A startup based in Nova Scotia is currently conducting trials on a novel technique aimed at capturing and storing more carbon in the ocean. By utilizing a new pilot facility, the company, pHathom, intends to validate the effectiveness of their approach.
The ocean serves as a significant repository for surplus carbon dioxide, having absorbed approximately 30% of all carbon emissions generated by human activities since the 1980s. pHathom seeks to enhance this natural process by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transforming it into a form that can be securely stored in the ocean for thousands of years.
The pilot project will be carried out at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, N.B. Co-founder and CEO Kimberly Gilbert emphasized the importance of demonstrating the safety and efficacy of their method at a local level due to the global issue of climate change.
The company’s methodology involves replicating a natural process where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming slightly acidic. When these raindrops encounter alkaline rocks like limestone, a portion of the rock dissolves, converting the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate. This bicarbonate can then be stored in the ocean for extended periods, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
pHathom’s process entails exposing seawater to the emissions of a biomass power plant, acidifying the water. The acidic water is then mixed with small limestone particles in a tank to convert the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate before being reintroduced into the ocean with the same pH level as regular seawater.
Several companies in Nova Scotia are exploring variations of this carbon removal technique, known as alkalinity enhancement. pHathom’s approach stands out for its utilization of highly concentrated carbon dioxide, which enhances efficiency. The pilot phase aims to capture 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily, with the process generating treated water for experimental tanks to observe its impact on various marine species over a three-month period.
If successful, pHathom plans to expand its operations with a second test site in Nova Scotia next year, integrating their reactor into a building transitioning from a fossil-fuel boiler to a biomass system. Despite the potential of carbon removal technologies, challenges such as energy consumption and scaling up remain significant hurdles.
Overall, the innovative efforts of pHathom and other companies in advancing carbon removal technologies underscore the urgency of addressing the climate crisis through innovative solutions and sustainable practices.