The UK has launched a groundbreaking ocean carbon capture initiative, SeaCURE, which aims to remove billions of tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.
The ocean absorbs about a quarter of the CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere, making it a crucial component in the fight against global warming. A new project, known as SeaCURE, has started operating on England‘s south coast, aiming to remove carbon from the sea and reduce greenhouse gases.
How Does It Work?
The facility in Weymouth uses a pipe to suck up seawater and bring it onshore, where it is processed to remove the carbon. The process begins by treating some of the seawater to make it more acidic, encouraging the carbon that’s dissolved in the seawater to turn into a gas and be released into the air as CO2. This gas is then sucked away and concentrated using charred coconut husks ready to be stored.
Carbon removal technologies aim to actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere, reversing climate change.
Methods include afforestation/reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, ocean fertilization, and direct air capture.
According to the IPCC, removing 1-10 GtCO2-eq per year is necessary by 2050.
Companies like Carbon Engineering and Climeworks are developing commercial-scale technologies.
The cost of CO2 removal varies widely, from $50 to $200 per ton, making it a costly but essential step towards net-zero emissions.
The Potential Benefits
Seawater contains about 150 times more carbon than the air, making it an attractive target for carbon capture technologies. If scaled up, SeaCURE could potentially remove 14 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year, which is a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases. However, the project’s success depends on powering the process with renewable energy, possibly through solar panels in a floating installation at sea.
Carbon capture is a technology that captures CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial processes, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
This process involves capturing CO2 from flue gas, followed by storage or utilization.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from industrial sources.
Effective carbon capture can reduce emissions by up to 90%.
The technology is still in its infancy, with only a few operational projects worldwide.
Challenges and Concerns
While carbon capture technologies are essential in achieving net zero emissions, there are concerns about their impact on the environment. Dr. Guy Hooper from Exeter University has been researching the possible effects of low-carbon seawater on marine creatures. Early indications suggest that increasing the amount of low-carbon water could have some impact on the environment, potentially damaging marine organisms.
A Step Towards a Low-Carbon Future
The SeaCURE project is just one of 15 pilot projects in the UK aimed at developing technologies that capture and store greenhouse gases. Energy minister Kerry McCarthy emphasizes the importance of innovative projects like SeaCURE in creating green technologies needed to achieve net zero emissions, while supporting skilled jobs and boosting growth.
Removing Greenhouse Gases from the Atmosphere
Carbon removal is necessary to halt further warming. ‘There are 15 to 20 options for capturing CO2 directly from seawater or air, and the question of which one to use will depend on cost.’ said Dr. Oliver Geden, an expert in carbon capture, highlighting that there are several options available for capturing CO2. The SeaCURE project has £3m of funding from the government and is part of a larger effort to develop technologies that can help us achieve net zero emissions.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves trapping CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial processes, then storing them underground.
Direct air capture (DAC) uses chemicals to extract CO2 from the atmosphere.
Afforestation/Reforestation involves planting trees that absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.
Soil carbon sequestration enhances soil's natural ability to store carbon through sustainable agriculture practices.
Ocean fertilization adds nutrients to oceans to stimulate phytoplankton growth, which absorbs 'CO2'.
These methods are being explored and implemented globally to mitigate climate change.
