Arshia Farmahini Farahani* and Nika Kasraei
Farming phytoplankton has significant potential in addressing global warming and enriching marine ecosystems. Moreover, phytoplankton is more or less the ocean's small powerhouse, with the ability to sequester carbon, produce oxygen, and support food webs for marine ecosystems. To explore this potential, we developed new cultivation techniques to increase phytoplankton populations in nutrient-poor oceanic deserts and nutrient-rich upwelling zones through laboratory experiments and in situ field observations. Consequently, both laboratory and in situ field observations revealed an evident increase in phytoplankton biomass and carbon sequestration efficiency due to enhanced nutrient enrichments with iron. Furthermore, this paper establishes that, if appropriately developed and scaled up, phytoplankton farming may just be one of the game-changing tools toward global climate change mitigation and marine ecosystem restoration. Case studies further demonstrate the successful application of these techniques across a variety of marine environments, setting out lines for wider application. In addition, the implications for sustainable fishery management, socioeconomic benefits for coastal communities, ethical considerations, and the need for effective and collaborative governance are also discussed. Ultimately, this work provides a body of knowledge essential for the sustainable management of the ocean, offering actionable insights for scientists, policymakers, and practitioners committed to progressing efforts in monitoring ocean health and marine conservation.
