Volume 36: Intelligent Energy Solutions for Resilient Urban Systems

Carbon Sequestration Capacity of Cold Seep Bivalves in the South China Sea Chaofeng Cai, Jing-Chun Feng, Xiaochun Zhang, Si Zhang, Yufan Zhou

Abstract

The bivalves in cold seep ecosystem can assimilate dissolves inorganic carbon (DIC) into their shell through extrapallial fluid (EPF) and methane through endosymbionts on their gills. Therefore, the DIC and methane released from cold seep can be decreased by the biological metabolism process of the bivalves, which can reduce such carbon enter into the atmosphere. Yet the contribution of cold seep bivalves are not considered hitherto. We choose three common bivalves from cold seep of South China Sea, Bathymodiolus platifrons, Gigantidas haimaensis, Archivesica marissinica and measure the carbon content as well as wet weight and dry weight. Comparing to five shellfish species the cold seep bivalves can store more carbon into their tissue. Combining the fact they feed on methane-oxidizing bacteria and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, they can reduce the methane possibly released to the air. The Archivesica marissinica bivalves have the best carbon sequestration capacity for higher tissue weight.

Keywords Cold Seep Bivalves, Carbon Content, Carbon Sequestration Capacity