A startup in Nova Scotia is currently experimenting with a technique to capture and store more carbon in the ocean through a new pilot facility to validate the concept. The ocean has been a significant reservoir for excess carbon dioxide, absorbing roughly 30% of all human-driven carbon emissions since the 1980s.
pHathom, the company behind this initiative, aims to enhance carbon capture from the atmosphere by converting carbon dioxide into a form that can be securely stored in the ocean for thousands of years. The first phase of this project will take place at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, N.B., as co-founder and CEO Kimberly Gilbert highlighted the importance of demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the approach at a local level.
The company’s method replicates a natural process where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the air, becoming slightly acidic. When these raindrops come into contact with alkaline rock like limestone, some rock dissolves, decreasing the water’s acidity and transforming the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate. Ultimately, this bicarbonate can be stored in the ocean for extended periods, effectively reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
By utilizing a reactor, pHathom’s process involves exposing seawater to the emissions of a biomass power plant, making the water more acidic. This acidic water is then combined with small limestone particles in a tank to convert carbon dioxide into bicarbonate before being reintroduced into the ocean with a pH level similar to regular seawater.
In addition to pHathom, other companies in Nova Scotia are exploring variations of carbon removal methods, specifically in the field of alkalinity enhancement. These companies, including Planetary and CarbonRun, are conducting projects to increase seawater pH levels or deploy similar approaches on rivers in the region.
The pilot phase of pHathom’s project aims to capture 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily. This amount, while seemingly small, can be significant when compared to emissions from large coal-fired power plants. The pilot will provide treated water for testing tanks to observe its impact on various marine species over a three-month period.
The potential scalability of carbon removal technologies remains a key challenge, as emphasized by experts like Katja Fennel from Dalhousie University. While the road ahead poses challenges, companies like pHathom are optimistic about the future, with plans to expand their testing to a second site in Nova Scotia next year.
Despite hurdles such as energy consumption and regulatory barriers, the urgency of the climate crisis warrants exploring promising carbon removal technologies, as long as efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependency continue. Gilbert remains hopeful that economic and environmental imperatives will eventually drive global action when the time is right.
A recent report from the Canadian Senate praised Canada’s leadership in ocean alkalinity enhancement research but highlighted economic uncertainties in domestic climate policies that could impact the viability of carbon capture projects. However, the push for innovation and readiness in sustainable technologies remains crucial for addressing climate change effectively.