The WHOI Lye Dumping Experiment: A Reckless Attempt at Climate Mitigation

The recent announcement by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to conduct an experiment involving the dumping of lye into the ocean is a striking example of the overzealous and poorly thought-out measures being taken under the guise of combating climate change. This initiative, detailed in a July 7th Nantucket Current article, is fraught with scientific uncertainties and potential environmental hazards that far outweigh any speculative benefits.

According to the article, WHOI plans to conduct a geoengineering experiment aimed at reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by adding alkaline substances, specifically lye, to the ocean. The underlying hypothesis is that the addition of lye will increase the ocean’s alkalinity, enhancing its ability to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Starting this August, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will conduct a small-scale study on the effects of ocean alkalinity enhancement, a process that artificially increases the pH of ocean water to combat human-caused ocean acidification. The experiment will be conducted in the waters southwest of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Dubbed the “LOC-NESS” project – short for Locking away Ocean Carbon in the Northeast Shelf and Slope – the experiment involves the dumping of 20 metric tonnes of sodium hydroxide (also known as lye and caustic soda) and up to 75 kilograms of tracer dye into the ocean followed by five days of on-site, 24-hour monitoring of alkalinity dispersal, CO2 uptake, and environmental impacts.

https://nantucketcurrent.com/news/whoi-plans-experiment-to-combat-climate-change-in-waters-southwest-of-nantucket

The science behind this experiment is speculative at best. The ocean’s complex chemistry and the myriad of variables that affect carbon sequestration processes make it difficult to predict the outcomes of such an intervention accurately. There are significant uncertainties regarding the extent to which increased alkalinity will actually lead to enhanced CO₂ absorption.

In a press release, the EPA said that it “does not anticipate any measurable environmental or other impacts beyond the monitoring periods of the study” and Woods Hole’s website stresses that because of the purity of sodium hydroxide, “the effects on water quality are limited only to the effect on pH.”

https://nantucketcurrent.com/news/whoi-plans-experiment-to-combat-climate-change-in-waters-southwest-of-nantucket

Woah, tell that to the fish and other organisms you poison with Lye. Might as well be dynamite fishing.

We will track the addition of 20 tonnes of NaOH for ~5 days, resulting in the potential sequestration of up to 20 tonnes of CO2. This experiment is small enough in scale that any immediate impacts will be minimal, and any alkalinity effects will, by the end of the experiments, be fully diluted back to baseline conditions.

https://nantucket-current.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/assets/1-LOCNESS_PermitApplication_Resubmission4_29042024_South-of-Mass.pdf

Moreover, the potential ecological impacts of dumping a caustic substance like lye into the ocean cannot be overstated. Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is a strong base that can cause severe chemical burns and damage marine life if not properly managed. There are risks associated with altering the ocean’s chemistry, including potential harm to marine ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them.

The experiment’s potential environmental consequences are manifold. Altering ocean alkalinity could disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. The effects on phytoplankton, which form the base of the oceanic food web, are particularly concerning. These microorganisms are crucial for carbon cycling and any significant changes to their environment could have cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.

Geoengineering opponents are skeptical of the scientists’ confidence and warn that human interventions in the environment often have unintended consequences.

https://nantucketcurrent.com/news/whoi-plans-experiment-to-combat-climate-change-in-waters-southwest-of-nantucket

Additionally, the introduction of lye could lead to localized areas of high pH, which might harm marine life, particularly species that are sensitive to changes in their environment. This is a significant risk that appears to be downplayed in the pursuit of geoengineering solutions.

Geoengineering should not be seen as a viable approach to environmental management. The presumed threats associated with climate change should not drive us to such extreme measures.

In light of the significant uncertainties and potential risks associated with this experiment, it is crucial to exercise caution. Dumping lye into the ocean without a comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts is a reckless approach that could lead to unforeseen and possibly irreversible damage.

Critics argue that the potential negative consequences of such experiments far outweigh any theoretical benefits, particularly given the current lack of understanding of oceanic chemical processes and the potential for unintended consequences.

The WHOI’s plan to dump lye into the ocean as a means to address a speculative problem is a deeply flawed and dangerous initiative. The scientific uncertainties and potential environmental risks associated with this experiment far outweigh any speculative benefits. Geoengineering should not be seen as a viable approach to environmental management and the presumed threats associated with climate change should not drive us to such extreme measures.

As we continue to explore ways to maintain a healthy environment, it is imperative that we prioritize approaches that are grounded in solid science and that minimize risks to our planet’s ecosystems. We must ensure that we do not undertake interventions that could cause more harm than good. The WHOI experiment serves as a stark reminder of the need for prudence and responsibility in our efforts to manage our natural resources, as well as how fanatic obeisance to ideology tosses all that out the window.

This reckless lye-dumping experiment is a testament to the desperation and shortsightedness that often accompany geoengineering proposals. Instead of turning to such high-risk strategies, we should focus on realistic and evidence-based environmental practices, ensuring a healthier and more stable environment for future generations.