Greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase global temperatures. Individuals and organizations around the world are increasingly focused on mitigating climate change and are urgently seeking solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a unique technique for storing carbon dioxide in the deep ocean that offers new strategies to combat the climate crisis.
New knowledge from the depths of the ocean
Scientists used an innovative method to observe the circulation of complex organic molecules produced by marine bacteria in seawater. They discovered how these particles contribute to carbon storage in the deep sea.
“Our new technique is great because it allows us to look at the composition of all the organic molecules in seawater and see how they cycle,” said study senior author Brett Walker.
Experts noted that understanding the nature and circulation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is of paramount importance to reducing the marine carbon cycle.
Organic matter and deep carbon storage
Walker and his team conducted field work in Baffin Bay, an area between Canada and Greenland. They monitored the concentration of carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM) in seawater.
The findings suggest that deep ocean storage favors some organic molecules while others are recycled to the surface.
“We find that about a quarter to half of the CRAM disappears in the deep ocean. The only way to remove this material is biologically, through heterotrophic bacteria eating the material as an energy source,” Walker explained.
Better understanding of the carbon cycle
The team initially believed that CRAM was accumulating in the depths of the ocean. However, data collected in Baffin Bay painted a contrasting picture.
Scientists noticed an abundance of CRAM on the ocean surface that had been consumed at depth.
“If more CRAM could be stored in the deep ocean, it could probably moderate the atmospheric climate on a scale of centuries,” Walker said.
If half of the CRAM is inert and stored in the deep ocean, bacteria can store carbon from surface CO2 for a significant period of time.
Improving the storage of carbon dioxide by greenhouse gases
Scientists want to discover methods to increase the storage range of CRAM bacteria in the deep ocean.
“The goal would be to investigate whether there is a natural process by which the natural production of these neutral compounds can be increased at depth in native bacterial populations,” Walker said.
Even small increases in deep ocean storage rates could significantly increase the capacity to store carbon dioxide over millennia. Walker and his team plan to investigate whether the same biochemical process occurs in ocean waters around the world.
They also plan to assess the rate of CRAM production or loss as it relates to deep water formation and ocean circulation.
In the face of the daunting challenges of climate change, such innovative discoveries are encouraging.
Thanks to advances like those made by the University of California, Irvine team, individuals and organizations around the world can gain access to new strategies to combat climate change.
Future implications for greenhouse gas management
The discovery of carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM) as key players in deep ocean carbon storage opens the door to future research opportunities.
Understanding the role of these molecules in long-term greenhouse gas management could inspire new carbon sequestration technologies that mimic or improve natural processes.
As the global community seeks to mitigate climate change, there is growing interest in how marine ecosystems can serve as carbon sinks.
Walker and his team suggest that future efforts will focus on scaling the results globally. By examining other deep-sea regions and conditions, researchers want to improve their understanding of CRAM’s contribution to carbon storage.
Nature-based solutions to combat climate change
This knowledge could prove crucial for policymakers and environmental planners adopting innovative nature-based solutions to tackle rising greenhouse gas levels.
This new line of research raises questions about the impact of deep-sea exploration and interventions on marine ecosystems.
As scientists seek to gain a deeper understanding of ocean carbon storage, the potential risks and ethical considerations associated with deep-sea activities must be carefully considered to ensure sustainable and responsible progress.
The study was published in the journal Nature communication.
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