Carbon To Sea and Google have announced they are funding a new project aimed at improving the ability of researchers to compare ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) modeling results.
The Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Model Intercomparison Project (OAEMIP) is envisioned to last three years, during which scientists will utilize coordinated multi-model studies to better understand how the location and timing of large-scale OAE affect its carbon removal efficacy.
Specifically, the project intends to set a high standard for scientific rigor within the OAE sphere, offering greater certainty about its environmental impact and catalyzing bolder investments and collaborations that would support research and development within this field.
Additionally, the initiative is expected to result in improved public license and market confidence in OAE, empowering early movers to confidently access and participate in rising carbon credit markets.
To spearhead the project, Carbon to Sea and Google will be funding two candidates with PhDs in ocean sciences and extensive experience in ocean modeling practice, which will roll out the initiative in two phases.
The first step of the researchers will be to publish a paper that describes the experimental modeling protocols and the scientific issues they target.
With this work, the researchers will launch Phase 1 of the project, focused on determining the carbon removal efficacy of OAE.
To that end, an elaborate study will be carried out at five different locations to enable consistent comparison, taking into account a wide range of oceanographic conditions that might impact the carbon removal effect.
Relevant: New Study Finds Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Has Minor Effect On Zooplankton
In Phase 2, the OAEMIP project will look into future emissions scenario effects, along with considerations of the impact that could be triggered by simultaneously deploying other carbon removal approaches and the long-term model uncertainty related to larger-scale CO2 cycle climate effects.
Once the two phases are completed, the researchers working on this project will publish their findings, suggesting improvements on OAE modeling simulations.
Five modeling groups have already agreed to take part in this project, and the organizers hope to see interest from more global ocean or Earth system modeling groups.
Read more: New Study Proves Safety And Effectiveness Of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement
