Seagrass Research – Building environmental research tanks

Seagrasses are a critical part of marine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a variety of marine life while also playing a significant role in carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. However, seagrass populations are under threat due to human activities such as coastal development, dredging, and pollution. In recent years, environmental research tanks have become essential tools for scientists to understand the benefits of seagrass in our oceans and coasts.

Environmental research tanks are designed to simulate natural ocean environments and provide researchers with the ability to control and manipulate various environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and light levels. These tanks allow scientists to conduct experiments on seagrasses under controlled conditions, providing valuable insights into how these plants function and interact with their surroundings.

One of the most significant benefits of seagrass is its ability to sequester carbon. Seagrasses are known to store large amounts of carbon in their tissues and in the surrounding sediments, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, the exact mechanisms of carbon storage and sequestration are not yet fully understood. Environmental research tanks have provided a way for scientists to study seagrasses and their carbon sequestration abilities in a controlled environment, allowing for more accurate measurements and observations.

In addition to their carbon sequestration abilities, seagrasses provide essential habitat for a variety of marine life, including fish, shellfish, and sea turtles. Seagrass beds are also important nursery grounds for many species, providing protection and food for young marine animals. However, seagrass populations are under threat from a variety of human activities, including pollution, dredging, and coastal development. Environmental research tanks have helped scientists to better understand the impacts of these activities on seagrass populations and the marine life that depend on them.

Another important benefit of seagrass is its ability to cycle nutrients. Seagrasses take up nutrients from the water and sediment, using them for growth and development. When seagrass leaves and stems die, they decompose and release nutrients back into the water and sediment, supporting the growth of other marine organisms. Environmental research tanks have provided scientists with a way to study the nutrient cycling abilities of seagrasses and how they are affected by changing environmental conditions.

One example of a seagrass research project that has benefited from the use of environmental research tanks is the Ocean and Coastal Carbon Biogeochemistry (OCCB) Program, funded by the National Science Foundation. This program aims to understand the processes that control carbon cycling in coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows. OCCB researchers use environmental research tanks to simulate the conditions of seagrass meadows, studying the impacts of changing temperatures and ocean acidification on seagrass growth and carbon sequestration.

Overall, environmental research tanks have become an essential tool for scientists to better understand the benefits of seagrass in our oceans and coasts. These tanks allow for controlled experiments that can provide valuable insights into the functioning and interactions of seagrass ecosystems, as well as the impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. With the help of environmental research tanks, scientists are better equipped to protect and conserve seagrass populations and the many marine species that depend on them.