Eco-engineering approaches for ocean negative carbon emission.

Area of Science:

• Marine Science
• Climate Change Mitigation
• Eco-engineering

Background:

• Global consensus is forming around achieving carbon neutrality within 30-40 years to combat climate change.
• Key strategies include reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions and increasing carbon sinks (negative emissions).
• Ocean-based solutions are crucial for large-scale carbon sequestration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for eco-engineering approaches for ocean negative carbon emission (ONCE).
• To promote coordinated international efforts in developing ONCE strategies and methodologies.
• To explore marine ecosystem-based approaches for enhancing carbon sinks.

Main Methods:

• Focus on ecological and biogeochemical processes for carbon sequestration in marine environments.
• Investigating interactions between the biological pump (BP), microbial carbon pump (MCP), and microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP).
• Considering diverse marine ecosystems like estuaries, hypoxic waters, coral reefs, and aquaculture areas.

Main Results:

• Advocacy for developing and implementing ONCE strategies.
• Identification of key research areas, particularly the interplay of BP, MCP, and MICP.
• Highlighting specific marine environments with potential for increased carbon sequestration capacity.

Conclusions:

• Ocean eco-engineering presents a viable strategy for negative carbon emissions.
• ONCE approaches can significantly contribute to global carbon neutrality goals.
• These strategies offer dual benefits of carbon sequestration and environmental stress alleviation.