Scientific synthesis of the impacts of ocean fertilization on marine biodiversity /

Driven by the di erence in the partial pres- sure of CO2 between the atmosphere and seawater, a portion of the atmospheric CO2 dissolves in the surface layer of the sea and is nally transported into the deep sea by ocean circulation. [...] In past decades, there have been a number of geo-engineering proposals to utilize and increase the functions of the oceans as a sink for atmospheric CO2, including the proposal to arti cially increase the ocean’s biological CO2 pump by stimulating phytoplankton growth via the addition of nutrients to suitable areas of the oceans. [...] In its decision IX/20 (marine and coastal biodiversity), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity “Taking into account the role of the International Maritime Organization, requests the Executive Secretary to seek the views of Parties and other Governments, and, in consultation with the International Maritime Organization, other relevant organizations, and indigenous [...] In 2007, at the 30th Meeting of the Scienti c Group of the London Convention and the 1st Meeting of the Scienti c Group of the London Protocol, the issue of large-scale ocean iron fertilization operations was considered by the meeting, leading to the release of a ”Statement of Concern”, which notes the recent commercial interest in the large-scale fertilization of ocean waters in order to seques [...] For example, the uptake of CO2 by marine algae during photosynthesis creates a de cit of CO2 in surface ocean waters, driving the dissolution of CO2 from the atmosphere into the surface ocean to restore the equilibrium22,23.