Primary production on mudflats

AXIS 1: Carbon source, transfer, transmission and storage along the land-coastal zone-atmosphere continuum;

Primary Production on Mudflats

Intertidal mudflats, though covering only 0.036% of the ocean’s surface, play a significant role in global carbon cycling. These ecosystems host benthic microalgae, like diatoms, which contribute up to 500 million tons of carbon uptake annually. My research is primarily based out of New Brunswick, Canada, home to the world's largest tides, where intertidal mudflats are abundant. Using remote sensing, I aim to develop a pipeline for monitoring biofilm formation and analyzing seasonal and diurnal variations in microalgal biomass and CO2 fluxes. This collaboration with researchers at Nantes University, who are conducting similar studies, will enhance the accuracy of my work by addressing biases in satellite imagery and improving model precision.