Beyond the Bloom: Invasive Seaweed Sargassum spp. as a Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture and Blue Economy—A Multifaceted Approach to Biodegradable Films, Biostimulants, and Carbon Mitigation

Elena Martínez-Martínez (), Alexander H. Slocum (), María Laura Ceballos, Paula Aponte and Andrés Guillermo Bisonó-León
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Elena Martínez-Martínez: Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Alexander H. Slocum: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Building 3 Room 443, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
María Laura Ceballos: SOS Biotech, Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo 10127, Dominican Republic
Paula Aponte: CurubaTech, Carrera 10, Bogota 110411, Colombia
Andrés Guillermo Bisonó-León: SOS Carbon S.R.L., Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo 10127, Dominican Republic

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-29

Abstract: The Anthropocene has ushered in unprecedented environmental challenges, with invasive seaweed blooms emerging as a critical yet understudied facet of climate change. These blooms, driven by nutrient runoff and oceanic alterations, disrupt ecosystems, threaten biodiversity, and impose economic and public health burdens on coastal communities. However, invasive seaweeds also present an opportunity as a sustainable resource. This study explores the valorization of Sargassum spp. for agricultural applications, focusing on the development of biodegradable bioplastics and biostimulants. Field trials demonstrated the effectiveness of Marine Symbiotic ® Sargassum-derived biostimulant in distinct agricultural contexts. In the Dominican Republic, trials on pepper crops showed significant improvements, including a 33.26% increase in fruit weight, a 21.94% rise in fruit set percentage, a 45% higher yield under high-stress conditions, and a 48.42% reduction in fruit rejection compared to control. In Colombia, trials across four leafy green varieties revealed biomass increases of up to 360%, a 50% reduction in synthetic input dependency, and enhanced crop coloration, improving marketability. Additionally, Sargassum-based biofilms exhibited favorable mechanical properties and biodegradability, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural plastics. Carbon credit quantification revealed that valorizing Sargassum could prevent up to 89,670 tons of CO 2 -equivalent emissions annually using just one Littoral Collection Module ® harvesting system, while biostimulant application enhanced carbon sequestration in crops. These findings underscore the potential of invasive seaweed valorization to address multiple climate challenges, from reducing plastic pollution and GHG emissions to enhancing agricultural resilience, thereby contributing to a sustainable Blue Economy and aligning with global sustainability goals.

Keywords: invasive seaweed; Sargassum spp.; Blue Economy; sustainable agriculture; bioplastics; biostimulants; carbon credits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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