Potential Risks of Ocean Iron Fertilization Include Ecosystem Disruption, Harmful Algal Blooms, Oxygen Depletion, Acidification, and Others Still Undiscovered

Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) has emerged as a contentious geoengineering technique aimed at enhancing the ocean's biological carbon pump to combat climate change. By introducing iron to iron-deficient regions of the ocean, proponents aim to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and eventually sequester it in the deep ocean as they die and sink. While this approach holds promise, it is fraught with potential ecological risks that could far outweigh its benefits. Many of these risks are unknown.

Unknown Risks

Despite numerous studies, the full scope of OIF’s potential environmental impact remains unclear. Marine ecosystems are complex, with myriad interactions between biological, chemical, and physical processes. Unanticipated long-term ecological consequences, changes in nutrient cycling, and impacts on non-target species are challenging to predict, making it imperative to proceed with caution. Even minor alterations could have far-reaching and unforeseen effects, highlighting the importance of thorough scientific investigation and long-term monitoring.[^1][^2]

Sources:

[^1] Chisholm, S. W., et al. (2001). Disruption of marine ecosystems by enhanced carbon flux to the ocean. Science, 294(5541), 309-310.

[^2] Strong, A. L., et al. (2009). Ocean fertilization: Time to move on. Nature, 461, 347-348. https://doi.org/10.1038/461347a