Optimizing biological carbon uptake by regulating carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium

Abstract

Balancing the global carbon budget is a grand challenge and a critical research mission for sustaining life on Earth. Oceans absorb ca. 30% of global anthropogenic CO 2 emissions and dissolved CO 2 in the oceans forms carbonic acid that dissociates to generate H + , bicarbonate, and carbonate. By regulating the carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium, rates of marine photosynthesis can be substantially enhanced, thereby capturing and condensing CO 2 into a readily utilizable form. The specific goal of this project was to demonstrate enhanced marine biomass production at the bench-scale towards advancing sustainable marine CO 2 removal. Our proof-of-concept experimental results are highly promising and we have filed a PNNL invention disclosure. In consideration of which, no further details are included in this document.