Ocean Carbon Scheme Sunk

Abstract

Citing financial woes, a U.S. firm that wanted to sell carbon credits for ocean iron fertilization has said it will “indefinitely postpone” its efforts. Last month, Planktos, a company based in Foster City, California, began an Atlantic cruise with its Weatherbird II vessel to study using iron to catalyze the growth of plankton. Planktos hoped such algal blooms would take in carbon dioxide and fall to the deep ocean, sequestering the carbon for centuries ( Science , 30 November 2007, p. [1368][1]). But some prominent scientists questioned whether Planktos could properly monitor the experiment, and Greenpeace and a number of ocean groups concerned about ecological side effects petitioned international bodies to shut down the group. Planktos kept secret details of the cruise, citing violent threats to its ship. Last week, company officials said “a highly effective disinformation campaign … has caused the company to encounter serious difficulty in raising the capital needed.” “On top of the very legitimate scientific and technological concerns, the added secrecy didn't help their case at all,” says marine biologist David Santillo of Greenpeace. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.318.5855.1368