Today we are continuing the Ocean CDR series with a really exciting topic. Ocean CDR stands for ocean-based carbon dioxide removals, which essentially represent all ocean-based methods to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thereby help achieve the 1.5 degree goal. For context, we require carbon dioxide removal technologies because it is ismply unrealistic that we will curb our emission reduction and decarbonization of industrial processes in time to stop the worst effects of this climate crisis we are in.
CDR methods and ocean-based ones specifically are looking at pathways to learn from nature and accelerate processes that are already taking up carbon in the ocean naturally, but are either slowed down or endangered due to the current effects of global warming and the biodiversity crisis. One of these methods is Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: alkalinity is the opposite of acidity, which some may be more familiar with, and it is one of the most essential parameters in the ocean chemical system to make space for carbon dioxide to be absorbed at surface layers. Scientists and venture companies are looking at artificially adding alkalinity to the ocean in order to remove carbon and generate carbon removal credits, which you and I could buy.
A very active scientist in this field is Dr. Lennart Bach, a marine biogeochemist - and don’t worry we will define what that is in the conversation - who studied in Kiel, Germany, where he also received his PhD followed by a PostDoc at GEOMAR Helmholtz center for ocean research. Hes now leading and building a team investigating marine CO2 removal at the university of Tasmania in Australia.
Don’t be afraid by a lot of chemistry at the beginning of this episode, which I hope we dissected well enough to be broadly understood and give you an idea and sense of this really interesting carbon removal methods that has a large potential to play a very important role in achieving the 1.5 degree goal. We talk not only about the science but also about potential side effects, how to address these, how to monitor and control what potential industrial companies are and will be doing out there in the ocean and why it is necessary to study this topic further!
I hope you enjoy yet another episode of the CDR series and feel free to comment any uncertainties, questions or suggestions for future episodes !
Also, some more housekeeping: if you like this podcast, please follow us and leave a recommendation or rating wherever you listen to this! And now, let’s talk biogeochemistry…
Cover art: Simon + Anna Madlener. Based on the Spilhaus world projection.
Music and Sound Effects: Lukas Bindel
Mixing: Anna Madlener
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