OceanAlkalinityEnhancement(OAE)withMineralDissolution

Why It Matters

Ocean acidification threatens marine biodiversity, including shell-forming organisms and coral reefs, impacting fisheries valued at billions of dollars annually. Widespread OAE could restore marine ecosystems, enhance the ocean's carbon sink capacity, and significantly draw down atmospheric CO2, protecting coastal livelihoods. Fishermen, aquaculture industries, and coastal communities would be significant winners, while the mining and transport industries for alkaline minerals would see new market opportunities. Major barriers include the massive scale of mineral required, the energy intensity of mining and grinding, and the potential for localized ecological impacts from mineral dust or altered chemistry. A realistic timeline for significant impact is 30-50 years, with smaller regional projects potentially within 10-20 years. The US, Germany, and Australia are actively investing in OAE research and pilot projects. A less discussed consequence is the potential for geopolitical tensions over access to vast mineral resources (e.g., olivine deposits) required for large-scale deployment.