Startup says antacid-laced sand has the potential to slow global warming

Antacid-infused sand is being added to the ocean in an effort to combat global warming, but scientists are still uncertain about its effectiveness. Vesta, a San Francisco-based climate startup, is conducting a two-year experiment off the North Sea in New York that uses olivine crystals to enhance carbon dioxide absorption. (CO2) of the ocean from the atmosphere. The concept, known as ocean alkalinity enhancement, aims to accelerate natural geochemical weathering, which moves CO2 from the atmosphere into the deep ocean and Earth’s crust. While the initial results look promising, concerns remain about the speed of the reactions and the potential environmental impact.

Source: Vesta/YouTube

Ocean alkalinization has gained attention as a potential solution to removing carbon from the atmosphere, as the oceans currently absorb a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike complex biological methods, such as fertilizing phytoplankton or growing seaweed, ocean alkalinization relies on predictable chemistry and physics, making it an option. attractive to researchers. Proponents argue that if applied properly, it should have minimal impact on marine life.

Vesta’s project involved the addition of nearly 400 cubic meters of olivine, about 5% of the newly added sand, to North Beach. The company has been monitoring the movement and dissolution of the olivine crystals for several months, finding that the process appears to be working as planned.

While Vesta’s trial focuses on olivine, other companies are exploring alternative methods. Planetary Technologies, a Canadian company, is testing magnesium hydroxide, also known as milk of magnesia. Magnesium hydroxide has the advantage of already being used in wastewater treatment and its time-release properties can prevent a rapid increase in alkalinity in the ocean. However, challenges such as energy-intensive production methods and potential environmental consequences still need to be addressed.

The field of ocean alkalinization requires further research and evaluation of its potential risks and benefits. Many projects are underway to study the impact of these technologies on marine ecosystems and quantify their effectiveness in removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The Ocean Alk-align Foundation, led by oceanographer Katja Fennel, aims to assess large-scale atmospheric CO2 removal using ocean alkalinization through modeling and experiments. field experience.

As scientists and startups discover unconventional methods to combat climate change, enthusiasm for ocean-based solutions is providing opportunities for researchers and scientists alike. risky investment. However, the effectiveness and long-term consequences of these technologies remain uncertain, and transparency and scientific rigor will be important in assessing their potential as gas solutions. post-feasibility.

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