Ocean Alkalinization Boosts Carbon Absorption Capacity, Slows Acidification

A groundbreaking study led by Assistant Professor Lui Hon-kit of National Sun Yat-sen University has revealed that ocean alkalinization can significantly enhance seawater's carbon absorption capacity and slow the rate of ocean acidification. The study analyzed 26 years of observational data from waters around Taiwan, providing crucial insights into the potential of this method to mitigate climate change and protect marine ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

• Ocean alkalinization can boost seawater's carbon absorption capacity by 28%, as reported in the study published in the Geophysical Research Letters.
• The method can slow the rate of ocean acidification by 14%, as indicated by the study's findings.
• The ocean naturally absorbs about 26% of human-generated carbon emissions through air-sea gas exchange, but this process leads to seawater acidification.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasizes the need for both carbon reduction and carbon capture technologies to achieve net-zero emissions, with artificially increasing ocean alkalinity being one effective method.
• Previous efforts to enhance ocean alkalinity lacked long-term observational data, which the current study aims to address.
• The study found that milkfish ponds emit carbon throughout their entire farming cycle, whereas clam ponds absorb carbon when young clams are introduced.
• The addition of feed to clam ponds can lead to emissions due to the breakdown of leftover feed and other biological activity.
• Assistant Professor Lui Hon-kit led the study, which analyzed 26 years of observational data from waters around Taiwan.
• Professor Huang Wei-jen of National Sun Yat-sen University developed carbon emission measurement instruments to monitor aquaculture in southwestern Taiwan.

Statistics:

• 28%: The increase in seawater's carbon absorption capacity through ocean alkalinization.
• 14%: The reduction in the rate of ocean acidification through ocean alkalinization.
• 26%: The percentage of human-generated carbon emissions that the ocean naturally absorbs through air-sea gas exchange.
• 26 years: The duration of observational data analyzed in the study.
• Science of the Total Environment: The international journal that published Huang Wei-jen's study on carbon emission measurement instruments for aquaculture.

Sources:

• National Sun Yat-sen University
• Geophysical Research Letters
• CNA
• Science of the Total Environment