Involved Member: Dr. Moriaki YASUHARA

This research explores the potential effects of ocean-based climate interventions (OBCIs) on deep-sea ecosystems. It addresses the growing interest in using the ocean as a source of climate change mitigation solutions and highlights the need to consider the biogeochemistry and ecosystems of the deep sea, which have received limited attention thus far. The researchers discuss various OBCIs and their potential impacts on deep-ocean ecosystems, emphasizing the governance challenges associated with these interventions. They emphasize the necessity of an integrated research framework to centralize the consideration of deep-sea impacts in mitigation planning. The study highlights the interconnectedness of the surface and deep ocean and the potential transfer of impacts through the water column and to the seafloor. The researchers also discuss the possible consequences of OBCIs on biodiversity, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and the overall functioning of deep-sea ecosystems. The study finally underscores the importance of incorporating deep-sea impacts into assessment, governance, and reporting frameworks to ensure the sustainable implementation of OBCIs.

Reference:
Levin, L.A., Alfaro-Lucas, J.M., Colaço, A., Cordes, E.E., Craik, N., Danovaro, R., Hoving, H.J., Ingels, J., Mestre, N.C., Seabrook, S., Thurber, A.R., Vivian, C., Yasuhara, M., (2023). Deep-sea impacts of climate interventions. Science, 379(6636), 978-981. (impact factor: 56.9)