Scientists cautious over iron fertilization of the oceans

摘要

Scientific advisers to the international treaties, which regulate the dumping of wastes and other matters at sea, have advised the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about the effectiveness and potential environmental impact of iron fertilization. The scientists have advocates caution in relation to planned large-scale iron fertilization of the oceans to sequester carbon dioxide [CO_2] as they consider that current knowledge about the effectiveness and potential environmental impact is, as yet, insufficient.rnAccording to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), iron fertilization of the oceans may offer a potential strategy for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by stimulating the growth of phytoplankton and thereby sequestering the carbon dioxide in the form of particulate organic carbon. However, the IPCC also stated that ocean iron fertilization remains largely speculative, and many of the environmental side effects have yet to be assessed.