Current Research
The International Marine Science and Carbon Sequestration (IMARCS) Foundation is expanding research into practices that harness the power of nature for positive environmental outcomes.
This includes:
- Leveraging the unique biology of giant clams (Tridacnidae) to develop science-driven solutions for coral reef resilience and habitat restoration
- Assessing the potential for giant clams to act as carbon sinks through altered water chemistry
- Studying the effects of mangrove restoration on carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation or enhancement
We integrate marine ecology, molecular genetics, and biogeochemistry, drawing on the work of leading scientists and collaborators across the globe. Our four flagship projects are generating the data and tools needed to reverse coral bleaching, rebuild degraded reefs, and create nature-based biodiverse carbon sinks.
Our ongoing projects
1. Coral Bleaching Restoration in Micronesia
Coral bleaching, caused by the loss of photosynthetic zooxanthellae under thermal stress, has escalated in frequency and severity over the last four decades. The IMARCS team is testing samples collected in Micronesia, utilizing our University of Barcelona lab, whether zooxanthellae sourced from giant clams can accelerate recovery of bleached corals. Our goal is to determine whether clam-derived zooxanthellae can improve thermal tolerance of corals and potentially reverse coral bleaching, paving the way for scalable mass-bleaching recovery.
2. Reef Restoration via Giant Clam Reintroduction in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam
Coastal development and overfishing have reduced live coral cover in Southeast Asia by more than 50% since the 1980s. Near Hon Tre Island in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam, IMARCS is evaluating whether reintroducing juvenile giant clams can jump-start ecosystem recovery. We anticipate increased habitat complexity, higher filter-feeder abundance, and greater microbial diversity—key indicators of a recovering reef framework.
3. Mangrove Restoration in Belize
Mangroves sequester at least 5x more carbon than tropical forests, which themselves sequester significantly more than temperate forests or other land-based biomes. Mangrove ecosystems are also hotspots for biodiversity and are key enablers of coral reef health, with many reef species using mangrove root systems as nurseries. We are evaluating ongoing mangrove restoration activities in Belize with specific attention to carbon sequestration potential and biodiversity impacts of these activities.
4. Carbon Sequestration Potential in Elevated-pH Mariculture Tanks in Japan
Under natural conditions, giant clams’ shell formation is roughly carbon-neutral, because CO₂ released during calcification offsets carbon uptake. Our fourth and perhaps most ambitious project tests whether raising seawater pH to levels typical of reef flats (≥ 8.5) can tip this balance, transforming clams into true carbon sinks.
Bridging Science and Practice
Beyond these core studies, IMARCS collaborates with clam farmers in Micronesia, marine researchers in Vietnam, and aquaculture institutes in Japan to translate findings into practical restoration and policy tools. Potential applications include:
- Symbiont-Augmentation Protocols: Mass-culturing heat-tolerant clam zooxanthellae for reef nurseries.
- Clam Nurseries for Reef Rehabilitation: Low-tech, community-driven clam hatcheries to restore habitat structure.
- Blue-Carbon Offsets: Certification frameworks for elevated-pH clam farms that demonstrate net-negative CO₂ flux.
Our integrated, multidisciplinary approach marks a paradigm shift from passive reef protection to active, evidence-based intervention. We anticipate publishing our first peer-reviewed results in late 2025 and invite researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore our open-access data portal on the IMARCS Current Research page for ongoing updates and collaboration opportunities.