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Articles | Volume 22, issue 2
Articles | Volume 22, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-473-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-473-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 22, issue 2
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
28 Jan 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 28 Jan 2025

Assessment framework to predict sensitivity of marine calcifiers to ocean alkalinity enhancement – identification of biological thresholds and importance of precautionary principle

Nina Bednaršek, Hanna van de Mortel, Greg Pelletier, Marisol García-Reyes, Richard A. Feely, and Andrew G. Dickson

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Editorial statement
This paper warrants selection as a highlight due to its comprehensive synthesis of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) impacts on marine calcifiers, offering essential insights for understanding potential ecological risks of this climate mitigation approach. By leveraging data from 96 studies and capturing responses across eleven biological groups, the paper establishes a predictive framework for biological responses to OAE. This work addresses a critical gap in OAE research, providing a precautionary guideline that can inform future studies, guide regional applications, and communicate risks to stakeholders.
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Short summary
The environmental impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) are unknown. Our synthesis, based on 68 collected studies with 84 unique species, shows that 35 % of species respond positively, 26 % respond negatively, and 39 % show a neutral response to alkalinity addition. Biological thresholds were found from 50 to 500 µmol kg−1 NaOH addition. A precautionary approach is warranted to avoid potential risks, while current regulatory framework needs improvements to assure safe biological limits.
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Environmental impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement
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