Publication Date:
2019-07-17
Description:
Enhancement of ocean alkalinity using calcium compounds,
e.g., lime has been proposed to mitigate further
increase of atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidification due to
anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Using a global model, we
show that such alkalinization has the potential to preserve
pH and the saturation state of carbonate minerals at close
to today’s values. Effects of alkalinization persist after
termination: Atmospheric CO2 and pH do not return to
unmitigated levels. Only scenarios in which large amounts
of alkalinity (i.e., in a ratio of 2:1 with respect to emitted
CO2) are added over large ocean areas can boost oceanic
CO2 uptake sufficiently to avoid further ocean acidification
on the global scale, thereby elevating some key biogeochemical
parameters, e.g., pH significantly above preindustrial
levels. Smaller-scale alkalinization could counteract ocean
acidification on a subregional or even local scale, e.g., in
upwelling systems. The decrease of atmospheric CO2 would
then be a small side effect.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
,
isiRev
Format:
application/pdf
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