Coastal Carbon groups all coastal ocean alkalinization projects of the Geobiology research group. We investigate natural processes that drive ocean alkalinity content and explore how ocean alkalinity can be increased to stimulate the ocean’s CO₂ storage capacity.
Investigating the potential for CO₂ drawdown in coastal environments
Ocean alkalinity is the ocean’s capacity to neutralize acid. The higher the alkalinity, the more CO₂ seawater can store.
Natural processes in the ocean generate alkalinity, enabling seawater to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. By studying these processes, we can identify the key drivers of ocean CO₂ uptake. They also inspire new technologies: by actively initiating or enhancing these natural alkalinity-generating processes, we can further boost the ocean’s capacity to capture and store CO₂.
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Olivine. One of the fastest-weathering silicate minerals. -
Mesocosm infrastructure.
What are the main processes driving natural alkalinity release in the ocean?
The ocean is a crucial regulator of the atmospheric CO₂ concentrations as it absorbs 30% of all CO₂ emissions and stores more than 90% of the Earth’s CO₂. The alkalinity concentration in the ocean determines the long-term CO₂ storage capacity, as alkalinity fixes CO₂ so that it cannot be returned to the atmosphere.
A better understanding of the processes that naturally release alkalinity will allow us to protect and restore marine areas that are important for the ocean’s CO₂ storage.
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Grained olivine is mixed with the natural sediment. -
Pore water sampling reveals underground processes.
Can we enhance ocean CO₂ uptake by increasing ocean alkalinity?
The weathering of rocks and shells naturally releases alkalinity. These processes drive the ocean’s CO₂ uptake on geologic timescales. However, if these natural processes could be accelerated, causing the ocean’s alkalinity concentrations to increase more rapidly, the ocean’s CO₂ uptake and storage capacity could increase.
Coastal Carbon is exploring the possibility of speeding up weathering in the ocean and is investigating the effects of these processes on the natural system.
Three research trajectories
Coastal Carbon aims to understand the natural processes driving alkalinity production in coastal environments and to define if and how enhanced alkalinity release can function as a CO2 removal technology. We focus on three research trajectories: Coastal oceans as a real-life knowledge base, Simulating natural conditions and Modelling ocean alkalinization
