A startup in Nova Scotia is currently conducting trials to capture and preserve more carbon in the ocean through a new experimental facility to validate the concept. The ocean already serves as a significant reservoir for excess carbon dioxide, having absorbed approximately 30% of all human-induced carbon emissions since the 1980s.
pHathom, the company behind this initiative, aims to enhance the removal of emissions from the atmosphere by capturing carbon dioxide and transforming it into a form suitable for secure storage in the ocean for thousands of years. The testing of their method will take place at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
Kimberly Gilbert, the CEO and co-founder of the company, emphasized the importance of demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the local solution to address the global issue of climate change. The company’s process mimics a natural phenomenon where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming slightly acidic, and upon interaction with alkaline rocks like limestone, the carbon dioxide converts into bicarbonate, which can be stored in the ocean for extended periods.
The method involves treating seawater with the exhaust from a biomass power plant to increase its acidity, followed by mixing it with small limestone particles to convert carbon dioxide into bicarbonate. The treated water is then reintroduced into the ocean with the same pH level as regular seawater. pHathom’s approach focuses on using concentrated carbon dioxide to enhance efficiency, with direct measurability of environmental impacts due to the contained reactor system.
The pilot phase targets capturing 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily, with plans to scale up operations in Nova Scotia next year. The ultimate goal is to integrate the reactor into a building transitioning from a fossil-fuel boiler to a biomass system. However, challenges related to energy consumption and scalability remain significant hurdles for carbon removal technologies.
Despite these challenges, the urgency of the climate crisis necessitates exploring all viable carbon removal technologies while simultaneously transitioning away from fossil fuels. The potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement for climate mitigation has garnered attention, with calls for international implementation and regulatory frameworks. Despite recent policy shifts impacting the financial viability of carbon capture projects in Canada, experts remain optimistic that global action will be inevitable when economic and environmental realities align.
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