In my mind, this is just chimerical geoengineering fix that distracts us from focusing on permanent, structural changes that can ultimately decarbonize our economic system. Here's some issues associated with iron fertilization:
1. Phytoplankton will only remove CO2 from air permanently if they die and sink to the bottom of the sea; however, large portions may be consumed by zooplankton, which in turn will be consumed by larger species. Some researchers believe this could release most of the CO2 back into the atmosphere via respiration; recent studies using thorium as a proxy for CO2 in the ocean indicates that only a small portion of carbon ultimately sinks to the bottom of the ocean when iron fertilization is utilized; 2. Iron fertilization give rise to a plethora of different phytoplankton species, some of which might be undesirable for food web, or even toxic in some cases; 3. A model developed at Ohio University estimates that even fertilizing 20% of the oceans that are High Nutrient-Low Chlorine (those areas conducive to seeding) would only reduce concentrations of CO2 by about 38ppm, and we ain't going to fertilize anywhere near that extent of the oceans; 4. Some studies point out that when phytoplankton begins to die and decay it results in more consumption of oxygen through the respiration process; this could result in anoxic or oxygen deprived "dead zones." Beyond threatening lots of species, anoxic environments produce lots of methane and nitrous oxides, two greenhouse gases with much higher global warming potential than CO2. The nitrous oxide production alone might negate all of the purported benefits of seeding according to some recent research. Dr. Wil Burns Senior Fellow, International Environmental Law Santa Clara University School of Law 500 El Camino Real, Loyola 101 Santa Clara, CA 95053 USA Phone: 408.551.3000 x6139 Mobile: 650.281.9126 Fax: 408.554.2745 [EMAIL PROTECTED] SSRN Author Page: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=240348 International Environmental Law Blog: http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/intlenvironment/ -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Mickelson Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:13 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: Carbon Calculator (and very interesting ocean carbon trials!) Hi, Had an error returned, linking to enclosed Youtube submittal. Not to hijack the link, but, in searching, came upon a very interesting carbon "experiment" that I hadnt seen before, A for profit company PLANKTOS (www.planktos.com) is proposing to dump iron bearing particulates in various parts of the worlds ocean on a regular basis to (ostensibly)"restore plankton populations and sequester carbon" (see below). I apologize if this has been discussed before, (didnt see it in an archive search) but very curious as to folks reactions and science-based impressions of the approach. )Apparently WWF and Green-Peace arent immediately among the projects supporters...) -John ********************************************** "Planktos, Inc. is a for-profit ("ecorestoration" posters quotes) company based in San Francisco with offices in the European Union and British Columbia. Our primary focus is to restore damaged habitats in the ocean and on land. Through iron-stimulated plankton blooms in the oceans and afforestation projects in Europe, we are able to generate carbon credits. We then sell these offsets to individuals and businesses that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their impact on climate change. The profits from the sale of these carbon credits finance further ecosystem restoration projects." Graphical presentation at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPF2HyX8SrI --- "Thomson, David Michael" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Sorry I can't help you out with your specific > question, but I can't = > resist sharing a link with you to a video from some > British youths that = > takes a very novel approach to explaining carbon > credits or offsets:=20 > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Df3_CYdYDDpk > > I am reply to the list just in case there are a few > scientists out there = > who have not come across it. It appears the BBC > covered this, but I = > don't have TV, so the whole western world might > know... apologies if = > that is the case. =20 > > Enjoy, > David > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, > news on behalf of = > Sara Viernum > Sent: Mon 8/13/2007 6:31 PM > To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU > Subject: Carbon Calculator > =20 > Dear Listserv, > > We have a question: Are there any carbon > calculators available for=20 > specific consumer items (i.e. cup of coffee, load of > laundry, etc.)? > > All we've been able to find are calculators for > driving, home heating, = > and=20 > airtravel. > > Any help would be greatly appreciated. > > > Thanks > Sara E. Viernum > Clifford J. Webb > "All persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental". K. Vonnegut
