Scientists Propose Controversial Solution to Combat Climate Change by Spraying Iron Powder over Large Areas in the Pacific Ocean
The technique, known as Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF), aims to stimulate the growth of a type of marine plant called phytoplankton, which specializes in consuming carbon dioxide and retaining it in the water. Computer models suggest that by dumping two million tons of iron powder into the ocean each year, humanity could eliminate nearly 50 billion tons of carbon dioxide by 2100. Researchers plan to disperse iron over an area of 9,842 km2 in the northeastern Pacific Ocean by 2026, according to Mail.
Phytoplankton growth south of Vancouver Island. (Photo: NOAA).
A team of scientists at the non-profit organization Exploring Ocean Iron Solutions (ExOIS) is investigating the potential of dispersing iron sulfate in nutrient-poor areas, including the northeastern Pacific region that stretches from the western coasts of North and South America to the eastern coasts of Asia and extends up to the Arctic. By distributing iron in these areas, scientists hope to enhance the growth of phytoplankton, which would sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for years to come. This is crucial for eliminating CO2 from the environment and mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Approximately 40 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere each year, with the oceans absorbing about 30%. The research team hopes that by distributing iron sulfate at sea, they will help limit global warming. However, opponents warn that iron could deplete nutrients for marine life, potentially disrupting the ocean’s food web. Nevertheless, the plan continues to progress with a timeline of two more years.
Scientists are currently working on converting iron into a powder form that can easily dissolve in water and be dispersed in the target area. Once dissolved, iron acts as a fertilizer, allowing phytoplankton to grow rapidly, sometimes within just a few days. The nutrients enhance the photosynthesis capabilities of these tiny plants by 30 times compared to normal levels. When phytoplankton die, the CO2 they absorbed sinks to the ocean floor, preventing it from escaping back into the atmosphere.
Dozens of experiments were conducted in the 1990s and 2000s, including a successful experiment in the northeastern Pacific in 2006 that stimulated phytoplankton growth. However, some scientists express concerns that OIF may negatively impact parts of the ecosystem. According to deep-sea expert Lisa Levin, it is likely that iron fertilization will cause effects that we do not yet fully understand. They worry that OIF could create dead zones that allow harmful algal blooms to consume all the oxygen in the water, killing off other marine life.
Before the research team can begin their plan, they need to raise $160 million in funding for the program. So far, the team has only received $2 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They also need to obtain permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct experiments following an international ban on OIF for commercial purposes that was imposed in 2013.
