Kai Schulz of Southern Cross University adds rock flour to a mesocosm (Credit: Michael Sswat).
Leila Kittu of GEOMAR samples a mesocosm (Credit: Michael Sswat).
Senior Research Scientist Steve Archer in Gran Canaria in 2021 (Credit: Michael Sswat).
Photo 4: Mesocosms are shown during an experimental setup in Gran Canaria in 2021 (Credit: Michael Sswat).
Photo 3: Mesocosms are set up at the pier during the experiments in Kiel in 2024 (Credit: Sarah Kaehlert).
A team of researchers including Bigelow Laboratory SRS Steve Archer is exploring the ecosystem impacts of a proposed marine carbon dioxide removal strategy.
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is sometimes described as an antacid for the ocean — but trade a chalky, chewable tablet for crushed-up minerals.
OAE aims to amplify natural processes that increase the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide while also helping counter ocean acidification.
Yet questions remain about this proposed solution and its potential impacts. Archer and the team are replicating ocean conditions to investigate how OAE could affect marine ecosystems, including plankton populations.
