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Antarctica’s Hidden Carbon Sink: Inside the Science of Blue Carbon

Massive tabular iceberg rising from the dark waters of the Southern Ocean, representing the Antarctic ecosystems at the center of blue carbon research

What is blue carbon and why does it matter?

I’m sure we’ve all heard about the importance of forests in capturing and storing carbon in order to mitigate climate change, but have you heard of blue carbon? Blue carbon also refers to CO2 being captured, but within oceans and other bodies of water. Essentially the liquid version of what forests do for our planet.

The great appeal of blue carbon is essentially that it is more efficient at capturing carbon than its drier counterpart. The term tends to focus on tropical ecosystems: mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. Doctor Narissa Bax focuses on Antarctic blue carbon, which is the same concept, in the colder climate of the Southern Ocean, a place that has taken on unexpected levels of carbon sequestration.

The Scientist Behind the Research

Dr. Narissa Bax is a polar marine ecologist, originally from New Zealand, who has worked much of her life in Tasmania and is now based in Greenland. Dr. Bax has led expeditions in some of the most remote marine environments on Earth, from the Southern Ocean to the sub-Antarctic, and her work has been recognized by the IPCC, COP27, and Australia’s 100 Climate Conversations. She is also one of the co-authors of an article published in Frontiers in Marine Science titled, “The Growing Potential of Antarctic Blue Carbon.” She is a leading researcher on Antarctic blue carbon and its cycles in the Southern Ocean.

Blue Carbon vs. Antarctic Blue Carbon

To review, blue carbon is carbon that is stored and sequestered by marine ecosystems. Since around 2009, it has become a much more central part of the climate change discussion due to its higher efficiency carbon capture and sequestration, often able to store the CO2 for hundreds of years.

Antarctic blue carbon is essentially the same concept, but in the Southern Ocean and with a longer duration of sequestration.

The key players in the Southern Ocean are the phytoplankton at the surface and the deep-sea corals and sponge fields on the seafloor. Imagine the Great Barrier Reef, but in a cold, dark, Antarctic context. There is quite a lot more animal life down there than you may imagine.

On top of that, with the melting ice in that area, we are seeing phytoplankton blooms on the surface, who are, as a result in direct contact with animals living on the seafloor, leading to faster growth and extended opportunities to feed. We are also seeing some increases in the capacity of those animals to grow and retain carbon in their skeletons.

The phytoplankton living in the surface column consume the carbon and sequester it. If their bodies are buried below the sediment, the oxygenated layer, it ends up being taken out of the carbon cycle for hundreds to thousands of years! This had been happening naturally in the Antarctic and is an incredibly impressive process in the battle against climate change. In response to rising temperatures, this ecosystem is becoming more adaptive and “consuming” more of the carbon that is being output.

Carbon Storage vs. Carbon Sequestration

In order to understand the political and business implications of these findings, it helps to have a clear distinction between carbon storage and carbon sequestration. Carbon storage refers only to capturing and holding carbon without specific definitions of how long it will be held for. Carbon sequestration is the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and putting it somewhere else, for longer amounts of time, typically over 100 years.

This distinction matters not only factually but also in looking at ecological conservation and quantifying it in monetary terms within a larger business context. Under the Paris Agreement, for example, certain emission limits have been set that businesses need to abide by. If they do not meet the criteria, they are allowed to purchase carbon credits from projects that are removing or reducing CO2 from the atmosphere in order to offset the emissions that they themselves produce.

How Does Blue Carbon Fit Into the Conversation?

The discussion around carbon credits varies on the quality of the credit and the level of removal or sequestration, and is a great topic of debate and, as are many other environmental topics, very politicized.

“In the carbon credit system, only carbon that is permanently removed from the atmosphere for centuries or more is truly considered sequestration. When applied to the ocean, blue carbon projects such as restoring mangroves, seagrass meadows, or salt marshes are increasingly being used in the system. However, the deep sea, where carbon can be stored for thousands of years, operates differently from coastal blue carbon. And because carbon markets are political as much as they are scientific, who gets to claim credit for that sequestration, how it’s verified, and whether it’s really offsetting emissions long term are ongoing debates.”Dr. Narissa Bax, Polar Marine Ecologist (via Pine Forest Media)

Carbon markets are highly politicized spaces that are still developing in terms of regulation. With many large corporations vying for ways to make their image more green, blue carbon and Antarctic blue carbon serve as high topics of interest due to their long sequestration potential.

Protections and Governance in Antarctica

The Antarctic Treaty System is an international framework that governs Antarctic relations and dedicates the space to peace, science, and environmental protection; cutting it off from territorial claims, nuclear waste, and prohibiting military activity below 60 degrees south latitude. This space of land and sea is meant to be a preserve held for the benefit of humankind.

The treaties are very important in terms of environmental protection, but were made in a very different era of time. When they were created they mostly focused on fisheries practices and did not take into account the problems with global warming that we face today. Looking forward, scientists and many others in the environmental space are looking to center on modernizing future treaties and making them more applicable to today’s circumstances.

“So finding ways to make these treaties that are globally applicable and collaborative, and meaningful, is to also understand that biodiversity and climate change are linked.”Dr. Narissa Bax (via Pine Forest Media)

Scientists are looking to adapt what is already in place to be more focused on climate change and upholding Earth’s functions as much as possible.

So much of this area of the world still remains unexplored. There is a big need for continued long-term, collaborative, multi-disciplinary research to take place in order to push us towards a cleaner Earth.

Blue Carbon and Hope for the Future

Blue carbon is not a cure-all, but it is certainly something to be excited about in terms of climate change. (Proceed with cautious optimism.) Antarctic blue carbon is an entity that exists within a protected place, is a system that exists naturally, and is responding and adapting to climate change. This is a rare chance to preserve mostly unharmed, functioning ecosystems before they are degraded.

“…it is an example of working with something that holds a bit of hope because it’s based on protecting areas that are largely intact and biodiverse and functioning in their healthy natural state for the most part, as far as we know. I think it’s incredibly important to protect those areas for the future, obviously, but it’s also really beautiful for and hopeful as a scientist to be able to work in those locations and to hold on to that idea that you’re working on something that will translate into conservation and you’re not necessarily documenting the decline, you’re looking from a collaborative explorative perspective as well.”Dr. Narissa Bax (via Pine Forest Media)

Antarctica’s ecosystems are crucial in connection to global systems that fight climate change worldwide. They provide us with a model of hope to look towards the future with and a way to connect with an utterly critical part of our ecosystem that we know so little about. Antarctic blue carbon is a distant lighthouse of hope in a dark, stormy ocean of bad news.

You can find Dr. Narissa Bax on Instagram, Twitter, or on her website. More than anything, she encourages people to continue engaging in scientific conversations and learning as much as they can!

This article is courtesy of the Oceanography podcast from Pine Forest Media, the only independent podcast network in the world dedicated entirely to environmental science storytelling. Episodes are available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram: @pineforestmedia

Written by: Madelyn Choi Weir

About the Author

Madelyn Choi Weir is a New York-based freelance journalist, a producer with Pine Forest Media, and a public relations professional. Her work focuses on environmental storytelling and global travel. As an artist and polyglot, she seeks to amplify stories from around the world that have a story worth telling.

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Issue 132 - May 2026

SeaKeepers Welcomes Dr. Mark Luther as First Scientist Chairman, Marking a New Era for Ocean Research

The International SeaKeepers Society marks a historic milestone, appointing Dr. Mark Luther of the University of South Florida as its first scientist Chairman, succeeding Jay Wade and signaling a deeper scientific chapter for the yachting-led conservation organization.
Jay Wade and Dr. Mark Luther of The International SeaKeepers Society
Outgoing Chairman Jay Wade with incoming Scientist Chairman Dr. Mark Luther. Photo: SeaKeepers.

April 10, 2026. The Board of Directors of The International SeaKeepers Society has announced a leadership transition, extending its deepest gratitude to outgoing Chairman Jay Wade and welcoming Dr. Mark Luther as the organization’s first scientist Chairman, a historic milestone for the ocean conservation NGO.

During his tenure, Jay Wade provided steady, thoughtful leadership, guiding the organization through a period of growth while remaining anchored in SeaKeepers’ mission to advance oceanographic research, conservation, and marine education. A passionate advocate for the yachting and boating community, Wade championed a vision of transforming private vessels into platforms for scientific discovery, expanding the organization’s global reach and strengthening its role as a bridge between ocean science and the maritime industry.

A first scientist Chairman for SeaKeepers

Dr. Mark Luther brings decades of expertise in physical oceanography and maritime systems, alongside a lifelong connection to the water. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently serves as Professor and Director of the Center for Maritime and Port Studies at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.

With over 30 years of experience supporting oceanographic observation systems, including longstanding work with NOAA’s Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, Dr. Luther has been at the forefront of integrating science with real-world maritime operations. His leadership extends across key regional and federal committees, where he collaborates closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, port authorities, and maritime stakeholders to address environmental challenges tied to marine transportation.

A dedicated member of the SeaKeepers community, Dr. Luther has served as Chair of the organization’s Scientific Advisory Council, helping to guide and elevate its scientific initiatives. He is also an avid boater and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, having spent more than four decades navigating the waters of Tampa Bay and Florida’s west coast.

“With years of dedicated service to SeaKeepers, Mark brings a deep understanding of our mission to this role. It is exciting to see him step into the position of Chairman and help guide the organization forward.”

Jay Wade, outgoing Chairman, The International SeaKeepers Society

Dr. Luther’s appointment signals an exciting new chapter for SeaKeepers, one that deepens the organization’s scientific leadership while continuing to engage the global fleet in meaningful ocean research, education, and conservation.

About The International SeaKeepers Society. The International SeaKeepers Society works with the yachting community to take part in research, conservation, and educational efforts that advance the health of the ocean. Learn more at seakeepers.org or @seakeepers on social.

Adapted from a press release issued by The International SeaKeepers Society on April 10, 2026.

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Issue 132 - May 2026

Falmouth Harbour Trials the World’s First All-Concrete Pontoon Float to Replace EPS in Marinas

Falmouth Harbour is trialling the world’s first all-concrete marina pontoon, designed by Cornwall-based ScaffFloat, as a recyclable alternative to Expanded Polystyrene floats and a step toward cutting marine microplastic pollution.

Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Falmouth Harbour is trialling the world’s first all-concrete marina pontoon float, designed and built by the team at ScaffFloat in neighbouring Penryn, in a first step to removing all Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) floats from its leisure and commercial operations.

The Harbour has pledged to move away from EPS products in the light of mounting evidence that polystyrene microplastics in the world’s oceans inflict serious damage on the marine environment and life within it. Polystyrene, globally used for its lightness and buoyancy, is made from fossil fuels, is virtually un-decomposable, and when it breaks down into microplastics can be ingested by marine life with devastating consequences.

“The amount of broken-up polystyrene around our creeks and rivers, particularly after this year’s storms, is awful to see and very hard to clean up without damaging the delicate ecology of our shorelines. Expanded Polystyrene fragments in the marine environment pose a serious ecological concern, as seabirds, fish, turtles and other fauna mistake EPS beads for food, which can cause internal injuries or death; entering the food chain poses health risks to humans as well.”

Vicki Spooner, Environment Manager, Falmouth Harbour

Inside the Reef Float: an inert, recyclable alternative to EPS

Penryn marine company ScaffFloat Ltd has tackled the challenge of finding alternatives to traditional pontoons by inventing the “Reef Float.” Their first commercial prototype, made entirely from concrete, has been undergoing trials beneath a Falmouth Harbour pontoon. ScaffFloat developed the new product as part of a business development project that received £284,787 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of Cornwall’s Good Growth Programme.

The Reef Float’s buoyant core is made using ultra-low-density waterproof concrete, instead of EPS foam, and the core is then cast inside a high-strength engineered concrete skin. In the highly unlikely event that a Reef Float ever failed, the materials would simply sit inertly as stone in the marine environment, whereas a cracked-open EPS float exposes its polystyrene foam core to the marine elements.

“We replaced a failing EPS pontoon float at Falmouth Harbour with a Reef Float, where it survived all that this January’s storms could throw at it. It’s what we would expect, of course, as we’ve designed it to be strong with an ultra-long life. But it’s also completely inert in the marine environment and 100 percent recyclable, so a game-changing alternative to the EPS floats currently used all over the world.”

Toby Budd, Founder and Managing Director, ScaffFloat

Local innovation, global stage

Local MP Jayne Kirkham, checking out the new Reef Float in Falmouth, called it “exactly the kind of innovation we want to see in Cornwall: local businesses developing practical but cutting-edge solutions to global environmental challenges. Cutting polystyrene pollution from our waters while creating skilled jobs is a win for our marine environment and our economy. I’m proud to see government funding helping projects like this lead the way.”

“Falmouth Harbour has made the conscious decision to move away from EPS foam pontoons in all our operations, and it’s fantastic that our neighbours at ScaffFloat are the first company to offer a plastic-free alternative. Reef Floats are easily installed, in situ, on a rolling basis, as and when we need to replace old EPS floats, and they have a zero-cost, 100 percent recyclable end-of-life disposal. It’s another tremendous example of Cornish ingenuity, and we look forward to working with them into the future.”

Miles Carden, CEO, Falmouth Harbour

The Reef Float team has been shortlisted for the Innovation Award at Marina26 in Australia this May, with an invitation to attend and present at the biggest marina conference in the world, demonstrating what a major issue EPS has become for the marina industry and legislative authorities alike.

Australia itself lost more than 1,000 pontoons in the 2022 Queensland floods, where they broke up and created an environmental disaster known as the “White Spill,” with the ocean and beaches covered with EPS balls that were almost impossible to clear up.

Learn more. For more information on Reef Float and parent company ScaffFloat, visit scafffloat.co.uk/reeffloat. For more on Falmouth Harbour, including its wide-ranging environmental initiatives, see falmouthharbour.co.uk.

Adapted from a press release issued by Louise Midgley Communications, on behalf of ScaffFloat and Falmouth Harbour.

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Conservation Photography

Little Cayman Hope Spot Shows Early Signs of Reef Recovery After the World’s Most Extreme Coral Bleaching Event

CCMI’s 2025 Healthy Reefs Report Card shows Little Cayman’s coral cover edging back to 13.4 percent, an early but unmistakable sign that the island’s reefs are beginning to recover from the world’s most extreme coral bleaching event.

Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Marking Earth Day 2026, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) released its 2025 Healthy Reefs Report Card, revealing early signs of recovery and renewed hope for Little Cayman’s reefs after the most extreme coral bleaching event on record in 2023.

The summer of 2023 was the hottest ever measured, and it brought with it one of the most extensive global coral bleaching events in modern history, decimating reefs from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific and casting their future in doubt. CCMI’s Healthy Reefs campaign has tracked Little Cayman’s reefs since 1998, and the 2024 surveys delivered the bleakest numbers in the program’s history: coral cover had collapsed to 9.8 percent, down from 26 percent before the marine heatwave.

This year’s data tells a different story. The 2025 surveys, summarized in the new Report Card, show coral cover edging back up to 13.4 percent. The shift is not yet statistically significant, but the direction is unmistakable: recovery in Little Cayman has begun.

A site-by-site picture

Zoom in from the island-wide average and the recovery looks more layered. Twenty percent of surveyed sites posted a significant increase in coral cover between 2024 and 2025. One site, Coral City, held the line entirely through the bleaching, exhibiting no significant loss. In total, 30 percent of sites have either maintained pre-bleaching coral levels or demonstrated significant recovery this year. The remaining 70 percent show either minor, non-significant recovery or no recovery at all.

Reef recovery is rarely visible on a 12 to 24 month horizon. Corals are slow-growing animals, and even after a disturbance ends, biologists typically expect at least three years before measurable rebound, and a minimum of seven years (sometimes nearly thirty) for a reef to return to pre-bleaching baselines. Against that timeline, what CCMI is recording in 2025 is striking: the resilience built into Little Cayman, with strong protections and minimal local disturbance, appears to be doing exactly what reef science predicts it should do.

Fish populations holding the line

While coral cover is still climbing back, fish populations have continued to thrive. CCMI has documented consistent increases in fish density since 2016, with a dramatic jump in density and biomass in 2024 that held through 2025. That matters more than it might sound: herbivorous fish keep macro-algae in check, and when algae is left unchecked it can smother corals and block new recruits from settling. A healthy reef-fish community is, in many ways, what makes coral recovery possible at all.

A Hope Spot earning its name

Little Cayman is a Mission Blue Hope Spot, a designation that frames the island as a small-but-mighty example of what marine protection can look like when conservation is prioritized. Under the pressures the ocean is now under, that framing reads less like marketing copy and more like a working hypothesis the reef is steadily proving out.

The island has form here. Little Cayman’s Nassau grouper spawning aggregation rebounded from roughly 1,000 individuals to nearly 9,000 over a decade, one of the most cited recovery stories in the Caribbean. The early coral signal in the 2025 Report Card could become another chapter in that record.

The nursery, and three resilient genotypes

CCMI’s coral nursery was hit hard during the 2023 bleaching, losing close to 90 percent of its stock. Genetic work in the aftermath identified three staghorn coral genotypes that survived nearly 20 degree-heating weeks. Since 2023, those three genotypes have rebuilt the nursery from just 17 fragments to nearly 300 as of March 2026. CCMI’s nursery likely represents one of the last remaining populations of the critically endangered staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis, in Little Cayman.

Why this matters beyond Little Cayman

Hope Spots like Little Cayman do not just protect their own waters. They function as larval source populations, exporting recruits along ocean currents to less resilient reefs downstream. In a warming ocean where many sites have lost their capacity to bounce back unaided, these pockets of resilience are increasingly the difference between regional collapse and regional recovery.

The 2025 numbers do not erase what 2023 took. Coral cover is still well below pre-heatwave levels, and the recovery is partial, uneven, and fragile. But for the first time since the bleaching, the trendline is pointing in the right direction. As CCMI puts it, research and science-based actions are critical right now to understand the ecological processes driving this resilience and to translate that understanding into management and protection.

Acknowledgments

CCMI thanks this year’s Healthy Reefs sponsors: Wheaton Precious Metals International, Foster’s Supermarket, Cayman Water, and Ugland Properties; and the Restoration program sponsors who made the work possible: The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust, Artex Cayman Islands, Walkers, and Marfire.

Read the full 2025 Healthy Reefs Report Card at tinyurl.com/CCMI-25HRR and learn more about the Healthy Reefs campaign at reefresearch.org/our-work/research/healthy-reefs/.

Adapted from a press release issued by the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI), April 22, 2026. Photo credit: CCMI.

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