24. What is Antarctic Blue Carbon?

Antarctic seafloor life stores carbon for centuries. Marine ecologist Dr. Narissa Bax explains Antarctic blue carbon, the carbon captured and stored by marine organisms and ocean habitats. The episode follows carbon from phytoplankton through cold-water coral gardens, sponge fields, kelp, and other seafloor ecosystems, where some of it can eventually be buried in sediment for hundreds or thousands of years. Bax examines the growing scientific effort to measure this seafloor carbon storage, its relationship with biodiversity, and how blue carbon could support marine protected areas and conservation policy. The discussion also considers bottom trawling, carbon credits, and the limits of presenting Antarctic blue carbon as a simple climate solution. Support our science communication by joining us on Patreon or sending us a gift on PayPal Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media website Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese Find Dr. Narissa Bax website here. Read Dr Bax’s publication: The Growing Potential of Antarctic Blue Carbon Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia Hosted, produced, written, and edited by Clark Marchese Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong. Theme music by Nela Ruiz Find some more Pine Forest Media podcasts below Listen to Oceanography on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Listen to Plastic Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Listen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.