A startup based in Nova Scotia is currently conducting trials on a technique to capture and retain more carbon in the ocean. This initiative involves a novel pilot facility to validate the concept.
The ocean serves as a significant reservoir for excess carbon dioxide, having absorbed approximately 30% of human-induced carbon emissions since the 1980s. pHathom, the company behind the project, aims to enhance this capability by capturing carbon dioxide and transforming it into a form that can be securely stored in the ocean for thousands of years.
The experimental phase will take place at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Kimberly Gilbert, the CEO and co-founder of pHathom, emphasized the importance of demonstrating the safety and efficacy of their method at a local level to address global climate change challenges.
The company’s approach mirrors a natural process where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, subsequently converting it into bicarbonate when they interact with alkaline rocks like limestone. pHathom replicates this process in a controlled reactor using seawater and exhaust from a biomass power plant to convert carbon dioxide to bicarbonate before reintroducing the treated water into the ocean.
Notably, other enterprises in Nova Scotia are exploring variations of carbon removal techniques known as alkalinity enhancement. For instance, Planetary and CarbonRun are conducting projects to enhance seawater alkalinity for carbon dioxide absorption.
pHathom’s method boasts efficiency due to its use of concentrated carbon dioxide, enabling precise environmental impact assessments. The pilot project targets capturing 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily, with the goal of scaling up operations in Nova Scotia next year.
Despite the potential of carbon removal technologies, challenges such as energy consumption and scalability remain significant. Experts stress the necessity of reducing emissions alongside exploring carbon removal solutions to combat the climate crisis effectively.
Looking ahead, pHathom plans to expand its operations and integrate their technology into existing infrastructure to further mitigate carbon emissions. The company remains optimistic about the future prospects of their technology and its role in global climate action.
