From Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal to Circular Blue Bioeconomy: A Systematic Review of Seaweed Cultivation, Verification, and Sustainability Trade-offs

[Geoengineering News]

https://i-joins.pustakapublisher.com/index.php/i-joins/article/view/8

Authors: Sri Mulyani

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65094/i-joins.v1i2.8

Abstract

Seaweed cultivation has gained global attention as a potential marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) strategy and as a cornerstone of the emerging circular blue bioeconomy. However, claims regarding its climate mitigation potential remain scientifically contested and unevenly governed. This systematic literature review synthesizes evidence across four interlinked dimensions: (i) carbon accounting, verification, and permanence; (ii) ecosystem and biogeochemical sustainability trade-offs; (iii) monitoring, MRV readiness, and spatial governance; and (iv) circular bioeconomy valorisation pathways.

Drawing on multidisciplinary studies spanning modeling, field measurements, life cycle assessment, remote sensing, spatial planning, and biorefinery research, the review finds that high biomass productivity does not equate to verified atmospheric CO₂ removal. Credible mCDR outcomes depend critically on system boundary definition, carbon fate, residence time, and conservative treatment of substitution and leakage. Ecosystem impacts are highly context-specific, with integrated mariculture systems delivering both co-benefits and feedbacks that complicate net climate claims. While monitoring and spatial planning tools have advanced rapidly, standardized MRV pipelines linking observation to verification remain underdeveloped.

The review further shows that circular valorisation pathways provide a more robust and immediate rationale for scaling seaweed cultivation than carbon offsets alone, although they face constraints related to quality, safety, logistics, and end-of-life management. Overall, this review proposes an integrative framework that positions seaweed cultivation primarily within the circular blue bioeconomy, with mCDR treated as a conditional co-benefit supported by transparent uncertainty reporting and conservative claims. This synthesis offers actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and investors seeking responsible pathways for ocean-based climate and sustainability solutions.

Source: I-joins: International Journal of Innovation and Sustainability