Home / Science / Ocean Alkalinity Boosts CO2 Removal: Trial Success
Ocean Alkalinity Boosts CO2 Removal: Trial Success
27 Feb
Summary
- 65,000 liters of sodium hydroxide were poured into the Gulf of Maine.
- The trial removed up to 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- No significant negative effects on marine life were observed.
An innovative experiment conducted in August 2025 saw ships release 65,000 liters of alkaline sodium hydroxide into the Gulf of Maine. This initiative aimed to counteract ocean acidification and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Initial findings, announced on February 25, 2026, indicate that the trial successfully removed between 2 and 10 tonnes of CO2 in just four days. Researchers estimate a potential total removal of up to 50 tonnes. Crucially, monitoring revealed no significant adverse impacts on the marine ecosystem, including microbes, plankton, and fish larvae.
The process converts absorbed CO2 into bicarbonate ions, a stable form of carbon storage expected to last for tens of thousands of years. This method offers a single-step approach to carbon removal, distinct from other techniques requiring separate storage steps.
Researchers acknowledge the need to assess the emissions associated with producing and transporting the sodium hydroxide to determine the overall net carbon benefit. Community engagement, particularly with the local fishing industry, was a key part of the trial's planning due to the controversial nature of such experiments.
