Ocean Lighting as a tool for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
Ocean Lighting as a tool for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
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Oral communication presented at the "Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal emerging views and challenges", 56th International Liège Colloquium on ocean dynamics. Liège, Belgium, 26-30 May, 2025.
Abstract
Methods for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) in the oceans propose to increase primary production to promote higher passive flux or the use of mineral weathering processes to induce pCO2 decline in surface waters. Massive iron or pulverized carbonate spills, or many artificial upwelling devices should be used to promote the desired CDR. All these methods are based on modifying the natural environment to promote CDR, interfering the ocean water column with unknown consequences. The Ocean Lighting CDR proposal is based on a more environmentally friendly method to transport carbon downward in the ocean as there is no need to dump particles (iron fertilization and alkalinity enhancement) or the use of large devices to promote upwelling. Lunar cycles were observed to promote a higher efficiency of the biological pump. During full moon periods, the weak light avoids diel vertical migrants (DVMs) from reaching the upper productive layers promoting epipelagic non-migrant zooplankton biomass to increase because of low predation. After the full moon, DVMs reach the upper layers feeding upon the epipelagic zooplankton crop, transporting its biomass downward by active flux. The increase of epipelagic zooplankton during the illuminated period of the lunar cycle promotes higher feeding upon microzooplankton, packing production into mesozooplankton biomass and their molts, carcasses, fecal pellets, and dead eggs. If DVMs remain longer in deep waters because we induce a longer weak illumination (<0.3 lux), epipelagic zooplankton will further increase their biomass. Based on previously studied lunar cycles, model results showed that the increase of zooplankton biomass is quite sensitive to the lighting time and the growth rate of these organisms. Switching off the artificial light, DVMs exported this surplus biomass by active flux. We seek to test this method in the field using artificial illumination of the ocean using buoys or saildrones. This biogeochemical manipulation would increase the efficiency of the biological pump by promoting a slight increase in carbon downward transport. The methodology we are proposing here is highly disruptive and can constitute a breakthrough in the CDR race.
Carbon Dioxide Removal and Emissions Offsetting
Climate change is the main problem facing humanity and the planet. The massive emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere following the Industrial Revolution is driving the most rapid environmental and social changes in Earth's recent history. A significant and urgent transformation of our economy is required. The use of renewable energy is the immediate solution to stabilize global temperature. However, even if we stop emitting CO2, a significant amount of this gas will still remain in the atmosphere. An important amount of greeenhouse gases will have to be artificially removed from the atmosphere if we want to maintain or reduce the planet's temperature. Furthermore, some sectors of the economy will find quite difficult the transition to renewable energy (e.g., maritime and air transport), so these emissions will need to be offset with specific technologies. The oceans have the greatest potential for storing carbon, as they represent 70% of the Earth's surface, but also because carbon could be exported and sequestered in the deep-sea, retaining large quantities of CO2 for hundreds or even thousands of years. Therefore, several marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies have been proposed, such as iron fertilization, alkalization, artificial upwelling, and ocean lighting. These negative emissions technologies, currently being tested in parallel with renewable energies, should lead our planet and our society toward a sustainable environment.
Relevance for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands should reduce its emissions to allow a balance between our greenhouse gases release to the atmosphere and the carbon storage on land and the deep ocean (Net-Zero). It is mandatory to promote mCDR technologies in order to offset emissions, but also to avoid the taxes imposed by the European Union for pollution. For instance, the ports, airports, and industry should reduce but also to offset emissions. If no action is taken, the result will be that many companies operating in our islands will relocate to neighbor countries (e.g., Morocco) to avoid EU taxes. The Canary Islands are one of the best places in the world to conduct and implement this mCDR research, avoiding additional costs for our economy. Its application could be carried out in a relatively short period. The Government of the Canary Islands should lead this research by implementing specific projects and negotiating with the EU to offset these emissions. The development of this research will result in significant cost savings for our economy.
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