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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The Environmental Risks Associated With the Development of Seaweed Farming in Europe - Prioritizing Key Knowledge Gaps
ClearA baseline studies programme for sustainable and resilient seaweed cultivation in Faroese fjords
Researchers developed a baseline environmental studies programme for seaweed cultivation in Faroese fjords, scoping potential impacts on the marine environment and recommending a monitoring programme to support sustainable and resilient aquaculture development in the Faroe Islands.
Food safety hazards in the European seaweed chain
Researchers reviewed food safety hazards in the European seaweed supply chain, ranking 22 potential hazards based on available evidence. Arsenic, cadmium, iodine, and Salmonella were identified as major hazards, while micro- and nanoplastics were among the hazards where significant data gaps exist. The study recommends collecting more data on these under-researched hazards, noting that factors like seaweed type, cultivation location, and processing methods all influence contaminant levels.
The empirical evidence for the social-ecological impacts of seaweed farming
This systematic review assessed empirical evidence for social and ecological impacts of seaweed farming globally, finding that while benefits like improved water quality and coastal livelihoods are well-documented, many other claimed benefits lack strong empirical support.
Contribution of seaweed farming to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and microplastics pollution
Researchers reviewed how seaweed farming can help fight two major environmental problems: seaweed absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere without competing for agricultural land, and seaweed-derived polymers can be used to make biodegradable plastics that break down without generating persistent microplastics. Scaling up seaweed-based bioplastics remains limited by production costs, but the potential environmental benefits make further research worthwhile.
Learning to discuss safety within the European seaweed aquaculture sector
This paper is not about microplastics. It introduces a generic safety assessment protocol for the European seaweed aquaculture sector, covering food safety, environmental safety, and occupational health. While seaweed farming occurs in marine environments where microplastics are present, the study focuses on developing safety frameworks for the aquaculture industry rather than addressing microplastic contamination.
Development of a framework and toolbox for measuring and evaluating ecosystem interactions of seaweed aquaculture
This Dutch-language study (mostly in Dutch) developed a framework and toolbox for measuring ecosystem integrity in seaweed cultivation areas off the Dutch coast, relevant to scaling up sustainable aquaculture. Healthy coastal ecosystems with minimal microplastic contamination are important for sustainable seaweed production.
Food safety in the seaweed food supply chain : Inventory of production, consumption and chemical and physical hazards
This Dutch food safety report inventories the chemical and physical hazards — including microplastics — present in seaweed cultivated for human consumption. As the seaweed food market grows, understanding contamination risks including plastic particles is important for protecting consumer health.
Victim of changes? Marine macroalgae in a changing world
Researchers reviewed the threats facing marine macroalgae (seaweeds) from anthropogenic stressors including climate change, ocean warming, and pollution. The study suggests that while habitat loss is less severe in oceans compared to land, climate change represents the most significant long-term threat to seaweed species, communities, and the ecosystem services they provide.
Recent Advances in Seaweed Biorefineries and Assessment of Their Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage
This review covers recent advances in seaweed biorefinery technologies for producing biofuels, high-value chemicals, and carbon capture, examining the technical challenges that limit large-scale production. Seaweeds are highlighted for their rapid growth, lack of competition with food crops, and potential for CO2 sequestration.
Improving Microalgae Research and Marketing in the European Atlantic Area: Analysis of Major Gaps and Barriers Limiting Sector Development
Researchers surveyed European microalgae researchers and industry stakeholders to identify scientific, technological, legislative, and market barriers limiting commercial development of microalgae in the Atlantic area. Key gaps identified include lack of standardized regulation, insufficient scale-up technologies, and limited market awareness of microalgae-derived products.
Farmer decision-making in the Indonesian seaweed industry
This paper is not about microplastics; it is a chapter examining how Indonesian seaweed farmers adapt their management practices — species choice, location, timing, and propagule use — in response to environmental and socioeconomic pressures including ice-ice disease.
Microplastics contamination in seaweed: impacts on human health and mitigation approaches
This review found that microplastics contaminate many types of edible seaweed, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms. Since seaweed is consumed worldwide, these microplastics can enter the human body and potentially cause oxidative damage, cell toxicity, and neurotoxicity. More research is needed to fully understand the health risks of eating microplastic-contaminated seaweed.
A comparative environmental life cycle assessment of hatchery, cultivation, and preservation of the kelpSaccharina latissima
Researchers conducted a comparative environmental life cycle assessment of hatchery, cultivation, and preservation stages for the brown seaweed Saccharina latissima at a pilot facility in Sweden, accounting for nutrient bioremediation and carbon capture benefits. The study evaluated the environmental sustainability profile of seaweed cultivation as part of potential contributions to the circular bioeconomy.
Harnessing seaweed farming for climate mitigation in South Korea: evaluating carbon dioxide removal potential and future research directions
Researchers evaluated the potential of seaweed farming as a carbon dioxide removal strategy in South Korea. They found that seaweed cultivation can sequester carbon through biomass storage and dissolved organic carbon release, while also substituting carbon-intensive products. The study suggests that scaling up seaweed aquaculture could contribute meaningfully to climate mitigation goals, though more research is needed on long-term carbon storage pathways.
Exploring Seaweed Cultivation in the Marine Environment and Its Interaction with Microplastic
This review examines interactions between seaweed cultivation in marine environments and microplastic pollution, exploring how seaweed can both accumulate microplastics and potentially be used in bioremediation strategies to reduce plastic contamination in coastal waters.
Dietary exposure to heavy metals and iodine intake via consumption of seaweeds and halophytes in the European population
The European Food Safety Authority assessed dietary exposure to heavy metals and iodine from consuming seaweeds and halophytes across European populations. Researchers analyzed over 2,000 data points and found that while seaweed consumption can contribute beneficial iodine, it also carries risks of exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The study suggests that monitoring and regulation of heavy metals in these increasingly popular foods is important for consumer safety.
Global seaweed farming and processing in the past 20 years
This review examines global seaweed farming and processing trends over the past 20 years, covering production methods, diverse applications, and the challenges facing the industry as seaweed emerges as a promising sustainable resource.
Seaweed restocking along the Chilean coast: History, present, and inspiring recommendations for sustainability
This review examines three decades of strategies to restore commercially harvested seaweed stocks along the Chilean coast, where intensive kelp extraction has depleted natural beds. While biological feasibility has been demonstrated for several species, scaling these pilot approaches cost-effectively to fishing communities remains the key challenge.
Biotechnologies for bulk production of microalgal biomass: from mass cultivation to dried biomass acquisition
This review covers the current technologies for mass-producing microalgal biomass, from large-scale cultivation to harvesting and drying methods. Researchers discuss the challenges that keep production costs high, including contamination control and energy-intensive processing steps. The study highlights microalgae as a sustainable bioresource for food, pharmaceuticals, and feed, while noting that further innovation is needed to make commercial-scale production economically viable.
Co-Culturing Seaweed with Scallops Can Inhibit the Occurrence of Vibrio by Increasing Dissolved Oxygen and pH
Researchers found that co-culturing seaweed with scallops in aquaculture systems can naturally suppress harmful Vibrio bacteria by increasing dissolved oxygen and raising pH levels. Both green and red macroalgae species were effective at inhibiting bacterial growth under laboratory and field conditions. The study offers an eco-friendly strategy for reducing disease risk in shellfish farming without relying on antibiotics or chemicals.
Epimicrobiome Shifts With Bleaching Disease Progression in the Brown Seaweed Saccharina japonica
Researchers characterized shifts in bacterial communities on farmed kelp (Saccharina japonica) during bleaching disease progression, finding that disease stages showed distinct epimicrobial community changes with increased pathogen-associated taxa as bleaching severity worsened.
Seaweed as a sink for microplastic contamination: Uptake, identifications and food safety implications
This review examines how seaweed, a widely consumed food, absorbs and accumulates microplastics from ocean water. Research shows seaweed can account for up to 45.5% of total dietary microplastic intake in some regions, with particularly high levels in South Asia. The findings are concerning for human health because seaweed is eaten directly and is also increasingly used in health supplements and food additives.
A global spatial analysis reveals where marine aquaculture can benefit nature and people
A global spatial analysis identified marine ecoregions with the greatest potential for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture to simultaneously restore coastal ecosystems and provide food benefits to humanity, with highest opportunity regions in Oceania, North America, and parts of Asia. The study proposes a strategic framework for expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in alignment with ecosystem recovery goals.
Rethinking material use in low-trophic aquaculture: A global review
This systematic review reveals that low-trophic aquaculture — farming seaweed and shellfish often promoted as sustainable — actually relies heavily on plastic materials like ropes, nets, and floats. These plastics degrade in seawater and release microplastics directly into marine environments. The findings challenge assumptions about the environmental friendliness of these farming practices.