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Carbon Dioxide Removal Graphics GAllery

A collection of graphics from the NOAA Carbon Dioxide Removal Research Strategy that demonstrate various approaches of carbon dioxide removal

Infographic for CDR Strategy
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Approaches to Carbon Dioxide Removal

Approaches to carbon dioxide removal on land and sea. Carbon dioxide removal approaches are effective when they both remove a net positive amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that would not otherwise have been removed without escaping back into the atmosphere for a long period of time (i.e. hundreds to thousands of years). Some of the approaches here rely on naturally occurring processes, while others are fully engineered.

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Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Approaches to Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Approaches to marine, or ocean-based, carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). mCDR approaches are effective when they remove a net positive amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that would not otherwise have been removed and they prevent that carbon from escaping back into the atmosphere for a long period of time (i.e. hundreds to thousands of years). Some of the approaches here rely on naturally occurring processes, while others are fully engineered.

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Infographic for CDR Direct Air Capture
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Direct Air Capture

Direct air capture encompasses land-based processes that directly removes carbon dioxide from the air via filtration. Carbon dioxide is then transported to storage reservoirs in solid or liquid form where it is durably stored for hundreds to thousands of years. In some cases it is used for other purposes in a short-term manner.

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Diagram of the carbon cycle as it is sequestered and stored in the soil.
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Soil Carbon

Soil carbon sequestration is a process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil, adding to the soil carbon pool. This process typically involves plant photosynthesis to absorb carbon. This carbon is stored long-term when it is mineralized, converted into bones or shells of animals, or converted into sugars used by microorganisms.

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Thumbnail for - CDR Strategy Macroalgal Cultivation
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Microalgal Cultivation

The large-scale farming of seaweed, also known as macroalgal cultivation or aquaculture, draws down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of the process of photosynthesis that occurs as the seaweed grows. The carbon is then stored when the biomass (vegetation) sinks to the ocean floor naturally or through intentional sinking, and becomes part of the sediment. Alternatively, seaweed can be used by harvesting and processing for food, fuel, fertilizer, or other uses. These activities would ultimately release carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere on a short timescale, and are therefore considered to be a form of carbon dioxide utilization, not carbon dioxide removal. Some of the carbon may also be released back into the atmosphere during farming. 

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Diagram of CDR Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (Enhanced Weathering)

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement through enhanced weathering can be done through spreading mined materials with high pH (alkaline) on land or in the ocean. This process can speed up the natural weathering of these alkaline materials, increasing the alkalinity of the ocean, resulting in the ocean to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Material that dissolves easily can be spread in solid or dissolved form directly over the ocean’s surface, while material that does not dissolve as easily must be spread in areas where chemical conditions or wave action speeds up the dissolution process.

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Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (Electrochemical Approaches)

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement through electrochemical approaches involve using electric currents, via electrolysis or electrodialysis, to split seawater into an acid and a base. The base is then mixed with seawater and returned to the ocean, increasing the pH of seawater and causing it to absorb more carbon dioxide. The acid produced through this process must be disposed of, used in a responsible manner, or properly neutralized to prevent it from re-entering the ocean or causing harmful pollution on land.

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Infographic for CDR Direct Ocean Capture
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Direct Ocean Capture

Direct Ocean Capture is the use of bipolar membrane electrodialysis to split seawater into base and acid. This is often done as an electrochemical method of ocean alkalinity enhancement. However, the basic solution can also be used to form carbonates, which locks up carbon dioxide in a solid form for storage on geologic timescales.

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Infographic for CDR through Ocean Fertilization
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Ocean Fertilization

Ocean fertilization is the addition of nutrients such as iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus to the surface of the ocean to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton that naturally absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Phytoplankton are an important part of the marine food web; when they sink to the deep ocean floor either directly or as waste after being eaten by another marine animal, the carbon they hold is transferred into the deep sea which may be stable there for hundreds of years. Eventually the carbon may become sediment and be stable for geologic timescales (~1 million years).

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Infographic for CDR Artificial Upwelling and Downwelling
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Artificial Upwelling and Downwelling

Technological transport of cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface to stimulate primary production and increased export of carbon to depth (Artificial Upwelling, left) and CO2-rich water from the surface to depth where it can be sequestered (Artificial Downwelling, right). Note that artificial upwelling can bring naturally high-CO2, low-O2 waters to shallower depths where they may impact surface biological systems, or outgas CO2 back
to the atmosphere prior to the onset of high primary productivity resulting from nutrient additions. Additionally, these methods can be energy intensive, and are therefore often recommended to be deployed in conjunction with renewable marine energy sources.

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Infographic of CDR through Coastal Blue Carbon
Image Credit: Sarah Battle, NOAA

Coastal Blue Carbon

The process by which coastal blue carbon ecosystems (e.g. seagrass, mangroves, and salt marshes) sequester and store carbon. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems absorb carbon from the atmosphere via photosynthesis. Additional carbon is imported through runoff from high watershed areas. Carbon is stored for long timescales in the sediments of these habitats, deep ocean sediments, and the biomass of mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems emit some CH4 and CO2 back to the atmosphere. Some carbon is exported from these ecosystems to coastal waters and to depth.

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ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint >

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

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TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action