Lobsters and Acidic Seas: Can Shellfish Help Neutralise Ocean Acidification?
Researchers are exploring the potential of shellfish to help neutralise ocean acidification, a major threat to the ocean's ecosystem. A team at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is testing a technique called ocean alkalinity enhancement, which involves dispersing alkaline materials over a wide area of ocean to encourage seawater to absorb more atmospheric carbon.
The ocean's ecosystem is facing a major threat from acidification, which is caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This can have devastating effects on marine life, particularly shellfish, which are struggling to build and maintain their shells in acidic waters. In the Gulf of Maine, lobster fishermen are noticing a dramatic decline in the number of inshore lobsters, pushing them farther and farther offshore.
The Impact of Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is a pressing concern for the ocean's ecosystem. According to Scott Lord, a third-generation lobster fisherman, the number of inshore lobsters has dropped dramatically over the past 15 years. This decline is not only affecting the lobster industry but also having a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem. Bycatch that was once plentiful, such as sea urchins, sand dollars, or starfish, are increasingly rare.
Researching Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement
A team of researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, led by Adam Subhas, is testing a technique called ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE). This involves dispersing alkaline materials, such as sodium hydroxide, over a wide area of ocean to encourage seawater to absorb more atmospheric carbon. The team has been conducting experiments in the Gulf of Maine, using a fleet of boats and autonomous underwater vehicles to monitor alkalinity and carbon uptake.
The results of these experiments are promising, with the team able to measure the effects of OAE on the ocean's chemistry. However, more research is needed to understand the impacts of OAE on marine life. The team is currently studying the effects of OAE on lobsters, which are an important species in the Gulf of Maine. They are also planning to study the effects of OAE on other marine species, such as the tautog wrasse.
Funding Challenges
Despite the promising results of OAE research, funding for this work is a major challenge. In the US, funding for ocean sciences has been cut, making it difficult for researchers to continue their work. However, there is hope from Europe, where the European Union has disbursed over £8.5m in grants to study marine carbon dioxide removal. This funding has been distributed to over 20 universities across Britain and the rest of Europe, and is supporting research into OAE and other techniques for removing carbon from the ocean.
| Country | Funding |
|---|---|
| US | £44m (2023) |
| EU | £8.5m (past two years) |
| US (private sector) | £370m (past five years) |
The funding challenges facing OAE research are significant, but the potential rewards are great. If OAE can be shown to be effective in removing carbon from the ocean, it could play a major role in mitigating the effects of climate change. However, more research is needed to understand the impacts of OAE on marine life and to develop this technique into a viable solution for ocean acidification.
