Seabed sediments have been overlooked as a carbon store

Protecting oceans and seabeds is essential in combating climate change. Oceans have absorbed over 90% of excess heat from global warming and at least 25% of global CO2 emissions. While coastal habitats such as mangroves and seagrass beds are recognised for their carbon storage, seabed sediments have been overlooked. Recent research has created high-resolution maps of carbon in Canada's seabed sediments, revealing they hold 10.9 billion tons of carbon—100 times that of Canadian seagrass beds and saltmarshes combined. Including seabed carbon stocks in conservation efforts could significantly enhance climate change mitigation strategies. (Phys.org)