A team of scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has made a significant breakthrough in the field of carbon capture and storage. In a pilot project conducted in New York state, they tested the effects of adding olivine, a naturally occurring mineral also known as 'green sand', to the ocean to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
The study, led by Dr. Richard Norris, found that the addition of olivine had no adverse effects on seafloor organisms, which is a crucial finding as it suggests that large-scale CO2 removal using this method may be feasible. The researchers used a specially designed vessel to release the olivine into the ocean and then monitored the seafloor ecosystem over a period of several weeks.
The study provides new insights into the potential of large-scale CO2 removal and could have significant implications for the UK's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. While the UK is not currently involved in this specific project, the findings could inform future research and policy decisions.
The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Limnology and Oceanography. The researchers believe that the results of this study could be scaled up for use in other parts of the world, including the UK.
While the UK has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions, finding effective and scalable methods for carbon capture and storage remains a key challenge. The findings of this study could provide a valuable contribution to this effort and help the UK to achieve its climate goals.