Applications open: training course on ocean alkalinity enhancement - assessing the impact on marine organisms

The IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC) is hosting a second Training Course on Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement – Assessing the Impact on Marine Organisms. The deadline to apply is Thursday April 30th. 

The course is organized by the IAEA OA-ICC in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation through the OACIS Initiative (Ocean Acidification and other ocean Changes – Impacts and Solutions).

Objectives

The ocean is under pressure from warming, acidification and oxygen loss, adversely impacting marine ecosystems and the communities and societies who depend on them. But the ocean, covering 70% of Earth’s surface, can also be a vital part of the solution and our ally to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit warming to well below 2º C would not only require drastic cuts in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, but also the active removal of carbon CO2 on the order of 100–1000 Gt CO₂ over the 21st century (IPCC, 2018). Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) approach which is receiving growing interest from scientists, policy makers and industry. It entails the addition of alkaline materials to the sea with the goal of increasing the ocean’s potential to absorb CO₂. There is limited scientific information to date about the impact that OAE might have on marine organisms and ecosystems. Building technical expertise to assess ecological impacts of OAE is critically needed to allow for informed policy decisions about this approach. The aim of this course is to train scientists on how to perform laboratory experiments on the potential impact of OAE on marine organisms. The course includes both theoretical and practical exercises with the goals of designing purposeful experiments, analyzing complex datasets, avoiding typical pitfalls, and ensuring data comparability with other studies. Lectures on the broader context and implications of OAE will also be provided (e.g., societal and governance aspects). The course will be largely based on the 2023 Guide to Best Practices for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research, especially the chapters on experimental design.

Target Audience

The course is open to 10-12 trainees. Priority will be given to early-career scientists with experience in marine environmental changes who have already received training on ocean acidification and seawater carbonate chemistry. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in biological response research and who are interested in conducting studies on the ecological impact of OAE. At least one publication in the field of marine environmental changes is required. For more information on how to apply, see the OA-ICC News Stream.