OCEAN ALKALINITY ENHANCEMENT (OAE)

An approach to carbon removal that involves adding alkaline substances to seawater to accelerate the ocean’s natural carbon sink. Adding alkalinity to the ocean converts dissolved inorganic CO2 in seawater into bicarbonates and carbonates, which are stable forms of carbon with a lifetime of approximately 10,000 years. The resulting CO2 deficit in surface waters is quickly rebalanced via a net movement of atmospheric CO2 into the ocean to reestablish equilibrium.