A Global Dataset on Nutrient Removal Capacity by Marine Macroalgae

Eutrophication driven by excessive nutrient inputs poses a growing threat to marine ecosystems worldwide. Macroalgal aquaculture has been recognized as a promising nature-based solution to mitigate nutrient enrichment; however, a systematic global synthesis of nutrient removal capacity across macroalgae species under varying environmental conditions remains lacking. Here, this study presents the first comprehensive open-access global dataset on nutrient removal capacity by marine macroalgae. The dataset comprises 2,011 records from 149 theses or peer-reviewed articles published between 1995 and 2024, covering 113 macroalgae species from 234 sampling sites across 23 countries on six continents. Each record includes publication details, geographic and taxonomic information, environmental parameters, and macroalgal nutrient removal performance (removal rates, efficiencies, and amounts). The dataset is organized into multiple Date tables, including subsets for nutrient-specific removal metrics and in situ experiments, thereby enabling tailored analyses. This resource provides the most extensive synthesis to date of macroalgal nutrient uptake capacity, and supports evidence-based functional macroalgal aquaculture planning, targeted eutrophication management, and marine ecosystem restoration.