Scalability and Carbon Removal Potential of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement

This article presents a research study on the scalability and carbon removal potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), a method for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The study assesses the OAE's capability to remove between 0.64 to 2.7 gigatons of CO2 per year by 2100, emphasizing that significant growth in this area is expected later in the century. The authors highlight the necessity for early investments and policy interventions to support the technology's development. The document outlines the challenges faced by the CDR industry, including cost, permanence, and social acceptance. It also discusses the geographical aspects of OAE deployment, noting the importance of political support and public opinion in various countries. The study employs a modeling framework to analyze the deployment and diffusion of OAE technologies, comparing them with analogous industries such as offshore wind and desalination. The findings aim to provide a realistic assessment of OAE's potential impacts on climate change mitigation.