Seaweed could survive a nuclear war and could feed survivors, study

In a world where the threat of nuclear war looms, particularly between nations like the United States, Russia, and the India-Pakistan region, scientists are exploring unconventional solutions to ensure human survival.

A recent study published in the Earth’s Future journal presents an intriguing possibility - seaweed. This resilient marine plant, thriving even in warm oceans post-nuclear war, could serve as a vital food source, potentially averting widespread hunger.

The research, conducted by the Alliance to Feed the Earth During Disasters and academicians from North American and Philippine universities, also predicts a chilling aftermath of such wars - a global cooling effect and the encroachment of sea ice into numerous coastal communities.

The researchers made a model using the algae called Gracilaria tikvahiae, also known as redgrass. They used weather data from a possible nuclear winter to see how this algae would grow in such a tough situation.

The results showed that if a nuclear war happened and lots of missiles were fired all over the world, 150 Teragrams (Tg) of soot would be sent into the air. This would block sunlight for many years.

But even so, the researchers discovered that enough sunlight would still exist for the algae to photosynthesize and grow. The atmosphere's remaining black carbon would not obstruct their survival.

Many families living in poor, coastal communities in lower-income countries rely on seaweed production as a lifeline. Underwater, the organism has significant protection and can grow faster than any other known agricultural crop.

They would feed 45% of humanity

If we enabled the necessary extension to produce them, seaweed could satisfy the equivalent of 45% of global food demand after just nine months of intensive production.

David Denkenberger, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Canterbury in the United Kingdom, said that we could prevent global famine in scenarios of abrupt reduction in sunlight, potentially avoiding a significant number of starvation deaths, if we invest in the construction of seaweed farms.

According to a Food and Agriculture Organization report in 2021, Asia generated 97% of the global cultivated seaweed production, which equaled 34.7 million tons. People not only consume it as food; it also serves as an additive in animal food and cosmetics.

China currently produces more than 50% of the world's supply, followed by Indonesia. Other notable producers are South Korea and the Philippines.

Another recent study, however, offers a different perspective on the impact of nuclear war and the dire consequences for all life around the world, including the annihilation of marine life.

The authors simulated the climate impacts of nuclear wars between the United States, Russia and India-Pakistan and said the result would be global cooling, with sea ice taking over numerous coastal communities.

According to the study, the ocean’s recovery would be a slow process. It would take tens of years for the surface and hundreds of years for the deepest parts to recover. In colder waters like the Arctic, the recovery could even take thousands of years.

The researchers also highlight that a nuclear war would not only severely disrupt marine ecosystems at first, but these ecosystems would continue to worsen due to the changed state of the ocean, affecting the entire global ecosystem.

A nutritious and healthy delicacy

People often eat seaweed in salads or use it as dried food wrappers because it is rich in protein, minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids and fatty acids.

Michael Roleda, a professor at UP-MSI and a co-author of the study, shared that humans could eat algae after a nuclear war, even though the algae would likely absorb pollutants from their surroundings. However, we could reduce these harmful substances to safe levels.

"He stated that, for example, significantly reducing the concentration of iodine and heavy metals in seaweed has been found through post-harvest processing and pre-consumer preparation such as washing and drying, enzymatic reaction, and boiling or cooking, among others."

Therefore, seaweed production is a lifeline for many families living in poor coastal communities in low-income countries. These organisms remain protected underwater and can grow faster than any other known agricultural crop.

In fact, a 2021 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization states that Asia produced 97% of the 34.7 million tons of farmed seaweed worldwide. Besides consuming them as food, people also use them as food additives for animals and in cosmetics.

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