A novel climate change mitigation experiment that raised concerns among some regional environmental entities and local fishery groups has been postponed, potentially to next summer.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, or WHOI, originally hoped to conduct an experiment of dumping sodium hydroxide off the Island’s coast in August. The federal Environmental Protection Agency had extended a comment period in its review by 10 days, and now the institution has announced that a research vessel they planned to use is no longer available until the fall.
“WHOI explored finding a potential replacement vessel, but it was not available until late September, with the possibility of additional delays due to the anticipated active hurricane season,” the institution stated in a press release. “Researchers concluded that the ocean conditions this late in the season would be significantly less favorable for the research, which is dependent on warmer ocean temperatures.”
Phase one of the experiment would be conducted 9.5 miles off the coast of Nomans Land. Researchers propose gradually releasing 6,600 gallons of a sodium hydroxide solution to study the effectiveness of ocean alkalinity enhancement as a technique to increase the ocean’s natural ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
The EPA has yet to approve the experiment.
“The EPA has yet to approve the project” ?
How were they going to proceed if WHOI didn’t get approval?
The “experiment” was to have taken place this week I believe.
Please, no more experiments for a bit.
Why is it everything “experts” want to do for “climate change” hurts our oceans, sea life, birds etc? I’d rather deal with higher tides and stronger
storms then be responsible for killing or hurting these beloved creatures.
Heres the def of sodium hydroxide. You decide.
“Contact with very high concentrations of sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns to the eyes, skin, digestive system or lungs, resulting in permanent damage or death. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Repeated inhalation of sodium hydroxide vapor can lead to permanent lung damage.”
Is climate change hurting our oceans?
Should we just ignore it?
Sodium hydroxide is used to make soap.
Should we ban soap?
Ms. Kelleher. 6600gallons into the ocean is not a high concentration. It is miniscule and insignificant. To define Sodium Hydroxide the way you have is misleading and irresponsible. It is far less small than a pinch of salt into your bathtub and they would have gradually released 9,5 miles off the coast. Please.
You trust the science?
Will it fix climate change?
Jean, it’s also used in drinking water 💦
Our climate is changing.
Should experts ignore it?
Are you?
We definitely should just leave the acid oceans go their natural way and continue pumping tons of pollutants into the environment by continuing to support the West Virginia and Wyoming coal miners, the oil drillers, and the anti solar and wind power lobbies. The oceans will sort themselves out in an all natural way has they have been doing for centuries….sure some coral reefs may suffer, a few whales will get tangled in fishing gear and some oceans creatures will become extinct. But God forbid humans start cleaning up after themselves.
Actually, the coral reefs are doing just fine.
Do a quick search for “coral reefs growing.”
Lots of hits with positive news (to the consternation of climate catastrophilians, no doubt).
Here’s one:
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/parts-australias-great-barrier-reef-show-highest-coral-cover-36-years-2022-08-04/
Reef life has a cyclical character.
The relatively short human life span makes humans blind to nature’s longer cycles.
The proposed WHOI experiment was human scientific hubris at its worst.
Let’s hope these guys and gals go back to studying fishes, not playing god with forces they imagine they understand and seek to control.
(to the consternation of climate catastrophilians, no doubt).
Five Corners.
Albert, Five Corners flooded.
So did Seymour, CT.
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/local/photos-heavy-rain-causes-flooding-knocks-out-roads-and-bridges/3365879/?amp=1
But don’t be fooled!
There is no climate change!
Roger, some of the streams in Pennsylvania near the coal mines are “dead.” Nothing is alive in the water. The fish (and all the other creatures) have died. Are we worried about land animals or only the ocean animals?
I totally believe in Roger Becker’s philosophy leave the OCEAN alone and respect its natural cycle! Human IMPACT continues to be the Nemisis of ruining our natural resources! STOP
What should the climate change action be?
None?
Kathy, what about fishing and boating?
Jason, Why are you opposed to gathering data?
The oceans are warming and the air is filled with
carbon dioxide. We should at least TRY to fix it.
Mary- I’m not opposed to collecting data , I’m opposed to dumping chemicals into the water, no matter how benign they seem to be.
Humans are great at destruction but not so good at fixing things.
I’m also adamantly opposed to the “open loop cooling systems” for many of these OSW projects.
Not only are they dumping 95° sea water back into the ocean but it’s also treated to prevent growth from forming in the system.
I’m also curious (skeptical) as to why WHOI chose basically the same area as many of the OSW sites to perform their “experiment” (their words not mine).
I’d rather not “experiment” any further with our oceans.
WHOI did a study 30+ years ago with shell diseased lobsters at their woods hole facility, soon after vineyard sound and buzzards bay were littered with them.
Not sure of what that “experiment” was but the outcome wasn’t great.
I remember when WHOI was great.
They did oil company funded experiments.
Do you understand the most basic concept of how a heat exchanger system works?
Based on your comment and misstatements regarding offshore wind I believe you need to return and research the concept fully.
Tim- if you’re referring to my comment? , Then yes , I’m very familiar on how a heat exchanger works. Simple concept actually.
Take a raw water supply that cools an internal coolant that continually flows in a closed system to keep a motor (or whatever you’re trying to keep at a constant cooler temperature) , like flowing air that cools the coolant in your car radiator.
That raw water system has to remain free flowing, otherwise the coolant in the closed system can’t cool. Therefore , open loop cooling systems, have to be chlorinated to remain debris free to keep the closed system cooled. Hopefully I answered your question.
https://mobidrive.com/sharelink/p/5KJvyLsXSgpWdKMavBkco53yCrutZnY8pbJbu8AxL8gk
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