Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2023
Höfundar / Authors: Hildur Magnúsdóttir (1), Íris Mýrdal Kristinsdóttir (1), Justin Ries (2,3), Anna Savage (2), Alison Tune (2)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Running Tide Iceland, 2. Running Tide USA, 3. Northeastern University, USA
Kynnir / Presenter: Hildur Magnúsdóttir
In marine ecosystems anthropogenic activities and perturbation of the global carbon cycle have resulted in habitat loss, shifting species ranges, loss of biodiversity, and acidification. To counter these adverse effects, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) has been identified by the IPCC as one necessary tool. Thus, Running Tide develops technology for restoring ocean health by sustainably amplifying several pathways in the natural carbon cycle, such as sinking of terrestrial biomass in the deep ocean, open ocean growth and sinking of macroalgae, and ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE). As CDR via these pathways continues to develop, there is an increasing need to quantify and monitor positive and negative impacts.
Here we present experimental approaches utilized by Running Tide to assess the efficacy and effects of amplifying natural ocean processes. We present initial results from two experiments on the Icelandic shelf and describe deep sea experiments in the Arctic and Pacific. To evaluate the effects of OAE in the surface ocean we evaluate the carbonate chemistry and a suite of trace, minor, and major elements at regular intervals after material deployment. To understand the impact of depositing biomass and natural alkaline minerals in the benthic environment, we evaluate biomass degradation, changes in carbonate chemistry, nutrients and dissolved oxygen at the sediment-water interface, bacterial community, diversity and functional traits of benthic invertebrates.