Oceans will help remove carbon from the air

Scientists are now realizing that reducing carbon dioxide emissions will not be enough to stop climate change. According to a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine of America, 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide will have to be removed from the world every year by the year 2050. Which is a quarter of the current annual emissions. Scientists say that the help of ocean processes can be taken for this work. He has suggested that intensive research should be started in this direction. There are many processes in the oceans that can prove effective in removing carbon dioxide. Of these, 6 have also been recommended. Fertilization, nutrition is a very work process. In this, nutrients such as phosphorus or nitrogen are put on the surface of the oceans. This increases the process of photosynthesis from the phytoplankton on the surface itself. When these plant plankton die, some part of them sinks into the ocean, due to which the amount of carbon starts going to the deep sea where that carbon can remain for centuries. has done. Its cultivation on a large scale will transport carbon to the deep ocean or sediments. According to the report, carbon dioxide can be removed with moderate efficacy. But the risk can also be high in this. It has been said in the report that for this about $ 130 million will be needed in research. Ecosystem improvement is the third technique suggested by scientists. In this, work will be done for the protection and restoration of the coastal ecosystem. This will restore fish, whales, and other marine wildlife that can capture and sequester carbon. It has fewer environmental risks and has other benefits as well. It may cost 22 crores.
In the ocean alkalinity enhancement technique, the alkalinity of the ocean water will be changed by chemically changing it, so that the ocean will start absorbing more carbon dioxide for chemical reactions. The environmental risk in this is moderate and the cost can be from 12.5 to 200 million dollars. Electrochemical processes can also be helpful in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide. When electricity is passed through the water, it will either increase the acidity of the sea water or increase the alkalinity. But this procedure is the most expensive of the suggested procedures. But its effectiveness is also very high. It will cost about $ 350 million. Artificial upwelling and downloading is another process suggested by scientists. In upwelling, cool, nutrient-rich CO2-rich deep water comes to the surface, allowing the growth of phytoplankton. Whereas in downwelling, water from the surface goes down and with it the carbon also goes to the deep sea. The accuracy of this process is expected to be low, but it will cost only up to $ 25 million.