A startup based in Nova Scotia is currently undertaking a trial to enhance carbon capture and storage in the ocean using a novel pilot facility to validate the method. The ocean has been a significant reservoir for excess carbon dioxide, absorbing approximately 30% of human-induced carbon emissions since the 1980s.
The company, pHathom, is striving to further mitigate emissions by capturing carbon dioxide and transforming it into a form suitable for secure oceanic storage over long periods. The initial testing will occur at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
Kimberly Gilbert, co-founder, and CEO, emphasized the importance of demonstrating the safety and efficacy of their approach through the pilot project. pHathom’s technique replicates a natural process where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, becoming slightly acidic. When these raindrops interact with alkaline rocks like limestone, carbon dioxide is converted into bicarbonate, which can be stored in the ocean for thousands of years.
The startup’s method involves exposing seawater to the emissions of a biomass power plant, increasing its acidity. The acidic water is then mixed with tiny limestone particles in a tank to convert carbon dioxide into bicarbonate before reintroduction into the ocean with neutral pH levels.
Several companies in Nova Scotia are exploring variations of carbon removal techniques, including alkalinity enhancement. pHathom’s approach stands out for its utilization of concentrated carbon dioxide, ensuring enhanced efficiency and measurable environmental impacts due to its enclosed reactor system.
The pilot phase aims to capture 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily, with treated water used for testing tanks to observe its effects on various marine species over a three-month period.
Should the pilot project succeed, pHathom plans to expand its operations to another site in Nova Scotia next year, integrating the reactor into a building transitioning from fossil fuel to biomass heating. Despite the potential benefits of carbon removal technologies, scalability remains a significant challenge, as highlighted by experts in the field.
Efforts to address the climate crisis through innovative technologies face obstacles such as high energy consumption and regulatory complexities. However, proponents like Gilbert remain optimistic about the future impact of these solutions once global action is realized.
A recent Canadian Senate report commended Canada’s leadership in ocean alkalinity enhancement research, urging the government to lead international efforts in implementing regulatory frameworks. Despite policy uncertainties affecting carbon capture projects, Gilbert believes that economic and environmental imperatives will eventually drive substantial progress in combating climate change.
