Oceans and Carbon Sequestration

Ocean Dumping of Iron and and other substances as Carbon Sequestration?

Interest in carbon offsetting is extending to the oceans, with a company Planktos proposing to sell carbon credits for their schemes, which include dumping iron filings mix up to 80 tons of iron particles into the Pacific Ocean some 350 miles west of the Galapagos islands to try to stimulate the growth of plankton. Another company has proposed to dump urea into the ocean for similar reasons.

In November 2007, the 29th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties on London Convention and 2nd meeting of the London Protocol meeting from 5-9 November found that planned operations for large-scale fertilization of the oceans using micro-nutrients such as iron to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2), are currently not justified. The meeting concluded that "The meeting takes the view that, given the present state of knowledge regarding ocean fertilization, such large-scale operations are currently not justified" and endorsed the "Statement of Concern" on large-scale fertilization agreed by the LC and LP Scientific Groups, in June 2007. The Parties agreed that the London Convention and Protocol were competent to address this issue due to their general objective to protect and preserve the marine environment from all sources.

For further information see the reports, particularly A25/16/Add.1 (13 November 2007)

Background: The Washington Post reported on the Planktos proposal to dump iron filings in the ocean. 

The Surface Ocean - Lower Atmosphere Study has called the proposal ineffective and potentially deleterious,citing dissolved oxygen depletion, altered trace gas emissions that affect climate and air quality, changes in biodiversity, and decreased productivity in other oceanic regions.

Similarly Scientific Groups advising the London Convention have warned of possible negative impacts on the marine environment and human health.

Planktos has recently reportedly given the Vatican carbon credits to plant trees in Europe to offset the Vatican City's emissions. Observers have asked questions about the involvement of the Vatican in Planktos's scheme for climate absolution.