Ocean Acidification and CO2: How Electrochemical Technology Can Help

Ocean acidification is a serious threat to the marine environment. This is caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere into the ocean. CO2 reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the ocean.

This acidification process has a number of negative consequences for marine life, including:

Reducing calcification: Many marine organisms such as corals and molluscs use calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. Acidification makes it harder for these organisms to build and maintain their structures, making them more susceptible to disease and death.

Reproduction disruption: Acidification can also disrupt the reproduction of marine organisms. For example, it can make it difficult for fish to hatch eggs.

Reduced food availability: Acidification can also reduce the availability of food for marine organisms. This is because it can disrupt the growth of phytoplankton, which is the base of the marine food chain.

Electrochemical technology is a promising new approach to combating ocean acidification. This technology uses an electrochemical cell to remove CO2 from seawater. The CO2 is then converted into a form that can be safely stored or used.

How it works

Electrochemical technology works by passing an electric current through seawater. This current causes the CO2 in the seawater to react with the electrodes in the cell, producing a gas that can be collected. The CO2 can then be converted into a form that can be safely stored or used.

What scientists say

Several scientists have explored the potential of electrochemical technology to address ocean acidification. In a 2019 study, a team of scientists from the University of California, Berkeley found that electrochemical technologies can be used to remove CO2 from seawater at a rate of 100 tons per day. Scientists have concluded that electrochemical technology is a "promising approach" to solving the problem of ocean acidification.

Opinions of experts

Experts believe that electrochemical technology can make a significant contribution to the fight against ocean acidification. In a 2020 interview, Dr. Jane Lubchenko, a former NOAA administrator, said that electrochemical technology is "one of the most promising technologies" to combat ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification is a serious threat to the marine environment. Electrochemical technology is a promising new approach to address this threat. This technology has the potential to remove CO2 from seawater on a large scale and is being studied by scientists around the world. Experts believe that electrochemical technology can make a significant contribution to the fight against ocean acidification.