Articles | Volume 20, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4669-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4669-2023
Research article
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27 Nov 2023
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 27 Nov 2023

Responses of globally important phytoplankton species to olivine dissolution products and implications for carbon dioxide removal via ocean alkalinity enhancement

David A. Hutchins, Fei-Xue Fu, Shun-Chung Yang, Seth G. John, Stephen J. Romaniello, M. Grace Andrews, and Nathan G. Walworth

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Cited articles

Bach, L. T., Gill, S. J., Rickaby, R. E. M., Gore, S., and Renforth, P.: CO2 Removal With Enhanced Weathering and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: Potential Risks and Co-benefits for Marine Pelagic Ecosystems, Frontiers in Climate, 1, 7, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2019.00007, 2019. 
Bertrand, E. M., Allen, A. E., Dupont, C. L., Norden-Krichmar, T. M., Bai, J., Valas, R., and Saito, M. A.: Influence of cobalamin scarcity on diatom molecular physiology and identification of a cobalamin acquisition protein, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, E1762–E1771, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1201731109, 2012. 
Brzezinski, M. A.: THE Si : C : N RATIO OF MARINE DIATOMS: INTERSPECIFIC VARIABILITY AND THE EFFECT OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES, J. Phycol., 21, 347–357, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3646.1985.00347.x, 1985. 
Capone, D. G. and Hutchins, D. A.: Microbial biogeochemistry of coastal upwelling regimes in a changing ocean, Nat. Geosci., 6, 711–717, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1916, 2013. 
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Editorial statement
This important study evaluates the impacts of enhanced olivine weathering on globally relevant phytoplankton species. Results from the study indicate that olivine dissolution products are unlikely to negatively impact the six phytoplankton species tested and may even enhance growth under certain conditions. Studies examining the safety of ocean alkalinity enhancement are urgently needed as interest in deploying this strategy for carbon dioxide removal is increasing.
Short summary
Applications of the mineral olivine are a promising means to capture carbon dioxide via coastal enhanced weathering, but little is known about the impacts on important marine phytoplankton. We examined the effects of olivine dissolution products on species from three major phytoplankton groups: diatoms, coccolithophores, and cyanobacteria. Growth and productivity were generally either unaffected or stimulated, suggesting the effects of olivine on key phytoplankton are negligible or positive.
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