Laboratory experiments in ocean alkalinity enhancement research

• Main Authors: Iglesias-Rodríguez, Maria Debora, Rickaby, Rosalind E. M., Singh, Arvind, Gately, James A.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2023-7; https://sp.copernicus.org/preprints/sp-2023-7/

Recent concern about the consequences of continuing increases in atmospheric CO 2 as a key heat-trapping agent (USGCRP, 2017; IPCC, 2021) have prompted ocean experts to come together to discuss how to provide science-based solutions. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being considered not only as a ocean carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approach, but also as a potential way to mitigate ocean acidification. Over the last two decades, inter-laboratory comparisons have proven valuable in evaluating the reliability of methodologies associated with sampling and analysis of carbonate chemistry parameters, which have been routinely used in ocean acidification research (Bockmon and Dickson, 2015). Given the complexity of processes and mechanisms related to ecosystem responses to OAE, consolidating protocols to ensure compatibility across studies is fundamental for synthesis and upscaling analysis. This chapter provides an overview of best practice in OAE laboratory experimentation and facilitates awareness of the importance of applying standardized methods to promote data re- use, inter-lab comparisons, and transparency. This chapter provides the reader with the tools to (1) identify the criteria to achieve the best laboratory practice and experimental design; (2) provide guidance on the selection of response variables for various purposes (physiological, biogeochemical, ecological, evolutionary) for inter-lab comparisons; (3) offer recommendation for a minimum set of variables that should be sampled and propose additional variables critical for different types of synthesis and upscaling; and (4) identify protocols for standardized measurements of response variables.