On April 1, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) had the honor of hosting Louis Legendre, Emeritus Professor of Sorbonne University and Laval University, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as a guest of the SUSTech Lecture Series.

Invited by Chuanlun ZHANG, Chair Professor of the Department of Ocean Science and Engineering (OSE) at SUSTech, Professor Legendre engaged with faculty members and students from the University on the jigsaw puzzle of the three interwoven biologically-drive ocean carbon pumps to create a blueprint for carbon sequestration.

Throughout the lecture, Professor Legendre elaborated on the concept, historical research, different types, components, and intricate mechanisms of the ocean’s biological carbon pumps.

He emphasized the interdependence of the three biological pumps, advocating for more theoretical research, modeling, and field observations to thoroughly understand the ocean carbon cycle.

During the interactive Q&A session, Professor Legendre engaged in insightful discussions with faculty members and students, exploring topics ranging from interaction dynamics to the quantitative analysis and modeling of various ocean carbon pumps.

After the lecture, Louis Legendre was presented with a commemorative certificate by Chuanlun ZHANG in recognition of his participation in the SUSTech Lecture series.

This lecture was one of the key events organized in collaboration between the United Nations and SUSTech, aligning with the objectives of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade) initiative. It specifically contributed to the Southern University of Science and Technology – Shenzhen Ocean University Decade Implementing Partner (SUSTech-SOU DIP) and Intelligent Coastal-Urban-Bay CO2 Emission Studies (iCUBES) projects.

The event also saw participation from members of the iGEM team at the Department of OSE, further enriching the dialogue on ocean science and sustainability.