The possibility of “seeding” the ocean with iron to mitigate global climate change will be the topic of an Evening @ Skidaway program. on Tuesday, May 9. In a talk titled “Exploring Ocean Fertilization: Iron and the Carbon Cycle,” UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography scientist Clifton Buck will explore the global carbon cycle and the idea of encouraging the ocean to absorb more carbon dioxide.

Clifton Buck

Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, largely from the combustion of fossil fuels, are driving planetary climate change. The global carbon cycle moves carbon among the land, air and ocean, with most carbon being found in the ocean.

“What if humans could increase the amount of carbon entering the ocean? Could we mitigate the carbon pollution we are adding to the atmosphere?” Buck asked. “If humans were to add iron to specific regions, could we spur biology to use more carbon dioxide for photosynthesis? Would this be an effective way to remove carbon dioxide that is warming the planet and acidifying the ocean?”

The program will be presented to an in-person audience as well as online. The in-person program will be presented in the McGowan Library on the UGA Skidaway Marine Science Campus (10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411). The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk at 7 p.m.

To view the program online, visit the UGA Skidaway Institute YouTube channel.

The program is open to the general public and free of charge.