WELCOME TO THE OCB OCEAN FERTILIZATION WEBSITE
 |
 |
Enlarge Image There is still great uncertainty surrounding ocean fertilization, or the addition of nutrients to the surface ocean to stimulate phytoplankton activity, thus increasing ocean CO2 uptake. Much more research is needed to understand the implications of ocean fertilization for marine ecosystems.
|
| The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) program is a scientific community-driven coordinating body that promotes U.S. research and international cooperation to investigate the ocean’s role in the global Earth system. Projected increases in atmospheric CO2 levels and potential associated changes in the earth's climate have prompted scientists and engineers to devise strategies for removing some of this CO2 from the atmosphere. Strategies involve the addition of micronutrients (e.g., iron) and/or macronutrients (e.g., urea) to the ocean surface or via artificial upwelling technologies (e.g., floating tubes, wave pumping) to stimulate phytoplankton activity, thus increasing photosynthesis and subsequent removal of atmospheric CO2. Understanding the importance of keeping the OCB community connected to ocean fertilization science and policy activities, the OCB Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) recently identified the need for an ocean fertilization subcommittee. With oversight from this subcommittee, the OCB Project Office has developed this website as a clearinghouse of ocean fertilization news and informational resources to support the OCB community.
OCEAN FERTILIZATION NEWSApril 20, 2013: Second round of iron dumping off coast of Haida Gwaii?
February 21, 2013: New study addresses geoengineering impact of open ocean dissolution of olivine on atmospheric CO2
October 23, 2012: SCOR Working Group 131 ‘The Legacy of in situ Iron Enrichment: Data Compilation and Modeling’ makes data from iron enrichment experiments available - The data of nine experiments (IronEx I and II, SOIREE, SOFeX North and South, SERIES, SEEDS I and II and SAGE) are directly available from BCO-DMO. Data from three further studies (EisenEx, EIFEX and soon LOHAFEX) can be accessed via links to PANGAEA. Data from FeeP will be archived at the British Oceanographic Data Centre.
November 2, 2012: OCB releases statement on recent iron dumping off west coast of Canada
INFORMATION RESOURCES ON SUMMER 2012 HAIDA GWAII IRON DUMPING
Last updated: April 23, 2013 | 
