Controversial Climate Experiment: Proposal to Release Sodium Hydroxide into Ocean off Cape Cod

Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have proposed a contentious experiment to combat climate change by releasing 6,600 gallons of sodium hydroxide (commonly known as caustic soda or lye) into the ocean near Cape Cod. This method, part of a broader strategy known as ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), aims to increase the ocean’s capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, potentially slowing the progression of climate change.

The simplicity of the idea belies its complexity and the potential regulatory and environmental challenges it faces. U.S. regulators, local fishing communities, and environmentalists are likely to scrutinize the plan, which is still in the early stages of seeking necessary approvals. Local news outlet WBUR highlights the significant opposition and concerns already arising from various stakeholders, including the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, which has expressed apprehension about the potential environmental impacts.

OAE seeks to address the increasing acidity of the oceans—caused by the absorption of human-induced CO2 emissions—that threatens marine life. By introducing sodium hydroxide, the researchers hope to neutralize some of the ocean’s acidity and provide a buffer against further acidification.

Dan McCorkle, a retired scientist from Woods Hole and co-principal investigator of the study, emphasized the careful consideration behind the experiment. “We care about the environment, too,” McCorkle stated to WBUR, asserting that the initiative would not proceed if significant adverse effects on marine life were anticipated.

This experiment is part of a series of geoengineering efforts aimed at mitigating climate change impacts. These methods range from releasing aerosolized particles into the stratosphere to dim the sun, to enhancing ocean alkalinity to increase CO2 absorption. Each approach carries its own set of scientific, ethical, and logistical challenges.

As the team awaits a decision on their federal permit application from the Environmental Protection Agency, the debate continues about the feasibility and ethics of using geoengineering to address climate change. McCorkle underscores the urgency of exploring these options in light of ongoing reliance on fossil fuels: “It may be important to start studying whether any of these methods really are going to be helpful, whether they’re going to help get carbon out of the atmosphere.”

The proposal highlights a critical junction in the climate change dialogue—balancing the potential benefits of innovative scientific methods with the ecological risks and ethical considerations they entail.