A ground-breaking project to suck carbon out of the sea has started operating on England's south coast. The small pilot scheme, known as SeaCURE, is funded by the UK government as part of its search for technologies that fight climate change. There's broad consensus amongst climate scientists that the overwhelming priority is to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the chief cause of global warming. But many scientists also believe that part of the solution will have to involve capturing some of the gases that have already been released. These projects, known as carbon capture, usually focus either on capturing emissions at source or pulling them from the air. What makes SeaCure interesting is that it is testing whether it might be more efficient to pull planet-warming carbon from the sea, since it's present in greater concentrations in water than in the air. To reach the project's entrance you have to go round the back of the Weymouth Sealife Centre and walk past a sign that says "Caution: Moray Eels may Bite". There's a reason this ground-breaking project has been placed here. It's a pipe that snakes under the stony beach and out into the Atlantic, sucking up seawater and bringing it onshore. The project is trying to find whether removing carbon from the water might be a cost effective way of reducing the amount of the climate warming gas CO2 in the atmosphere. SeaCURE processes the seawater to remove the carbon before pumping it back out to sea where it absorbs more CO2. We're the first broadcast journalists to visit and Professor Tom Bell from Plymouth Marine Laboratory is tasked with showing us around. He explains that the process begins by treating some of the seawater to make it more acidic. This encourages the carbon that's dissolved in the seawater to turn into a gas and be released into the atmosphere as CO2. "This is the seawater stripper" Prof Bell says with a smile as we turn a corner. The "stripper" is a large stainless steel tank which maximises the amount of contact between the acidic seawater and the air. "When you open a fizzy drink it froths, that's the CO2 coming out." Prof Bell says. "What we're doing by spreading the seawater on a large surface area. It's a bit like pouring a drink on the floor and allowing the CO2 to come out of the seawater really quickly." The CO2 that emerges into the air is sucked away and then concentrated using charred coconut husks ready to be stored. The low-carbon seawater then has alkali added to it – to neutralise the acid that was added – and is then pumped back out into a stream that flows into the sea. Once back in the sea it immediately start to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere contributing in a very small way to reducing greenhouse gases. There are already much more developed carbon capture technologies which take carbon directly out of the air – but Dr Paul Halloran who leads the SeaCURE project tells me that using water instead has it's advantages. "Seawater has got loads of carbon in it compared to the air, about 150 times more," says Dr Halloran. "But it's got different challenges, the energy requirements to generate the products that we require to do this from seawater are huge." At present the amount of CO2 this pilot project is removing is tiny – at most 100 metric tonnes per year – that's about the carbon footprint of about 100 transatlantic flights. But given the size the world's oceans those behind SeaCURE think it has potential. In it's submission to the UK government SeaCURE said the technology had the potential to be massively scaled up to remove 14 bn tonnes of CO2 a year if 1% of the world's seawater on the ocean's surface was processed. For that to be plausible the entire process for stripping the carbon – would have to be powered by renewable energy. Possibly by solar panels in a floating installation at sea. "Carbon removal is necessary. If you want to reach net zero emissions and net zero emissions is needed to halt further warming," says Dr Oliver Geden who's part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and an expert in carbon capture. "Capturing directly from seawater is one of the options. Directly capturing it from the air is another one. There are basically 15 to 20 options, and in the end the question of what to use, of course, will depend on the cost." The Seacure project has £3m of funding from the government and is one of 15 pilot projects being backed in the UK as part of efforts to develop technologies that capture and store greenhouse gases. "Removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere is essential in helping us achieve net zero," says energy minister Kerry McCarthy. "Innovative projects like SeaCURE at the University of Exeter play an important role in creating the green technologies needed to make this happen, while supporting skilled jobs and boosting growth." There's also the question of what a large quantity of low-carbon water would do to the sea and the things that live in it. In Weymouth it dribbles out of a pipe in such small quantities its unlikely to have any impact. Guy Hooper is a Phd student at Exeter University and is researching the possible impacts of the project. He's been exposing marine creatures to low-carbon water under laboratory conditions. "Marine organisms rely on carbon to do certain things," he says. "So phytoplankton use carbon to photosynthesize while things like mussels also use carbon to build their shells." Hooper says early indications are that massively increasing the amount of low-carbon water could have some impact on the environment. "It might be damaging but there might be ways to mitigate that – for example through pre-diluting the low-carbon water. It's important this is included in the discussion early on."
Project to suck carbon out of sea begins in UK
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Launches Innovative SeaCURE Project for Carbon Capture from Seawater"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
A pioneering initiative aimed at capturing carbon from seawater has commenced on England's south coast, under the pilot scheme named SeaCURE. This project, funded by the UK government, forms part of the broader effort to combat climate change through innovative technologies. While the primary focus among climate scientists remains on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing recognition that capturing some of the already-released gases is essential for addressing global warming. SeaCURE's unique approach involves extracting carbon from seawater, where carbon dioxide (CO2) is found in significantly higher concentrations than in the air. The project utilizes a pipe system that draws seawater from the Atlantic, processes it to remove carbon, and then returns the treated water back into the ocean, theoretically allowing it to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere. Professor Tom Bell from Plymouth Marine Laboratory highlights that the process involves acidifying the seawater to convert dissolved carbon into gas, which is then concentrated and prepared for storage. This method is compared to the release of CO2 from a fizzy drink when it is opened, illustrating how the project maximizes the interaction between seawater and air to facilitate carbon extraction.
Despite its innovative approach, SeaCURE currently removes only a small quantity of CO2, estimated at around 100 metric tonnes per year, equating to the carbon footprint of approximately 100 transatlantic flights. However, the project's proponents believe it holds significant potential for scaling up, suggesting that processing just 1% of the world's surface seawater could theoretically eliminate 14 billion tonnes of CO2 annually. For this to be feasible, the entire carbon stripping process would need to be powered by renewable energy sources, possibly utilizing solar panels installed at sea. Experts, including Dr. Oliver Geden from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, emphasize that capturing carbon from seawater is one of several methods needed to achieve net-zero emissions, which is crucial to mitigate further warming. Nevertheless, the implications of introducing large volumes of low-carbon water into the marine environment necessitate careful study, as research by PhD student Guy Hooper indicates potential impacts on marine life, particularly on organisms that rely on carbon for their biological processes. Overall, SeaCURE represents a significant step in exploring alternative carbon capture methods while highlighting the importance of balancing environmental considerations with technological advancements.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The implementation of a groundbreaking carbon capture project on England's south coast indicates a significant effort in the UK’s strategy to combat climate change. The SeaCURE project demonstrates an innovative approach by exploring the possibility of extracting carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from seawater, leveraging the higher concentration of CO2 in water compared to air. This initiative reflects a broader acknowledgment within the scientific community that while reducing emissions is essential, capturing existing atmospheric carbon is equally important.
Objectives Behind the Project
The article highlights the UK government's investment in technologies aimed at addressing climate change. Such projects not only seek to advance scientific knowledge but also serve to improve the UK’s environmental image on a global scale. By showcasing SeaCURE, the UK positions itself as a leader in innovative climate solutions, potentially attracting further investments and partnerships in the green technology sector.
Public Perception and Messaging
The narrative constructed around SeaCURE aims to foster optimism and support within the community for climate action initiatives. By emphasizing the novelty and potential effectiveness of the project, the government may be attempting to bolster public confidence in its environmental policies. This can also create a sense of involvement among citizens, encouraging them to support broader climate initiatives.
Omissions and Transparency
While the article focuses on the technological innovation of carbon capture from the sea, it does not delve into potential drawbacks or challenges, such as the economic feasibility of scaling up such projects or the ecological impacts of altering seawater chemistry. This omission could suggest a desire to present a more favorable image of the initiative, possibly downplaying legitimate concerns from environmentalists or economists.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
This project aligns with a growing trend of reporting on innovative climate solutions worldwide. Similar initiatives are being explored in different countries, indicating a collective global response to climate change. The emphasis on carbon capture, alongside renewable energy advancements, might create a narrative that highlights a united front against global warming, which could be beneficial for international relations and collaboration.
Impact on Society and Economy
The SeaCURE project could have several implications for society and the economy. If successful, it might lead to new job opportunities in green technology sectors and promote further investments in sustainable practices. However, if challenges arise, it could also lead to public disillusionment with government initiatives.
Support from Specific Communities
The project is likely to garner support from environmentally conscious communities, scientists, and technology sectors. It may also appeal to local businesses that stand to benefit from increased tourism and investment in green technologies.
Market and Investment Implications
As the news of innovative climate solutions spreads, it may influence investor sentiment towards companies involved in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies. Stocks associated with environmental technology firms could see positive movement as a result of heightened public and governmental interest.
Global Power Dynamics
The SeaCURE initiative could contribute to the UK’s geopolitical positioning by demonstrating leadership in climate technology. In the context of current global discussions on climate agreements and sustainability, this project places the UK in a favorable light, potentially increasing its influence in international climate negotiations.
Artificial Intelligence in Reporting
There is a possibility that AI tools were involved in crafting the article, especially in data gathering and structuring the narrative. AI could have been used to analyze public sentiment or to gather scientific data supporting the initiative, influencing the article’s direction towards an optimistic portrayal.
Manipulative Elements
While the article largely presents factual information, the tone may lean towards manipulation by creating an overly positive narrative and potentially glossing over critical challenges. This could be seen as a strategic move to garner public and political support for the government’s climate strategies. In conclusion, the article reflects a significant and innovative effort to address climate change through the SeaCURE project. While it highlights the potential benefits, it also raises questions about transparency and the broader implications of such initiatives. The overall reliability of the news can be considered moderate, as it presents a largely favorable view without addressing potential drawbacks or criticisms.