GC-Coast · Global inorganic carbon inputs from coastal erosion

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Project objective

Marine alkalinity regulates the ocean’s ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), making it a crucial parameter for understanding climate change and for developing mitigation strategies such as ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE). Yet, global alkalinity budgets remain highly uncertain and exhibit significant imbalances, with estimated sinks exceeding the sources.In GC-Coast, I will address this knowledge gap by investigating inorganic carbon (IC) inputs from coastal erosion and the subsequent dissolution of IC in the coastal ocean, as a potentially significant yet overlooked source of marine alkalinity. Building on expertise in IC and alkalinity dynamics, biogeochemical cycling, and modeling, I will (1) develop a framework to trace the fate of eroded IC in the coastal ocean by integrating cliff and marine sampling, geochemical analysis, and reactive transport modeling, and apply this framework to New Zealand case studies, (2) quantify global IC inputs from coastal erosion into the ocean through a comprehensive literature review and spatial modeling with advanced machine-learning approaches, and (3) translate this knowledge into a OAE suitability assessment to guide informed site selection along European coastlines. GC-Coast will significantly advance our understanding of marine alkalinity cycling and its role in buffering rising CO2 levels. The results will generate new and critical knowledge for environmental and climate scientists, OAE stakeholders, and the broader public, with direct relevance to societal commitments, such as the United Nations' and European Union's sustainability goals and the Paris Agreement. By leading this project, I will gain the advanced scientific and academic skills needed to pursue a career as an independent and innovative researcher.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF HAMBURG · HamburgCoordinatorGermany
• UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO · DunedinNew Zealand

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101269335