Species‑Specific Phytoplankton Feedbacks Modulate Carbon Removal in Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement
ID:841
Poster Presentation
2027-01-15 16:30 (China Standard Time)
Session:Session 36 - Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Techniques
Abstract
Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is emerging as a promising Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) strategy. By adding alkaline minerals to elevate seawater alkalinity, OAE shifts the carbonate system to convert dissolved CO2 into stable bicarbonates, thereby amplifying the ocean’s capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon. Recent studies demonstrate that marine microalgae can tolerate these engineered increases in alkalinity. However, how phytoplankton feedbacks regulate OAE’s carbon removal efficiency remains unclear. We investigated three widely distributed marine microalgae (diatoms Thalassiosira pseudonana, Skeletonema costatum and coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi) under an alkalinity gradient (ΔTA < 2000 μmol kg-1, pH < 8.5). All three algae survived and enhanced surface CO2 uptake 5- to 25-fold over abiotic controls, yet feedbacks were highly species-specific. T. pseudonana increased atmospheric carbon removal and vertical transport. In E. huxleyi, OAE-stimulated calcification outpaced photosynthesis, causing a 35%–41% theoretical efficiency offset. Nevertheless, actual atmospheric CO2 uptake remained stable, and enhanced ballasting raised its carbon burial by ~82%—showing that under nutrient‑replete and High OAE conditions, E. huxleyi achieves greater carbon removal. S. costatum maintained carbon fixation under Control and Moderate-OAE. Under High OAE, it induced calcification comparable to E. huxleyi, while its rapid photosynthesis uptake kept pCO2 below 50 μatm, resulting in surface CO2 uptake superior to that of E. huxleyi. This calcification increased its carbon burial seven‑fold relative to the non‑calcifying state. With biological intervention, OAE reshapes carbon removal through species-specific biological feedbacks, requiring accurate CDR accounting to incorporate dominant species’ responses to optimize the synergy between chemical uptake and biological fixation.
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Jan 30
2026
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Jan 12–15
2027
XMAS 2027
