At first, I thought that this was false news, as the story has the trimmings of it. A Canadian minerals company, Planetary Technologies, plans to dump tonnes of magnesium hydroxide into St Ives Bay, the idea being that the laxative mineral will increase ocean alkalinity, and remove dreaded carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is yet another example of geoengineering, being considered by a private corporation, with the absurd twist that the chemical being used, Milk of Magnesia, is a well-know laxative. The question, as always, is what kick-on effects will this have on the marine environment? Will it give the oceans a big case of “the runs”? As I read the story, the scientific background work has not yet been done. And, even if it does work, the acidity of the ocean is likely to soon increase anyway given industrial outputs, so it is really just … peeing in the ocean! Never mind whether climate change is a reality of not.
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/canadian-company-wants-dump-tonnes-8200171
“There is growing concern over plans by a Canadian minerals company to dump tonnes of minerals used to make laxatives in the sea as a way to fight climate change. Planetary Technologies believes the minerals dump in the ocean could increase its alkalinity which in turn will remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
As reported by The Times, over the next few months the company is looking to drop up to 300 tonnes of magnesium hydroxide in its mineral form, brucite, in St Ives Bay. Magnesium hydroxide is probably better known as the compound Milk of Magnesia, which is used as a laxative.
Despite efforts by the Canadian company to engage with the community with public meetings in Hayle and Truro, the news has divided opinion, with many welcoming the innovative bid to fight climate change but worried about any potential negative side effects.
Sue Sayer, director of the Cornwall Seal Research Trust, said she welcomed companies exploring such approaches but felt further research ought to be carried out first. She told The Times: “My main thoughts are that we need to make sure there are no unintended effects. My feeling is there isn’t sufficient data on this introduction of the mineral and therefore no release should be done until the data is available. It’s not me trying to do the nimby thing, St Ives Bay is a really vital bay for the Cornish economy and the environment.”
Ruth Williams, marine conservation manager at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, told the newspaper that while the company’s approach was innovative and she welcomed its engagement with locals, the charity also feels that more research needs to be done to ensure the process does not negatively impact on the environment.
Planetary Technologies, based in Nova Scotia, said their approach is called ocean alkalinity enhancement, and uses an alkaline mineral to shift the pH value of the sea. Making the water more alkaline speeds up the natural way oceans lock CO2 away by neutralising dissolved CO2 and turning it into a salt.
The method also is understood to help reversing ocean acidification which is a threat to marine wildlife around the world such as coral reefs and other habitats. The company said it intends to add 0.007% of antacid to the existing the wastewater flow in Hayle throughout the period of 90 days. This should result in roughly 100 tonnes of net CO2 removal from the atmosphere.”