Quantifying Carbon Sequestration and Ecosystem Enhancement Through Novel Phytoplankton Farming Techniques

Arshia Farmahini Farahani, Nika Kasraei

Phytoplankton farming emerges as a critical nature-based solution to address the intertwined crises of 
climate change and marine ecosystem degradation. As foundational drivers of oceanic carbon cycling, 
phytoplankton generate ~50% of Earth’s oxygen and sequester 10–20 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually 
through the biological carbon pump . This study develops scalable cultivation techniques to enhance 
phytoplankton biomass in nutrient-depleted oceanic deserts and productive upwelling zones using 
controlled iron-enrichment experiments (5–20 µM Fe) and field trials supported by autonomous 
underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our laboratory results reveal a 45% increase in phytoplankton biomass (p 
< 0.01, ANOVA) under iron-enriched conditions, while field data from the South Atlantic Ocean 
demonstrate a 2.8 g C/m²/day carbon sequestration rate , a 180% improvement over baseline levels in 
oligotrophic regions. Case studies, including the AquaGen Initiative (Chile) and Baltic Blue Growth 
Project, showcase region-specific success, with fisheries productivity rising by 22%–35% and dissolved 
CO₂ reduced by 15% in target areas. To balance ecological and socioeconomic goals, we integrate 
ethical governance frameworks (e.g., UNCLOS Article 196) and adaptive management strategies to 
mitigate risks such as harmful algal blooms and ecosystem disruption. By combining machine 
learning-driven monitoring with socioeconomic modeling, this research provides a replicable framework 
for policymakers to align phytoplankton farming with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 13 and 
14) while bolstering coastal community resilience. Our findings position phytoplankton farming as a 
cornerstone of the blue economy, projecting a potential 3–5 gigaton annual CO₂ drawdown by 2050 if 
deployed across 10% of High-Nutrient, Low-Chlorophyll (HNLC) zones . This work underscores the 
transformative role of phytoplankton cultivation in simultaneously combating climate change, restoring 
marine biodiversity, and fostering sustainable development.