Crush the Minerals into a Fine Powder
Naturally occurring minerals like limestone are ground into a fine powder and transported to a waterway.
Powder is introduced directly into the ocean or rivers.
The powder is carefully dosed into waterways in scientifically measured amounts, which raises the pH so the ocean can draw down more carbon from the air. The carbon reacts with the minerals to form a stable new compound that sinks harmlessly to the seafloor.
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How does Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement work?
The ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink, naturally absorbing about 25% of all CO2 emissions. But as it absorbs more carbon dioxide, seawater becomes more acidic—damaging marine life and reducing the ocean’s ability to store additional carbon. Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) solves both problems by adding naturally-occurring minerals to seawater.
Just like antacids neutralize stomach acid, OAE minerals make seawater less acidic. This allows the ocean to safely absorb and store more CO2 from the atmosphere. The carbon gets locked away in the ocean for thousands of years. Canada can also use River Alkalinity Enhancement (RAE) to treat rivers before water flows into the ocean, multiplying the impact.
These technologies don’t just remove carbon; they can also help restore fish habitats. Ocean acidification has harmed shellfish, coral reefs, and the fish populations that depend on them. By reducing acidity, OAE creates healthier conditions for marine ecosystems to recover, protecting Canada’s valuable fisheries and the coastal communities that rely on them.
Canada has everything needed to lead in OAE: abundant minerals, long coastlines, and maritime expertise. This technology offers a chance to capture billions in the growing carbon removal market while protecting the ocean ecosystems that sustain our fishing industry and coastal economies.
Co-Benefits from OAE
Restore Fish Habitats
OAE reduces ocean acidification, which is key to restoring marine ecosystems. This restoration facilitates the return, breeding, and rebuilding of salmon and other marine populations.
Rural Community Job Creation
OAE’s flexibility in site location makes it ideal for rural economic development, creating jobs in communities across Canada.
Industries Supported
Mining
Ocean alkalinity enhancement creates demand for crushed limestone and other alkaline minerals, turning quarried rock and mining byproducts into a valuable carbon-removing product and opening a new market for the sector.
Fishing
By raising the pH of ocean water, ocean alkalinity enhancement helps counteract the acidification that harms fish stocks, shellfish, and coral reefs, supporting healthier and more productive fisheries.
Waste Management
Ocean alkalinity enhancement can be integrated into existing water treatment and power facilities, letting operators dose alkaline minerals into their outflows and turn routine discharge into a new carbon-removing revenue stream.
Project snapshot
Tufts Cove
Dartmouth, NS
Planetary adds a safe mineral to our waterways, or even waste water treatment systems, to boost the ocean’s capacity to absorb and permanently store carbon. They run year-round at Nova Scotia Power’s Tufts Cove plant after scaling up from a one-week trial.
West River Pictou & Moser River
Pictou County & Moser River, NS
CarbonRun adds crushed limestone to acidified Nova Scotia rivers, restoring their natural ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it permanently in the ocean, while restoring fish habitats. CarbonRun issued the world’s first verified river alkalinity enhancement credits.
