Carbon sequestration processes and mechanisms in coastal mariculture environments in China

China is the global leader in mariculture production. Increasing sequestered marine carbon (also known as blue carbon) via mariculture activities is a promising approach for mitigating climate change and promoting the development of a low-carbon economy. Mariculture blue carbon is also considered an important component of China’s “sea granary”. In addition to shellfish and macroalgae yields, which represent carbon removed from mariculture environment, blue carbon also includes other important components, which have been largely neglected in the past, such as the carbon transformed by microbes, dissolved organic carbon (mainly referred to as recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon), and sedimentary particulate carbon. Hence, from different aspects, a comprehensive study on the formation processes and mechanisms of carbon sequestration is of great significance for comprehensively unveiling the carbon sequestration capability in coastal mariculture environment, which will contribute to the sustainable development of the fishery economy and construction of an ecological civilization. Moreover, it may add significant economic benefits to the future carbon-trading market.