Ocean Fertilization
Adding nutrients to surface oceans to stimulate phytoplankton growth and carbon uptake.
What is Ocean Fertilization?
Ocean fertilization is a geoengineering technique that involves intentionally adding nutrients (such as iron, nitrogen, or phosphorus) to specific areas of the ocean surface to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton. The goal is to enhance the biological pump, thereby increasing the uptake of atmospheric CO₂ by these organisms.
Why is Ocean Fertilization important?
Ocean fertilization is proposed as a method to enhance the ocean's natural carbon uptake capacity, potentially removing large amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere. If successful, the increased phytoplankton biomass could sink to the deep ocean, sequestering carbon for long periods.
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Frequently asked questions
By stimulating phytoplankton growth, more CO₂ is absorbed from the surface waters. When these organisms die, they sink, carrying the carbon to the deep ocean, theoretically removing it from active circulation.
Major concerns include unpredictable and potentially harmful ecological impacts on marine food webs, the formation of anoxic (low oxygen) zones, changes in nutrient cycles, and the potential for only temporary carbon sequestration.
No, ocean fertilization is highly controversial and is not widely accepted or implemented as a climate solution due to significant scientific uncertainties, ethical concerns, and regulatory complexities. Research is heavily restricted.