Today, the Carbon to Sea Initiative, The Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR), and Planetary Technologies announced a new Joint Learning Opportunity (JLO) to advance ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) research in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Building on the success of Carbon to Sea’s 2024 JLO funding in Halifax, this new partnership reflects a shared commitment to continuing to deepen our investment and connection to Halifax as a fast-growing hub for marine-climate science like OAE. 

In-water field research for marine-based carbon removal approaches like OAE remains essential to advancing our collective scientific knowledge needed to guide responsible and effective climate strategies. Over the last two years, Carbon to Sea’s initial round of JLO funding in partnership with COVE helped support foundational OAE research projects — including piloting new sensor technologies for OAE monitoring, engaging First Nations communities, exploring the impacts of OAE on the Bedford Basin’s benthic communities, and measuring OAE’s key indicators.

This next JLO will build on that progress to attract and enable even more scientists and research organizations to get involved with the ongoing coastal OAE deployment at Tufts Cove led by Planetary. This opportunity will support research scientists, innovative sensing and monitoring methods, and social scientists interested in evaluating the scientific, technical, and social understanding of OAE’s viability and desirability as a method for climate change mitigation.

“This Joint Learning Opportunity is a truly exceptional occasion to strengthen the shared knowledge base we need to rigorously and urgently advance marine-based carbon dioxide removal approaches like coastal OAE,” said Dr. Will Burt, Chief Ocean Scientist at Planetary. “As we continue our work at Tufts Cove, the Planetary team is eager to welcome new partners and deepen the science conducted alongside our operations.”

“Planetary’s Tufts Cove operation is unique worldwide, and this is a great opportunity to advance current research at the site, while also bringing in new perspectives,” said Dr. Brent Else, Scientific Director at MEOPAR. “Gathering people from different sectors and disciplines to work on a real-world application of this technology is perfectly aligned with MEOPAR’s priorities to advance collaboration and coordination on priority issues for Canada’s coasts.”

“Halifax has an incredible community of scientists and organizations working to understand how one of Canada’s greatest natural resources — our ocean — can be a key part of our climate solution,”  said Miriam Zitner, General Manager, Canada for Carbon to Sea. “This Joint Learning Opportunity will strengthen that existing local network and enable new collaborations focused on ocean alkalinity enhancement as one particularly promising marine-climate approach. Carbon to Sea is looking forward to seeing what new insights will emerge from this program and help shape the future of the field.”

This JLO invites researchers to submit proposals on any topic that advances the existing body of knowledge on OAE field research. Priority will be given to projects that help close knowledge gaps beyond the scope of the existing, planned field research activities. Examples of possible knowledge gaps include: biological impact monitoring; examining trace metals and/or suspended solids in the water column; near-field measurements; near-field data synthesis and modeling; community benefit development; and OAE public sentiment exploration. 

More details about the scope of planned OAE research in Halifax, priority funding areas, and how to submit a proposal for the JLO funding opportunity can be found below.

For questions, please contact Carbon to Sea’s field research mailbox at research-network@carbontosea.org.