The ocean provides additional options for an increased reduction of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Photo: Sunke Schmidtko, GEOMAR.

The ocean is able to help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Photo: Oliver Sjostrom, Unsplash

Seeweed farming presents a biological option for marine carbon uptake. Photo: Silas Baisch, Unsplash

Ocean-based methods for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. Graphic: Rita Erven, GEOMAR

Kick-off in Lüneburg

CDRmare researchers discuss ocean-based methods for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

08.03.2022/Warnemünde/Kiel/Lüneburg. In order to mitigate the consequences of human-induced climate change, measures to remove CO2 from the atmosphere will be necessary in addition to drastic reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Whether and how the ocean can contribute to targeted atmospheric CO2 reduction is being investigated by the research mission CDRmare of the German Alliance for Marine Research (DAM). From 9 to 10 March 2022, all participating researchers will meet for the first time in Lüneburg to intensively exchange ideas on the main questions from a total of six research alliances.

- Joint press release of the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel -

Since August 2021, about 200 scientists from a total of 22 research institutions, authorities and companies have been working within the framework of the research mission CDRmare, which is coordinated at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) and funded with 26 million euros by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

This week, the researchers are meeting in Lüneburg for the first general CDRmare conference for intensive professional exchange and to strengthen their network. Various methods for marine CO₂ removal and storage will be discussed with regard to their potential, risks and possible impacts on the marine environment and the Earth system. Specifically, this involves increasing the alkalinity of seawater - for example by introducing rock flour - to enhance CO₂exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean, artificially generated upwelling of nutrient-rich deep water to increase the uptake of atmospheric CO₂ in algal biomass, improving the carbon storage potential of vegetation-rich coastal ecosystems and CO₂ storage in the seabed. The spectrum of research approaches ranges from laboratory studies to mesocosm studies in natural ecosystems of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, studies in tropical mangrove forests to regional and global modelling. The political, economic and social framework conditions of possible measures are also scientifically investigated.

All research activities are carried out in close dialogue with the relevant societal stakeholders. Ultimately, the results of the CDRmare research mission intend to provide the scientific basis for groundbreaking political and societal decisions.

Online press conference on 21 March 2022

The Lüneburg CDRmare conference is not open to the public as it is used for internal project coordination and planning. However, media representatives will have the opportunity to participate in an online press conference in German language on 21 March from 12:30 to 14:00. More information about the online press conference and registration details can be found in the German version of this press release.