fuels have increased the warming of the planet exponentially in the past several decades.

While reducing these human activities are necessary, the recent study on brown algae is significant.