Blue Geochemistry: Sustainable Development in Libya Based on Blue Carbon

• Osama Rahil Shaltami

  1Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Benghazi University, Libya & 2Libyan Centre for Sustainable Development Researches

  Author

• Hamza Al Matoni

  3Department of Engineering Geology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bright Star, Libya

  Author

• Mustafa A. Ben Hkoma

  Libyan Centre for Sustainable Development Researches, & 4Libyan Centre for Studies and Researches of Sciences and Environment Technology, Middle Zone Branch, Zliten, Libya

  Author

The authors coined the term "blue geochemistry" in this article. Blue geochemistry is the study of blue carbon ecosystems. Consequently, one may consider blue geochemistry to be a branch of green geochemistry. Blue economy and blue carbon are related ideas that focused on the sustainable utilization of coastal and marine environments. Seagrasses, salt marshes, and mangroves are ecosystems that store and collect carbon, which is known as blue carbon. Meanwhile, the blue economy includes sustainable development and economic activities associated with the coasts and seas. This study's objective is to assess Libya's blue carbon using the BCDI and provide recommendations for the country's sustainable future development. Salt marshes and seagrasses are widespread in the Libyan coast, while mangroves cannot grow there naturally due to unsuitable conditions. These ecosystems are threatened by a variety of issues, including pollution, habitat degradation, and unsustainable coastal expansion. Libya consistently has low BCDI scores due to poor management and preservation of blue carbon ecosystems, and serious climate change problems.

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