A significant environmental experiment is set to take place this month in the Wilkinson Basin, where researchers plan to release 50 tons of sodium hydroxide. This operation is part of the LOC-NESS initiative, conducted from two research vessels assigned to the project.
According to Subhas, the basin has been deemed a suitable testing ground due to the seasonal absence of key marine life forms such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, commercial fish larvae, and several endangered species, including certain whales. As a safety measure, Woods Hole has enlisted the help of a protected species observer who will monitor these waters throughout the experiment, especially during the sodium hydroxide release.
The sodium hydroxide will be dispersed gradually over a period of four to 12 hours, mixed with a nontoxic fluorescent red dye, known as rhodamine. This dye will provide visibility to the spread and location of the sodium hydroxide in the ocean, with the vessel’s wake assisting in the mixing process.
After approximately one hour, Subhas noted that the mixture is expected to create a “pinkish” water patch visible from satellites. “We’re going to be taking pictures from space and looking at how this patch evolves, dilutes, and disperses over time,” he explained.
In the following week, scientists on board will conduct continuous data collection by working in rotating shifts around the clock. Their efforts will include deploying drones and analyzing over 20 types of samples to monitor the reactions of the surrounding waters and marine life to the release. They will assess changes in ocean chemistry, nutrient concentrations, plankton populations, water clarity, acidity, and levels of dissolved CO2.
This upcoming release builds on a large-scale dry run that took place in March at an open-air testing facility located on a naval base in New Jersey. Subhas highlighted that this previous trial showcased their capacity to safely and effectively introduce alkalinity to surface seawater.
“The next step is to measure the carbon uptake from seawater—from the atmosphere into seawater,” he stated. This process is expected to unfold more gradually, and Subhas anticipates having some initial findings on carbon uptake and environmental effects by early next year.
This story originally appeared on Inside Climate News.
