CSIRO is currently exploring the feasibility of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) for carbon dioxide removal in Australia. While OAE is a relatively new technology, there is a growing body of research that suggests it has potential to work as a scalable, responsible method for the capturing and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Beginning in October 2024, we plan to undertake fieldwork to address fundamental knowledge gaps in this area. The fieldwork will take place in Woodbridge, southern Tasmania.
The planned fieldwork will involve the controlled release of a sodium hydroxide solution and tracer dye into the surface waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, adjacent to the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre. This will take place in November over several days and allow our research team to demonstrate the ability to track the modified plume of seawater, quantify the short term chemical changes, and verify and document the minimal biological impacts.
The experiment and related research involves a variety of approaches, including:
- oceanography (e.g. changing ocean chemistry, sensor technology and ocean modelling)
- modern genomics (e.g. metabarcoding)
- conventional biomarker and isotopic methods
- stakeholder engagement and interviews.
The planned work will include the following activities, undertaken in two phases:
Phase 1 (planned start date in late October)
- collecting baseline oceanographic observations (e.g., seawater temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved CO2) using a containerised laboratory
- collecting water samples to establish baseline biological conditions and evaluate the composition of the phytoplankton community.
Phase 2 (planned start date in late November)
- carefully planned, small-scale release of seawater modified with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide, and a tracer dye
- deployment of sensors, including a small autonomous surface vehicle and airborne drones, as well as small boat to track the plume of modified seawater and its dispersion over a small area (within 100m of the shore and jetty).
- continued collection of baseline observations (as described above in Phase 1) upon completion of the modified seawater release.
CSIRO is currently exploring the feasibility of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) for carbon dioxide removal in Australia. While OAE is a relatively new technology, there is a growing body of research that suggests it has potential to work as a scalable, responsible method for the capturing and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Beginning in October 2024, we plan to undertake fieldwork to address fundamental knowledge gaps in this area. The fieldwork will take place in Woodbridge, southern Tasmania.
The planned fieldwork will involve the controlled release of a sodium hydroxide solution and tracer dye into the surface waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, adjacent to the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre. This will take place in November over several days and allow our research team to demonstrate the ability to track the modified plume of seawater, quantify the short term chemical changes, and verify and document the minimal biological impacts.
The experiment and related research involves a variety of approaches, including:
- oceanography (e.g. changing ocean chemistry, sensor technology and ocean modelling)
- modern genomics (e.g. metabarcoding)
- conventional biomarker and isotopic methods
- stakeholder engagement and interviews.
The planned work will include the following activities, undertaken in two phases:
Phase 1 (planned start date in late October)
- collecting baseline oceanographic observations (e.g., seawater temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved CO2) using a containerised laboratory
- collecting water samples to establish baseline biological conditions and evaluate the composition of the phytoplankton community.
Phase 2 (planned start date in late November)
- carefully planned, small-scale release of seawater modified with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide, and a tracer dye
- deployment of sensors, including a small autonomous surface vehicle and airborne drones, as well as small boat to track the plume of modified seawater and its dispersion over a small area (within 100m of the shore and jetty).
- continued collection of baseline observations (as described above in Phase 1) upon completion of the modified seawater release.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Yes. The modified seawater to be released with have a maximum pH of 9, and will be nearly instantaneously mixed with the surrounding waters, resulting in rapid dilution, and only slightly elevated pH in the study area (within 100 m of the shore and jetty).
The science team has designed a rigorous risk assessment framework that means the experiment can be stopped at any time if there are any potential risks to human health or safety or to the marine environment.
We are not releasing any solid minerals or generating by-products that can accumulate in the ocean.
The changes in pH that will result from the release are well within the range of the natural variations in the ocean.
In the weeks to months prior to the experiment, we plan to measure baseline conditions with instruments housed in a shipping container (continuous pH and CO2 at the surface of the ocean, as well as temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen).
We will also collect discrete seawater samples that will be returned to CSIRO for analyses of dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity in the laboratory. We will also collect biological samples to determine the composition of the local phytoplankton community.
During the experiment we will measure the CO2 and pH in the modified seawater plume, as well both upstream and downstream of the plume. Upon conclusion of the experiment, we will continue measurements (consistent with the baseline observations that were collected prior to the experiment) to verify the amount of time required for conditions to return to their initial pre-experiment states.
The fieldwork will take place in November over the course of several weeks.
CSIRO researchers will be on site for several hours/days over the duration of the experiment. At times, our activities may be visible from the shoreline. However, we do not anticipate there will be any impact on recreational activities (e.g. fishing or kayaking) or access to the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre.
CSIRO is committed to regular engagement with the public, as well as all levels of government around this work, and keeping the local community informed of the project progress and outcomes.
You can contact us at any time with further questions through the 'Contact Us' area on this web page.