Carbon is required for photosynthesis and nori has the ability to rapidly absorb carbon from the water. As
carbon is absorbed, the pH of the water increases, resulting in a decrease or stop in photosynthesis. Supplying
carbon through bubbling helps to maintain optimal pH while supplying additional carbon to the blades (Craigie &
Shacklock, 1995). However, bubbling CO2 directly is inefficient because carbon dissolves slowly in water (Bidwell
et al. 1985). Bidwell et al. (1985) suggests that stirring CO2 into the water in the seawater inlet pipes allows for
more carbon to be dissolved and for better uniform distribution of the carbon to all of the blades.