That intriguing startup in Maine that wants to grow kelp on sea buoys and then sink it as a way to remove carbon (mentioned a year ago) is facing a lot of questions, reports MIT Technology Review (article here). Among them:
Several seaweed experts and marine biogeochemists stressed in interviews that Running Tide’s interventions could harm highly complex, interconnected, and delicate ecosystems. Among other risks, the kelp could outcompete phytoplankton communities that already remove vast amounts of carbon and form the foundation of marine food chains that support global fisheries. In other words, it could harm global systems that already regulate the climate and provide crucial sources of income and food.
It’s not surprising that questions would be raised about a novel technology in a complex system like the open ocean. It’s still an idea would considering, however.
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Sorry but this is a very dangerous and misguided concept that will harm the populations living at the bottom of the oceans. It is hard to believe that we are even discussing the possibility of such inane projects.
Mother Nature has its own sinking process called Marine Snow, but what they want to do is very different instead of sinking very small particulates, they want to sink gazillions of tons of kelp. bad, bad idea.
From solid old knowledge regarding seaweeds and its interactions with the oceans we know that weeds just do not just die and sink. They float, they raft, they get recycled. Sinking to the bottom of the oceans? How much in facts sinks; 0.1%, 1%.
Pay attention that NAS report requesting 10 years and several millions to evaluate the feasibility of this concept.
Crisis being out the best and worst in people. This belongs to the later.