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We've written before about attempts to monkey around with the oceans in an attempt to increase their carbon sequestration abilities, so as to mitigate the effects of climate change: seeding the oceans with iron being one of the most prominent examples. Enter another candidate for planetary engineering: adding lime (calcium hydroxide) to seawater.

Adding Lime to Seawater Increases Alkalinity, CO2 Absorption

Though the idea has be advanced before, a new method of sourcing the lime has attracted the attention of Shell, who is funding a feasibility study for the idea. Basically, the idea is based upon the idea that adding the lime to the water will increase its alkalinity, thereby increasing its ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, as well as reduce its tendency to release it again.

The stumbling block so far has been financial, it would be too expensive to obtain lime specifically for the project, rather than environmental, it's estimated that twice the amount of CO2 generated in making lime for the geo-engineering would be absorbed in the oceans afterwards.

The new solution to this really isn't technical as much as logistical. According to Tim Kruger, of Corven, the firm pushing a reconsideration of the process, "[collecting lime] could be made workable by locating it in regions that have a combination of low-cost 'stranded' energy considered too remote to be economically viable to exploit-like flared natural gas or solar energy in deserts-and that are rich in limestone, making it feasible for calcination to take place on site."

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Do oceans reduce co2 in the atmosphere?

Yes, oceans play a crucial role in reducing CO2 in the atmosphere through a process called oceanic carbon sequestration. This occurs when the oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, which is then stored in the form of dissolved inorganic carbon or biological matter. This helps mitigate the impacts of rising CO2 levels on climate change.


What reduces carbon dioxide in atmosphere?

The planet has a number of huge carbon sinks, removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The largest is the ocean, as CO2 dissolves. This absorbs roughly 80% of all carbon dioxide. Other sinks are photosynthesis by vegetation and phytoplankton, and the weathering of silicate rock. For more details, read about the carbon cycle. Currently, sources of carbon must outweigh the sinks because atmospheric CO2 is increasing globally by roughly 2 parts per million by volume per year, as can be seen in the NOAA measurements of atmospheric CO2. CO2 is even higher in cities and industrial areas, in places where fossil fuels are being burnt in quantity. The easiest way for us to reduce the carbon dioxide levels is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This is the scientific consensus view, and is the view held by the IPCC, all major scientific bodies and national academies of science around the world.


What are two ways in which carbon dioxide is put into earth atmosphere?

Two ways in which carbon dioxide is put into the Earth's atmosphere are through the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, which releases CO2 when they are combusted; and deforestation, which reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, leading to an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.


What is the main regulator of CO2 in the atmosphere because CO2 desolves easily in it?

The main regulator of CO2 in the atmosphere is the world's oceans. As CO2 dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid, which can then be stored in the ocean or released back into the atmosphere. This process plays a crucial role in regulating the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.


CO2 makes up what percentage of atmosphere?

CO2 makes up approximately 0.03% of Earth's atmosphere

Related Questions

How can we reduce your carbon footprint?

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can reduce your emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere.


Where in the CO2 cycle does CO2 gets released into the atmosphere?

There are some ways. It is happening mostly by Respiration.


Would animals reduce co2 levels in the atmosphere?

No, only vegetation growing removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.


How do mushrooms help reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere?

Mushrooms help reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere by breaking down organic matter and releasing carbon back into the soil, which can then be stored underground instead of being released into the air as CO2. This process, known as carbon sequestration, helps to mitigate climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere.


Where in the cycle does CO2 get released into the atmosphere?

There are some ways. It is happening mostly by Respiration.


Where in the carbon cycle does CO2 get released into the atmosphere?

There are some ways. It is happening mostly by Respiration.


What are 2 ways Co2 can be dispensed into the armosphere?

Cars, factories, and animals, including peoples' breaths, all dispense CO2 into the atmosphere.


How can you reduce the amount of CO2 that enters the atmosphere?

Use renewable energy instead of burning fossil fuel.


Do oceans reduce co2 in the atmosphere?

Yes, oceans play a crucial role in reducing CO2 in the atmosphere through a process called oceanic carbon sequestration. This occurs when the oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, which is then stored in the form of dissolved inorganic carbon or biological matter. This helps mitigate the impacts of rising CO2 levels on climate change.


What reduces carbon dioxide in atmosphere?

The planet has a number of huge carbon sinks, removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The largest is the ocean, as CO2 dissolves. This absorbs roughly 80% of all carbon dioxide. Other sinks are photosynthesis by vegetation and phytoplankton, and the weathering of silicate rock. For more details, read about the carbon cycle. Currently, sources of carbon must outweigh the sinks because atmospheric CO2 is increasing globally by roughly 2 parts per million by volume per year, as can be seen in the NOAA measurements of atmospheric CO2. CO2 is even higher in cities and industrial areas, in places where fossil fuels are being burnt in quantity. The easiest way for us to reduce the carbon dioxide levels is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This is the scientific consensus view, and is the view held by the IPCC, all major scientific bodies and national academies of science around the world.


What are two ways in which carbon dioxide is put into earth atmosphere?

Two ways in which carbon dioxide is put into the Earth's atmosphere are through the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, which releases CO2 when they are combusted; and deforestation, which reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, leading to an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.


Does CO2 sink or rise in the atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) rises in the atmosphere.