Nature – Guo et al. (2025): Site selection for ocean alkalinity enhancement informed by passive tracer simulations

Yiming Guo, Ke Chen, Adam V. Subhas, Jennie E. Rheuban, Zhaohui Aleck Wang, Daniel C. McCorkle, Anna Michel & Heather H. Kim, IN: Communications Earth & Environment, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02480-1

The physical circulation of ocean water exerts fundamental control on the dilution, spreading, and retention of alkaline materials, influencing carbon removal effectiveness, environmental impacts, and monitoring feasibility. Here the authors evaluate potential sites and timing for ocean alkalinity enhancement on the U.S. Northeast Shelf by conducting passive tracer simulations from 2009 to 2017. Monthly dye release experiments across ten locations were analyzed by quantifying dye evolution metrics such as surface spread, lateral movement, upper-ocean concentration, and gas transfer velocity. A site selection index was developed to assess site and time suitability for tracer dispersal for ocean alkalinity enhancement.

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