You can reduce the amount of emitted greenhouse gases by removing seaweed that decomposes on the beach, as rotten seaweed emits methane and CO2.
The quantity and type of algae varies for each location and can be significantly different from locations that are geographically close to each other. This work package aims to find relevant places to collect aquatic biomass as well as measurements of CO2 emissions from the biomass. Selection of collection sites will be based on quantities of available biomass, access to the site, the type of algae present as well as environmental technical conditions and permits from local authorities. The assessment of this will take place via direct inspection, dialogue with local authorities, overflight with drones and by measurements of how much CO2 emissions the algae make up in water and on the beach, respectively. This preparatory work forms the basis for future consolidated assessment of the potential for reducing greenhouse gases through large-scale removal of macroalgae and eelgrass in the water.
Department of Biology, SDU (BI-SDU) is a subcontractor in the project. The institute focuses on basic and applied research in natural and restored marine ecosystems and focuses specifically on human impacts, including eutrophication and climate change. In BI-SDU, they can provide the evidence-based knowledge and analysis required to test the composition of aquatic biomass and the potential greenhouse gas emissions of methane and CO2, while this material is submerged and degraded. These tasks build on the conclusions from the project Interreg CONTRA, of which BI-SDU is a partner. In BI-SDU, assistant professor (assistant professor) Cintia O. Quintana coordinates the field and laboratory activities, data processing and interpretation. Cintia O. Quintana has more than 12 years of experience in working with Danish marine flora and fauna as well as biogeochemistry and cycles of C, N and P. Thomas Busk, research assistant at SDI-BI and has approx. 3 years of experience, through Interreg CONTRA, with measuring greenhouse gases in the field and providing environmental assessment of beach flushing.