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Context :

• Ocean based carbon capture means the use of the ocean natural processes to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
• Also, The oceans help to regulate the Earth's climate by absorbing around 30% of the CO2 emitted by human activities.
• Due to this natural ability, scientists are exploring ocean based technologies that can capture more CO2 to combat climate change.

Key Technologies & Companies Involved:

• Canada: Planetary Technologies focuses on using magnesium oxide to absorb CO2 in the ocean.
• When magnesium oxide is dissolved in seawater then it absorbs CO2 & turns it into stable molecules that stay in the ocean for a long time.
• This company is working on a project in Nova Scotia, Canada. Moreover it has also received support from Elon Musk’s foundation.

Other Companies in Ocean Carbon Capture:

• Vesta: This company uses a mineral called olivine to capture CO2. Olivine helps in carbon capture & it can also create coastal buffers to protect shorelines.
• Gigablue: This company grows marine organisms like algae & phytoplankton that absorb CO2 from the ocean.
• Carboniferous: They focus on sinking organic materials like sugarcane pulp to the ocean floor, where the carbon remains trapped for a long period.
• Ebb Carbon & Captura: These companies use electricity to change seawater molecules in a way that increases their ability to capture CO2.

How These Technologies Work:

• Magnesium Oxide (MgO):
  • Magnesium oxide is used to capture CO2 when dissolved in seawater.
  • This process transforms CO2 into stable compounds that stay in the ocean for thousands of years thus helping to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.
• Other Methods:
  • Marine Organisms: Some companies use seaweed, algae, & phytoplankton to absorb CO2.
    • These organisms act like land plants by taking in CO2 from the ocean.
  • Sinking Organic Materials: Companies are testing sinking materials like wood chips or seaweed to the ocean depths.
  • These materials decompose slowly & lock away carbon in the process.
• Carbon Credits: Carbon credits are used to finance ocean based carbon capture projects.
• A carbon credit represents one metric ton of CO2 that has been removed from the atmosphere.
• Companies involved in ocean based carbon capture can sell these credits to businesses & governments to offset their own carbon emissions.

Environmental Risks & Concerns:

• Impact on Marine Life:
  • There are concerns about the effects of adding minerals & chemicals like magnesium oxide to the ocean.
  • These substances might harm marine ecosystems, including plankton, fish, & coral reefs.
  • Some environmentalists worry that these processes could disrupt the ocean's delicate food chain.
• Chemical Effects: The addition of chemicals like sodium hydroxide or olivine to seawater could smother marine life on the seafloor or alter the ocean’s acidity. It is affecting the health of marine species.
• Impact on Fisheries:
  • Coastal communities that rely on fishing are concerned about the potential negative effects of these projects on fish populations.
  • Some fishing industries worry that these carbon capture methods could harm their livelihoods if marine ecosystems are disrupted.
    
    
• Scientific Uncertainty:
  • There is limited scientific data on how effective these ocean based methods are at capturing CO2 for the long term.
  • While the ocean can store CO2. but scientists are still studying how long it will stay there & whether these methods can help mitigate climate change at a global scale.

Carbon Credits & Market Growth:

• Carbon Credit Sales:
  • Carbon credits are sold to companies looking to offset their emissions.
  • In 2023, the marine carbon credit market grew significantly with more than 340000 credits sold up from just 2000 in previous years.
  • However, this is still a small portion of what is needed to meet global carbon reduction goals.
• Market Criticism:
  • Some experts argue that carbon credits might be abused.
  • Without proper regulation companies may claim to remove more CO2 than they actually do. It is making it harder to trust the effectiveness of carbon markets.

Global & Local Policies:

• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasised that carbon removal methods are essential in addition to reducing emissions.
• The Paris Agreement sets a goal to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C above pre industrial levels.
• Government Involvement: Some governments are beginning to support ocean based carbon capture while others are still developing policies & regulations for these technologies.
• In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved some projects. But many are still being reviewed.
• Public Opposition: Many coastal communities have opposed ocean carbon capture projects. They are fearing environmental damage to marine life & disruption to local fishing industries.

In conclusion, while ocean-based carbon capture offers an innovative solution to the climate crisis, the technology is still in its early stages. More research is needed to understand the potential environmental impacts and how effective these methods will be in the long term. It is necessary to strike a balance between accelerating the development of these technologies and ensuring they do not harm marine ecosystems or local communities. Policies must be formulated to effectively regulate these technologies.

Source: TH