A startup in Nova Scotia is currently experimenting with a method to capture and store additional carbon in the ocean through a new pilot facility to validate the concept. The ocean has been a significant repository for excess carbon dioxide, absorbing approximately 30% of all human-induced carbon emissions since the 1980s.
pHathom, the company behind the initiative, aims to further reduce emissions by capturing carbon dioxide and transforming it into a form suitable for safe storage in the ocean for thousands of years. The initial test of this approach will be conducted at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, N.B., as stated by Kimberly Gilbert, the co-founder and CEO of the company.
The innovative process replicates a natural occurrence where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they fall, turning slightly acidic. When these raindrops encounter alkaline rocks like limestone, a portion of the rock dissolves, decreasing the water’s acidity and converting the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate. Ultimately, this bicarbonate reaches the ocean, where it can be stored for prolonged periods, effectively keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
pHathom’s approach involves simulating this natural process within a reactor. By exposing seawater to the emissions of a biomass power plant, the water becomes more acidic. The acidic water is then combined with small limestone particles in a tank, converting the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate before returning it to the ocean with the same pH level as regular seawater.
Several companies in Nova Scotia are exploring variations of this carbon removal method, known as alkalinity enhancement. pHathom’s technique stands out for its use of highly concentrated carbon dioxide, enhancing efficiency. The pilot phase targets capturing 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily, which is a fraction compared to emissions from major coal-fired power plants.
If successful, pHathom plans to expand its operations with a second test site in Nova Scotia next year, integrating the reactor into a building transitioning from a fossil-fuel boiler to a biomass system. Despite the promising advancements in carbon removal technologies, challenges such as energy consumption and scalability persist, requiring further research and development.
While the potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement as a climate mitigation strategy is acknowledged, the scalability and regulatory complexities remain critical issues to address. The urgency to combat climate change necessitates exploring and refining such removal technologies alongside transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
As Canada emerges as a leader in ocean alkalinity enhancement research, there are calls for international collaboration and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the adoption of these innovative solutions. Despite fluctuations in climate policies and economic uncertainties, the imperative to reduce emissions and advance sustainable technologies remains a global priority for a sustainable future.