Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2800
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2800
12 Dec 2023
 | 12 Dec 2023

Particle fluxes by subtropical pelagic communities under ocean alkalinity enhancement

Philipp Suessle, Jan Taucher, Silvan Goldenberg, Moritz Baumann, Kristian Spilling, Andrea Noche-Ferreira, Mari Vanharanta, and Ulf Riebesell

Abstract. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) has been proposed as a carbon dioxide removal technology (CDR) allowing for long term storage of carbon dioxide in the ocean. By changing the carbonate speciation in seawater, OAE may potentially alter marine ecosystems with implications for the biological carbon pump. Using mesocosmsthe subtropical North Atlantic, we provide first empirical insights into impacts of carbonate-based OAE on the vertical flux and attenuation of sinking particles in an oligotrophic plankton community. We enhanced total alkalinity (TA) in increments of 300 μmol kg-1, reaching up to ΔTA = 2400 µmol kg-1 compared to ambient TA. We applied a pCO2-equilibrated OAE approach, i.e. dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was raised simultaneously with TA to maintain seawater pCO2 in equilibrium with the atmosphere, thereby keeping perturbations of seawater carbonate chemistry moderate. The vertical flux of major elements including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon, as well as their stoichiometric ratios (e.g. carbon-to-nitrogen) remained unaffected over 29 days of OAE. The particle properties controlling the flux attenuationinking velocities and remineralization rates also remained unaffected by OAE. However, we observed abiotic mineral precipitation at high OAE levels (ΔTA = 1800 μmol kg-1 and higher) that resulted in a substantial increase in PIC formation. The associated consumption of alkalinity reduces the efficiency of CO2 removal and emphasizes the importance of maintaining OAE within a carefully defined operating range. Our findings suggest that carbon export by oligotrophic plankton communities is insensitive to OAE perturbations using a CO2 pre-equilibrated approach. The integrity of ecosystem services is a prerequisite for large-scale application and should be further tested across a variety of nutrient-regimes and for less idealized OAE approaches.

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Philipp Suessle, Jan Taucher, Silvan Goldenberg, Moritz Baumann, Kristian Spilling, Andrea Noche-Ferreira, Mari Vanharanta, and Ulf Riebesell

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2800', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Jan 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Philipp Suessle, 01 Mar 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2800', Anonymous Referee #2, 29 Jan 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Philipp Suessle, 01 Mar 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2800', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Jan 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Philipp Suessle, 01 Mar 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2800', Anonymous Referee #2, 29 Jan 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Philipp Suessle, 01 Mar 2024
Philipp Suessle, Jan Taucher, Silvan Goldenberg, Moritz Baumann, Kristian Spilling, Andrea Noche-Ferreira, Mari Vanharanta, and Ulf Riebesell
Philipp Suessle, Jan Taucher, Silvan Goldenberg, Moritz Baumann, Kristian Spilling, Andrea Noche-Ferreira, Mari Vanharanta, and Ulf Riebesell

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This paper examines the effects of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) on a key biogeochemical process: the biological carbon pump. The findings suggest that, under the conditions studied, the biological pump will largely remain unaffected by OAE. Gaining insights into how such interventions influence complex oceanographic processes at the ecosystem level is essential for assessing both the efficacy and safety of OAE.
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a negative emission technology which may alter marine communities and the particle export they drive. Here, impacts of carbonate-based OAE on the flux and attenuation of sinking particles in an oligotrophic plankton community are presented. Whilst biological parameters remained unaffected, abiotic carbonate precipitation occurred. Among counteracting OAE’s efficiency, it influenced mineral ballasting and particle sinking velocities, requiring monitoring.