Marine and coastal plant-based ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass meadows and macroalgae (seaweeds), play a significant role in capturing and storing atmospheric carbon. Understanding these blue carbon resources is increasingly important in tackling climate change, so KAUST researchers are finding out more about the understudied realm of the Red Sea’s macroalgae species.

“Not many people will think of seaweed as a versatile tool. But alongside sequestering carbon, certain macroalgae species hold potential for bioremediation, helping restore polluted coastal areas and improve overall ecosystem health,” says Chunzhi Cai, former Ph.D. student at KAUST. “Some species are excellent at filtering out metal contaminants, for example, while others can help prevent eutrophication and algal blooms.”

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