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oai:figshare.com:article/32641923 2026-10-01T16:19:42Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Methods to identify the release and sequestration of carbon from kelp Molly Virginia Crowe (24170343) PUREID: 658806487 kelp detritus carbon sequestration eDNA metabarcoding marine decomposers fatty acid analysis lipids This research aimed to detect kelp-derived carbon in Irish Sea samples to see if sources of detritus could be identified to species resolution. The species, L. hyperborea, L. digitata and S. latissima, were focused on within the Irish Sea as a study system. In Chapter 2, ITS2 metabarcoding using ITS3 and D1F2 primers successfully differentiated between the kelp species in sediment and seawater samples. However, sediment samples were more successful suggesting further optimization is required to improve detection success. <br><br>In Chapter 3, fatty acid analysis was used to investigate possible biomarkers for each species in a laboratory study and if this technique could differentiate the detrital contributions of these kelp into sediment in the Irish Sea. Three potential fatty acid biomarkers were identified for L. hyperborea, one was identified for L. digitata and none for S. latissima. Due to the variable nature of fatty acids, we were limited in how the results of the laboratory degradation experiment could be related to the results from Irish Sea samples. In Chapter 4, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was explored as a metric of algal responses to environmental influences. In Experiment 1, a significant difference in DOC from S. latissima was found for temperature treatments, but not between oscillatory treatments. In Experiment 2, we observed a seasonal difference in C:N ratios in algal tissue for both species which is consistent with previous research. Despite analytical setbacks, we proved the concept of an experimental design that studies the concurrent effects of oscillatory motion and seawater temperature across species and seasons. These findings show the contribution of carbon from kelp to the environment is complex. Sample type can impact the efficacy of different analysis methods, and environmental variables can impact both the initial release of carbon from macroalgae, and the way it accumulates in marine sediments. <br> 2026-10-01T16:19:42Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32641923.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Methods_to_identify_the_release_and_sequestration_of_carbon_from_kelp/32641923 All Rights Reserved