TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kowalczyk, Katarzyna A.
A1  - Amann, Thorben
A1  - Strefler, Jessica
A1  - Vorrath, Maria-Elena
A1  - Hartmann, Jens
A1  - de Marco, Serena
A1  - Renforth, Phil
A1  - Foteinis, Spyros
A1  - Kriegler, Elmar
T1  - Marine carbon dioxide removal by alkalinization should no longer be overlooked
JF  - Environmental research letters
N2  - To achieve the Paris climate target, deep emissions reductions have to be complemented with carbon dioxide removal (CDR). However, a portfolio of CDR options is necessary to reduce risks and potential negative side effects. Despite a large theoretical potential, ocean-based CDR such as ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) has been omitted in climate change mitigation scenarios so far. In this study, we provide a techno-economic assessment of large-scale OAE using hydrated lime ('ocean liming'). We address key uncertainties that determine the overall cost of ocean liming (OL) such as the CO2 uptake efficiency per unit of material, distribution strategies avoiding carbonate precipitation which would compromise efficiency, and technology availability (e.g., solar calciners). We find that at economic costs of 130–295 $/tCO2 net-removed, ocean liming could be a competitive CDR option which could make a significant contribution towards the Paris climate target. As the techno-economic assessment identified no showstoppers, we argue for more research on ecosystem impacts, governance, monitoring, reporting, and verification, and technology development and assessment to determine whether ocean liming and other OAE should be considered as part of a broader CDR portfolio.
KW  - carbon dioxide removal (CDR)
KW  - ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE)
KW  - ocean liming (OL)
KW  - echno-economic assessment
KW  - uptake efficiency
Y1  - 2024
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad5192
SN  - 1748-9326
VL  - 19
IS  - 7
PB  - IOP Publishing
CY  - Bristol
ER  -