Iron-dumping ocean experiment sparks controversy

Tollefson, Jeff

doi:10.1038/545393a

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…The availability of iron in the ocean has a huge impact on the production of phytoplankton, which underpins the global carbon cycle . Considering that the ocean is one of the world’s largest sinks for carbon dioxide, various experiments have been conducted around the world to assess if “iron seeding” of the oceans can reduce global CO 2 levels. − Much controversy exists as to the wisdom of such an engineered approach given the complex nature of iron redox chemistry and the potential for unaccounted reactions that may have undesirable side-effects. , …”

Section: Biogeochemical Processes Involving Formation and Reactivity ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fe(II) Redox Chemistry in the Environment

et al. 2021

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Iron (Fe) is the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust and plays important roles in both biological and chemical processes. The redox reactivity of various Fe(II) forms has gained increasing attention over recent decades in the areas of (bio) geochemistry, environmental chemistry and engineering, and material sciences. The goal of this paper is to review these recent advances and the current state of knowledge of Fe(II) redox chemistry in the environment. Specifically, this comprehensive review focuses on the redox reactivity of four types of Fe(II) species including aqueous Fe(II), Fe(II) complexed with ligands, minerals bearing structural Fe(II), and sorbed Fe(II) on mineral oxide surfaces. The formation pathways, factors governing the reactivity, insights into potential mechanisms, reactivity comparison, and characterization techniques are discussed with reference to the most recent breakthroughs in this field where possible. We also cover the roles of these Fe(II) species in environmental applications of zerovalent iron, microbial processes, biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients, and their abiotic oxidation related processes in natural and engineered systems.

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Section: Biogeochemical Processes Involving Formation and Reactivity ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fe(II) Redox Chemistry in the Environment

et al. 2021

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“…In contrast, they only saw it as a weak constraint on blue carbon management (Rickels et al, 2019). This assessment of the role of public acceptability might partly be fueled by past protests against research projects such as LOHAFEX on ocean iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean (Schiermeier, 2009a,b) and SPICE on stratospheric aerosol injection in the UK (Pidgeon et al, 2013), proposals for CO 2 -injection off the coast of Hawaii and Norway (Gewin, 2002;Giles, 2002;Figueiredo et al, 2003;Scott, 2006) or the ocean fertilization project by the Haida Salmon Restoration Corporation in international waters off the Canadian west coast (Tollefson, 2017;Gannon and Hulme, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Perceptions of Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal: The Nature-Engineering Divide?

Bertram

Merk²

2020

Front. Clim.

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Public acceptability is a standard element on the list of potential constraints on research and deployment of ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We outline past work on the public perceptions and acceptability of ocean-based CDR among laypersons covering the main developments over the past 15 years. We compare and synthesize insights from two distinct strands of literature – one on climate engineering approaches and the other on coastal ecosystem management or blue carbon approaches. We also draw conclusions from studies on land-based CDR for emerging ocean-based approaches. Main determinants of perceptions identified in the past are controllability, environmental impacts, containment, permanence of carbon storage, risks and benefits for the local population as well as to which degree an approach is perceived as natural or engineered. We highlight how these aspects may influence perceptions and acceptability of ocean-based CDR approaches which have not yet been on the agenda of perceptions research. Even though ocean-based CDR approaches cannot be neatly divided into categories, the public's tendency to favor approaches perceived more as natural over approaches perceived more as engineering could result in a dilemma between approaches with possibly high carbon sequestration potential but low levels of acceptability and approaches with possibly low sequestration potential but high levels of acceptability. To effectively work toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century, however, we need to bridge the gap between natural and engineering-type approaches, also in research, to come up with a broad portfolio of CDR options to complement classic mitigation and adaptation measures.

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“…In fact, it is not too difficult to imagine what could happen if plutocrats decided to use their power to apply SRM and CDR technologies at their will ( Greta, 2023 ). A case in point is Russ George and his unscientific iron fertilization attempts ( Tollefson, 2017 ).…”

Section: Panel Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology, ethology, and evolution in the Anthropocene

Sanita Lima,

Lubbe,

Dias dos Santos

et al. 2024

Biology Open

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The 53rd Ontario Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution Colloquium (OE3C 2023) took place at Western University (London, Canada) on 25-27 May 2023, attracting 160 participants. This Meeting Review aims not only to recapitulate what was discussed during the event, but also to provide a brief synthesis of how biologists can move forward. The event was organised and run by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from the Department of Biology at Western University. With three international keynote speakers, seventy talks, and fifty poster presentations, the OE3C 2023 spanned a wide range of contemporary research in Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution (“the 3 E's”). The colloquium theme was “Surviving the Anthropocene: future steps for the 3 E's under pressing planetary issues”, which was complemented by illustrations depicting the fauna and flora of the “Canadian Anthropocene”. Participants discussed what biologists and researchers can do regarding future climate and environmental catastrophes. The meeting culminated in a panel discussion comprising three climate change specialists who examined topics such as the Anthropocene and the Great acceleration, the living planet index, and carbon bombs. Although not exhaustive, these topics served as a starting point for the necessary discussions about how biologists can contribute to the fight for the survival of life on Earth.

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Iron-dumping ocean experiment sparks controversy

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Fe(II) Redox Chemistry in the Environment

Fe(II) Redox Chemistry in the Environment

Public Perceptions of Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal: The Nature-Engineering Divide?

Ecology, ethology, and evolution in the Anthropocene

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