In the vast, dynamic expanse of the world’s oceans, a silent battle against climate change is being waged. Scientists are exploring innovative ways to capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2), and a recent study published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Climate’—translated to ‘Frontiers in Climate’—sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in this emerging field. The research, led by Nicholas D. Ward of the Coastal Sciences Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim, WA, focuses on the critical role of ocean biogeochemical models in predicting the effectiveness of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies.
The ocean, with its immense size and complexity, presents a unique challenge for scientists seeking to understand and quantify the impact of mCDR technologies. “Observations alone cannot resolve the amount, rate, and fate of mCDR-associated carbon sequestration,” Ward explains. This is where ocean biogeochemical models come into play. These models are essential for simulating the perturbations caused by mCDR technologies and predicting their long-term effects on carbon uptake and ocean biogeochemistry.
However, current models have limitations when applied to this new and complex task. Ward and his team highlight the need for refined or additional process representations to accurately simulate the impact of various mCDR approaches. This includes understanding the role of alkalinity, carbonate, and CO2 in the ocean’s carbon cycle.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As the world seeks to transition to a low-carbon economy, the development of effective mCDR technologies could play a crucial role in offsetting emissions from hard-to-decarbonize industries. “Effectively scaling diverse marine carbon dioxide removal technologies from pilot-scale demonstrations to industrial-scale deployments requires a quantitative understanding of how much additional carbon a given deployment will sequester,” Ward notes.
The research underscores the importance of advancing ocean biogeochemical models to support the development and deployment of mCDR technologies. As Ward and his colleagues continue to refine these models, they pave the way for more accurate predictions and a deeper understanding of the ocean’s role in mitigating climate change.
This study not only highlights the scientific challenges but also the commercial potential. For the energy sector, investing in and advancing mCDR technologies could open new avenues for carbon offsetting and contribute to global decarbonization efforts. As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, the insights from this research could shape future developments in the field of marine carbon dioxide removal, offering hope for a more sustainable future.